ALCIDA, her first Historie.

WHile I liued in the Court, honoured of all, as mother to the Prince and loued of euery one, as one that laide the methode of my sonnes hap­py and vertuous gouernment, beeing princely wedded to the higher, and affable to the lower, a Mother to them that were in want, and a Nurse to the distressed; I co [...]ed my glorie the more, and my fortune the greater, in that I was guarded with my thrée daughters, Uirgins adorned so with excellent qualiti [...] both of mind and body, I meane as well exteriour fauours, as interiour vertues, that fame made report of their honors, not only through all Taprobane, but through all the Ilands adiacent, especially of my el [...] daughter, called (for her beauty in her cradle) Flordespine: Nature had so inricht her with supernaturall beauty, that [Page] shee séemed an immortall creature, shrowded in a mortall carcase, in somuch that if her times had been equall with Troy, Paris had left Greece, and come to Taprobane for her loue. Liuing thus loued and admired of all: selfe-houe the moth that créepeth into young mindes, so tickled her with the conceit of her owne beauty, that shee counted no time well spent which shee bestowed not in setting out that more glorious by Art, which Nature had made so absolute and excellent: no drugges from Arabia, that might cleere the skinne, were vnsought for: no herbes nor secrets that any Philosopher in Physicke had found out, which might in­crease beautie, but she made experience of: following Ve­nus euery way in such vanities, and playing the right wo­man: for, to confesse the truth, their sexe careth more for the tricking of their faces, than the tearing of their soules, spending an houre rather in righting the tresses of their haire, than a moment in bending their thoughts to deuoti­on. The foulest must be faire, if not in déed, yet in conceit: and she that is faire must venter her soule to kéep her beau­ty inuiolate: but leauing off this digression, my daughter Flordespine being thus selfe conceited, was more curious than wise, and could sooner afford a pound of pride, then an ounce of humility: for diuers Noble men resorted from all the bordering Ilande to be sutors vnto her, but her beauty made her so coy, that happy was hee that might haue a glance of her perfection. So that many came ioyful in hope to haue fauor, but departed sorrowfull, answered with dis­daine. For as none pulleth vp the barran root, but he is sti­fled with the sauour: as none looketh into the poole of Baby­lon, but he hasardeth his health: as none gaseth against the Cockatrice, but either hee loseth his sight, or his life; so none tooke view of the beauty of Flordespine, but they re­turned either frantike in affection, fond with fancy, or pain­ed with a thousand perplexed passions. Yet she taking de­light in their griefes, resembled the Crysolite, which the mere it is beaten with hammers, the harder it is, and as the [Page] Palme trée can by no meanes be depressed, nor the Marga­rites of Europe wrought into no other forme, than Nature hath fram'd them: so no praiers, promises, passions, sighes, sorrowes, plaints, teares nor treaties could preuaile, to make her showe some fauour to any of her sutors. In so much that the poore Noble men finding themselues fettered, without hope of fréedome, séeing their liberties restrained within an endlesse labyrinth, and no courteous Ariadne to giue them a clew of thréed to draw them out of their mise­ries, cried out against loue, against Venus, against women, as mercilesse monsters, hatched to torture the mindes of men: and at last spying their owne follies, shaking off the shackles of [...] with disdaine, went home, and at their de­parture pronounced with Demosthenes, that they would not Poenitentiam tantiemere. Cupid séeing how his schollers flor­ked from his schoole, thought hee would retaine some one, with whom to dally; and therefore pulling forth a fierce in­flamed arrow, hee strooke the sonne of a Noble man here in Taprobane to the quicke, that he of all the rest remained fast snared in her beauty: his name was Telegonus, a Youth euery way equall to Fiordespine, except in parentage, and yet he was no meaner man than the son of an Earle. This Telegonus (omitting his proportion and qualities, for that it shall suffice to say they were excellent) hauing had a sight of Fiordespine, stood as the Deere at the gaze, swallowing vp gréedily the inuenomed hooke that Venus so subtilly had bai­ted for him: for after the Idea of her person and perfection had made a déepe impression in his minde, and that hee had passed thrée or foure daies in ruminating her excellency, and debated in his bed with many lewtene slumber how swéete a saint she was, he fell from liking to so deepe loue, that no­thing but death did rase it out.

And thus he marched vnder the standard of fancy, being but a fresh water souldier to abide the alarums of affection, feeling a restlesse passion that fretted his minde, as the ca­terpiller the fruit, he could not tell on which care to sleep, [Page] but builded Castles in the ayre, and cast beyond the moone: first, hee began to consider with himselfe, how many braue Noble men of sundry Ilands, rich in possessions, honoura­ble in parentage, in qualities rare, in property excellent, had sought her loue, and yet missed. When hee had made com­parison betweene himselfe and them, despaire began with darke perswasions to disswade him from attempting such high loues, knowing, that Aquila non capit muscas: La­dies of great beauty looke not at meane [...]: that Venus frowned on the smith with a rinkle on her forehead, when she smiled on Mars with a dimple on her [...].

These premises considered, poore Telegonus sad, nipped on the pate with these new thoughts, resembling the me­lancholy disposition of Troilus, for the inconstancy of Cressi­da, yet after hee had mused awhile, and past ouer a fewe dreaming dumpes; Hope clad in purple suted robes, tolde him that Cupid had but one string to his bowe, one head to one arrow; that Venus greatest number was an vnity, how the heart could harbour but one fancy, and one woman be wedded but to one man. Therefore though they mist, as either infortunate, or crossed by some contrary influence, sith loues fee simple was registred in the court of their de­stinies, there was no cause of his despaire, but that hee might bee the man that should enioy Fiordespine, and set vp the trophee of loue, maugre all the sinister determinati­ons of Cupid, Floting thus between despaire and hope; he passed ouer three or foure dayes melancholy and passionate, taking his only content in being solitary: so that at last fin­ding himselfe all alone, feeling the fire too great to smother in secrecy, he burst forth into these flames.

Ah Telegonus, miserable in thy life, and infortunate in thy loues: is thy youth blasted with fancy, or the prime of thy yeeres daunted with affection: canst thou no sooner see Paphos, but thou must prouide sacrifice for Venus? Canst thou not heare the Syrens sing, but thou must bend thy course to their musike? may not beauty kindle a fire, but [...] [Page] must straight step to the flame: wilt thou dally with the flye in the candle, sport with the Salamander in the heate of AEt­na, and with Troilus hazard at that which will bréede thy harme? knowest thou not loue is a [...]rantike frenzie that so inforceth the minds of men, that vnder the taste of nurture, they are poiso [...]ed with the water of Stix: for as hee which was charmed by Laon, sought still to heare her inchaunt­ment: or as the Deere after he once brouseth on the Tama­riske, he wil not be driuen away vntill he dyeth: so Louers haue their sencelesse sences so besotted with the power of this lasciuious god, they count not themselues happy, but in their supposed vnhappinesse: beeing at most ease in dis­ [...]uiet; at greatest rest, when they are most troubled: seek­ing contentation in care, delight in misery, and hunting gréedily after that which alwaies bréedeth endlesse harme. Yea but Telegonus, beauty is therefore to be obeyed, be­cause it is beauty: and loue to be feared of men, because it is honoured of the gods. Dare reason abide the brunt, when beauty bids the battell: can wisedome win the field, where loue is captaine? No, no, loue is without law, and therefore aboue all lawe: honoured in heauen, feared in earth, and a very terror to the infernall ghosts: Bow then vnto that Telegonus, whereunto lawlesse necessity doth bend: be not so fond, as with Zeuxes to bind the Ocean in fetters: fight not with the Rascians against the wind: bark not with the Wolues against the Moone: seeke not with them of S [...]yros to shoot against the Starres: striue not with Thesides against Venus: for loue bring on lewd lookes, to command by power, and to be obeyed by force: truth Tele­gonus, for Iuno stroue but once with Venus, and hee was vanquished: Iupiter resisted Cupid, but hee went by the worst. It is hard for thee with the Crabbe to striue against the stream, or to wrastle with a fresh wound, lest thou make the sore more dangerous. Wel Telegonus, what of all this prate? thou dost loue: thou honorest beauty as supernatural: thou sayst, Venus amongst al the goddesses is most mighty: [Page] that there is no Iland like Paphos, no bird like the doues, no god like Cupid: what of this? but why dost y ^u loue no mea­ner woman then Fiordespine, the daughter of the Prince, the fairest in Taprobane? Ah Telegonus, derogate not from her beauty, the fairest in the world: vnhappy man in re­counting her beauty, in reckoning her perfections, thou doest imblaze thine owne misfortunes: for the more shee is excellent, the lesse will be her loue, and the greater her dis­daine. Can the Eagle and the blind [...]syphage build in one tree: will the Falcon & the Doue couet to [...]t on one pearch: will the Ape and the Beare be tyed in one tedder: will the Fox and the Lambe be in one den; or Fiordespine, who thin­keth her selfe fairer then Venus, stoope to the lure of one so base as I? No, for the more beauty, the more pride, and the more pride, the more precisenesse. None must play on Or­menes harpe, but Orpheus: none rule Lucifer but Phoebus: none weare Venus in a tablet but Alexander, nor none en­ioy Fiordespine, but such a one as farre exceedeth thee in person and personage. Tush Telegonus, enter not into these doubts: Sapho a Quéene loued Phao a Ferri-man; shee beautiful and wise, he poore and seruile: she holding a scep­ter, hee an Oare; the one to gouerne, the other to labour. Angelica forsooke diuers Kings and tooke Medon a merce­nary Souldier: Loue Telegonus hath no lack; Cupid shoo­teth his shafts at randon; Venus as soone looketh at the sun, as at a star. Loue feareth a Prince as soone as a peasant, and fancy hath no respect of persons.

Then Telegonus hope the best: Audaces fortuna ad [...]at: Loue and fortune fauoreth them that are resolute. The stone Sandastra is not so har [...], but being heat in the fire it may be wrought: nor Iuory so tough, but seasoned with Zathe it may be ingrauen. The gates of Venus temple are but halfe shut: Cupid is a churle and peremptory, yet to be intreated: women are wilfull, but in some meanes they may be won: were she as full of beauty as Venus, or as great in Maiesty as Iuno. Hope then the best and be bold: for [...] are [Page] admitted to put in no plea at the barre of loue. Telegonus hauing, by vttering these passions, disburdened some part of his paines, and yet not in such sort, but his temples were restlesse, his griefe much, his content none at all, his care in his sleepe incessant, his mind melancholy, so that his on­ly delight was to be in dumpes; in so much, that he gadded solitary vp and downe the Groues as a Satyre enamoured of some Country Nymph. Cupid seeing his art did well, thought to shews him some sport; for on a day as hee walk­ed, contemplating the beauty of Fiordespine, being sore a­thirst with inward sorrow, he went to a fountaine hard by to coole his heate, where he found his heart set on fire with a great [...]ame: for there he espied Fiordespine, and her other two sisters sitting solacing themselues about the spring: which sodaine sight so appalled his senses, as if he had been appointed a new Iudge to the three goddesses in the vally of Ida: yet seeing before his eyes the mistris of his thoughts, and the saint vnto whom he did owe his deuotion: hee be­gan to [...]ke heart at grasse, thinking that by this fit oppor­tunity, Loue aud Fortune began to fauour his enterprise: willing therfore not to omit so good an occasion, he saluted them in this sort.

Muse not, faire creatures, if I stand in a maze, sith the sight of your surpassing beauties makes me doubt, whether I should honour you as earthly ladies, or adore you as hea­uenly goddesses: for no doubt Paris neuer saw fairer in Ida. But now noting with déep insight the figure of your diuine faces; I acknowledge your honours to bee sisters to our prince, whom I reuerence, as allyed to my souereigne, and offer my sernice, as a seruant euer deuoted to such faire and excellent saints.

The ladies hearing this strange and vnlooked for saluta­tion, began to smile: but Fiordespine frowning, as halfe an­gry he should presume into her presence, with a coy counte­nance returned him this answere.

If sir Telegonus, for so I suppose is your name, your [Page] eye-sight be so bad, perhaps with péering too long on your bookes, or your selfe so far beside your sences, as to take vs for Nymphes: I would wish you either to read lesse, or to prouide you a good Physicion, else shall you not iudge co­lours for me: and yet since I would you should know, wee count our penny good siluer, and thinke our faces, if not ex­cellent, yet such as may boote compare.

Telegonus taking opportunity by the forehead, and thin­king to strike the yron at this heat, made reply.

Maiden, hee might be thought either blinde or enuious, that would make a doubt of Venus beauty, and he be déemed either frantike or foolish, that cannot see and say, as you are superior to most, so are you inferiour to none. Pardon Ma­dam, if my censure be particular, I meane of your sweet selfe, whose fauours I haue euer loued and admired, though vnworthy to set my fancy on such glorious excellency.

Fiordespine hearing her self thus praised, was not great­ly displeased, yet past she ouer what was spoken, as though her eares had beene stopt with Vlisses: but Eriphila, the se­cond, who was as wise as her sister was beautifull, desired Telegonus to rest him by them on the grasse, and that they would at their departure aske him as a guard to the court: Telegonus as glad of this command, as if he had been willed by the gods to haue béen chamberlaine to Venus, sa [...]e downe with a mind full of passions, hauing his eye fixed still on the beautie of Fiordespine: which Eriphila espying, thinking to be pleasant with Telegonus, she began thus to prattle.

Your late passionate speech Telegonus, to my sister Fior­despine, makes me think that Venus is your chiefe goddesse, and that loue is the lord, whose liuery you weare: if it be so, neighbour take heede (for fancie is a Shrew) many like, that are neu [...]r loued: Apollo may cry long after Daphne before she heare him: and Troilus may stand long enough on the walls before Cresida waue her gloue for a salue. I speak Telegonus against our selues: take héed, we be coy, and wi­ly: we with our lookes can change men, though Venus will [Page] weare the target, and Mars the distaffe, Omphalo handle the club, and Hercules the spindle: Alexander must crouch, and Campaspe looke coy: women will rule in loues, how­soeuer men bee l [...]fty in courage. Indeed Madam, quoth Telego [...]us, him whom no mortall creature can controle, loue can command: no dignity is able to resist Cupids de­itie. Achilles was made by his mother Thetis invulnera­ble, yet wounded by fancie: Hercules not to be conquered of any, yet quickly conquered by affection: Mars able to resist Iupiter, but not to withstand beautie. Loue is not onely kindled in the eye by desire, but ingrauen in the minde by destinie, which neither reason can eschew, nor wisedome expell: the more pittie I confesse Madam, for poore men, and the greater impietie in the gods, that in gi­uing loue free libertie, they grant him a lawlesse priui­ledge; but since Cupid will bee obeyed, I am contented to bowe: especially, seeing I haue chanced to set my affecti­on on so excellent a creature.

And who might that be, I pray you (quoth Fiordespine) (taking the matter in dudge [...], that Telegonus should make report) that is of such great excellencie? dwelleth shee in Taprobane? In Taprobane Madam, replied Telegonus, but with such a peale of sighes, bewraying his loues in silence: that Eriphila smiling, sayd; I see fire cannot bée hidden in the Flaxe without smoke, nor Muske in the bo­some without smell, nor loue in the brest without suspiti­on: I perceiue, in faith neighbour, by your lippes what lettice you loue: the saint that you account of such excel­lency, whose perfection hath so snared your sences, is my sister Fiordespine. I, quoth Fiordespine, filling her Iuory browes full of Shrewish wrinkles, I hope the young lord Telegonus knowes what Suters I haue shaken off: and therefore not inferring comparisons, because they bee odi­ous, I may giue him his answere with an &c. There are more Maydes then Maulkin, and more birds for the Faulcon to pearch with, then the Eagle: the Lyon is a [Page] bloudy beast, for that he knoweth his strength: I will not conclude: but lord Telegonus, if I be the woman you mean, cease from your sute, for in faith so well I doe loue you, that you cannot more displease mee, then in seeking to please mee: for if I knew no other cause to mislike, yet this might suffice, that I cannot loue. At this flat and per­emptorie answere, Telegonus sate nipped on the pate, like to them which taste of the fish Mugra, whose operati­on maketh them for a time sencelesse: which Eriphila espy­ing, thinking to iumpe euen with the Gentleman, pitty­ing his passions, in that Fiordespine was so coy to so cour­teous a Youth, sayd: You may see now Telegonus, that Venus hath her frownes, as shee hath smiles: that Cu­pid hath arrowes headed with [...]ead to procure disdaine, as well as with golde to increase loue: heare mee that am a Uirgin, as dutifull to Vesta, as reuerent to Venus.

The paines that louers take, for hunting after losse, if their mindes were not confirmed with some secret in­chantment, were able to keepe their fancies for being in­flamed, or else to coole desire alreadie kindled: for the daies are spent in thoughts, and the nights in dreames: both in danger, either of beguiling vs of that wee had, or promi­sing vs that wee haue not. The head fraught with fanta­sies, fiered with ielosie, troubled with both: yea so many inconueniences waite vpon loue as to reckon them all, were infinite: and to ta [...]te but one of them were intollera­ble, being alwaies begun with griefe, continued with sor­row, and ended with death: for it is a paine shadowed with pleasure, and a ioy stuffed with misery. So that I cōclude, that as none euer sawe the altars of Busiris without sor­row, nor banqueted with Phoebus without surfetting: so as impossible it is to deale with Cupid, and not either to gaine speedie death, or endlesse danger. As I was ready in defence of loue to make reply, there came a little page from their lady mother, to call them home to dinner: wherupon they all rose, and would haue taken their leaue, but boldly [Page] I stood to my tackling, and told them: Ladies you passe not so; for construe my meaning how you please, or accept of my repay how you list, I will not bee so discourteous to leaue you so slenderly guided, as in the guard of this little page: and with that I conducted them vnto the court, and there with a loth to depart, tooke my leaue, hauing a cour­teous farewell of all but of Fiordespine, who parmning like Iuno, in her mai [...]stie gaue mee a niggardly A dio with a nod: which notwithstanding, loue commanded me to take as a prodigall courtesie. Well, Telegonus thus left alone, fea­ring too much solitarinesse might breede intemperate passi­ons, went home, musing on the strange qualities of his mi­stresse: where c [...]sting himselfe on his bed, he began to con­sider, that as she was beautifull, so she was proud; and that her exteriour fauour was blemished with an interiour dis­daine: that Venus was as much despised for her light­nesse, as honoured for her deity: that the blacke violet was more esteemed for her smell, then the Lilly for her white­nesse: that the darkest Topas was held more precious then the brightest Crystall: and women are to bee measured by their vertues, and not by their beauties: And why dost thou vrge this Telegonus, for that shee hath not fawned on thee at the first meeting, giuen ouer the fort at the first assault, and consented to thy loue at the first motion? wouldest tho [...] haue her so light, fond youth, as to stoope to the lure at the first call. Helena was wanton, yet was shee long in woo­ing: Paris courted her before he caught her: if a straggler made it strange, blame not her that is vertuous and a Uir­gin, if she be somewhat coy: resting in this hope, he some­what appeased his passions, driuing away his melancholy and despairing humours, by setting his rest on this point. But loue that is impatient, was in the day his companion, and in the night his pillow: Venus commanded her sonne to be beaten with Roses, which as they are faire coloured, and sauour sweet, so they are full of prickes, and pierce the skin: Loue, thus hammering in the head of Telegonus, hee was [Page] doubtfull what to do, or how best to prosecute his purpose: to repaire to the court, and there to court her, was to at­tempt an aduenture very perilous and halfe impossible: to seeke meanes to parle with her, was to offer blank papers to Venus: therefore he resolued to write vnto her, and ther­upon entering into his studie, hee tooke pen and paper, and sent vnto her in this effect.

TElegonus hauing finished his letter, caused it to be de­liuered to Fiordespine with great trustinesse and secre­cie, who receiuing it with a frowning looke, as halfe suspecting the contents, yet vnripped the seales and read it: which when shee had throughly perused, draue her into such a furie, that shee in a rage rent it, and flung it into the fire, saying: There end his letters and his loues. But as the Sea once hoysed with a gale, calmeth not till it hath passed with a storme; as the stone Pyrites once set on fire burneth in the water: so a womans stomake once stir­red, ceaseth not to be discontent, till it bee glutted with reuenge: for, Fiordespine not satisfied with tearing the letter of Telegonus, could take no rest, till either shee had breathed out some hard speeches with her tongue, or set downe bitter taunts with her pen, séeing therefore no fit meanes for the one, shee stept in great choller to her stan­dish, and wrote to him thus satyrically.

THis letter was no sooner sealed, but (as women are im­patient of delaies) it was conueied with all possible speed to Telegonus; who receiuing it, kissed and [...] it, as comming from the hands of his goddesse, changing colour oft, as one betweene feare and hope: at last vnrip­ping the seales, he read such a corasiue, as cut him to the heart. The Aspis stingeth not more deadly, the serpent Porphirius inuenometh not more déepely, neither did euer the sight of Medusas head more amaze a man, than the con­tents of this satyricall letter did Telegonus: yea it draue the poore Gentleman into so many passions, that he became halfe lunaticke, as if hee had eaten of the seed of sputanta, that troubleth the braine with giddinesse: he fell to exclaime against Venus and her deitie, blaming the gods that would suffer such a gigglet to remaine in heauen, repeating her lawlesse loues with Adonis, and her scapes with Mauors. Cupid he called a boy, a fondling, blind in his ayme, and ac­cursed in hitting the marke: rageth against women, saying; they were mercilesse, cruell, vniust, deceitfull, like vnto the Crocodile in teares: in sight, they seeme to be Carnations; in smelling, Roses; in hearing, Syrens; in taste, worme­wood: in touching, nettles: Thus he rayled and raged ca­sting himselfe on his [...], and there forging a thousand per­plexed passions, one while accusing loue as a lunacie, and then againe saying: Beautie was diuine, and the rich [...] iewell that euer nature bestowed vpon men. Lingring a day or two in this frenzie, he thought not to giue ouer the Castle at the first repulse, nor to prooue so lewd a Hunts­man as to giue ouer the chase at the first default, therefore he once againe armed himselfe with his pen and paper, and gaue a fresh alarum to his friendly [...]oe in this manner.

THis letter finished and sent vnto Fiordespine, so trou­bled her patience, for that Telegonus was importunate, that she fared like the frownes of Bacchus, halfe mad at this secret motion, swearing reuenge, if either her selfe or her friends could performe it: and in this humor she sent him by her Page, these few lines.

AFter that Telegonus had read this letter, saw [...]ed with such peremp [...]ory disdaine, hee fell in a trance, lying in his bed as a dead carcase: but when he was come to himself, hee fell into such extreme passions, that his father and his friends comming into the Chamber, thought him possessed with some spirit: the Physician felt his pulses, and found hee had a sound body, whereupon they did coniecture it was loue: and to verifie the same, after he had raised himself vp in his bed, with a gastly looke, he cryed nothing but Fiorde­spine, fetching such gréeuous grones & déepe sighes, that all the chamber fell into teares: whereupon the old Earle, ha­uing his haire as white as snowe, came himself trudging to the Court, telling the ex [...]me pas [...]ion of his son, entreating Fiordespine that she would so much as vouchsafe to come to his house, onely with her presence somewhat to mitigate his sonnes passions: but such was the pride and disdaine of my daughter, that neither theteares of the old Earle, the in­treaty of my son, nor my command could preuaile with her, insomuch, that the old man returned comfortlesse and sor­rowing. Well, Telegonus lying thus distrest by the space of a weeke, at last faining himselfe to amend, would needes walk abroad that he might be solitary, and stumbled weake as hee was into this vale, and to this place, where sitting downe he fell into these pa [...]ons: Infortunate Telegonus, whose stars at thy [...]irth were in some cursed aspect, why didst thou not perish at thy birth, or how did fortune frowns. [Page] that thou wert not [...] in thy swadling cloathes? now growne to ripe yéetes, thou feelest more miseries than thou hast liued moments: ah loue, that labyrinth that leadeth men to worse dangers then the Mynotaure in Greece: loue that kindlest desire, but allowest no reward: inconstant Ve­nus, whose sacrifices sauour of death, whose lawes are ty­rannous, whose fauours are misfortunes! strumpet as thou art; (for I disdaine to call thee goddesse) thou and the ba­stard brat thy sonne, shew your power, your deitie: reuenge my blasphemies how you can; for how great soener your choller be, my calamitie cannot bee more. Mercilesse wo­men, whose faces are lures, whose beauties are baites, whose lookes are nets, whose words are charmes, and all to bring men to ruine. But of all, cruell Fiordespine, borne of a Tyger, and nursed of the shee Wolues in Syria: whose heart is full of hate, whose thoughts are disdaine, whose beautie is ouerlaid with pride. Let Venus, if shee haue any iustice, or Cupid, if he haue the equitie of a god, make thee loue where thou shalt be mislik [...]. Alas Telegonus, cease not with these praiers, the reuenge is too easie, but cry to the bit­ternesse of thy passions, that they quit thy reue [...]ge against Fiordespine: and with this his spéech ceasing, hee beat him­selfe against the ground in such pitifull sort, that the gods tooke compassion, and resolued a reuenge. But while hee lay thus perplexed, his father mist him, and taking some of his Gentlemen with him, sought him, and found him in this Malley, passionate and speechlesse. The rumour of Telegonus distresse came to the Court: whereupon, I, and my sonne, with my other two daughters so intreated Fior­despine, that she granted to go see the Gentleman: walking therfore to this place, here we found him accompanied with his friends, all signi [...]ying with teares, how they greeue [...] at his mishap. Telegonus no sooner sawe Fiordespine, but turning himselfe vpon the grasse with a bitter looke, hee first gaz'd her on the face, then lifting vp his eyes to heauen, gaue a great sigh, as though his heart-strings had broke: [Page] which Fiordespine percei [...]ing, tri [...]mphing in the passions of her louer, shee turned her backe and [...]miled. Scarce had she fram'd this scornefull countenance, but Mercury sent from the gods in a sh [...]pheards attir [...], strooke her on the head with his Caduceus, and turned her into this marble picture, which we amazed at, and Telegonus noting, tur­ning himselfe on his left side, groned forth these words, the gods haue reuenged, and I am satisfied: and with that hee gaue [...]y the ghost. The old Earle gréened at the death of his sonne, taking vp his body, departed: I sorrowing at the Metamorphosis of my daughter, wept: but to small effect: for euer since she hath remained, as thou seest a wonder to the world, and a perpetuall griefe to me.

Thus (sonne) hast thou heard the discourse of my daugh­ters misfortune, which hath not been so delightfull for thee to heare, as greeuous for me to reueale: but seeing I am entred into the discoueries of their ills, no sooner shall wee haue taken our repast, but I will shew thee what fortuned to her second sister Eriphila, for I knowe the nature of men is desirous of nouelties: and with that taking mee by the hand, we went home to her Cottage.

The second Historie of ERIPHILA of Taproban [...].

AFter that my daughter Fiordespine was metamor­phosed by the gods, in reuenge of her cruelty to Te­legonus: time hauing rooted out some part of my sorrowes, I beganne to [...]ace my selfe with the other two daughters, Eriphila and Marpesia. This Eriphila was as wittie, as her sister was beautifull, so that she was admired in Taprobane, and all the bordering regions about, accoun­ted (though not in yéeres, yet in wit) a Sibil: beeing able to answere as darke an Enigma, as the subtillest Sphinx was able to propound: and I tel thee, sonne, as she was fa­uoured by Pallas, so Venus was not behind in her fauours: for she was beautifull, insomuch, that these gifts co-vni­ted, made sundrie Suters come from sundry coasts, to bee wooers to such a wily Minton.

Amongst the rest, by fortune, there arriued in this coast, [Page] imbarked in a small Pinace, the Dukes sonne of Massilia, called Meribates: who comming on shoare for fresh water, came to see the Court of Taprobane: where being greatly welcommed by my sonne, falling into talk with my daugh­ters, hee found Eriphila so adorned with a supernaturall kinde of wit, as hee was snared in the sweetnesse of her answeres: swallowing downe the conceit of her wisedome with such greedinesse, that hee lay drunks in the remem­brance of her qualities; finding seuerall delayes to make stay in the country couertly: causing his Mariners to crack their tackling, to vnrigge their Shippe in the night, that they might haue iust cause to lye there the most part of that Summer. Loue beginning to make this youngster politike, caught him so fast by the heart, that Mars was neuer more feately intangled in Vulcans net, nor the forerunners of Ia­son more subtilly wrapped in the labyrinth, then Meribates wa [...] in the snares of fancie: for what he talked, euen a­mongst the meanest of his Mariners, was of Eriphila: his thoughts, his musing, his determinations, his resoluti­ons, his dayes watchings, his night slumbers were of the excellent wit of Eriphila, insomuch that loue lodged the Nouice vnder her Canapie, where hee breathed out these passions.

Infortunate Meribates, whom the enuious Fates haue scorned to make infortunate! Hast thou mann'd thy selfe in a Barke to scoure the Seas, and in this quest art thou like to lose thy sences? Soughtest thou to abide the plea­sure of Neptune, and art faine to stand to the courtesie of loue? Hast thou found flames amidst the waues? Fire in the water, and fancy where no affection was meant? well now I see, that as the Bee that flyeth from flowre to flowre, hauing free choyse to choose at libertie, is at last ta­ken by the wings, and so fettered: In like manner [...], my fancy taking the view of manie a face, hath a restraint of his freedome, and is brought into bondage with the wit of a stranger: But Meribates, w [...]it thou loue so lightly? [Page] shall fancy giue thee the foile at the first [...]? Shall thin cares bee the cause of thy misery? Wilt thou with Vlisses heare the Syrens sing, listen to their melody, and runne vn­to endlesse misfortune?

Eriphila is wise, so was Helena, yet shee played the wanton with Paris: shee answeres like the Uirgin at Del­phos, and her words are as Nectar. Roses are sweete, yet they haue pric [...]es: the purest hunny. Bee is not without his [...]ing: wit in a woman is like Dyle in the flame, which either kindle [...]h too great vertue, or extreme vanity: Well Meribates, howsoeuer it bee, wit cannot bee placed so bad but it is precious? What is beauty but a colour dasht with euery breath, a flowrenipt with euery frost, a fauour that time and age defaceth: whereas wit increaseth by yecres; and that loue continueth longest, that is taken by the eare, not by the eye: yeeld then Meribates, when thou must néedes consent; runne when thou art called by com­mand: Pallas is wife, and will not bee ingratefull to her votaries: say none, but Eriphila: for sure, if euer thou wilt bestowe thy fréedome, shee is worthy to haue thee cap­tiue. If thou meanest to marrie, thou canst not haue a mée­ter match: yea, but how if her heart be placed, and her mind settled vpon some Gentleman in Taprobane? then were I a great deale better to wayle at the first, then to weepe at the last: to be content with a little pricke, then a deepe wound; to [...] at the brimme than at the bot­tome.

The Scorpion, if he touch neuer so lightly inuenometh the whole body: the least sparke of wilds fire will set an whole house on flame: the Cockatrice killeth euen with his sight: the sting of loue woundeth deadly: the flame of fancie sets on fire all the thoughts; and the eyes of a louer are counted incurable.

Fearefulnesse ( Meribates) in loue is a vertue: hast thou turned ouer so many bookes of Philosophy, and hast thou not quoted Phocas precept to bee fruitfull? that louers [Page] should procéede iu their suite, as the Crabbe, whose pace is euer backward; that though loue bee like the Adamant which hath vertue to drawe, yet thou shouldest bee sprink­led with Goates bloud, which resisteth his operation. If the wit of some Pallas Nymphes haue inclosed thy minde, yet thou shouldest take the Dyle of Nenuphar, that cooleth desire: what Meribates, wilt thou become a precise Pytha­goras, in recounting of loue? No, let not the precepts of Philosophy subject the will of nature; youth must haue his course: he that will not loue when hee is young, shall not bee loued when hee is olde: say then Meribates, and neuer gaine-say, that Eriphila is the marke thou shoote at: that her surpassing wit is the Syren, whose song hath in [...] chanted thee: and the Cyrces cup which hath so so [...]ed thy senees, as either thou must with Vlisses haue a spéedy re­medie, or else remaine transformed. Consider Me [...]bates the cause of thy loue, lest thou faile in the effects. Is the foundation of thy fancy fixed vpon her feature; think with thy selfe, Beautie is but a blossome, whose flowre is nipt with euery frost: it is like the grasse in India, which withe­reth before it springeth: What is more faire, yet what more fading? What more delightfull, yet nothing more deadly? What more pleasant, and yet what is more peri­lous?

Beautie may well bee compared to the bath in Calycut: whose streams flow as cleere as the floud Padus, and whose operation is as pestilent, as the Riuer Ormen: I but Me­ribates, what more cleere then the Crystall, and what more precious? what more comely then cloth of Arras, so what more costly? what creature so beautifull as a woman, and what so estimable? Is not the Diamond of greatest dig­nity that is most glistering: and the pearle thought most precious, that is most perfect in colour?

Aristotle saith, they cannot be counted absolutely happy, although they had all the vertues, if they want beautie: yea, Apollonius (an arch-heretike, and a professed enemy [Page] against the sacred lawes of beauty) is driuen both by the lawes of Nature, and nurture, to confesse that Uertue is the more acceptable, by how much the more it is placed in a beautifull bodie: but what long digressed discourse is this thou makest of beautie, Meribates? it is not vpon such a [...]ckle foundation thou buildest thy loue: but vpon her wit, which only parteth with death: and therefore whatsoeuer Philosophie, or learning wils, I will consent vnto nature, for the best Clarkes are not the wisestmen: whatsoeuer wisdome wills, I wil at this time giue the crimes of beau­tie to my amorous passions; for he that makes curiositie in loue, will so long straine courtesie, that either hee will be counted a solemne suter, or a witlesse wooer: therefore, whatsoeuer the chance be, I will cast at all.

Meribates hauing thus debated with himselfe, re [...]ed on this resolution: that he would moderate his affection, vn­till he found opportunity to discourse his mind to Eriphila: who on the contrary side noting the perfectiō of Meribates, was more enamored of his person and qualities, then Phil­lis of Demophon, or Dido of the false and vniust Troian: for he was so courteous in behauiour, so liberall not onely of his purse, but his courtesie, that he had wonne all their hearts in Taprobane.

These considerations so tickled the mind of Eriphila, that shee fell thus to debate with her selfe. What meanes (Eri­phila) these strange and sodaine passions: shall thy stayed life be compared now to the Camelion, that turneth her self into the likenesse of euery obiect? to the herbe Phanaros, whose budde is sweet, and the roote bitter? to the Rauens in Arabia, which being young, haue a pleasant voice, but in their age a horrible crie? Wilt thou consent vnto lust, in hoping to loue? Shall Cupid claime thee for his captiue, who euen now wert vowed a vestall Uirgine? Shall thy tender age bee more vertuous then thy ripe yéeres? What, shall the beauty of Meribates inchant thy minde, or his filed speech be witch thy senses? Shall the pro­perty [Page] of a stranger drawe thee on to affection? If thou shouldest hap to like him, would hee not thinke the Castle wanted but scaling, that yeeldeth at the first shot? That the bulwarke wanteth but batterie, that at the first parley yeelds vp the keyes? Yes, yes Eriphila, his beauty argues inconstancy, and his painted phrases deceit: and if he see thee wonne with a word, hee will thinke thee lost with the winde: he will iudge that which is lightly to be gained, is as quickly lost.

The Hawke that commeth at the first call, will neuer proue stedfast on the stand. The Niese that will be reclai­med to the fist, at the first sight of the lure, will bate at euery bush: The woman that will loue at the first looke, will ne­uer be charie of her choyce. Take heed Eriphila, the finest scabbard hath not euer the brauest blade; nor the goodliest chest hath not the most gorgeous treasure: the Bell with the best sound hath an iron clapper: the fading apples of Tantalus haue a gallant shewe, but if they be touched, they turne to ashes: So a faire face may haue a foule mind; swéet words, a sowre heart: yea rotten bones out of a painted se­pulchre; for all is not gold that glisters. UUhy, but yet the Iemme is chosen by his hiew, and the cloth by his co­lour: condemne not then Eriphila, before thou hast cause: accuse not so strictly without tryall; search not so narrow­ly, till thou hast occasion of doubt.

Yea, but the Mariners sound at the first, for feare of a Rocke: the Chirurgion tainteth betimes, for his surest proofe: one fore-wit is worth two after: it is not good to beware whon the act is done: too late commeth repentance: what is it the beauty of Meribates that kindleth this flame? who more beautifull then Iason, yet who more false? for af­ter Medea had yeelded, he sacked the fort, and in liew of her loue, he killed her with [...]indnesse. Is it his wit? who wi­ser then Theseus, yet none more traiterous?

Beware Eriphila, I haue heard thee say: she that mar­ries for beautie, for euery dramme of pleasure, shall haue [Page] a pound of sorrow: choose by the [...]are, not by the eye. Meri­bates is faire, so was Paris, and yet fickle: hee is witty, so was Corsiris, and yet wauering: No man knoweth the na­ture of the hearbe, by the outward shew, but by the inward iuice; and the operation consists in the matter, not in the forme.

The Foxe winnes the fauour of the Lambes by play, and then deuours them: so perhaps Meribates shewes him­selfe in outward shewe a demy god: whereas who tries him inwardly, shall finde him but a solemne saint. Why, since his arriuall in Taprobane, all the Iland speakes of his vertue and courtesie: but perchance hee makes a vertue of his néede, and so layes this baulmed hooke of fained honesty, as a luring baite to trap some simple Dame.

The cloth is neuer tried, vntill it come to the wearing, nor the linnen neuer shrinkes, till it comes to the wetting: so want of liberty to vse his will, may make a restraint of his nature: and though in a strange place hee vse faith and honesty to make his marriage, yet she perhaps that shall try him, shal either find he neuer had them, or quite forgot them: for the nature of men (as I haue heard say) is like the Am­ber-stone, which will burne outwardly, and frieze inward­ly: and like the barke of the Mirtle trees that grew in Ar­menia, that is as hot as fire in the taste, and as colde as wa­ter in the operation.

The dogge biteth sorest when he doth not barke: the O­nix is hottest, when it lookes white: the Syrens meane most mis [...]hiefe when they sing: the Tyger then hydeth his crab­bed countenance, when he meaneth to take his prey: and a man doth most dissemble when hee speaketh fairest. Trie then Eriphila ere thou trust, especially since hee is a stran­ger: prooue ere thou put in practise: cast the water before thou appoint the medecine: doe all things with deliberati­on: goe as the Snaile faire and softly, haste makes waste: the malt is euer sweetest, where the fire is softest: let not wit ouercome wisedome, nor the hope of a husband be the [Page] hazard of thine honestie: cast not thy credite on the chance of a stranger, who perchance may proue to thee as Theseus did to Ariadne: wade not too far where the f [...]rd is vnknowne: rather bridle thy affections with reason, and mortifie thy mind with modesty: that as thou hast kept thy Uirginitie inuiolate without spot, so thy choice may bee without ble­mish: know this, it is too late to call againe the day past: therefore kéepe the memorie of Meribates as needfull, but not necessarie: like him, whom thou shalt haue occasion to loue, and loue where thou hast tried him loyall: vntill then remaine indifferent.

When Eriphila had vttered these words, she straight (to auoide all dumpes that solitarinesse might breede) came to me and her sister, and there passed away the day in prattle. Thus these two louers passionate, and yet somewhat pati­ent, for that hope had ministred lenitiue plaisters to their new wounds, passed ouer two or three daies onely with glances and lookes, bewraying their thoughts with their eyes, which they could not discouer with their tongues: Venus taking pitty of her patients, found them out so fit oc­casion, that as Eriphila with her sister Marpesia were walk­ing alone in the garden, gathering of flowers, at that in­stant (guided by loue and fortune) Meribates went into the garden to be solitarie, where straight he espied his mistris walking with her sister: now Meribates was driuen into an [...], with the extreme pleasure hee conceiued in the sodaine sight of his goddesse: insomuch, as hee stood amazed for feare, and necessity found a deadly combate in the mind of Meribates: he doubted if he should be ouer bold, to giue offence to Eriphila, and so spill his pottage. But the law of necessitie (saith Plato) is so hard, that the gods themselues are not able to resist it: for as the water that by nature is cold, is made hot by the force of fire, and the straight tree pressed downe groweth alwayes crooked, so nature is sub­iect to necessitie, that kind cannot haue his course: and yet if there be any thing which is more forcible then necessitie, [Page] it is the lawe of loue, which so incensed Meribates, that ca­sting all feare aside, he offered himselfe to his mistresse, with this courteous parle.

Gentle women, if my presumption do trouble your mu­ses, yet the cause of my boldnesse deserueth pardon, [...] where the offence proceedeth of loue, there the pardon en­sueth of course: I stood in a maze at the first [...]ght, for mee thought you resembled Pallas and Iuno, departing away from Venus, after shee had wonne the ball: you Madam Eriphila, like the one for wit, and Marpe [...]a like the other for maiestie: but hows [...]euer (sweet saints) you grace this Garden with your presence, as Diana doth the Groues, and honour mee, in admitting [...] vnworthy a man into the company of such excellent personages. Eriphila hearing Meribates in these tearmes [...], giuing a glory to her face, by staining her cheekes with a vermillion blush, both sharply and shortly made this reply.

It is neuer presumption (lord Meribates) that fortune presents by chance, and therefore no pardon, where is no of­fence: our musing was not great, onely gathering flo [...]res which wee like by the hiew, but know not by the vertue: herein resembling louers, that aiming at the fairest, oft stumble on such as are little worth: If you haue made vs any fault, it is in giuing vs so kinde a [...]umpe, with your vnlikely comparison: I being as vnlike to Pallas in wit, as Vulcan to Mars in property: and shee as far different from Iuno in maiestie, as olde Bawcis was to Venus in beauty: but you Gentlemen of Massilia haue the habite of iesting, and therefore since it is a fault of Nature, we brooke it, and beare with it.

Meribates hearing so courteous and witty an answere, swilled in loue as merrily as euer Iupiter did vertue: so that delighting to heare his mistresse prattle, hee prosecuted his talke thus.

As I am glad, Madam, that my rashnesse was no occa­sion of offence, so I am sorrie you take what I vttered in [Page] earnest, to be spoken in sport: my comparison as I i [...]er­red it, so by your pa [...]ience I [...]re maintaine it, if not able by reasons, for that I [...]no Scholler: yet by loue, for that I shall drawe mine arguments from fancie, which hath set on fire a poore strangers heart, that he deemes your sweet selfe not only like Pallas, but Pallas her selfe: so that had I in this humour beene Iudge for Paris in the vale, wit (not beauty) had gotten what they stroue for.

I but sir (quoth Marpesia) from whence will you drawe your arguments to prooue mee in maiestie like Iuno? you dare not say, from reason, in regard y ^• the persons are with­out compare; and from loue if you argue, you proue your selfe double faced like Ianus, and double hearted like Iupi­ter, to haue two strings to a bowe, and two loues at one time.

Yes Madam, quoth Meribates, my common place in this Enthymema shall bee also from loue, for in affecting so dearely your sister, I cannot but déeply honour you, if not in loue as my Paramour, yet in friendly affection as her sister.

You harpe still, answered Eriphila, on one string, which is loue: if you be in earnest, looke for a frowne, as I gaue you a fauour: beleeue me, lord Meribates, there is nothing easier than to fall in loue, nor harder than to chance well; therefore, omitting such serious matter as fancie, for that I am vowed to Vesta, tell mee, will you prouide you, as we, of a Nosegay? And if you be so minded, tell me, of all flow­ers which like you best? Those, Madam, that best fit with my present humour. And what bee they, quoth Marp [...]sia? Penses, Madam, answered Meribates, for it is a prettie flowre, and of sundrie colours, seeding the eye with va­rietie, which is the chiefest pleasure to the sight: especial­ly I like it for the agnonimation, in that the word com­ming from France, signifies fancies. Now how I am con­tented with fancies, I would you could as well see, as I feele.

[Page]One while imagination presents vnto me the Idea of my mistris face, which I allow with a fancie: another while a thought of her beautie wakens my sences, which I con­ [...] with a [...]ie: straight her vertue sayes shee is most excellent, which I gratifie with a fancie: then to seale vp what may bee sayd, her ra [...]e and supernaturall wit sayes, her conceits are diuine, which auowed with a catalogue of solemne oathes, I set downe as a maxime, with a fa­ncie.

Thus are my thoughts sed with fancies: and to be brief, my life is lengthned out by fancies: then Madam, blame me not if I like Penses well; and thinke nothing, if I set no other flowre in my nosegay. And truly lord Meribates, answered Eriphila, you and I are of one mind, I meane in choice of flowres, but not sir, as it is called a Pense, or as you descant on fancie: but as we homely Huswiues call it, Hearts-ease, for of all contents I thinke this the greatest; for in naming this word Hearts-ease, I banish (as with a charme) the frownes of fortune, and the follies of loue, for the partie that is toucht by the inconstancy of the one, or the vanitie of the other, cannot boast hee meaneth hearts ease: seeing then it [...]eedeth such rest vnto the minde, and such quiet to the thoughts, we will both weare this flowre as a fauour, you as a Pense, bat I as Hearts-ease.

As these two louers were thus merrily descanting vpon flowres, I came into the Garden, and found this young lord and my daughter at chat, no whit displeased, in that I knew the honour of his house, his great possessions and pa­rentage, I winkt at their loues, and after a little ordinary parle called them in to dinner: where there was such [...]an­ding of [...]es and amorous lookes, betweene Meribates and Eriphila, as a blinde man might haue seene the creeples hault: well, dinner being ended, as Meribates entred in­to the conūderation of Eriphilaes wit; so shee more impa­tient, as the horse that neuer hauing felt the [...], run­neth at the first pricke; so she neuer hauing felt before the [Page] like flame, was more hot, and [...] wearie, than if before she had beene scorched with affection.

Now she called him in her thoughts beautifull, saying; that the fayrest and [...] herbes haue the most secret o­peration: shee sayd hee was well proportioned, and so the reddest Margarites had the most precious vertues: that hee was [...], and then shee called to minde the olde verse:

But when shee weighed his wise and witty arguments that he vttered in the garden, how they not onely sauored of wit, but of mirth: then

Shee could not but in her conscience sweare, that hee should be the saint at whose shrine she would offer vp her de­uotion. These two louers thus liuing the more happily, for that they rested vpon hope, it pleased my sonne and mee to walke abroad into a parke hard [...]ining to the Court, and with vs my two Daughters, and forget the strangers we could not: pacing thus abroad to take aire, when wee were in the greene meades, Meriba [...]s and my daughter had singled themselues, and he taking time while she proffe­red opportunity, began boldly to court her in this manner.

It is an olde saying (Madam) holden as an Oracle, that in many words lyeth mistrust, and in painted speech deceit is often couered. Therefore I (sweet mistresse) whose ac­quaintance with you is small, and credit lesse, as beeing a stranger, dare vse no circumstance for feare of mi [...]rust, neither can I tell in what respect to bring a sufficient triall of my good will, but only that I wish the end of my loue to be such, as my faith and loialtie is at this present, which I hope tract of time shall trie without [...]. [Page] Thy wit, Eriphila, hath bought my fréedome, and thy wise­dome hath made me captiue, that as he which is hurt of the scorpion, séeketh a salue from whence he receiued the [...]ore, so you onely may minister the medicine which procures the disease. The burning feuer is driuen out with a hot po [...]on, the shaking palsie with a cold drinke: loue onely is reme­died by loue, and fancie must be cured by continuall affecti­on.

Therefore, Eriphila, I speake with teares outwardly, and with drops of bloud inwardly, that vnlesse the mi [...]ing showres of your mercy mitigate the fire of my fancy, I am like to buy loue & repentance with death: but perhaps you will obiect, that the beasts which gaze at the Panther, are guilty of their own death: that the mouse taken in the trap, deserueth her chance: that a louer which hath free-will, de­serueth no pittie, if he fall into any amorous passions. Can the straw resist the vertue of the pure Iet, or flaxe the force of the fire? can a louer with stand the brunt of beauty, or fréeze if he stand be the flame, or preuent the lawes of na­ture: weigh all things equally, and then I doubt not but to haue a iust iudgement: and, though small acquaintance may bréede mistrust, and mistrust hinders loue: yet tract of time shall inferre such tryall, as I trust shall kindle affection. And therefore I hope you will not put a doubt till occasion be offered, nor call his credit in question, whome neyther you haue found nor heard to be halting: what though the Serpentine powder is quickly kindled, and quickly out? yet the Salamander stone once sette on fire, can n [...]uer bee quenched: as the sappie Myrtle tree will quickly rotte, so the Sethim w [...] wil neuer be eaten with wormes: though the Polype changeth colour, euery houre, yet the Saphyr will cracke, before it will consent to disloyalty. As al things are not made of one mould, so all men are not of one minde: for as there hath beene a trothlesse Iason, so there hath béene a trustie Troylus, and as there hath béen a dis­sembling Damocles, so there hath beene a loyall Lelius. And [Page] sure Eriphila, I call the gods to witnesse, without fayning, that sith thy wit hath so bewitched my heart, my loyaltie and loue shall bee such, as thy honour and beautie doth m [...] ­rite. Sith therefore my fancie is such, repay but halfe so much in recompence, and it shall bee sufficient. Eriphila hearing this passionate speech of Meribates, made him this answere.

Lord Meribates, it is hard taking the fowle when the net is descried, and ill catching of fish when the hooke is bare, and as impossible to make her beleeue that will giue no cre­dite, and to deceiue her that spieth the fetch. When the string is broken, it is hard to hit the white, when a mans credite is called in question, it is hard to perswade one. Blame me not ( Meribates) if I vrge you so strictly, nor thinke nothing if I suspect you narrowly: a woman may knit a knot with her tongue, that shee cannot vntie with all her teeth, and when the signet is set on, it is too late to breake the bargaine, therefore I had rather mistrust too soone, then mislike too late: I had rather feare my choice, then rue my chance: for a womans heart is like the stone in Egypt, that will quickely receiue a forme, but neuer change without cracking. If then I feare, thinke mee not cruell; nor scrupulous, if I be wise for my selfe: the Wolfe hath as smooth a skin as the simple sheepe the sowre Elder hath a fairer barke then the sweete Iuniper: where the sea is calmest, there it is deepest, and where the greatest co­lour of honestie is, there oftentimes is the most want: for Venus vess [...]ls haue the lowdest sound, when they are most emptie: and a dissembling heart hath more elo­quence then a faithfull minde, for truth is euer naked: I will not, Lord Meribates, runne from my particular com­parison.

Thus I cast all these doubts, and others haue tryed them true, yet am I forced by fancy to take some remorse of thy passions. Medea knew the best, but yet followed the worst in choosing Iason: but I hope not to finde thee so wauering.

[Page]Well Meribates, to be short and plaine, thou hast wonne the castle that many haue besieged, and hast obtained that which others haue sought to gaine: it is not the shape of thy beautie, but the hope of thy loyalty which inticeth me: not thy faire face, but thy faithful heart: not thy parentage, but thy manners: not thy possessions, but thy vertues: for she that builds her loue vpon beauty, meanes to fancie but for a while: would God I might find thee such a one as I will trie my selfe to be, for whereas thou dost protest such loialtie, which suppose it be true, yet shall it be but coun­terfait respecting mine, be thou but Admetus, and I will be Alcest, no torments, no trauell: no, only the losse of life shal diminish my loue, in liew thereof remaine thou but con­stant, and in pledge of my protested good will, haue heere my heart and hand to be thine in dust and ashes.

Here (son) maist thou iudge into what quandary Meri­bates was driuen, when he heard the answer of his mistris so correspondent to his sute: the prisoner being condemned hearing the rumor of his pardon, neuer reioiced more then Meribates did at this pronouncing of his happinesse. Wel, these louers thus agréeing, broke off from their parle for feare of suspicion, and ioined with companie, where falling into other talke, we past away the afternoone in many plea­sant deuices. Eriphila and Meribates thus satisfied, liuing in most happy content, honoring no deity but Venus, deter­mined as well as opportunity would minister occasion to breake the matter to mee and [...]er betime: but in the meane while my Sonne proclaymed for his delight, certaine Iustes and Turneyes, whither resorted all the brauest Noblemen and Gentlemen in Taprobane, where they per­formed many worthie and honourable deedes of Cheualry. The Iustes ended, my sonne bade them all to a banket: where, to grace the boord and to honour the companie, was placed my daughters, Etiphila and Marpesia: gazed on they were for their beauties, and admired for their honourable behauiour.

[Page] Eriphila, whose eye walked about the troope of these lu­stie Gallants, espied a young gentleman midst the rest, cal­led Lucidor, the sonne of an Esquire, a man of personage tall and well proportioned, of face passing amiable, of be­hauiour well n [...]rtured. This Gallant furnished with these singular qualities, so set on fire Eriphilaes fancie, that as if she had drunk of the fountaine in Ardenia, her hot loue was turned to a [...]ld liking. Now her heart was set vpon Lu­cidor, which of late was vowed to Mer [...]ates, in such sort that her stomake lost the wonted appetite, to feed the eyes with the beauty of her new louer, as that shee seemed to haue eaten of the herbe Sputania, which shutteth vp the sto­make for a long season. Yea so impatient was her affecti­on, as shee could not for beare to giue him such lookes; that the Gentleman perceiued shee was either resolued to out­face him, or else affected towards him. Wel, the dinner en­ded, and the Gentlemen all departed, Eriphila getting se­cretly to her closet, began to fall into these [...]earm es.

Infortunate Eriphila, what a contrariety of passions breeds a confused discontent in thy minde? what a warre doest thou feele betweene the constant resolution of a louer, and the inconstant determination of a lecher, betweene fan­cie and faith, loue and loyaltie? Wilt thou proue Eriphila, as false as Venus, who for euery effemi [...]ate face hath a new fancy and faith, loue and loialtie? Wilt thou prooue Eri­phila, as false as Venus, who for euery e [...]feminate face hath a new fancie? as trethlesse as Cre [...]da, that change [...] her thoughts with her yeeres; as inconstant as Helena, whose heart had more louers, than the Camelion colours? wilt thou vowe thy loyaltie to one, and not proue [...]edfast to any? The Turtle chooseth, but neuer changeth: the L [...]on after that he hath en [...]red league with his mat [...], doth neuer co [...]et a new choice: these haue but nature for their guide, and yet are constant, thou hast both nature and nurture, and yet art moueable: breaking thine oth without compulsion, and thy faith without constraint, wheras nothing is so ha­ted [Page] as periury, and a woman hauing crackt her loyaltie, is halfe hanged. Ciuillia being betrothed to Horatius secundus, chose rather to be rackt to death, than to falsi [...]e her constan­cie.

Lamia a [...]oncubine, could by no torments bee haled from the loue of Aristogiton, what perils suffered Cariclia for Theagynes? Let these examples Eriphila, moue thee to be constant to Meribates: be thou stedfast and no doubt thou shalt not finde him stragling. Caustana, when she came in­to the Court to sweare tha [...] she neuer loued Sudalus, became dumbe, and after fell mad: beware of the like rewarde, if thou commit the like offence. Tush, they that would re­fraine from drinke because they heard Anacreon dyed with the pot at his head, or that hateth an egge, because Appeyus Sauleyus dyed in eating of one, would bee noted for persons halfe mad: so if I should stand to my peny-worth, hauing made my market like a foole, and may change for the better, because other in like case haue had ill hap, I may either bee counted faint hearted or foolish. What Eriphila, Iupiter laught at the periurie of louers. Meribates is faire, but not second to Lucidor: he is wittie, but the other more wife: well what of this, but how wilt thou answere Meribates? tush, cannot the Cat catch mise, but shee must haue a bell hanged at her eare: he that is afraid to venter on the Buck, for that he is wrapt in the bryers, shall neuer haue hunters hap: and h [...] that puts a doubt in loue at euery chance shall neuer haue louers lucke: well, howsoeuer it be, Lucidor shall [...]e, hee shall haue my heart, and This, or else I will sit beside the saddle: and thus hauing debated with her selfe, she rested perplexed, till shee might haue a sight of her new louer; which was not long: for Lucidor no sooner got home, but calling to minde the amorous glances of Eriphila, and noting both her beauty and her wit, al­though her honour was farre beyond his parentage, yet presuming vpon her fauours showen him at the banket, hee boldly, as loues champion, ventured to winne what Cupid [Page] had set as a prize: so that he began to frequent the Court, and became a Courtier, first brauing it amongst the Lords, then by degrées créeping into fauour with the Ladies, where in time he found opportunity to parle with Eriphila, whom for fashion sake at the first hee found somewhat strange, but in short time became so tractable, that there was but one heart in two bodies; in so much, that not only Meribates and my sonne, but all the whole Court saw how Eriphila doted on Lucidor, whereat my sonne beganne to frowne, but Meribates would not see it, lest his Mistris should thinke him iealous, but smothered vp the griefe in secrecie, and thought either time, or the perswasion of her friends, or his continued affection would disswade her from her follies. Well, Eriphila had not fa [...]ored Lucidor long, but there came to the Court another young Gentleman, called Perecius. Who likewise was enamored of Eriphila, and she of him, that she proued more light of loue, then sh [...] was wittie; yet shee excelled in wit all the Uirgins of Taprobane.

To be briefe, so many faces, so many fancies, that shee became as variable in her loues, as the Polype in colours: which so perplexed the minde of Meribates, that falling in­to melancholy and grieuous passions, he exclaimed against the inconstancie of women, who like Fortune stood vpon a globe, and were winged with the feathers of ficklenesse: yet not willing to rage too far, till hee had talked with Eri­phila, hee would not stay till opportunity would serue, but early in a morning stepped into her bed-chamber, where finding her betweene halfe sleeping and waking he saluted with great courtesie; being resaluted againe of Eriphila with the like priuate kind of familiaritie: after a few ordi­nary spéeches, Meribates taking Eriphila by the hand, began to vtter his mind in these words.

Swéet mistresse, I feele in my mind a perilous and mor­tall conflict between feare and loue, by the one, doub [...]g in discouering my mind, to purchase your disfauour, by the [Page] other forced to hewray what I thinke, lest I perish, through my owne secrecie: hoping therefore you will take that comes from me, as from your second selfe; giue me leaue to say that greeues me to repeate: How I doubt (Madame) of your constancie, what vowes there haue past betweene vs, what protestations, what promises, I referre to your [...]wne conscience: What vnseemly fauors you haue shew­ed to Lucidor, what extreme fancie to Perecius, all Tapro­banc wonders at, with sorrow, that so witty a lady should proue so light: and I especially, whom the cause toucheth at the quicke, and paineth at the heart, feele more misera­ble passions for your disloialtie, than I did receiue ioyes in hope of your constancie. As Meribates was readie to haue prosecuted his parle, my daughter broke off his discourse in this manner.

And what of this, lord M [...]ribates, may not a woman looke, but she must loue? are you iealous, forsooth, before the wedding? well, suppose I fauoured Lucidor and Pere­cius; Si natura hominum sit nouitatis auida, giue women leaue to haue more fancies than one; if not as we are louers, yet as we are women. Venus temple hath many entrances: Cupid hath more arrowes than one in his quiuer, and sun­dry strings to his bowe: women haus many lookes, and so they may haue many loues.

What, lord Meribates, thinke you to haue a womans whole heart? no, vnlesse you can procur [...] Venus to make her blind, or some other deity deafe; for if either she see beauty or gold, or heare promises or passions, I thinke shee will keepe a corner for a friend, and so will I. But Madam, the glorious frame of the world consists in vnitie, for wee see that in the firmament there is but one sunne: yea, quoth E­ri [...]ila, but there be many stars. The Iris or Rainbow Ma­dam (qd. he) hath but one quality. Truth answred my daugh­ter, but it hath many colours: but to come to a familiar ex­ample, replyed Meribates: the heart hath but one string; yea but, quoth Eriphila, it hath many thoughts, and from these [Page] thoughts spring passions, and from passions, not loue, but loues: therefore content you, sir, for if you loue me, you must haue riuals: and so turning her face, as in ch [...]ller, to y ^e other side of the bed, she bade him good morrow: he passing away out of the chamber in great melancholy, began assoon as he was alone to exclame against the inconstancy of wo­men: saying, they were like marigolds, whose forme tur­neth round with the sunne: as wauering as wethercoks, that mooue with euery winde: as fléeting as the Northwest Ilands, that flote with euery gale: wittie, but in wiles: con­ceited, but in inconstancy: as brittle as glasse, hauing their harts fram'd of the Polipe stones: their faces of the nature of the Adamants, and in quality like the Iacinth, which when it seemeth most hot, is then as cold as Iron: carrying frownes in their foreheads, and dimples in their chéekes: hauing their eyes framed of Iette, that drawe euery beauty in a minute, and let them fall in a moment. Thus he ex­claimed against women: but such was his feruent affection towards Eriphila, that he would neither rage against her o­penly nor secretly, but smothered his passions in silence, which growing to the extreme, brought him into a feuer, wherein lingring awhile, he dyed: but in such sort, that all Taprobane said, it was for the inconstancy of Eriphila. Wel. his Gentlemen and mariners mourned and sorrowed, in that their Pynace should bring him home dead, whome t [...]ey brought forth aliue: al ioyntly praying, that the gods would be reuenged on Eriphila: who as she was then attending with me and her brother on the dead corps to the shippe, sud­denly before all our sights was turned into this byrd (a Camelion.) wherevpon the mariners reioyced, hoising vp sailes, and thrusting into the maine, we scowred and re­turned home to the court.

Thus (Sonne) thou hast heard the misfortune of my two daughters, the one for her pride, the other for her in­constancie: it is late, and the setting of the sunne calleth v [...] home with the Bée, to our poore hiue: therfore we will now [Page] to our cottage, and to morrow at thy breakfast I will satis­fie thee with the hard fortune of Marpesia: with that I gaue the Countesse Alcida great thankes, and accompanied my courteous Oastesse to her cottage.

The third Historie of MARPESIA of Taprobane.

MY two daughters beeing thus metamorphosed, and transformed for their follies into strange shapes: I had left mee onely my youngest daughter Marpesia, in face little inferiour to her eldest sister Fiordespine, for shee was passing bea [...]ll: wise she was, as not second to Eriphi­la, but other speciall vertues she had, that made her famous through all Taprobane: and as the burnt childe dreads the fire, and other mens harmes learne vs to beware: so my daughter Marpesia, by the misfortune of Fiordespine, feared to be proud, and by the [...]nister chance of Eriphila, hated to be inconstant, insomuch, that fearing their natiuities to be fatall, and that hers being rightly calculated would proue as bad as the rest: Shée kept such a strict method of her life and manners, and so foregarded all her actions with ver­tue, that she thought shee might despise both the fates and fortune.

Liuing thus warily, I and her brother conceiued great content in her modestie and vertue: thinking, though the gods had made vs infortunate by the mishappe of the other two: yet in the fortunate successe of Marpesias life, amends should bee made for the other mishap. Perswaded thus, it fortuned that my sonne intertained into his seruice the son of a Gentleman, a bordering neighbour by, a youth of grea­ter beauty then birth, for hee was of comely personage: of face louely, and though but meanly brought vp, as nusled in his fathers house: yet his nature discouered that hee was hardie in his resolution touching courage: and courteous in disposition, as concerning his manners.

[Page]This youth, called Eurimachus, was so diligent and du­tifull towards his lord, so affable to his fellows, and so gen­tle to euery one, that hee was not onely well thought on by some, but generally liked and loued of all. Continuing in this method of life, hee so behaued himselfe, that in recom­pence of his seruice, my sonne promoted him not onely to higher office and some small pension, but admitted him into his secret and priuate [...]amiliarity. Liuing thus in great credit, it chanced that Venus seeing how my daughter Mar­pesia liued carelesse of her loues, and neuer sent so much as one sigh to Paphos for a sacrifice: shee called Cupid, com­plaining that shee was atheist to her deitie, and one oppo­sed to her principles: whereupon the boy at his mothers becke, drewe out an inuenomed arrow, and leuelling at Marpesia, hit her vnder the right pappe, so nigh the heart, that giuing a grone she felt she was wounded, but how, or with what, she knew not; as one little skilfull in any amo­rous passions: yet shee felt thoughts vnfitting with her wonted humor, for noting the person of Eurimachus, which she found in property excellent, and admiring the qualities of his minde, co-vnited with many rare and precious ver­tues, which she perceiued to bee extraordinarie, she fell to conceiue a liking, which for the basenesse of his birth, shee passeth ouer as a toy: but the blinded wagge, that suffers not his wounds to bee cured with easie salues, nor permit­teth any lenitiue plaisters to preuaile where hee pierceth with his arrowes, put oyle in the flame, and set fire to the flaxe, that she felt her fancy scarce warme, to grow to such a scalding heate, as euery veine of her heart swet passions: feeling this new lord, called loue, to be so imperious, shee stooped a little, and entred into deeper consideration of Eu­rimachus perfection, and so deepe by degrees, that although shee coueted with the Snaile to haue her pace slow, yet at length she waded so farre, that she was ouer her shooes: so that feeling her selfe passing into an vnknowne forme, shée fell into this doubtfull meditatiou.

[Page]What flame is this Marpesia, that ouer heateth thy hart? what strange fire hath Venus sent from Cipres, that scor­cheth thee heere in Taprobane? hath Cupids bowe such strength; or his arrowes such flight, as being loosed in hea­uen, hee can strike here vpon earth? a mighty goddesse is Venus, and great is Cupid that work effects of such strange operation: make not a doubt ( Marpesia) of that is palpable: dreame not at that which thou seest with thine eyes, nor muse not at that which thou feelest with thy heart: then confesse and say thou art in loue, and loue in thee, so deeply as Pumice-stones of reason will hardly raze out the cha­racters. In loue? thou art young Marpesia, so is Cupid, a very childe? a maid, so was Venus before shee lost her Uir­ginitie, and yet for her lightnesse, shee was the goddesse of loue: but with whom art thou in loue? with Eurimach! one of base birth, and small liuing; of no credite, a meane Gentleman, and thy brothers seruant?

Consider Marpesia, that loue hath his reasons, and his rules to settle fancy, and gouerne affections: honour ought not to looke lower in dignitie, nor the thoughts of Ladies gaze at worthlesse persons: Better is it for thee to perish in high desires, then in lowe disdaine: oppose thy selfe to Venus, vnlesse her presents be more precious: say loue is folly, except her gifts be more rich: count rather to dye in despising so meane a choice, then liue in liking so vnlikely a chance: what will thy mother, thy brother, thy friends; nay all Taprobane say: but that thou art vaine, carelesse, and amorous: but note this Marpesia, loue is a league that lasteth while life: thou art in this to feede thine eye, not thine humour: to satisfie the desire of thy heart, not the consideration of their thoughts: for in marying, either a perpetuall content, or a general mistike is like to fall to thy selfe: what though he be poore, yet hee is of comely perso­nage: though he be base of birth, yet he is wise: what hee wanteth in gifts of fortune, hee hath in the minde: and the defect of honours is supplied with vertues.

[Page] Venus her selfe loued Adonis: Phoebe stooped from hea­uen to kisse a poore Shepheard, AEnone loued Paris, as hee was a Swaine, not as the son of Priamus: loue is not al­waies companion to dignity, nor fancy euer lodged in kings Palaces. Then Marpesia, looke at Eurimachus, for hee is courteous, and loue him as he is vertuous; supply thou his want with thy wealth, and increase his credite with thy countenance: but how dare he motion loue, that is so low? or enterprise to attempt so great an assault? Neuer stand in doubt Marpesia, giue him thou but fauors, and loue and for­tune will make him bold.

Marpesia hauing thus meditated with her selfe, sought by all meanes possible, how to make him priuy to her affecti­ons: she vsed in her salutations affable courtesie, and som­what more then ordinary: her lookes were full of fauours, her glances many and milde; he vsed no exercise but she did commend, nor performed any thing, which shee sayd not to be excellent. The young Eurimachus was not such a No­uice, but hee could espie a pad in the straw, and discerne a glowing coale, from colde cinders: hee noted her glances, her looks, her gestures, her words, examining euery parti­cular action, in the depth of his thoughts, finding by the touchstone, that all tended vnto meere loue, or extreme dissi­mulation; for whatsoeuer she did was in extremes. Well, hope put him in comfort that shee was too vertuous to dis­semble; and feare, that she was too honorable to loue so base a man: yet supposing the best, he tooke her passions for loue, & had a desire to return a liking with affection: but the con­sideration of his parentage, of his small possessions, of her honour, his lords disfauour, and the impossibility of his sute, was a cooling card to quench the hottest flame that Cupid could set on fire with his inchanted brand: but Ve­nus had pittied the fondling, gaue him such precious com­fortiues to incourage her champion, that he resolued to at­tempt whatsoeuer his fortune were: thus in suspence he be­gan to debate with himselfe.

[Page]It hath béene an old saying Eurimachus, suckt from his mothers [...]eate, that it is good to looke before thou leape, and to sound the Ford before thou venter to wade too farre, sith time pa [...] cannot be recalled, nor actions performed, reuo­ked, but repented; gaze not at starres, lest thou stumble at stones: looke not into the Lions denne, le [...]t for thy pre­sumption, thy skinne be pulled ouer thine eares. In loues, thoughts are to be measured by fortunes, not by desires, for Venus tables are to be gazed at with the eye, not to be reacht at with the hand. In loue, Eurimachus? why, it fif [...]eth not with thy present estate: fancy is to attend on high lords, not on such as are seruile: it were meeter for thee to sweate at thy labours, then to sigh at thy passions: to please thy lord, then to dote on thy mistresse: busie then thy hands to free thy heart: bee not idle, and Venus charmes are to a deafe Adder.

But Eurimachus, Phidias painteth loue young, and her garlands are made with the bads of Roses, not with withe­red flowres: Youth holdeth the fire, and fancy puts in the oyle; but age carries the colde cinders: now that heate of young peeres hath yeelded; therefore if thou refuse to loue, when wilt thou finde time to fancie? wrinkles in the face, are spelles against Cupid, and Venus starteth backe from white haires: then now or else neuer, [...]oue is a greater lord then thy master: for hee hath deity to counteruaile his diguitie. Thou tattlest Eurimachus of loue, but say who is the obiect: thy thoughts ayme at no lesse, nor no lower than Marpesia, sister to thy lord, a Princesse by birth, faire and beautifull, full of honourable and vertuous qualities, sought by men of high parentage; to say all in one w [...]rd, the flowre of Taprobane: fond foole, thinkest thou the Kite and the Eagle will pratch on one tree? the Lyon and the Wolfe lye in one denne? Ladies of great worth, looke on such worthlesse pesants? No, thinke her disdaine will bee greater then thy desire: and assure thee this, if thou pre­sume, [Page] shee will reuenge: why? is Cupid blind, and shoots he not one shaft at random? may he not as soone hit a Prin­cesse, as a Milk-maid? truth, but his arrowes are matches: he shoots not high with the one, and low with the other: hée ioynes not the Mouse and the Elephant, the Lambe and the Tiger, the Flie and the Faulcon, nor sets not honor in any seruile roome: yet Omphi [...]a the queene of the Indians lo­ued a Barber: Angelica Medes, a mercinary souldier. Yea Venus her selfe those a Blacke-smith.

Women oft resemble in their loues, the Apothecaries in their art: they choose the weed for their shop, when they leaue the fairest [...]owre in the garden: they oft respect the person, more then the parentage, and the qualities of the man, more then his honors: fee [...]ing the eye with the shape, and the heart with the vertues, howsoeuer, they liue dis­content for want of riches: but build not Eurimachus, on these vncertaine instances, nor conclude on such premises, lest thy foundation faile, and thy Logike prooue not worth a lowse: what reason hast thou to perswade thee ouce to aime a thought at Marpesia, such as Venus if she heard them pleaded, would allow for Aphorismes? if fauors be a signe of fancie, what glances haue I had that haue pearced deep: what looks, as discouering loue: what courteous speeches to my face: what praises behind my backe? Nay, what hath Marpesia done of late, but talke of Eurimachus, and honor Eurimachus? what of this, young Nouice, are not women Arch-practisers of flattery and dissimulation? lay they not their lookes to intrap, when they meane to keepe the fowle for tame fooles? haue they not desire in their faces, when then haue disdaine in their hearts? did not Helena kisse Me­ne [...]aus, when shee winked on Paris? did not Cresida wring Troylus by the hand, when her heart was in the tents of the Grecians? euery looke that women lend, is not loue: euery smile in their face is not a prioke in their bosome: they pre­sent Roses, and beate men with Nettles: burne perfumes, and yet s [...]ifle them with the blacke: speak faire and affable, [Page] when, God wot, they meane nothing lesse: If then Eurima­chus, thou knowest their wiles, feare to make experience of their wits; rest thee as thou art: let Marpesia vse fauors, cast glances, praise and dispraise how she list, thinke all is wanton dissimulation, and so rest.

In this melancholy humour he left his loues, and went to his labours. Loue espying how in the day he withstood her face with diligence, she caused Morpheus to present him in his sléepes with the shape of his Mistresse, which recor­ding in the day, hee found that where fancie had pierced deepe, there no salue would serue to appease the Maladie: that from these light paines, he fell into extreme passions. As he could take no rest, he sought alwaies to be solitary, so to féed his thoughts with imaginations, that like Cephalus, he delighted to walke in the Groues, and there with Philo­mela to bewaile his loues.

Cupid pittying his plaints, sent opportunity to find her, who brought it so to passe, that as (on a day) he walked into a place (hard adioining to the parke, hauing his Lute in his hand, playing certaine melancholy dumpes, to mitigate his pinching humor) Marpesia with one of her Gentlewomen, being abroad in the lanes, espsed him thus solitary: stealing therefore behind him to heare what humor the man was in, heard him sing to his Lute this mornefull madrigall.

He had no sooner ended his sonet, but Marpesia percei­uing by the contents, that it was meant of her, stepped to him, and draue him thus abruptly from his passions.

If you grieue Eurimachus, for intertaining such a ghest, your sorrow is like the raine that came too late: to beléeue, loue is such an vnruly tenant, that hauing his entrance vp­on courtesie, he will not bee thrust out by force; you make me call to mind the counterfait of Paris, when he was AEno­nes darling: for Phidias drew him sitting vnder a Béech trée, playing on his pipe, and yet teares dropping from his eyes, as mixing his greatest melody with passions: but I see the comparison will not hold in you, for though your in­strument bee answerable to his, yet you want his luke­warme drops, which sheweth, though your musike bee as good, yet your thoughts are not so passionate: but leauing these ambages, say to me Eurimachus; what may she bee that is your Mistresse?

Eurimachus amazed at the sight of his Ladie, more then Priamus sonne was at the view of the three goddesses; [Page] sate still like the picture of Niobe turned into marble, as if some strange apoplexy had taken all his senses. Gaze on her face hee did: speake hee could not, in so much that Mar­pesia smiling at the extremity of his loues, wakened him out of this trance, thus:

What cheere man, hath loue so witched thy heart, as all thy sences haue left their powers? is thy tong tied, as thy heart is fettered, or hath the feare of your mistris cruelty driuen you into a cold palsie? if this be the worst, comfort your selfe, for women will be true: and if shee be too hard hearted, let me but know her, and you shall see how I will prattle on your behalfe; what say you to me, what makes you thus mute?

By this Eurimachus had gathered his sences together, that rising vp and doing reuerence to Marpesia, he thus re­plyed: Madam, it is a principle in Philosophy, that Sensibi­le sensui superpositū nulla fit sensasio, the colour clapt to the eye, hind [...]h the sight, the flower put in the nostrill, hindreth the smell: and what of this Philosophicall Gnigma, quoth Marpesia? I dare not madam, quoth Eurimachus, infer what I would; but to answere more plainly, Endimion waking, and feeling Phebe grace him with a kisse, was not more a­mazed, than I at your heauenly presence, fearing, if not Acteons fall, yet that I had committed the like fault: for at the first blush your excellency draue me into such a maze, that I dreamed not of the Lady Marpesia, but of some god­desse that had solaced in these woods, which supposition made me so mute.

You fly still (quoth Marpesia) from my demand, playing like the Lapwing that cryeth farthest from her nest. I ask­ed who it was that you loued so, as to honour her with such a sonet.

It was, Madam, to kéepe accord to my lute, not to disco­uer any passions, for all the amordelayes Orpheos [...] on his harp, were not amorous, nor euery sonet that Arion warbled on his instrument, vowed vnto Venus. I am too [Page] young to loue, for feare my youth be ouerbidden; fancy be­ing so heauy a burden, that Hercules (who could on his shoulder sustaine the heauens) groned to beare so weighty a lode.

If then, Madame, I striue aboue my strength, especial­ly in loue, I shall but with the Giants heape Peleon vp­on Ossa, passions vpon passions, so long till I be [...]rooken to death with loues thundering bolt: therefore, Madame, I dare not loue.

Marpesia, who determined to sound the depth of his thoughts, tooke him before hee fell to the ground, and made this reply: Trust mee Eurimachus, your looks, your acti­ons, your sighes and gesture, argues no lesse than a louer: therefore seeing we are alone, none but we thrée, Ile haue you once in shrift, and therefore I coniure you by your Mi­stresse fauour and beautie, to tell me whether you be in loue or no.

You straine me so hard, Madam, (quoth Eurimachus) that I am in loue, and loue so farre in mee, as neither time nor fortune can raze out: the name of my mistresse, Madam, pardon, for in naming her I discouer mine owne presump­tion, hauing aymed so by the meanes of aspiring loue, as her excellency crosseth all my thoughts with disdaine: For Madam, giue me leaue to say (making no compare) that the Graces at her birth did agree to make her absolute: I ha­uing soared so high, as the sunne hath halfe melted my fea­thers, I feare with Icarus to fall into the Ocean of endlesse miseries; for be her disdaine neuer so great, yet my desire will neuer belesse, scorne she I should looke so hie; affecti­on will not bate an ounce of his maine: but seeing the dice be in his hands, will throw at all.

But Madam, so farre I am out of [...] to haue but one fauour at her hands, as I passe euery day and houre in as [...] perplexed estate, as the ghosts greened by the infernall furies: and with this the water stood in his eyes, which Marpesia not able to brooke, began to salue thus.

[Page]I will not Eurimachus, be inquisitiue of your Mistresse name, sith you haue yeelded a reason to conceale it, but for your loues that are lodged so hie, feare not man; the Black­smith dared to couet faire Venus; the little Sparrow peck­eth sometimes wheat, the Eagle taketh stand; and the little Mouse feedeth, where the Elephant hath eaten hay: loue as soone stoopeth to visite a poore cottage, as a Palace: to dare, I tell thee Eurimachus, in loue, is the first principle: and Helena told Paris:

Thou must then to Paphos, and not vse bashfulnesse in Venus temple: sacrifices serue at her altars, as a thing vn­fit for louers; and be she as high of degree as any in Tapro­bane, court her Eurimachus, and if thou misse, it is but the hap that louers haue. As shee should haue prosecuted her talke, her brother who was stalking to kill a Déere, came by, and espying them at so priuate and familiar chat, frow­ned, commanding Eurimachus (as halfe in anger) to get him home: hee leauing his sport, accompanied my daughter to the court.

These louers thus parted, were not long ere they met, where Eurimachus following the precepts of Marpesia, be­gan very boldly to giue the assault, she very faintly, for fa­shion sake, making a womans resistance, but the batterie was so freshly renewed, that Marpesia yeelded, and there they plighted a constant promise of their loues: vowing such saith and loyaltie as the troth of two louers heart? might afford.

In this happie content they liued along while, till Mar­pesia blabbing the contract out to a gentleman of the court, it came to her brothers and her mothers eare, who taking the matter grieuously, had her strictly in examination. Mar­pesia confessed her loues, and maintained them: on the con­trary [Page] side, they perswaded with promises, and threatned with bitter spéeches: but in vaine, for Marpesia was resol­ued and tolde for a flat conclusion, Eurimachus was the man, and none but he. Whereupon, my sonne seeing no means could preuaile to remoue her affection, he thought by taking away the cause, to raze out the effects: and ther­fore he sent for Eurimachus, whom after he had nipped vp with bitter taunts, he banished from the Court.

This being grieuous to the two louers, yet the as­surance of each others constancie, and the hope in time to haue the Prince reconciled, mitigated some part of their martyrdome: and Marpesia, to shew to the world shee was not fleeting, whatsoeuer her friends said, discouered the grief she conceiued by his absence openly, for she went ap­parelled in mourning attire. Well, Eurimachus thus ba­nished, went home to his father, who for feare of y ^e prince, durst not entertaine him, which vnkindnesse had doubled his griefe, that he fell almost frantike, and began to leaue the company of men as a flat Timonist: in which humor, meeting with the Gentleman that bewraid their loues, he fought with him and slew him, and buried him so secretly as the care of his owne life could deuise.

Well, Cleander was mist, but heare of him they could not; Postes were sent out, messengers through all Ta­probane, but no newes, so that diuerse did descant diuers­ly of his departure; some said he was vpon secret displea­sure betweene him and the Prince, passed out of the land: others, that he was slaine by theeues: some that hee was deuoured by wild beasts. Thus debating of his absence, he was generally lamented of all the court.

But (leauing the supposition of his death) againe to Marpesia, who taking the exile of Eurimachus to her heart, began to growe into great and extreme passions, and for griefe of the minde, to bodily disease, that she fell into a Quartaine, which so tormented her, as the Physicians said, ther was no hope of life, nor no art to cure her disease [Page] vnlesse her minde were at quiet: whereupon her brother fearing his sisters life, recalled home Eurimachus, admit­ted him into great fauour, and gaue frée grant of his good­will to their marriage.

Upon this, Marpesia growing into a content, in short time amended. After shee had recouered her health, shee dayly vsed the company of Eurimachus very priuately and familiarly, but she found him not the man he was before: for before he was exiled, no man more pleasant nor more merrily conceited; now none more melancholly nor ful­ler of dumps, vttering farre fetcht sighes, and vncertaine answers, so that it discouered a minde greatly perplexed. Marpesia noting this, being on a day all alone with Euri­machus in his chamber, shee sought with faire intreaties and sweete dalliance, to wring out the cause of his sor­rowes, protesting, if shee could, euen with the hazard of her life redresse it: if not, to participate in griefe some part of his distresse.

Eurimachus, that loued her more than his life, although hee knew womens tongues were like the leaues of the Aspe tree, yet thinking her to bee wise, after a multitude of mortall sighes, hee discoursed vnto her, how hee had [...]aine Cleander, and that the remembrance of his death bred this horror in his conscience.

Marpesia hearing this, made light of the matter, to com­fort Eurimachus, promising and protesting to kéepe it as secret as hitherto she had been constant. But shee no soo­ner was parted from her best beloued, but shee was with childe of this late and dangerous newes, laboring with great paines till shee might vtter it to her Gossips: where we may note, sonne (I speake against my selfe) that the closets of womens thoughts are euer open, that the depth of their heart hath a string that stretcheth to the tongues end, that with Semele they conceiue and bring forth oft before their time: which Marpesia tried true, for sitting one day solitarie with a Ladie in the court, called Celia, [Page] shee fetcht many pinching sighes, which Celia marking, desired her to tel her the cause of that late conceiued grief, as to a friend, in whose secresie she might repose her life. Marpesia made it somewhat coy and charie a great while, insomuch that Celia began to long; and therefore vrged her extremely. Marpesia could keep no longer, and ther­fore vsing this preamble, began to play the blabbe.

If I did not, Madam Celia, take you for my second selfe, and thinke you to bee wise and secret, I would not reueale a matter of so great importance, which toucheth me as much as my life to conceale: Women, you know, hauing any thing in their stomake, long while they haue discourst it to some friend: taking you therefore for my chiefest, and hoping all shal be troden vnder foote, know Madam, that Eurimachus hath slaine Cleander, and that is the cause that makes him thus melancholy. Mary, God forbid (quoth Celia.) It is true Madam, quoth Mar­pesia, and therefore let whatsoeuer I haue said be buried in this place. With that I came into place, and they broke off their talke.

Celia longing to be out of the chamber, that shée might participate this newes to her Gosips, as soone as oppor­tunity gaue her leaue, went abroad, & méeting by chance another Gentlewoman of the Court, calling her aside, tolde her, if she would be secret, and sweare not to reueale it to any one, she would tell her strange newes: the other promising, with great prot [...]station, to bee as close as a woman could bee, Celia told her, how Eurimachus was the man that [...]lew Cleander, and that her authour was Marpesia.

They were no sooner parted, but this newes was told to another, that before night it was through the whole court, that Eurimachus had slaine Cleander: whereupon, the Prince could doe no lesse (though very loth for his s [...] ­sters sake) but cause him to be apprehended and cast into prison, then assembling his Lords and Commons, produ­ced [Page] Eurimachus, who after strict examination was found guilty, the greatest witnes against him being the confessi­on of Marpesia. The verdict giuen vp, the prince could not but giue iudgement, which was, that within one mo­neth in the place where he kild Cleander, he should be [...]. Sentence giuen, Eurimachus took his mis [...]ortune with patience. Newes comming to Marpesia of this tra­gicall euent, she fell downe in a sound, and grew into bit­ter passions, but in [...]aine.

My sonne, to shewe how he loued Eurimachus, caused a Caruer to cut out this sumptuo [...]s t [...]mbe in this forme, wherein after his death, hee resolued to burie him, so to grace him with extraordinare honor. All things prouided, and the day of his death being come, Eurimachus clad all in blacke veluet, came forth mourning in his [...], but merrie in his countenance, as one that sorrewed for the fault, but was not daunted with death. After him followed my Sonne, the Earles, Lords, and Ba­rons of the land, all in black: and I and my daughter Mar­pesia, and the ladies of the court, couered with sable vails, attending on this condemned Eurimachus: being come to the place, the deaths-man hauing laid the blocke, and hol­ding the axe in his hand, Eurimachus before his death vt­tered these wor [...]s.

Lords of Taprobane, h [...]re I slew Cleander, & here must I offer my blond as amends to the soule of the dead Gen­tleman, which I repent with more sorrow, then I perfor­med the deed with furie: The cause of his death, and my misfortune is all one: he slaine for bewraying my lo [...]es, I executed for discouering his death: but infortimate I, to bewray so priuate a matter to the secrecy of a woman, whose hearts are full of holes, apt to receiue, but not to retaine: whose tongues are tru [...]pets that set open to the world what they know: Foolish is hee that commit [...] his life into their lappes, or tyes his thoughts in their beau­ties: such is the nature of these f [...]ndlings that they can­not [Page] couer their owne scapes, nor straine a vaile ouer their [...] faults: their hearts are so great, their thoughts so many, their wits so fickle, and their tongues so slippe­ry: the heart and the tongue are Relatiues, and if time serues they cannot paint out their passions in talke, y [...]t they will discouer them with their lookes: so that if they be not blabbes in their tongues, they will be tatlers with eyes: the gods haue greatly reuenged this fault in men, letting it ouer-slip in women, because it is so common a­mongst that sex. Mercurie, for his babbling turned Ba [...] ­tus to an Index or touchstone, whose nature is to bewray any metal it toucheth: and Tantalus for his little [...] in bewraying that Proserpina ate a graine of the Pome­granate, is placed in hell, vp to the chin, in water, with continuall thirst, and hath apples hang ouer his head, with extreme hunger, whereof the Poet saith:

But why doe I delay d [...]ath with these friu [...]lous dis­courses of women: suffice they are blabs? and so turning to the deaths-man, laying his necke on the blocke, his head was smitten off. The execution done, his death was la­mented, and his body solemnly intombed as thou séest, all exclaiming against my daughter Marpesiaes little secrecy, who in penance of her fault, vsed once a day to visite the tombe, and here to her loues soule, sacrifice many sighes and teares: at length Venus taking pittie of her plaints, thinking to ease her of her sorrow, and to inflict a gentle and meek r [...]uenge, turned her into this Rose tree.

As Alcida had vttered these words, there was a ship within kenne, whose streamers hanging out, I iudged by their colours they were of Alexandria, whereupon I waued them to léeward: the Mariners (more than ordina­ry courteous) struck sailes, & sent their cockhotes a shore: [Page] the shippers were no sooner a land, but I knew them to be of Alexandria, and for all my misfortunes, basely atti­red as I was, the poore knaues called me to remembrance, and their reuerence done; asked if I would to Alexan­dria: I told them it was mine intent, whereupon, taking leaue of my old Oastesse, the Cauntesse Alcida, with ma­ny thankes for my courteous entertainment, shee verie loth to leaue me, went with the Mariners towards the boate.

The poore Lady, séeing her self alone, fell to her won­ted teares, which the gods taking pittie on, before my face turned to a fountaine; I wondering at their deities, [...]ntred the boate, and went to the ship, where wel­commed and reuerenced of the Master, and the [...], h [...]ng vp all our sayles, we made for ALEXANDRIA.