a view of the dissertation upon the epistles of phalaris, themistocles, &c lately publish'd by the reverend dr. bentley ; also of the examination of that dissertation by the honourable mr. boyle, in order to the manifesting the incertitude of heathen chronology. milner, john, 1628-1702. 1698 approx. 107 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 45 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-01 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a50874 wing m2082 estc r32092 12321750 ocm 12321750 59486 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a50874) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 59486) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 1017:6) a view of the dissertation upon the epistles of phalaris, themistocles, &c lately publish'd by the reverend dr. bentley ; also of the examination of that dissertation by the honourable mr. boyle, in order to the manifesting the incertitude of heathen chronology. milner, john, 1628-1702. [8], 78 p. printed by h.c. for john jones ..., london : 1698. running title: a view of dr. bentley's, and mr. boyle's dissertations &c. attributed to milner by wing and nuc pre-1956 imprints. errata: p. 78. reproduction of original in the cambridge university library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng bentley, richard, 1662-1742. -dissertation upon the epistles of phalaris. orrery, charles boyle, -earl of, 1676-1731. -dr. bentley's dissertations on the epistles of phalaris and the fables of aesop. history, ancient -chronology. 2000-00 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2001-11 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2002-02 tcp staff (oxford) sampled and proofread 2002-02 tcp staff (oxford) text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-03 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a view of the dissertation upon the epistles of phalaris , themistocles , &c. lately publish'd by the reverend dr. bentley . also of the examination of that dissertation by the honourable mr. boyle . in order to the manifesting the incertitude of heathen chronology . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . plutarch in vit. solon . london : printed by h. c. for iohn iones , at the dolphin and crown in st. paul's church-yard , 1698. the preface . it is not my purpose to intermeddle in the controversie concerning the epistles of phalaris , themistocles , socrates and euripides . whether they be genuine or no , i shall not trouble my self to enquire ; nor yet whether aesop was such a monster for vgliness as some make him , or whether the fables that go under his name are his , or whether we have any thing now extant of aesop's own composing . i remember a passage in quintilian instit. orat. l. 5. c. 11. illae quoque fabulae quae etiamsi originem non ab aesopo acceperunt ( nam videtur earum primus auctor hesiodus ) nomine tamen aesopi maxime celebrantur , &c. by which it may seem that he was of opinion that hesiod was the first author of the fables , which bore aesop's name in his time . but i shall not interpose in any of these controversies ; that which i design is ( if i mistake not ) a matter of much greater moment . there are many that have set themselves highly to extol and magnifie the study of chronology , and seem to have thought that they could never exceed in their encomiums of it . and it is not my purpose to rob it of its due praises . so far as there are hopes of attaining any certainty in it , it is without doubt a very laudable study ; and therefore the acquainting our selves with scripture chronology is very necessary , and no less profitable than it is pleasant and delightful . for whatsoever is plainly express'd in sacred writ , relating to chronology is no less certain , than it is that the author of the scripture is truth it self . therefore when i speak of the uncertainty of chronology , i am to be understood of heathen chronology . i grant also that even that was of good use to josephus , africanus , clemens alexandrinus , eusebius , and other ancients , for destroying the heathens pretensions to antiquity . by this it appears , that i do not go about to dissuade men from all study of chronology ; but there are sundry things which ( i think ) are greatly to be dislik'd in many of our modern chronographers , that i would have men caution'd against . there are who cannot contend more earnestly for the most necessary and fundamental article of religion , than they do for a chronological trifle . they cannot endure that any should dissent from them , and fall foul upon those that do , treating them many times with very rude and unbecoming language . there are also who will presume to assign not only the year , but the month , yea , perhaps the very day , in which such or such things were done ; qui horas & singula annotarunt momenta , cum de integris seculis nihil certi adfirmare potuerint , as one saith . but that which is most to be lamented , is men's expence of so much time and pains in this study , and after all , leaving their reader as unsatisfi'd as they found him . some have spent a great part of their life in it ( as appears by the large volumes writ upon this subject ) and these men of extraordinary parts , great learning and diligence ; so that they might have been serviceable both to the age in which they liv'd , and to posterity , if they had set themselves with the like application to more useful studies . these are some of the things which i could not but dislike in our modern chronologers , and a serious reflection upon them hath made me often desire , that some person fit for so great a work would make it his business to convince the world of the uncertainty of chronology . but not hearing of any that did apply himself to so necessary a work , i thought it not amiss to lay hold of the advantage offer'd me by the late dissertation upon the epistles of phalaris , themistocles , &c. wherein i found many passages in which the reverend and learned author doth plainly bear testimony to the uncertainty of heathen chronology , and more which may be made use of in order to the manifesting of it . if men were fully satisfy'd of this , methinks there should need no more to prevent their falling into the foremention'd errors . we might hope that they would not contend so earnestly , nor be so impatient of contradiction , in matters in which they are convinc'd , that it is impossible to attain to any certainty ; and that they would not throw away so many precious hours in the study of them , nor lay so much stress upon the arguments that are built upon them , as many do . they would consider that it is not easie to build certain conclusions upon a sandy foundation . how little plutarch was mov'd with arguments drawn from chronology , is apparent from those words of his , which i have transcrib'd in the title page ; and also refer to in part ii. when i enquire after the time of solon's death . if others had rely'd upon such arguments no more than plutarch did , it is probable that the unhappy controversie about phalaris's epistles had never been started . the view of the dissertation was finish'd not long after it was publish'd ; but i resolv'd to wait till i saw what answer would be made to it , believing that i should have more assistance from the answer , than i have had from the dissertation it self . and my expectation was not frustrated ; for i found that the honourable the author of the examination , had not only more frequently , but also more plainly and directly born testimony to the uncertainty of chronology , than the reverend author of the dissertation had done . so that i am now apt to flatter my self with the hope , that the authority of two such great names will be of force effectually to persuade men , not to throw away so much time upon the study of chronology , nor to rely so much upon it , as some have done . a view of the dissertation upon the epistles of phalaris , themistocles , &c. part . i. the time of phalaris's tyranny cannot be precisely determined ; so various and defective are the accounts of those that write of him . thus the dissert . p. 14. here it is plainly acknowledg'd , that the time of phalaris's tyranny is uncertain , and the reason that is given , is , because the accounts of those that write of him are so various and defective . if then it appear , that the accounts given by those who write of the other persons mention'd in the dissertation , are no less various and defective , we may as firmly conclude that the time of their flourishing or reign is uncertain . the same may be apply'd to the cities spoken of in the dissertation . eusebius sets the beginning of it , olymp. 31. 2. phalaris apud agrigentinos tyrannidem exercet ; and the end of it , olymp. 37. 2. phalaridis tyrannis destructa . by which reckoning he govern'd 28 years . but st. hierome , out of some unknown chronologer ( for that note is not extant in the greek of eusebius ) gives a different time of his reign , above 80 years later than the other , olymp. 53. 3. or as other copies read it , 52. 2. phalaris tyrannidem exercuit annos 16. which is agreeable to suidas , who places him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , about the 52 olympiad , dissert . p. 14. here the doctor declares the uncertainty of the time of the beginning , continuance , and end of phalaris's tyranny . it begun olymp. 31. 2. according to eusebius , but according to st. hierome , olymp. 53. 3. or ( as other copies have it ) 52. 2. so that there is above 80 years difference . it continu'd according to eusebius 28 years ; according to st. hierome only 16. it ended according to eusebius , olymp. 37. 2. according to st. hierome , olymp. 57. 3. thus the doctor . but the time of phalaris's government is still more uncertain , because the copies of eusebius's chronicon do here very much vary . it seems that the copy which the doctor follow'd sets the beginning of it , olymp. 31. 2. but other copies set it , olymp. 31. 4. vid. edit . paris . a. d. 1512. edit . basil. a. d. 1570 , and edit . pontaci . a. d. 1604. likewise his copy sets the end of his reign , olymp. 37. 2. but in scaliger's edition , a. d. 1606. it is set , olymp. 38. 2. and pontacus's edition , together with that at paris , and that at basil placeth it , olymp. 39. 3. so as to the later account of the time of phalaris's tyranny , which we have in eusebius's chronicon , and which the doctor ascribes to st. hierome , his copy refers it to olymp. 53. 3. and yet he himself tells us , that other copies place it , olymp. 52. 2. as scaliger's edition sets it , olymp. 53. 4. and the edition at paris , and that at basil , olymp. 51. 4. from all this i may conclude , that it is most-certainly true which the doctor saith , that the time of phalaris 's tyranny cannot be precisely determin'd . stesichorus was but 6 years old at that supposed time of phalaris's death . dissert . p. 15. by that supposed time of phalaris 's death , the doctor means , olymp. 37. 2. so that the authors whom the doctor follow'd , make stesichorus to have been 6 years old at that time and no more . but according to suidas's account , he could not be of the age of 6 years at that time , for he says expresly , that stesichorus was born in that very olympiad , viz. olym. 37. and eusebius seems not to agree very well either with the doctor 's authors , or with suidas . for he sets stesichorus's death , olymp. 55. 1. and we are told by lucian , in his macrobii , that he liv'd to the age of 85 years , according to which account he must be born , olymp. 33. 4. and consequently ( not 6 only , but ) 14 or 15 years old at that suppos'd time of phalaris's death . and we may here observe , that suidas neither agrees with eusebius , as to the time of stesichorus's death , nor with lucian , as to the age to which he liv'd . for suidas makes him to have died , olymp. 56. ( not olymp. 55. 1. as eusebius . ) and whereas lucian says , that he liv'd 85. years , according to suidas ( who placeth his birth , olymp. 37. and his death , olymp. 56 ) he did not reach 80. add hereto , that eusebius makes him to have been famous , olymp . 42. 1. at which time he was but 20 years old ( if he was that ) according to suidas's account of him ; but it is not probable that he should be so fam'd a poet at that age. tho' they that believe the relation of pliny , nat. hist. l. 10. c. 29. that a nightingal sung in his mouth when he was an infant , may perhaps not think it strange , that he should be so celebrated a poet so young. but what shall we say to the marmor arundel . which according to mr. selden , refers stesichorus , to olymp. 73. 3. ? or to conon , who ap . photium cod. 186. sect. 42. makes him contemporary to gelon , of whom hereafter ? if these speak of the same stesichorus , that eusebius and suidas do , there needs no more to manifest the uncertainty of stesichorus's age at that suppos'd time of phalaris's death , i. e. olymp. 37. 3. aristotle and iamblichus make these three to be contemporaries ; dissert . p. 15. the three , of whom the doctor speaks this are , phalaris , stesichorus and pythagoras . and it is true , that aristotle rhetor. l. 2. c. 21. makes stesichorus to be contemporary to phalaris , and iamblichus in the life of pythagoras shews , that he and phalaris were contemporaries . but if pythagoras liv'd in the time of numa , he could not be contemporary to the other two , according to the account that is given of them . now livy , l. 1. n. 18. acquaints us that there were who gave out that numa was pythagoras's scholar ; and dionys . halicarnas . l. 2. says , that there were many that had writ thus . i grant that these two celebrated historians do not approve of that opinion concerning the time of pythagoras's flourishing ; but it shews however , that it was not certain then at what time he flourish'd , as it is uncertain still . those that agree that he was not so early as numa's time , differ much among themselves about the time when he liv'd . livy says , that he was in italy when servius tullius reign'd at rome , but cicero tuscul. quaest. l. 1. and a. gellius , l. 17. c. 21. say , that he came into italy in the reign of tarquinius superbus . according to pliny , nat. hist. l. 2. c. 8. he liv'd about olymp. 42. according to dionys. halicarn . l. 2. after olymp. 50. according to diog. laertius , in pythagoras , about olymp 60. according to clemens alex. ( vid. strom. l. 1. his ) olymp. 62. according to eusebius , in edit . pontaci item paris . and basil , olymp. 63. 4. in scaligers's edition , olymp. 65. 1. plutarch in numa , bears testimony to the uncertainty of the time when pythagoras flourish'd , and also to the incertitude of chronology in general . for having acquainted us that some affirm'd that pythagoras convers'd with numa , but that others made him almost 5 generations later , he adds , that 't is difficult exactly to adjust the times ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. alaesa was first built by archonides a sicilian , olymp. 94. 2. or , as others say , by the carthaginians about two years before diod. p. 246. so that here are above 120 years slipt since the latest period of phalaris , dissert . p. 16. here we have two that bear testimony to the uncertainty of the time when this city was built , viz. diodorus sic. and the dr. diodorus having said , that archonides built the city alesa , a little after adds , that some say that alesa was built by the carthaginians , about the time that amilcas made peace with dionysius ; now the same diodorus speaks of amilcas's making peace with dionysius , olymp. 93. 4. thericles , the corinthian potter was contemporary with aristophanes the comaedian ; athenaeus , p. 470. — thericles , with the cups that had their appellation from him , come above 120 years after phalaris's death . dissert . p. 19. athenaeus's words are these , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which seem to leave it uncertain whether thericles liv'd at the same time that aristophanes did , or only in the times near it . but let it be granted , that he liv'd at the same time that aristophanes did , still it will not be certain that he was above 120 years after the death of phalaris . it must be confess'd that , if that was certainly true which suidas hath concerning aristophanes , that he liv'd , olymp. 114. this would make something towards the proof of this , that thericles was above 120 years after phalaris's death . but the authority of diodorus sic. doth utterly destroy the certainty of this account of suidas , for l. 12. he affirms , that aristophanes was about the age of pericles , and withal , that pericles died , olymp. 87. 4. so that according to him , aristophanes liv'd before olymp. 87. 4. yea , eusebius makes him not only to have liv'd , but also to have been famous , olymp. 85. 4. and so thericles ( if he was aristophanes's contemporary , as the doctor says that he was ) might be famous for his cups then or before . whence it follows , that it cannot be certain , that thericles was above 120 years after the death of phalaris , for from olymp. 57. 3. to olymp. 85. 4. are not 120 years . thucydides , l. 6. p. 414. relates , that at the time of xerxes's expedition into greece ( which was , olymp. 73. ) anaxilaus , king of rhegium , besieg'd zancle , and took it , and call'd it messana , from the peleponnesian city of that name , the place of his nativity . the same says herodotus , l. 6. c. 23. and agreeably to this narrative , diodorus sets down the death of anaxilaus , olymp. 76. 1. when he had reign'd 18 years . pausanias messen. p. 134. placeth this same anaxilaus of rhegium about 180 years higher than they do , telling , that he assisted the refugees of messana , in peleponnesus , after the second war with the spartans , to take zancle in sicily ; which thereupon was call'd messana , olymp. 29. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . — the time of the messenian war agrees with that computation , and the ancient catalogue of the olympionicae puts chionis's victory at that very year , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . dissert . p. 24 , 25 , 26. here are many things very uncertain , as 1st . it is uncertain whether xerxes's expedition was olymp. 73. for according to eusebius , xerxes begun his reign , olymp. 73. 3. and if he came not to the empire till that time , it is manifest , as by the account given by others , so by the relation of herodotus , that his expedition into greece was not olymp. 73. for herodotus says , l. 7. c. 7. that in the second year after the death of his father darius , he made an expedition into egypt to reduce it , and c. 20. that having done this , he spent four years compleat in preparation for the war against greece , and set forward in the fifth year . i know that there are considerable writers who do not agree with herodotus , as to the time that was taken up in preparation against greece ( diodorus sic. l. 11. making it but three years , iustin. l. 2. c. 10. affirming , that he spent five years in it , which number of years , iulian orat. 1. in laudem constantii , doubles , making it to have taken up ten years ) but this only renders it more uncertain in what year xerxes's expedition into greece was : to return to eusebius , he sets his reduction of egypt , olymp. 74. 1. and his making a bridge over the hellespont , olymp. 74. 4. ( vid. edit . paris . & basil. & pontaci ) diodorus sic. l. 11. refers the expedition into greece to the year following , olymp. 75. 1. with whom dionys. halicarn . l. 9. agrees , as the marmor arund . according to mr. selden , and others agrees with eusebius , for they make the an. 217. to which the marble refers xerxes's making a bridge over the hellespont , to answer to olymp. 74. 4. clemens alex. stro. 1. sets this expedition 297 years after the first olympiad , as thucydides , l. 1. placeth it in the tenth year after the battle at marathon , so that if that battle was , olymp. 72. 1. ( as eusebius sets it ) xerxes's coming against greece , was olymp. 74. 3. but plato de legibus , l. 3. says , that it was but almost ten years between datis's coming into greece , and the fight at salamis . it must then be confess'd , that it is not certain in what year xerxes's expedition into greece was , nor yet that it was , olymp. 73. as the doctor sets it , unless olymp. 73. be the printers mistake . 2dly . it is uncertain when anaxilaus reign'd , and when zancle was call'd messana . for the doctor acquaints us , that pausanias is so far from agreeing with herodotus , thucydides , and diodorus sic. about the time of anaxilaus , and of his changing the name of that city , that their accounts differ about 180 years . it may perhaps be said , that if the three other eminent historians plainly agree upon the time , pausanias's dissent will not make it less certain ; for we may conclude that it was his mistake . the question then will be whether herodotus , thucydides , and diodorus sic. do plainly agree about the time. and i shall grant that herodotus , and diodorus sic. seem to agree as to the time of anaxilas , or anaxilaus , or anaxileos , ( for the name is written thus differently , ) herodotus , l. 6. c. 23 , 24. signifying that he reign'd in the time of darius , the father of xerxes , and diodorus sic. saying , that having reign'd 18 years , he died olymp. 76. 1. but of his changing the name of zancle into messana , diodorus in that place hath not a word , and tho' lib. 4. he doth mention the change of the name , yet there he doth not tell us either when , or by whom it was changed . herodotus , lib. 7. c. 164. speaks of the change of the name from zancle to messene , as eustathius upon dionys. alex. also doth , alledging herodotus ; but they do not mention anaxilaus as the author of the change , nor inform us when that change was made . i grant that herodotus speaks of it upon occasion of his mentioning one cadmus , who liv'd at the time of xerxes's expedition against greece ; but he does not say that the change was made then ; yea , he seems to signifie that zancle had chang'd its name before : his words are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which had chang'd its name to messene . to come to thucydides , herodotus and he seem not to agree very well in that which they say of the king of rhegium . by the persuasion of herodotus's anaxileos , the samians possess'd themselves of zancle , but thucydides's anaxilas , cast the samians out of it , not long after that the samians had driven the sicilians out of it ; so that perhaps it may be question'd , whether those two historians speak of one and the same person . besides , tho' the doctor says , that thucydides , l. 6. p. 414. relates , that at the time of xerxes 's expedition into greece , anaxilaus took zancle , and call'd it messana ; yet the truth is , that thucydides doth not there make any mention of xerxes's expedition . he tells , that the samians who had driven the sicilians out of zancle , fled from the medes , but we cannot infer hence , that the name of that city was chang'd at the time of xerxes's expedition into greece , much less that thucydides relates it . the conclusion is , that herodotus , thucydides , and diodorus sic. leave us uncertain as to the time of zancle's changing its name , and pausanias's testimony alledg'd by the doctor seems to make the matter still more uncertain . 3dly . it is not certain , that chionis was victor , olymp. 29. tho' pausanias doth affirm positively that he was ; for in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , in scaliger we read , thus , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . where we see that it is left doubtful , some said that xenophon , others , that chionis was then victor . but of this see more in part 2d . some sicilians planted themselves , olymp. 96. 1. upon an hill call'd taurus , near the ruins of naxos , and built a new town there , which they call'd tauromenion , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , from their settlement upon taurus ; so diodorus , l. 14. p. 282 , and 305. about 40 years after this , olymp. 105. 3. one andromachus a tauromenite , gather'd all the remnant of the old naxians , that were dispers'd through sicily , and persuaded them to fix there ; id. l. 15. p. 411. dissert . p. 31. the doctor having said , that andromachus persuaded the naxians to fix there , should have added that which follows in diodorus sic. viz. that having stay'd a long time there , he call'd it tauromenium , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . if the doctor had not conceal'd this , it would have appear'd how uncertain it is , both when , and by whom the name tauromenium was given , and also that diodorus sic. bears testimony to this incertitude , since l. 14. he says , that the sicilians , that planted themselves there gave it that name , olymp. 96 1. and l. 15. that andromachus gave it that appellation , olymp. 105. 3. i need not trouble my self to enquire , how well diodorus sic. his accounts of tauromenium agree with strabo's , l. 6. who makes tauromenium to have been a colony of the zancleans , and catana of the naxians ; whereas diodorus sic. his later account makes tauromenium to have been inhabited by the naxians . democritus was too young to know even pythagoras , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , says , diogenes ( in vit. democ. ) and yet pythagoras surviv'd phalaris , nay , depos'd him , if we will believe his scholars . dissert . p. 34. diogenes laert. ( in vit. democ. ) seems to say ( not that democritus was too young to know pythagoras , but ) that he was too young to be his hearer . but eusebius makes democritus to have been famous before pythagoras's death , setting the death of pythagoras , olymp. 70. 4. and democritus's being famous , olymp. 69. 3. in edit . pontaci item paris . and basil , olymp. 70. 1. in scaliger's edition . the truth is , he that enquires into the birth , age and death of democritus , will find the time of every one of them to be uncertain . as to his birth , thrasyllas sets it , olymp. 77. 3. but apollodorus , olymp. 80. as diogenes laertius testifies ; and suidas takes notice of this difference . i know that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , in diog. laert. and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , in suidas , are rendred vixit , but i translate them natus fuit , because diog. laert. adds , that he was a year elder than socrates , and he from apollodorus tells us , that socrates was born , olymp. 77. 4. see him in socrate . whether we translate it one way or the other , it is evident , that the account of the time either of his birth , or when he liv'd and became famous is various , and so uncertain . as to his age. hipparchus in diog. laert. gives him 109 years , lucian in longaevis , and phlegon de mirabilibus & longaevis , allow him but 104 years ; diodorus sic. contracts it to 90 years . lastly , as to his death , diodorus sic. ( ibid. ) sets it olymp. 94. 1. but eusebius refers it to olymp. 94. 4. simonides was but seven years old , or as others say yet unborn , when phalaris was kill'd , dissert . p. 34. here the doctor plainly bears testimony to the uncertainty of simonides's age , acquainting us , that some say that he was but seven years old , others that he was unborn when phalaris died . whereto i add , that it is not certain that he was either but seven years old , or unborn at the time of phalaris's death . in eusebius , we have four different accounts of the time when simonides flourish'd . it is set first , olymp. 28. 4. secondly , olymp. 55. afterward , olymp. 60. or 34. lastly , olymp. 73. 3. now if we follow the second of these accounts which makes him to have flourish'd , olymp. 55. 1. ( in edit . pontaci , item paris . and basil , ) olymp. 55. 2. ( in scaliger's edit . ) it is so far from being true , that he was unborn , or but seven years old , that he was famous nine or ten years before the time that the doctor pitcheth upon for phalaris's being slain , viz. olymp. 57. 3. and according to the first account he was famous above 100 years sooner . clemens alex. says , that simonides liv'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and that archilochus was known after olymp. 20. suidas refers him to olymp. 56. and adds , that others place him olymp. 62. there were more than one of that name , which might be the cause of these so much differing accounts . the marmor arund . takes notice of two simonides's , both poets , and the one grandfather to the other . the former it makes to have flourish'd olymp. 72. 4. the latter , olymp. 79. 3. according to mr. selden's computation . from aristophanes , the famous grammarian , we know that euripides's philoctetes was written , olymp. 87. this also is uncertain , for tho' it is true , that aristophanes the grammarian in his argument of euripides's medea doth say , that medea , philoctetes , &c. were acted , olymp. 87. yet others name his phaenissae , &c. as having been acted then ; so scaliger's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as also scholiast . aristophan . alcestis , the first tragedy of thespis , was acted about the 61. olympiad , which is more than twelve years after phalaris's death ; marm. arund . suidas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , dissert . p. 40. i shall not enquire whether alcestis was thespis's first play , it is not plainly affirm'd either in the marmor arund . or in suidas that it was . suidas doth not mention it , tho' he names other plays of his : he says of thespis , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , but that alcestis was acted then he hath , not a word . the marm. arund . is so defective , that little or nothing can be made of it . part of the name which is suppos'd to be alcestis is wanting , and likewise part of the archons name , yea , part of the number that should denote the years , so that it is only by uncertain conjecture that some make the number of the years to be 272 or 273 , the archon to be alcaeus , and the play alcestis . and whereas the marm. arund . speaks of a● he-goat being propos'd , eusebius refer that to olymp. 47. 2. between which and olymp. 61. there is an interval o● many years . i add , that both plutarch and diogenes laert. ( in vit. solon . ) testifie , that thespis made plays in solon ● time , and plutarch adds , that solo● saw him act ; withal , he says , that a●cording to phanias , solon died when hegestratus was archon , i. e. ( as some say ) olymp. 53. 4. but ( as others ) olymp. 50. 2. thucydides , l. 1. p. 90. and charon lampsacenus say , that themistocles , when he fled into asia , made his address to artaxerxes , who was newly come to the throne , wherein they are follow'd by cornelius nepos , and plutarch ( in vit. themistoc . ) against the common tradition of ephorus , heraclides , and most others , that make xerxes the father then alive . dissert . p. 80. here the doctor bears testimony to the uncertainty of the time of themistocles's coming to the persian court , and long before him we have plutarch , and cornelius nepos witnessing it . plutarch writes , that ephorus , dinon , heraclides , clitarchus , and many more say , that themistocles came to persia in the time of xerxes , but that charon lampsacenus agrees with thucydides ; affirming , that themistocles came in the reign of artaxerxes . and when the said plutarch comes to give his own opinion , he only says , that thucydides seems to agree better with the annals or chronicles , and he judg'd those chronicles not to be exact , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , so he . as to cornelius nepos , i grant that he thought that we should believe thucydides rather than the other ; but he , withal , testifies , that the most were against thucydides . if the incertitude of the time of themistocles's coming to the persian court was not sufficiently prov'd already , it might be made more apparent from the disagreement of other eminent persons about it . for tho' diodorus sic. l. 11. and valerius maximus , l. 8. c. 7. together with eusebius , refer it to the time of xerxes , yet cicero ad atticum , l. 10. epist. 7. following thucydides , refers it to the time of artaxerxes , non vidit quid artaxerxi polliceretur ; so he . hiero was come to the crown some years before themistocles's banishment and voyage to corcyra . 't is true , the chronology of this part of history is not so setled and agreed , as to amount to a demonstration against the letters ; but however , when join'd with the arguments preceding , at least it will come up to a high probability . theophrastus in his treatise of monarchy , ( ap . plutarch themist . p. 225. ) relates , that when hiero had sent race-horses , and a most sumptuous tent to the olympian games ; themistocles advis'd the greeks to plunder the tyrants tents , ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) and not to let his horses run . 't is evident then , if theophrastus speak properly , that hiero was monarch of syracuse , when themistocles was at olympia ; but it is most certain he never came thither after his exile . but to deal fairly , it must be confess'd that aelian ( var. hist. 9.5 . ) in telling this story varies from theophrastus ; for he says hiero himself came to the games : but that he would go thither in person after he got the government is wholly improbable . so that if aelian be to be believ'd , this business must have been done before hiero came to the throne . for even in gelo's life-time , who left him the monarchy , he kept horses for the race , and won at the pythian games . pythiad the 26. ( pind. schol. pyth. 1. and 3. ) which answers to olymp. 74. 3. but besides , that theophrastus is of much greater authority , the other refutes himself in the very next words . for he says , that themistocles hindred hiero on this pretence , that he that did not share in the common danger , ought not to share in the common festival : where its certain by the common danger , he means xerxes's expedition , when gelo either refus'd or delay'd to give the grecians his assistance : this affront then was put upon hiero , after that expedition . but the very next olymp. after hiero was in the monarchy , diod. 11. p. 29. besides these inferences and deductions , we have the express verdict and declaration of most of the chronologers ( schol. pind. pyth. diod. 11. p. 29 , 41. euseb. in chron. ) who place the beginning of hiero's reign , olymp. 75. 3. and themistocles's banifhment seven years after , olymp. 77. 2. the arundelian marble indeed differs from all these in the periods of gelo and hiero , which would quite confound all this argumentation from the notes of time. but either that chronologer is quite out , or we can safely believe nothing of history . for he makes gelo first invade the government two years after xerxes's expedition . but herodotus spends half a dozen pages in the account of an embassy to gelo , from sparta and athens , to desire his assistance against the persian . and 't is agreed among all , that gelo's victory over the carthaginians in sicily , was got the very same day with the battle at salamis ; herodot . l. 7. and diod. l. 11. dissert . p. 83 , 84 , 85 , 86. it is here plainly acknowledg'd , that the chronology of this part of history which concerns themistocles and hiero , is not clearly setled and agreed . and not only so , but the doctor in his margin also sets down the words of plutarch in themist . wherein that great man plainly declares , that the annals or chronicles are not so exact , that they can be depended upon , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . the doctor moreover confirms the truth of that observation , that the chronology of this part of history is not clearly agreed . for first , he says , that theophrastus , if he speak properly , makes hiero monarch of syracuse , at that time when themistocles advis'd the grecians not to permit his horses to run at the olympian games . whereas ( says he ) if aelian be to be believ'd , this business must have been done before hiero came to the crown . secondly , he says , that the arundelian marble differs from all those whom he had nam'd , ( viz. scholiast . pindar . diodorus sic. and eusebius ) in the periods of gelo and hiero. the doctor perceiving that it was not very easie to loose these two knots resolv'd to cut them , by diminishing the authority of aelian , and the arundelian marble , and going about to prove that the former refutes himself , of which attempt of the doctors i shall only say , that i humbly conceive that he hath undertaken a difficult task . we have seen how plainly the doctor doth acknowledge , that this part of chronology is not clearly setled and agreed , and yet there are some passages in him that seem to say , that it is at least pretty well adjusted and agreed . as , first , he says , that we have the express verdict and declaration of most of the chronologers , who place the beginning of hiero 's reign , olymp. 75. 3. and themistocles 's banishment seven years after olymp. 77. 2. but we may observe , first , that he only says , that we have the verdict of most of the chronologers , he doth not say of all . secondly , tho' he say of most of the chronologers , he names only three , schol. pind. pyth. 1. diod. 11. p. 29 , 41. euseb. in chron. and as to the first of these , the scholiast . upon pindar , he pyth. 1. places the beginning of hiero's reign , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , in olymp. 85. not 75. possibly some bold critick will tell us , that 85 is by the scribes or printers mistake put for 75 , but still it will not well agree with that which the same scholiast hath , pyth. 3. where he makes hiero to begin his reign , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . as to the time of themistocles's banishment , i have not found that the scholiast gives any account of it . diodorus sic. is the next , and it is true that he speaks of hiero's beginning his reign in olymp. 75. 3. and of themistocles's banishment in olymp. ●●● 2. but we may observe , that he speaks of themistocles's death in the same year , viz. olymp. 77. 2. whereas it is clear that his banishment and death could not be in the same year ; and therefore from diodorus's mentioning themistocles's exile in that year , we cannot conclude that it was his meaning , that it was the very year of his being banish'd . in that year diodorus gives an account as of themistocles's banishment , so also of his going to argos , his flight from thence to admetus , and afterward from admetus into asia , his journey from thence to the persian court , and what befel him there , and lastly of his death . not that all these happen'd within the space of one year ( for there was a considerable time from his banishment to his coming to the persian court , and a considerable time again from his coming thither to his death , ) but the historian thought it best to dispatch all that concern'd themistocles's fall at once . eusebius's chronicon only remains , in which it is left uncertain whether the beginning of hiero's reign is to be refer'd to olymp. 75. or olymp. 76. we read first hieron syracusis regnat , olymp. 75. 3. and presently after hieron post gelonem sycucusis tyrannidem exercet , olymp. 76. 2. as to themistocles's banishment it is not mention'd in the chronicon , tho' his flight to the persians is . and if it were true , that according to diodorus sic. his banishment was olymp. 77. 2. it must be confess'd , that eusebius differs very much from him , who sets his flight to the persians , olymp. 76. 4. whereas his banishment was a considerable time before it , as we have seen from diodorus sic. already ; and it may appear further from thucydides , l. 1. who informs us , that his living some time at argos , and going into other parts of peloponnesus , his flying thence to corcyra , and thence to king admetus , and from him to asia , did all intervene between his banishment and flight into persia. by this which hath been said it may be judg'd , whether we have the express verdict and declaration of most of the chronologers , that hiero begun his reign , olymp. 75. 3. and that themistocles was banish'd olymp. 77. 2. secondly , the doctor says , that it is agreed among all , that gelo 's victory over the carthaginians in sicily , was got the very same day with the battle at salamis . but tho' he saith among all , he only names herodotus , and diodorus sic. and herodotus , l. 7. c. 166. only says , that it was reported , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. they say , that gelo 's victory over the carthaginians was the same day with the victory over the persian at salamis ; so he . and as to diodorus sic. he is so far from agreeing to this , that he says , that gelo overcame on the same day that leonides fought xerxes at thermopylae , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; so diodorus , l. 11. concerning this gelo , i may observe , that the accounts of the time both of the beginning and continuance of his government are so various , that we cannot think it strange that it is so uncertain , when his successor hiero came to the crown . as to the beginning of gelo's government ( not to take notice of the marmor arund . ) according to pausanias eliac post. he begun to reign olymp. 72. 2. with whom dionys. halicarn . partly agrees , who , l. 7. speaking of an embassy which was in that year , says , that gelo was then newly come to the government ; but eusebius sets the beginning of his reign , olymp. 73. 2. and according to diodorus sic. it begun olymp. 73. 4. as to the continuance of it , scaliger's greek eusebius says , that he reign'd 17 years , and yet the time of hiero's succeeding him is there set , so that he reign'd but twelve years . the latin eusebius , according to one account gives him twelve years , according to another only nine : aristotle in polit. l. 5. c. 12. allows him seven , and something more : gelo ( says he ) reign'd seven years , and dy'd in his eighth year . finally , diodorus sic. l. 11. allows him only seven years . diodorus , who hath brought all his history into the method of annals , places the death of pausanias olymp. 75. 4. and the exile of themistocles six years after , olymp. 77. 2. — plutarch in themist . p. 224. makes themistocles after his banishment to have private dealings with pausanias . dissert . p. 87 , 88. if the doctor have rightly represented these two eminent historiographers , we have here a clear confirmation of that which i have lately inculcated , viz. the incertitude of the time of themistocles's banishment , for it was before the death of pausanias , according to the one , six years after it according to the other . and it will not be easie to reconcile them , unless we shall say , that themistocles had dealings with pausanias , when pausanias had been dead six years . athenaeus , l. 11. p. 505. among other errors in chronology , for which he chastises plato , brings this in for one , that he introduces phaedrus discoursing with socrates , who must certainly be dead before the days of that philosopher . dissert . p. 93. if athenaeus do justly chastise plato for errors in chronology , this alone may seem to be a sufficient demonstration of the incertitude of it . for if plato could and did err in the chronology of his own time , or that which was near it , how can we give credit to the account that we meet with in any heathen chronographers of things done long before their time ? now the instances which athenaeus 9. gives of plato's erring , are in things of his own time , or nor much remote from it , as any one that will consult him may see , both in the place alledg'd by the doctor , viz. l. 11. p. 505. and in l. 5. p. 217. where athenaeus says , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . we may content our selves with the instance produc'd here by the doctor of phaedrus and socrates . that socrates was in plato's time will be readily granted , and if phaedrus was plato's scholar , ( as some learned men make him to have been ) he was in his ( i. e. plato's ) time also . but it will be said , this cannot be , for the doctor informs us , that phaedrus was certainly dead before the days of socrates . to which i answer , that it is true , that the doctor tells us so ; but athenaeus says no such thing . athenaeus's words are these , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , so that here is nothing of phaedrus's being dead : but athenaeus's meaning might be , that he was not born in the time of socrates , or at least too young to discourse with him in such sort . i cannot but take notice , that macrobius saturnal . l. 1. c. 1. transcribes some of those instances which athenaeus doth , but is not severe upon plato as athenaeus is . socrate ita parmenides antiquior , ut hujus pueritia vix illius apprehenderit senectutem , & tamen inter illos de rebus arduis disputatur . paralus vero & xanthippus quibus pericles pater fuit , cum protagora apud platonem disserunt secundo adventu . athenis morante , quos multo ante infamis illa pestilentia athenis absumpserat . thus macrobius . they that please may see what aristides platonica 2 da hath to the same purpose . among the rest that writ elegies and encomiums on gryllus , the son of xenophon , hermippus says , socrates was one , laert. in xenophon . which is a blunder of no less then thirty seven years , the interval between socrates's death , and the battle of mantinea . socrates was put to death , olymp. 95. 1. when laches was magistrate . this is universally acknowledg'd : see diodorus , favorinus , diog. laert. aristides , marmor arund . euseb. argument . isocrat . busir . &c. dissert . p. 99. i do not find , that it is universally acknowledg'd , that socrates died olymp. 95. 1. suidas says , that he was born olymp. 77. and liv'd 80 years , according to which account he died olymp. 97. the chronicon alexand. makes him to have died olymp. 104. 1. about which time the battle of mantinea was according to the doctor . even some of these whom the doctor here alledges for his being put to death , olymp. 95. 1. do not acknowledge it . eusebius in edit . paris . and basil. with pontacus's sets his death olymp. 95. 3. in scaliger's edition , olymp. 95. 2. the marmor arund . ( if mr. selden computes right ) sets it olymp. 94. 4. in argument . busir . ap . isocrat . 't is only said that socrates died laches being archon , there is no mention of olymp. 95. 1. the same may be said of aristides . there are then only two of all these whom the doctor names , that say plainly that he died olymp. 95. 1. as to hermippus , he doth not say that socrates writ an encomium of gryllus being dead , he only says in general , that he writ an encomium of him , which he might do while gryllus was living . we have it from good hands ( diog. laert. in socrate , argum. isocrat . busir . ) that euripides , in a play of his , call'd palamedes , using these words , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. design'd to lash the athenians for socrates's murther , and the whole theatre perceiving it burst into tears . socrates therefore died before euripides . but 't is well known that the later died six years before laches was archon . dissert . p. 100. the doctor might well infer from that which diogenes laert. affirms , touching euripides lashing the athenians for the murther of socrates , that ( if he really did so ) socrates was murther'd before the death of euripides . and yet philochorus in the same diogenes laertius says the quite contrary , that euripides died before socrates . must we not then conclude that there is no certain constat whether of them died sooner ? but the doctor says , that euripides died six years before laches was archon , and so six years before socrates , who died in the time of laches's magistracy . to which i answer , first , the uncertainty of the time of socrates's death hath been already manifested . secondly , it is not certain that euripides died six years before laches was archon . if laches was archon olymp. 95. 1. ( as the doctor makes him to have been ) according to eusebius , euripides died above six years before his magistracy , for he sets his death olymp. 92. 4. and the marmor arund . ( according to mr. selden's computation ) agrees with eusebius . but the chronicon alex. differs from them both , placing euripides's death olymp. 94. 3. ( not 6 , but ) only two years before laches's being archon , supposing that to have been olymp. 95. 1. diodorus sic. l. 13. saying , that apollodorus sets the death of euripides olymp. 93. 3. ( six years before laches's being archon ) and withal , that others make him to have dy'd a little before those times , plainly bears testimony to the uncertainty of the time of his death . palamedes was acted olymp. 91. 1. ( aelian var. hist. 2. 1. schol. aristoph . p. 401. ) which is sixteen years before laches . dissert . p. 100. if palamedes was acted after the murther of socrates , then it was not acted olymp. 91. 1. unless we will say that socrates dy'd before the time . but the doctor says , that we have it from good hands , that euripides in his palamedes design'd to lash the athenians for socrates 's murther , and then it must be acted after it . and it cannot be prov'd either from aelian or schol. aristoph . that palamedes was acted olymp. 91. 1. aelian speaks of palamedes ( not l. 2. c. 1. but ) l. 2. c. 8. and as to the time of its being acted , his words are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , of which nothing can be made ; and the latin hath olympiade prima supra octogesimam . the scholiasts words are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . but how it can be concluded from them that palamedes was acted olymp. 91. 1. i know not . so that until it can be made to appear from other authors when it was acted , it must remain uncertain . according to most chronologers , euripides was about seventy , and by the most favourable account above sixty , when archelaus came to the crown . dissert . p. 131. here the doctor plainly declares the uncertainty of euripides's age , when archelaus came to the crown , since according to him most chronologers say , that he was about seventy , but others only that he was above sixty . further we have no certainty as to the time of archelaus's coming to the crown . athenaeus , l. 5. p. 217. ( the very place alledg'd by the doctor in his margin ) seems to say plainly , that it was in the third year of the peloponnesian war , but eusebius will have it to have been sooner , viz. at the beginning of that war. and the time of the beginning of that war is not exactly agreed and setled . diodorus sic. l. 12. and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 refer it to olympiad 87. 2. but eusebius to olymp. 87. 1. and not eusebius only , but also thucydides , who writes the history of that war , for he makes it to have begun when ●ythodorus was archon , now he was archon olymp. 87. 1. according to diodorus sic. l. 12. and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . pliny , l. 30. c. 1. says , it begun a trecentesimo nostrae urbis anno , but circa annum fere trecentesimum vicesimum tertium , says a. gellius , l. 17. c. 21. now if we follow either eusebius's or athenaeus's account of the time of archelaus's coming to the crown , euripides could not be at that time either about seventy , or above sixty years of age. according to diog. laertius in socrate , euripides was born olymp. 75. 1. and according to eusebius's account , archelaus came to the throne olymp. 87. 1. viz. forty eight years after ; so that as clemens alex. strom. 1. says , that there were forty eight years between xerxes's passage into greece ( at which time euripides is said to have been born ) and the beginning of the peloponnesian war , so by this account , euripides was only the age of forty eight years , at the beginning of archelaus's reign . according to athenaeus's account , archelaus succeeded in the kingdom when epameinon was archon , i. e. ( according to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) olymp. 87. 4. epaminondas ( who was archon olymp. 87. 4. according to diodorus sic. l. 12. ) is believ'd to be the same with athenaeus's epameinon . now from olymp. 75. 1. ( the year of euripides's birth ) to olymp. 87. 4. are no more than fifty one years , which are far short of about seventy , or above sixty . notwithstanding that the doctor says , that according to the most chronologers , euripides was about seventy when archelaus came to the crown , yet after all , in his margin he only names diod. sicul. & alios apud athen. l. 5. p. 217. but he had done well if he had directed us to the place in diod. sicul. where he gives this account of euripides's age ; for my part i despair of finding any such . and as to athenaeus , in all that p. 217. to which we are refer'd there is no mention of euripides . i grant that there is an account of the time of archelaus's succeeding perdiccas ; but it is such as makes not for the doctor 's purpose , but wholly against him , as i have just now declar'd . and now that i name perdiccas , what can make more toward the manifesting the uncertainty of chronology , than that which athenaeus in that very place observes , touching the wonderful discord that there is about the number of years that perdiccas reign'd ? nicomedes acanthius ( says he ) gives him forty one years , theopompus thirty five , anaximenes forcy , hieronymus twenty eight , marsyas and philochorus twenty three : thus athenaeus . the accounts of the time that perdiccas reign'd being so various , it must be more difficult to assign the time of archelaus's succeeding him . i know that a learned critick takes upon him to correct athenaeus , making him to set the time of archelaus's coming to the crown much later than it is in our copies . but if this was so that he set it later , it would make the difference greater between eusebius and him . withal , i am not satisfy'd with this criticks correction or alteration , for first , i find that the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 agrees exactly with our copies of athenaeus , placing the beginning of archelaus's reign in the 3d year of the peloponnesian war , when epamelnon was archon . secondly , he doth not produce the authority of any approved copies to warrant his alteration . thirdly , he doth not alledge any ancient historian , that says expresly that archelaus begun his reign that year which he pitcheth upon , viz. olymp. 93. 3. he only infers this from the words of diodorus sic. l. 14. whom he makes to say , that archelaus dy'd olymp. 95. 2. having reign'd seven years ; and if both these be true , that he reign'd seven years and no more , and dy'd olymp. 95. 2. the beginning of his reign must be placed olymp. 93. 3. but not to take notice that this critick mistakes the year of archelaus's death ( for diodorus sic. sets it not olymp. 95. 2. but 95. 1. ) the same diodorus l. 13. relates , that archelaus king of the macedonians besieg'd pydna , olymp. 92. 3. therefore he was king then , and how long before that time we know not . it appears then that there is no agreement , either as to the time how long perdiccas reign'd , or as to the time when archelaus succeeded , or as to euripides's age at the time of his succeeding , but they are all uncertain . planudes lived about 2000 years after aesop. dissert . p. 149. the doctor doth well in using this cautious expression about 2000 years , for unless we could be assur'd both when aesop , and when planudes lived , we cannot be certain how long the one lived after the other . the doctor in his margin ( from good authority without doubt ) makes planudes to have lived a. d. 1370. but others refer him to a. d. 1340. and have perhaps as good authority for so doing . and as we are thus uncertain how long planudes lived after christ , so there is no certainty how long aesop was before him . suidas says , he was before pythagoras , but heraclides de politiis makes him to have been famous at the time when pythagoras was . plutarch in vit. solon . & in septem sapientum convivio , relates , that he was very much in the favour of king croesus , as also what pass'd between solon and him , when solon had incurr'd croesus's displeasure ; but eusebius will have him to have been slain before croesus's coming to the monarchy . for according to eusebius , croesus came to the crown olymp. 54. 2. and aesop was slain either olymp. 54. 1. ( for so scaliger's edition hath it , and that account seems to be follow'd by suidas ) or olymp. 53. 4. as it is in other editions . and as to the birth of christ , he sets it olymp. 194. 3. so that according to him , aesop dy'd not much above 560 years before it . but if we follow plutarch , we must place aesop's death later , viz. in the time of croesus's reign , and then there were not so many years between it and our savious's birth ; and if we follow those eminent chronologers that will not allow that there were above 490 years between the first year of cyrus and our saviour's death , we must still diminish the number of years from aesop's death to the birth of our saviour , and say , that there were not compleat 500 years from the one to the other . by this it appears , that there is not any certainty how long aesop lived before christ , any more than there is how long planudes lived after him ; but tho' we take the extream accounts , and suppose the one to have lived somewhat more than 560 years before our lord's nativity , and the other 1370 years after , yet the whole time will fall considerably short of 2000 years . a view of the examination of the dissertation upon the epistles of phalaris , themistocles , &c. part . ii. zaleucus we are sure was a pythagorean , porph. in vita pyth. p. 15. and diod. sic. l. 12. p. 84. thus mr. boyle , p. 53. if this be certain , we must confess that the time both of the master's and of the scholar's flourishing is most uncertain . the scholar zaleucus , is by eusebius in chron. refer'd to olymp. 29. yet the master pythagoras , is both by the same eusebius , and by several other authors placed much later . and there are others who make zaleucus very ancient , as well as eusebius doth , particularly clemens alex. strom. 1. who writes , that zaleucus was reported to be the first lawgiver , and that he receiv'd his laws from minerva ; the later of which he confirms by the testimony of chamaeleon , heracleotes and aristotle : and i add , that valerius maximus , l. 1. c. 2. says the same , zaleucus sub nomine . minervae apud locrenses prudentissimus habitus est . but it will not be an easie task to reconcile this account to that of diog. laertius in vit. pythagorae , who , tho' he says expresly , that pythagoras was zaleucus's master , yet sets pythagoras's flourishing as late as olymp. 60. above 120 years after the time that his scholar zaleucus was so much celebrated among the locrians according to eusebius . instead of olymp. 37. he means , i suppose , olymp. 38. as 't is in eusebius — i 'll suppose 37 a false print . thus mr. boyle , p. 118. when dr. bentley , dissert . p. 14. says , that according to eusebius , phalaris's tyranny ended olymp. 37. mr. boyle is so ingenuous as to suppose , that by the printers mistake , olymp. 37. is put for olymp. 38. but when the same honourable person adds , that it is olymp. 38. in eusebius , it is manifest , that he follows scaliger's edition of his chronicle , for in other editions , it is not olymp. 38. but olymp. 39. as in that of paris , a. d. 1512. and that of basil , a. d. 1570. and pontacus's ; so that it is altogether uncertain to what olympiad eusebius refers the end of phalaris's tyranny , as it is likewise uncertain to what year eusebius refer'd the beginning of it , whether to olymp. 31. 2. according to scaliger's edition , or to olymp. 31. 4. according to the other . page 13th , he says , xerxes's expedition was olymp. 73. page 85th , he says , the very next olympiad after xerxes's expedition , hiero was in the throne ; and quotes diodorus ( 11. p. 39. ) for it : where we read , that hiero came to the crown olymp. 75. 3. therefore here dr. bentley is of opinion , that xerxes's expedition was in the 74th olympiad . and yet if diodorus is to be believ'd , xerxes expedition was neither in the 73d , nor 74th , but 75th olympiad . thus mr. boyle , p. 119. here ( if i mistake not ) are two false prints , one in mr. boyle , another in dr. bentley . in mr. boyle , the printer hath put page 13 instead of page 24 , for it is in his dissert . p. 24. that dr. bentley speaks of xerxes's expedition . in dr. bentley , i conceive , that by the printers fault , olymp. 73. is put instead of olymp. 75. i somewhat suspected this before , but am now fully confirm'd in it by considering , first , that i cannot meet with any author that refers xerxes's expedition to olymp. 73. and then secondly , that the very same historian , who is alledg'd by dr. bentley , diss. p. 85. to prove that hiero was in the monarchy the very next olymp . after xerxes's expedition ( viz. diod. sic. ) placeth xerxes's expedition olymp. 75. supposing then as i now do , that dr. bentley makes xerxes's expedition to have been ( not in the 73d , but ) in the 75th olympiad , then it is most true , that according to diod. sic. hiero was in the monarchy the very next olympiad after it , viz. olymp. 76. and it is to be observ'd , that dr. bentley here ( diss. p. 85. ) doth not take olympiad for the space of four years , but for the time when the olympick games were celebrated ; and if we understand it thus , hiero according to diod. sic. was not in the throne in any olympiad before the 76th . to conclude this , from dr. bentley's quoting diod. sic. i infer that his meaning is , that hiero was in the monarchy olymp. 76th , and that being according to him the very next olympiad after xerxes's expedition , it follows that with diod. sic. he refers that expedition to olymp. 75. but then i have shew'd in the former part of this view , that there are who differ from diod. sic. as to the time of it , and so nothing can be certainly concluded concerning it . i have shew'd there also , that it is uncertain when hiero came to the monarchy . he begins his chronological observations with the aeras of some cities ; a very slippery foundation to build an argument upon : for all these cities are so very ancient , that it would puzzle a good chronologer to trace their originals . the olded historians now extant had but very slender memoirs of those times , and accordingly we find their accounts so confus'd and contradictory , that none should pretend to draw demonstrations from ' em . i hear the famous mr. dodwell is now printing some lectures at oxford , in which he shews how very obscure and uncertain the histories of those ages are ; and that from the concurrence of those rude accounts he meets with , he hath made it probable , that phalaris must be brought much lower than even st. hierome places him — i hear mr. dodwell brings phalaris down to olymp. 70. mr. boyle , p. 120. and 154. here mr. boyle bears testimony so plainly and fully to the uncertainty of chronology , that a clearer evidence cannot be desired . eusebius sets the beginning of phalaris's tyranny , olymp. 31. st hierome brings it down to olymp. 52. or 53. mr. dodwell thinks it must be plac'd still lower , viz. olymp. 70. thucydides says , that anaxilaus beat out the samians from zancle , and call'd it messana ; but fixes the time of this action no otherwise than only by saying , 't was not long after the samians flying from the medes possess'd it . dr. bentley calls this xerxes expedition , as if the medes had never made an incursion upon greece , till the time of xerxes . what herodotus says , l. 6. is so far from being the same with thucydides's story , that it contradicts it ; for he says , not that anaxilaus expell'd the samians from zancle , but that he assisted 'em to take it . that anaxilaus chang'd the name of zancle into messana , is agreed between dr. bentley and me ; the only question is about the date of this change. thucydides fixes upon no date : diodorus places the death of one anaxilaus in the 76th olympiad , but does not say this was the anaxilaus that nam'd messana . herodotus in the place cited , says nothing about the change of the names , but tells a story of the samians seizing zancle , a little after miletus was taken ; and all the ground that we have from this passage of herodotus , to conclude the change of the name zancle into messana , to have happen'd after this time , is his calling the city zancle , and not messana throughout this story : which , i think , proves nothing more , than that the old name was not yet so utterly abolish'd , but that it was call'd indifferently either zancle or messana still . so that hitherto we have had no direct and positive testimony about the time of zancle's changing its name . mr. boyle , p. 127 , 128 , 129. all this manifestly declares how uncertain herodotus , thucydides , and diodorus sic. leave us , as to the time of the name zancle , its being exchang'd for messana ; so that there is no need of making any remarks upon it . pausanias is the only author , that speaks fully up to the point : and he expresly affirms this to have happen'd in the 29th olympiad , and tells the story with a great deal of solemnity and circumstance . — against an indirect and dubious proof , built chiefly on a disputable passage in herodotus , we have the express and full and undoubted authority of pausanias . mr. boyle , p. 129. and 131. tho' herodotus , thucydides , and diod. sic. leave us uncertain as to the time of the change of the name , yet it seems in mr. boyle's judgment , we may rely upon the undoubted authority of pausanias , and conclude certainly that it was olymp. 29. but i crave leave to question , whether we can rely so certainly upon pausanias's authority in this case . for , first , tho' thucydides doth not fix the time of the change of the name any otherwise than by saying , that it was not long after the samians flying from the medes , possess'd zancle : yet this is sufficient to make us doubt of pausanias's assertion , that it happen'd olymp. 29. unless some records can be produc'd , which may certifie us , that the medes made any incursion upon greece so early as before that olympiad . secondly , when herodotus , l. 7. c. 165. mentions the change of the name , he is speaking of things done about the time of xerxes's expedition ; now is it not strange that he should speak of it so late , if the change was made ( as pausanias sets it ) olymp. 29. i. e. about 180 years before ? especially when he had occasion to speak of zancle before . thirdly , mr. boyle , p. 130. makes pausanias to differ from herodotus , and to reject his testimony concerning the age of anaxilaus ; now if the name was chang'd from zancle to messana in his time ( as they say it was ) from their differing as to the age in which anaxilaus liv'd , it must follow , that they also differ'd as to the time when the change of the name was made . now whatever pausanias's authority may be in other things , i question whether it is such , as that we can certainly rely upon him , when two such historians as herodotus and thucydides differ from him . i may add , that if diodorus sic. who places the death of one anaxilaus olymp. 76. speaks of the anaxilaus that nam'd messana , he also differs from pausanias . in the 29th olympiad , when chionis won the prize the second time . mr. boyle , p. 129. it is true , that pausanias in messenicis , p. 134. hath these very words , and yet afterward in the same page he says , that xenophon the corinthian won the prize in the 29th olympiad ; so that i know not how to reconcile him to himself , unless by putting a difference between 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . he useth the former words concerning chionis , the later concerning xenophon ; and the later we must translate ( not in , but ) about the 29 th olympiad . but then what is the meaning of about the 29 th olympiad ? if it be said that his meaning is , that xenophon was victor in the next olympiad to it , viz. the 30th , i ask why did he not plainly say so ? besides , pausanias in arcadicis , p. 269. says ( not that xenophon , but ) chionis was victor the third time in the 30th olympiad . here i might also observe , that pausanias agrees not with himself as to the time when miltiades was archon . in messenicis , p. 134. he says it was in the 29th olympiad , in which chionis won the prize the 2d time ; but in arcadicis , p. 269. he says it was in the 2d year of the 30th olympiad , in which chionis won it the 3d time . the most eminent chronologers , and men best vers'd in these things , fall in with this account of pausanias . vbbo emmius follows it in his history of ancient greece , l. 1. p. 18. lydiat , in his notes on the chronicon marmoreum , ios. scaliger , in his animadversions upon eusebius , p. 27. and in his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; so does petavius too , rat. temp. par . 1. p. 38. and meursius lect. att. l. 2. c. 23. mr. boyle , p. 130 , 131. such eminent chronologers following pausanias's account of the time of the change of the name from zancle to messana , some persons may be apt to look upon it as certain : but on the other side , i say , first , suppose it true , that they do all follow his account , yet if they do not alledge some other ancienr historian that agrees with it , it signifies little ; for it depends upon pausanias's sole authority still . secondly , it doth not appear that they follow it . vbbo emmius , in his first book mentions messana , but of the change of the name from zancle to messana ( as far as i perceive ) he says nothing . in his 7th book , he speaks of the change of the name , but is wholly silent as to the time of it . i add , that in his first book he quotes pausanias , when he is speaking of the arcades , and the second messenian war ; but certainly we cannot conclude hence , that he follow'd pausanias's account of the time , when the new name messana was given to the city , which was before call'd zancle . scaliger both in his ammadversions , p. ( mihi ) 21. and in his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( if that be his ) refers the change of the name to olymp. 30. not to olymp. 29. as pausanias doth . petavius agrees not either with pausanias or scaliger , but as scaliger fixes the time latter than pausanias , so petavius sets it sooner , viz. olymp. 27. see him , de doctrina temporum , l. 13. and in rat. temp. par . 1. l. 2. c. 8. meursius is so far from agreeing with pausanias , that he plainly shews how little pausanias is at agreement with himself ; and he takes upon him to correct pausanias , instead of following him . lydiat only remains , and if by his notes on the chronicon marmoreum , mr. boyle means the notae historicae ad chronicon marmoreum , i grant that he doth fall in with pausanias's account . to conclude then , since none of these modern chronologers ( except lydiat ) do agree with pausanias , and since the ancient historians , herodotus and thucydides do less agree with him , what certainty can we have as to the time when the city had the new name messana given it ? diodorus in his 14th book says , that some sicilians planted themselves upon taurus , and from their settlement there , call'd the place they built tauromenium : in the 16th book he says , that about forty years after this , andromachus planted some of the old naxians upon taurus , and from his long stay there , call'd the place where he planted them tauromenium . mr. boyle , p. 132. here this honourable person observing , that diodorus plainly gives two different accounts of the time when the place was nam'd tauromenium , and those contradictory one to the other , says enough to satisfie us of the incertitude of it . there was a river tauromenius ( if vibius sequester is to be credited , who says the town had its name from thence ) before there was a tauromenium . mr. boyle , p. 133. here the time when the town was first call'd tauromenium , is made still more uncertain ; for if it had its name from the river tauromenius , it might have it long before the former of the times mention'd by diodorus sic. diomedes grammaticus , l. 3. the scholiast . of aristophanes in prolegom . and clemens alexandrinus stro. 1. attribute the invention of comedy to susarion . but that he was not the inventer of it , the chronicon marmoreum does more than intimate , when it says only of him , that he first erected a stage in athens , to act comedies upon . mr. boyle , p. 141. all this tends directly to manifest the uncertainty of the time when comedy was invented . the authority of clemens alex. with the other two , affirming , that susarion was the inventer of it , is oppos'd to that of the marm. arund . which more than intimates , that it was invented before susarion , and attributes this only to him , that he erected a stage at athens , to act comedies upon . but then suppose it was certain , that it was not invented before susarion's time , and that he was the inventer of it , what certainty have we of the time when susarion liv'd ? all that mr. boyle can say of it , is , that according to the marble , his erecting a stage at athens must be before the tyranny of pisistratus , and that those learned men , who have taken pains to illustrate that chronicle , have by the concurrence of other histories plainly shewn , that the time of susario must fall between the 610 th and 489 th year before christ. thus mr. boyle , p. 140 , 141. but by the printers fault 489 is put instead of 589. this will appear , if we consult lydiat's annotations upon the chronicon marmoreum , epoch . 40. where his words are susarion innuitur claruisse inter annum , 610. and 589. ante evangelium . so that according to lydiat , the marm. arund . makes susarion to have flourish'd between the 610th , and 589th year ( not before christ , but ) before the gospel , i. e. before the time of the first preaching , or publishing of the gospel . in the notae historicae ad chronicon marmoreum , epoch . 40. we read thus , susarionem inter olympiadem 50. and 540. sloruisse indicat mutilum marmor ; but 540. is by the fault of the press instead of something else , perhaps instead of 54. for as mr. selden computes the marm. arund . sets susarion between olymp. 49. 3. and olymp. 54. 4. all this while susarion's time is made to depend upon the sole authority of the marm. arund . if there be learned men , who have by the concurrence of other histories plainly shewn , that the time of susario must fall between the years which lydiat mentions : as mr. boyle doth not tell us who they are , so i have not seen them . if there are several material circumstances that disparage this one witness 's testimony ; if he liv'd at a great distance from the time he writes of ; if he speaks by report and hearsay only , without vouching any authority ; if he expresses himself , so that we have room to doubt , whether we know his mind ; or should we know his mind , yet if he contradicts himself immediately afterward : i say , if these things appear against him , then this one witness is so far from being as good as a multitude , that he is as good as none . mr. boyle , p. 148. mr. boyle says all this of athenaeus , and both in this , and in the six pages following , makes it his business to demonstrate , how little credit is to be given to his testimony concerning the age in which thericles liv'd , and to which we owe the invention of the thericlean cup ; so that more needs not be said to manifest the uncertainty of it . solon was archon olymp. 46. 3. mr. boyle , p. 166. diog. laertius alledged by mr. boyle in his margin , says , that solon was archon olymp. 46. 3. if we may believe sosicrates , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . sosicrates is follow'd also in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . but what shall we say then to tatianus orat. con . graecos in fin . who makes solon to have been archon about the 40th olympiad , and to a. gellius , who makes him to have writ his laws about the 49th olympiad ? now as diog. laertius in solon . observes , he writ his laws when he was archon . the words of a. gellius , l. 17. c. 21. are these , solonem accepimus , unum ex illo nobili numero sapientum , leges scripsisse atheniensium tarquinio prisco romae regnante anno regni ejus tricesimo & tertio . now if tarquinius priscus begun his reign olymp. 41. 2. ( as dionysius halicarnassaeus , l. 3. says he did ) his 33d year must be olymp. 49. 3. mr. boyle's margin tells us , that eusebius in his chronicon puts solon 's archonship a year later than olymp. 46. 3. but he should rather have said , that he sets it a year sooner , for so it is in all the editions of his chronicon that i have seen . solon dy'd at the end of the 53d , or the beginning of the 54th olympiad ; plut. vit. sol. mr. boyle . p. 166. plutarch only says , that according to phanias , solon dy'd when hegestratus was archon , and there is no constat as to the year in which he was archon . some say in the first year of the 55th olympiad , others in the fourth year of the 53d , others in the second year of the 50th olympiad . diog. laertius gives us an epistle from solon to croesus , and it is apparent , that it was writ after that croesus came to the kingdom . in it , solon tells croesus , that he would come to him , which he accordingly did ; not immediately after his writing that letter , but from athens he went to aegypt , thence to cyprus , and thence to croesus , with whom he remain'd some time . thence he went to cilicia , and at last dy'd in cyprus ; thus laertius . by all which it appears , that solon's death was long after croesus's coming to the throne , and therefore if croesus did not come to it till olymp. 54. 2. ( as eusebius hath it ) solon must have liv'd long after olymp. 53. or 54. and this is confirm'd by the testimony of theophilus ad autolycum , who makes solon to have liv'd in the time of cyrus and darius , and according to eusebius , the beginning of cyrus's reign was not till olymp. 55. 1. but we need go no further than plutarch the author here quoted , who says indeed , that phanias makes solon not to have liv'd two years after the beginning of pisistratus's tyranny ; but withal , tells us , that heraclides reports that he liv'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a long time after it . can we desire a clearer and more authentick testimony of the uncertainty of the time when solon dy'd than this is ? and here i cannot but take notice of another passage in the same life of solon , which shews how little arguments drawn from chronology did sway with plutarch . some ( as he tells us ) would refute the history of solon's conversing with croesus , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , by arguments drawn from the consideration of the times ; but ( says he ) their chronological canons ( as they call them ) will not persuade me to reject so illustrious an history , attested by so many writers , and so agreeable to solon's prudence , magnanimity and manners . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. so plutarch . that pisistratus siez'd the government of athens some years before solon's death , dr. bentley , i dare say , will grant me : that he was turn'd out in , or rather before phalaris's reign , he will not i hope deny me ; because he has own'd it in terms , p. 41. of his dissertation . mr. boyle , p. 167. whether dr. bentley will grant that pisistratus siez'd the government some years before solon's death i know not , but i am sure that they who are mov'd with the authority of phanias ap . plut. vit. sol. will not grant it ; for he says expresly , that the interval of time between pisistratus's invading the government , and the death of solon was less than two years , ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) and therefore according to him , the one was not some years before the other . it is true ( as was lately observ'd ) that according to heraclides ap . plut. the one was some years , perhaps many years before the other , but this difference between heraclides and phanias only shews how uncertain it is , how long it was before solon's death , that pisistratus's tyranny began . phanias ap . plut. says , that pisistratus siez'd the government when comias was archon , and that solon dy'd when his immediate successor hegestratus was archon ; but it is not agreed in what year either of them was archon . some refer comias's archonship to olymp. 53. 3. others to olymp. 50. 1. in the marm. arund . it is refer'd to olymp. 54. 4. ( if the learned men who have taken pains to illustrate that marble , interpret it rightly ) as it also makes pisistratus to have begun his tyranny then . but the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 refers the government of the pisistratidae or the sons of pisistratus , to olymp. 50. 1. as both tatianus orat. con . graecos , and clemens alex. stro. 1. say , that the time of their government was about the 50 th olympiad : so that , if these be in the right , the time of the fathers siezing the government must be set much higher . for iustin , l. 2. c. 8. says , that pisistratus reign'd 33 years , with whom agrees heraclides de politiis , and also aristotle de republica , l. 5. c. 12. if i dot not mistake his meaning , when he says , that in thirty three years pisistratus reign'd only seventeen years , i. e. ( if i understand him rightly ) tho' there were thirty three years in all between pisistratus's invading the tyranny and his death , yet he enjoy'd it only seventeen years , the other sixteen years he liv'd in exile . after all , i freely confess , that , if it could be made out , that the word pisistratidae is not always used strictly as it denotes the sons of pisistratus , but sometimes in a more comprehensive sense , as including pisistratus and his sons too , this argument from the authority of tatianus , and clemens alex. would lose all its force : but till that be made appear , it plainly demonstrates how little certainty there is of the time when pisistratus first seiz'd the government . nor is it more certain when he was turn'd out of it . dr. bentley , diss. p. 41. says , it was in the days of phalaris , but mr. boyle will have it rather to have been before phalaris's reign ; both which accounts leave us uncertain when he was driven out , unless it could be certainly known what time phalaris reign'd . besides herodotus , l. 1. c. 5. informs us , that pisistratus was driven out twice , and as often recover'd the tyranny ; therefore we should have been inform'd of whether turning out they speak , otherwise we cannot so well judge of the time of it . it is not to be doubted , but the alcestis of phrynichus ( that phrynichus , who was thespis's scholar ) was acted before olymp. 67. mr. boyle , p. 168. but ( craving this honourable persons leave ) i cannot but doubt of it , for as i know not that any author affirms it , so he doth not declare what ground he hath for such assurance . i know that suidas affirms , that phrynichus won the prize in that very olympiad , and mentions alcestis as one of his plays ; but it cannot be infer'd hence , that alcestis was acted before that olympiad ; yea , if i should say that it was one of those plays of his that were acted then , and by which he won the prize , or that it was acted after that time , it would not be easie to disprove it . tragedy is of ancient vsage in this country , nor did it take its rise from thespis and phrynichus , as some imagine ; but if you consider the thing well , you find that it is extreamly ancient ; plato in minoe . mr. boyle , p. 170 , 171. here plato bears testimony to the uncertainty of the antiquity of tragedy , in telling us his own opinion , viz. that it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , very ancient , and yet withal , that others were of a contrary opinion , that it took its rise from thespis . besides , he doth not tell us how ancient he believ'd tragedy to be . i know mr. boyle says , that he ( i. e. plato ) thought it almost as ancient as minos , and that the reason of his introducing the reflection shews it ; but , if we consult plato , we shall find that the reason of his introducing it shews no such thing . whether plato thought tragedy more ancient than minos , or only as ancient , or but almost as ancient , cannot be determin'd from the reason of his introducing the reflection . mr. boyle knows not what to make of a passage of plutarch , in his life of solon , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. e. thespis now beginning to move or set on foot the play called tragedy ; but ( says he ) he could not mean , that there was no such thing as tragedy of any kind before the days of thespis , and be consistent with himself ; for he expresly tells us in another place ( the life of theseus ) that the acting of tragedies was one part of the funeral solemnities which the athenians perform'd at the tomb of theseus : thus mr. boyle , p. 176. but i do not find any such thing in the life of theseus . indeed , in the life of cimon , there is a passage which some ignorant or less considering persons may possibly construe to such a sense , but mr. boyle could not . i add , that if there be any such passage in plutarch , it doth not contradict this , that tragedy took its rise from thespis , for theseus had no tomb at athens , before the days of thespis . so that notwithstanding any thing that mr. boyle alledges , plutarch by those words in the life of solon might mean , that there was no such thing as tragedy of any kind before the days of thespis . to proceed , mr. boyle , p. 171. brings diog. laertius as a witness , that tragedy is more ancient than thespis ; but on the other side , p. 177. he speaks of authors in the plural number , who make thespis the inventer of it , and p. 176. he calls them old writers ; so that he acknowledges that there are ancient writers for the one opinion , as well as the other . i know that he would persuade us , that when these authors make thespis the inventer of tragedy , their meaning is , that he was the improver of it , or that he was the inventer of that sort of tragedy which consisted in imitation , and a fable , ( see him , p. 174. ) whereas there was tragedy ( tho' not of that sort ) before : but he himself is not very confident that this was their meaning , for he says , p. 177. in this sense it is that we must understand those authors who make thespis the inventer of tragedy , or allow that they spake inconsiderately . we are left ( you see ) to our liberty whether we will understand those authors in the forementioned sense , or allow that they spake inconsiderately . but for my part , i am not forward to pass such a censure upon ancient writers , that they spake inconsiderately and unwarily , particularly i am not forward to believe either that clemens alex. spake inconsiderately , or that he spake of this or that sort of tragedy , but of it in general , when speaking of the inventers of other things he comes at length to tragedy , and says , that thespis ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) devis'd or invented it . but it may be said , if thespis was the inventer of it , then the date of tragedy is not uncertain . to which i answer , that this would follow , if we were certain of the time when thespis liv'd and flourish'd ; but mr. boyle sufficiently makes it appear how far we are from being certain of that . for p. 166. he says , that plutarch and diog. laertius expresly affirm , that thespis was contemporary with solon , telling us very particularly what pass'd between solon and thespis , in relation to the plays of the later ; and adds , that solon dy'd at the end of the 53 , or the beginning of the 54 olympiad . in p. 167. he says , that the arundel marble fixes the acting of alcestis , one of thespis 's plays as low as the 60 th olympiad . and p. 170. he tells us , that suidas says , thespis flourish'd in the 61 st olympiad . mr. boyle further tells us , that taking our account at the lowest , we must make him to have written according to plutarch , and diog. laertius two or three years before solon ' s death ; but we may take it higher , and make him to have begun to write plays near the time of solon's archonship , which according to mr. boyle , was olymp. 46. 3. and we may the rather do this , because eusebius chronicon placeth the rise of tragedy at the 47 th olympiad , as mr. boyle observes , p. 166. now between olymp. 47. and olymp. 61. are above fifty years . thus it fully appears from the authors alledg'd by mr. boyle , how little certainty we have of the time of the rise of tragedy ; those that say it is more ancient than thespis , not ascertaining us how much more ancient it is , and those that make thespis the inventer of it , not being agreed about the time when he liv'd , and begun to write tragedies . need i after all this take notice of that which suidas hath to this purpose , acquainting us , that some make thespis the first tragedian , but others epigenes sicyonius ; some saying , that thespis was the 16th from epigenes , and others that he was the 2d ? an old scholiast alledg'd by iul. caesar bulenger de theatro , l. 1. c. 2. mentions one theomis , who 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. first found out tragical melodies , and was admir'd for them among the grecians , in the time of orestes ( they that please may see his words either in bulenger , or in the tractatus de tragaedia , prefix'd to the late cambridge edition of euripides ) but of what authority that scholiast is i know not . eustathius's time was about 200 years before planudes was born . mr. boyle , p. 270. nicetas choniat . annal. l. 1. vers . fin . makes eustathius to have liv'd in the time of andronicus commenus , and he came to the empire ( as we are told ) in or about an. do. 1182. as to planudes , when he was born i know not , but as to the time of his flourishing , dr. bentley , p. 149. placeth it an. do. 1370. but other learned men set it an. do. 1340. and it must be allow'd , that he was born at least 20 years before : and so according to one account , he was born at or before an. do. 1320. according to the other , at or before an. do. 1350. if then we make eustathius to have liv'd about an. do. 1182. the interval between his time , and the birth of planudes will fall considerably short of 200 years ; so that the account which mr. boyle's authors follow'd differs from these ; but which is the truest cannot be determin'd . thus i have taken notice of most of the passages in the dissertation and examination of it which relate to chronology , and conceive that with the assistance of the learned and worthy persons , the authors of them , i have manifested the uncertainty of the time , when the persons lived , or the cities were built , or the things were done , which are mention'd in those passages . and we may believe that other parts of heathen chronology being strictly examin'd , would be found to have no juster pretensions to certainty , than these which have been now consider'd are found to have . finis . errata . read in the title-page , l. 18. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and l. 19. blot out the comma after 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and place it after 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , p. 7. l. 27. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , p. 8. l. 14. imilcas's , p. 10. l. 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , p. 18. l. 21. 3 or 4. p. 20. l. 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , p. 22. l. 3. & p. 25. l. 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , p. 22. l. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , p. 24. l. 14. pyth. 1. diod. p. 30. l. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and stop in the same line thus , is there set so , that , p. 32. l. 11. blot out 9. ] p. 37. l. 4. before that time , p. 64. l. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , p. 67. l. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , p. 71. l. 8. you will find . books printed for john jones , at the dolphin and crown in st. paul's church-yard . practical discourses upon several divine subjects , viz. of religious discourse in common conversatition . of the fear of death . concerning the extent of christ's satisfaction . concerning practical atheism . of walking by faith. concerning charity to the poor . concerning the right use of the world. concerning the successive vanity of human life . an admonition concerning two late books , called a discourse of the love of god. vol. iv. written by iohn norris , m. a. rector of bemerton near sarum . treatises upon several subjects . viz. reason and religion , or the grounds and measures of devotion . reflections upon the conduct of human life . the charge of schism continued . two treatises concerning divine light. spiritual counsel , or , the fathers advice to his children . written by iohn norris , m. a. rector of bemerton in sarum . the present state of the universe , or an account of i. the rise , births . names , matches , children , and near allies of all the present chief princes of the world. ii. their coats of arms , motto's , devices , liveries , religions , and languages . iii. the names of their chief towns , with some computation of the houses and inhabitants , their chief seats of pleasure , and other remarkable things in their dominions . iv. their revenues , power and strength . also an account of common-wealths , relating to the same heads . the second edition much amended and enlarged , with the addition of the styles or titles of the several potentates and republicks . the schollers medley, or, an intermixt discourse vpon historicall and poeticall relations a subiect of it selfe well meriting the approbation of the iudicious, who best know how to confirme their knowledge, by this briefe suruey, or generall table of mixed discourses. ... by richard brathvvayte oxon. brathwaite, richard, 1588?-1673. 1614 approx. 253 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 64 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-07 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a16676 stc 3583 estc s106127 99841852 99841852 6467 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a16676) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 6467) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1475-1640 ; 829:01) the schollers medley, or, an intermixt discourse vpon historicall and poeticall relations a subiect of it selfe well meriting the approbation of the iudicious, who best know how to confirme their knowledge, by this briefe suruey, or generall table of mixed discourses. ... by richard brathvvayte oxon. brathwaite, richard, 1588?-1673. [8], 118, [2] p. printed by n[icholas] o[kes] for george norton, and are to bee sold at his shop neere temple-barre, london : 1614. printer's name from stc. the last leaf is blank. running title reads: a suruey of histories. reproduction of the original in cambridge university library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every 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kor sampled and proofread 2003-04 rina kor text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-06 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the schollers medley , or , an intermixt discovrse vpon historicall and poeticall relations . a subiect of it selfe well meriting the approbation of the iudicious , who best know how to confirme their knowledge , by this briefe suruey , or generall table of mixed discourses . and no lesse profitable to such as desire to better their immaturity of knowledge by morall readings . distinguished into seuerall heads for the direction of the reader , to all such historicall mixtures , as be comprehended in this treatise . the like whereof for variety of discourse , mixed with profite , and modest delight , hath not heretofore beene published , by richard brathvvayte oxon. hor. quod verum atque decus turo & rogo — & omnis in hoc sum. london , printed by n. o. for george norton , and are to bee sold at his shop neere temple-barre 1614. to the right honovrable , the lord of sovthampton ( learnings best fauorite ) rich : b●…athvvayte wisheth perpetuall encrease of best meriting honours . right honovrable , so rarely is pallas shield borne by the noble , or supported by such whose eminence might reuiue her decaied hopes : as brittaines pernassus ( on which , neuer were more inhabitants planted , and homer-like , more vsually expulsed ) is growen despicable in her selfe , because protected by none but her selfe . hinc ferrea tempora surgant : wanting their cherishers ( those heroicke patrons ) whose countenance in former times made the studies of the learned mor●… pleasant ( hauing their labours by such approbation , seconded . ) yet in these times ( my honourable lord ) wee may finde some roiall seedes of pristine nobility ( wherein we may glory ) reserued , as it were , from so great ruines for the preseruation of learning , and the continuance of all vertuous studies ; amongst which your noble selfe , as generally reputed learned , so a profest friend to such as be studious of learning : a charracter which euer held best correspondency with honour , being a fauorite to them who can best define honour : expressing to the life ( what proprieties best concord with so exquisite a maister-peece : it is ob●…erued that all the romane emperours were singular in some peculiar art , science , or mystery : and such of the patricijans as could not deriue their natiue descent ( with the particular relation of their ancestours most noble actions ) were thought vnworthy to arrogate any thing to themselues by their vertues . these romanes were trucly noble , bearing their owne annals euer with them , either to caution them of what was to be done , or excite them to prosec●…te what was by them commendably done : nor knew they honour better limmed , or more exactly proportioned , then when it was beautified by the internall ornaments of the minde . many i know ( my good lord ) whose greatnesse is de ▪ riuatiue from their ancestours vnto themselues , but much eclypsed by their owne defects : and plants which had a noble grafter , vse now and then to degenerate . but so apparant is your lustre , that it borroweth no light but from your selfe ; no eminence but from the lampe of your honour , which is euer ready to excite the vertuous to the vndertaking of labours well meriting of their countrey , and generally profitable to all estates . in subiects of this nature ( my honourable lord ) i cannot finde any more exact then these suru●…ies of ●…istories ; many wee haue depraued : and euery iasciuious measure now becomes an historian . no study in his owne nature more deseruing , yet more corrupted none is there : o then if those ancient romanes ( mirrours of true resolution ) kept their armilustra with such solemnity , feasts celebrated at the surueyes of their weapons : we that enioy thes●… halcyons daies of peace and tranquillity , haue reason to reserue some time for the solemnizing this peaceble armour of histories ; where we may see in what bonds of duety and affection wee are tied to the almighty , not onely in hauing preserued vs from many hostile incursions , but in his continuing of his loue towards vs , wee cannot well dijudicate of comforts but in relation of discomforts : nor is peace with so generall acceptance entertained by any , as by them who haue sustained the extremities of warre . many precedent experiments haue wee had , and this i le hath tasted of misery with the greatest , and now reuiued in her selfe , should acknowledge her miraculous preseruation , as not proceeding from her owne power , but deriued from the supreme influence of heauen , whose power is able to erect , support , demolish , & lay wast as he pleaseth : hinc timor , hinc amor. hence wee haue argument of feare and loue. feare from vs to god , loue from god to vs : cause wee haue to feare , that subiect not our vnderstandings to the direct line and square of reason , but in our flourishing estate ( imitating that once renowned sparta ) who was — nunquam minus faelix quam cum felix visa — abuse those excellent gifts we haue receiued , contemning the meanaces of heauen , and drawing vpon our selues the viols of gods wrath , heauier diffused , because longer delayed . wee should recollect our selues , and benefite our vngratefull mindes with these considerations : that our present felicity be not buried in the ruines of a succeeding calamity . these histories ( my noble lord ) bee the best representments of these motiues . and in perusing discourses of this nature ( next to the sacred word of god ) we are strangely transported aboue humane apprehension , seeing the admirable foundations of common-weales planted ( to mans thinking ) in the port of security , wonderfully ruinated : grounding their dissolution vpon some precedent crying sinne , which laid their honour in the dust , and translated their empire to some ( perchance ) more deseruing people . here ciuill warres , the originall causes of the realmes subuersion : there ambition bred by too long successe : here emulation in vertue , the first erectors of a flourishing empire : there parasites , the scarabe of honour , the corrupters of roiallie disposed affections , and the chief●…st enginers of wracke and confusion , buzzing strange motions in a princes eare , occasioning his shame , and their owne ruine . here states happy , before they raisd themselues to the highest type and distance of happinesse . and generally obserue wee may in our humane compositions , nothing so firme as to promise to it selfe constancy , so continuate as assure it selfe perpetuity , or vnder the cope of heauen , any thing so solid as not subiect to mutability . this suruey ( my lord ) haue i presumed to dedicate to your honour , not for any meriting discourse which it comprehends , but for the generality of the subiect : your protection will raise it aboue it selfe , and make me proud to haue an issue so highly patronized : it presents it selfe with feare , may it be admitted with honour : so shall my labours be in all duety to your fauour deuoted , my prayers exhibited , and my selfe confirmed your lordships wholy , rich : brathvvayte . to the vnderstanding reader . so many idle pamphleters write to thee now a daeies , as thy vnderstanding ( in my iudgement ) seemes much disparaged : i haue euer resolued to haue this motto : catoni solus dormio : but where that cato is , there 's the difficulty . hee is too heauy for the court , too wise for the citty , and too precise for the countrey . if my booke chance to finde him , i know my subiect shall bee entertained , and my petition shall bee heard , for auriculas asini non habet — to giue my labour but impartiall censure . vnderstand thy selfe reader and thou vnderderstands me : if thou battle at ordinaries thou art not for me , thou hast thy wit in the platter : for ●… neuer knew him wise that onely delighted to fare-well . r. b. the scholers medley , or an intermixt discovrse vpon historical and poeticall relations . in the suruey of histories , the true relators of things done , with a probable collection of things to come , by precedent euents : i thought good compendiously to contract some especiall caueats , as well for obseruance in historical discourses , as for preuention of such inconueniences ( or exorbitances rather ) as happily might occurre in such narrations . first therefore i haue propounded to my selfe this methode , ( by way of inferance ) to describe the true scope at which all histories ought to aime , and to which they should principally be directed . secondly , to distinguish of seuerall vses and fruits of histories . the end whereof being exactly set downe , a di-iudicating power may easily collect from what subiect the choicest and selectedst fruits may bee deduced . thirdly , the profite which redounds to euery state , either aristocraticke , democraticke , or monarchicke , by the true and vnderstanding vse of histories . the true vse and scope of all histories ought to tend to no other purpose , then a true narration of what is done , or hath beene atchieued either in forraigne or domesticke affaires , with a modest application ( for present vse ) to caution vs in things offenfiue , and excite vs to the management of im●…loiments in themselues generous , and worthy i●… . so as it pleased the orator to call historie the 〈◊〉 , or m●…rror of mans li●…e : charactring the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of this vniuerse , the states of princes , eu●…nts of wa●…res , conquests of renowned captaines , euen all designes , either publicke or p●…iuate by a succinct discription , or map rather ●…xpressing e●…ery par●… affaire : and what ( as a worthy historian hath obs●…rued ) can be imagined more worthy admiration , then in a safe and retired port , in the harbour of secure rest , in our ptiuate reposes to see there a prince beleagred with many hostile apponents , straight by miraculous meanes defeating them , and by his owne policie , ( the supreme purpose of the almighty ) to plant himselfe in tranquility , where ( as farre as humane apprehension could reach ) nought but imminent ruine could be expected : there a cittiy by wise and discreet gouernment wonderfully preserued : here amidft concealing or shadowing rather of the conquerours exploits by his moderation in conquering , implies how he could beare his fortunes , if he were conquered . we may read no state in her selfe so secure , but may be shaken , exemplified well in rome , the gouernesse of ample territories , and now made subiect to those which were her subiects : no prince of so prosperous imploymen●…s , so successiue proceedings , or generall forces , but either vanquished at home or abroad : abroad by forraigne powers , or at home by his owne illimited affections ; instanced in that great and potent prince of of macedon , who ( though prince of the whole world ) could not play prince of his little world , being slaued to distempered passions . no citty but sore harased , if notrazed . nor could that italian tryacala ( which taking her denominate from the greeke , comprehends all beauty ) stand against the iniury of time , or withstand the battry of all assaults ; which makes me taxe that ci●…ty of arrogance ( whereof hyppo . speaketh in his booke of the increase of citties ) vpon the gates whereof was this impressa ingrauen , intact●…manet . to see these states so well and liuely decoloured , cannot but conferre no lesse delight ( being grounded on vertue , where all true and perfect delights bee seated ) then the relation of the troian affaires ( being made by so excellent and experimented an historian as ithac●…s ) delighted that chaste greeke penelope : theseus trauels ariadne , or alcides labours omphale . but to the vse of historie . historie being a minte of profit and delight , the seasoning of more serious studies , the reporter of cases adiudged by euent , the enterlude of our haps , the image of fortune , the compendiarie director of affaires , the representer of humane successe , the infallible character ( by collation had with things past , and things to come ) of succeding euents : should not aime at lasciuious stories , amorous subiects ( vnlesse by way of disgression to smooth a serious discourse with a modest insertion of mirth ) but to prosecute the argument of the historie without friuolous ambages , or impertinent circumstances . affectation ill beseemes an historian : for hee should vnderstand what office he supports ; not any thing draind from his owne inuention , but to performe the charge of sincere relation . i approue of his oppinion that thought , inuention to be least needfull to an historian , but disposition more then to any . it is sufficient for an historian to expresse what hee hath read or seene , truly , without concealing any thing , in partiall r●…spect to any person , making truth the period of his discourse . the phylosopher thought a poore man was not to be an historian : for necessity would inforce him temporise and obserue humors : nor a rich man , for he had his eye fixed vpon his estate , and durst not vn-rip great mens errors , lest he should loose by his labours . but i disaprou●… his censure , and refell it with anothers opinion of the same sect : si diues de fortunis & infortunijs scribat , sie enim vtriusque fortunae sortem aequius ferat . si pauper de fortunis scribat , vt cum eas attigerit , melius eas regat & teneat . the error of iudgement should not be appropriated either to want , or eminence of fortune : for so should we subiect the inward to the outward , the intellectuall power to the externall varnish , preferring the eye of the body before the light of the minde . yet to intermeddle in estates , so much as to dis-able them ( by extenuating theit powers ) lessening their reuenewes , or ecclipsing their pristine honour and eminence , by mentioning some insuccessiue euents they haue had by warre , or other occurrents , i wholly disallow it , proceeding either from priuate enmity to the state , or from a malevolent nature ( vnfitting for so good a professour ) apt to sting all , because an enmy to himselfe and all . states should not bee laid too open : but when occasion serues to describe the seates of countries , regions , &c. or to touch the manners and conditions of inhabitants , how they liue , and to what trades most inclined , with whom they haue commerce or the like , will not derogate any thing from the scope of an history , or any way implye a digression . it is thought , ( and that by the authentickst historians ) that caesar ; by the description of u●…lateranus , which he made of britaine , declairing how the people were sauage , and vnapt for military discipline , the places of defence vnprouided : and then shewing how fruitfull the whole island was , replenished with all necessaries , was induced to take his expedition into britaine , and to conquer it , though preuented by a brutus , who to rid rome of tyranny , restored poore britaine to her liberty , for his iourney was staied by death . and ( doubtlesse ) there is nothing which inflames the minde of man more vnto valour and resolution , then the report of the acts of their auncestors , whose monuments remaining of record with this impress : non norunt h●…c monumenta mori , must needs stirre vp in them a desire of imitation . many examples i could produce herein , as the trophies of mil●…iades inducements of imitation to casar : the acts of achilles to alexander , of vlysses to t●…lamon , of the greekish heroes to prymaleon , of danaus to linceus , aegeus to theseus . many times ( we reade ) where a naturall defect and want of courage was seated , euen a retrograde from the sphere of valour , there ( though a barren seed-plot to work on ) by historical discourse hath magnanimity shewne herselfe in more perfect & real colors , thē if nature her selfe had implanted in that man a natiue desire to fight , so powerfull is history in her selfe , where nature in her selfe expresseth small power . this discourse therefore should not bee emploied in any thing saue in excitements to glory , motiues to warlike designes ; since by it valour is quickened , a desire of honour inflamed , countries fame dispersed , and monuments of neuer dying glory erected : o then who should so disalow the precious treasure of a refined discourse , as to mix it with impudent and scurrilous inventions ; such fictions as are not onely in themselues fabulous , but to the vnstaid reader ( of which sort wee haue too many ) mortally dangerous . which fables ( in my opinion ) fall among the impertinent and feagured tables called milesiz ; onely aiming at the depravation of manners , and the effeminating best resolued spirits . the ripnesse whereof ( by such vnseasoned discourses ) become blasted before their time : o that the depravednesse of these times should taint so generally approued study : making histories meere panygi●…icks ( poems of adulation , to insinuate and winde themselues into the affection of the great , leauing the scope of an history to gaine by their studious trafficke . but let vs returne to the office of a good historian . he will not write but vpon singular grounds , reasons impregnable ; conferring with the best to make his narrations confirmed of the best : hee writes the stories of princes truely without concealing their errours ( by way of silencing them ) or comment vpon an history , annexing to it an vnnecessary glosse . he will not be so ingaged to any , as that he will be restrained of his scope ; or so countermanded , as that he must of necessity illustrate vice , vertue cannot passe without her character : a good historian will alwaies expresse the actions of good men with an emphasis , to sollicite the reader to the affecting the like meanes , whereby hee may attaine the like end . this was the cause all the noble heroes in ancient time did liue to posteritie their acts to imitate : not so much for record of their owne memorable lifes , as for the propagating their countries eternall honour by succeding worthies . as those establishers of good and wholesome lawes made themselues with their countrie renowned : mynois and radamanth among the cretensians ; orpheus among the thracians , draco and solon in athens , lycurgus in lacedemon , zamolx is among the scythians : nor bee historians ( if so the professours merite that style ) of lesse esteeme then the prudentest and most experienced statists . for these direct euery senatour in polliticke affaires by producing such as excelled in administration of iustice , describing the very natures of such lawes , and the causes why such lawes were enacted to present times . these ages haue beene , and are to this day , much indebted to transcriptions , inventions are oft times slow , where the application of things inuented to the present state seemes more facile and easy : hereto then should the scope of histories tend ; not onely to personate the acts of men vpon the theater of this world , but likewise to cull out such lawes , orders , and precepts , as well morall as diuine , which may benefiet their present estate . sysambris skin was a good caueat for succeding iudges : iustice before went on crutches , and more were troubled with demosthenes disease then with phoycions bluntnesse . the historian must not sow pillowes to the elbowes of magistrates , nor sooth corruption with an humour of shadowing vice : he showes what was done : and commends the one to reprehend the other . vertue neuer wants her character , nor vice her reproofe : for such hystoricall relations as induce to vertue and deterre from vice , comprehend in them the true vse of such subiects , being apologeticall and morall to reforme , not mylesian or prophane to deforme or disfigure the exact simmetree of a vertuous idiome . no maruell if alexander laid the workes of homer vnder his head , being such as directed him how to be a head , how to gouerne prouinces , how to sway his inordinate affections ; so as cleanthes fable ( vertues best elucidary ) had her liberall sciences neuer better portraied , then the differences twixt true fortitude , and a foole-hardy boldnesse were by homer deblazoned . here a hectors badge of true valour , there an antenor whose grauity purchas'd him honour : there a diomedes no lesse wise then resolued , here a troilus stoutnesse but vnaduised here warres well managed abroad , but lesse successiue at home , examplefied in agamemnon , there a subtile scouce , no lesse frieghted with pollocy then successe in sinon . all these are expressed by that heriocke historian . qui quid sit pulchrum , quid turpe quid vtile , quid non ? plenius ac melius chrysippo & crantore dicit . these acts couid not but minister sufficient matter of admiration to such iudicious readers , as apprehended each circumstance in the subiect ; making that apt connexion of all , that the body might seeme more excellent , by the proportioning of euery member . histories in themselues are diuerse , producing seuerall fruits to the pervsers , according to euery mans affection : which made that moderne historian compare them to a banquet , wherein were to be serued seuerall dishes ; some to prouoke appetite , others to satiate , more delightfull subiects penned for relishing more serious studies , grauer discourses to ripen the vnderstanding , by applying the instructions of forraine states to our owne iudgements : where we may make vse of the best part of man ( in his reasonable power ) and that is election : approuing of what is good , or may in it selfe be beneficiall to the state : and slieghtly obseruing discourses of indifferency , as accomplements , ceremonies , circumstances , and the like , resembling faire frontespices which are made rather for ornament then vse . it is necessary for a good historian to haue maturity of iudgement , to apprehend what is fittest for his discourse , and to be as little complemental as may be , lest the varnish marre the worke ; for the words of an history in my opinion iumps with mirandula : — vt non sint le●…ta ita nec neglecta : the one implics a kind of deiection , the other a minde too curious to profite any , desiring onely to please himselfe . caesar in his comment , shewes no lesse discipline in the art of history , then in the discipline of armes : vsing a stile as well fitting a souldier , as curiosity the smoth tongue of an orator . it is true which are obserued of him : si acta eius penitus ignorasses , per linguā tamē militem esse diceres : hauing neither hi●… phrases too selected , ( as to shew a singularity ) or too neglected to expresse a c●…relesnesse in his writing . the records of things done commended to posterity should not be enrolled , as the chaldees did their hieroglyphicks in ciphers and intricate conclusions , but in words most significant , phrases modestly elegant , and discourse most pertinent ? here by way of disgression let me touch the ridiculous labours , and vnfruitfull trauailes of such who passe the alpes , trace vncoth places , des●…rts , promontories ; for what end heauen knowes , s●…ue onely to wrest ou●… a phantasticke behauiour of superfluous wit , or to comme t on othe●…s trauailes by way of dirision : these are such as vpon their returne , publish what they haue seene ; some more then they haue seene , which i tearme commenting trauailers : others lesse then they haue seene ( or at least the most 〈◊〉 ) which i tearme phantasticke trauailers . such as lye on their trauell , either doe it for admiration , or hauing run vpon the aduerse shelues of a deplored fort●…ne , are enforced to inuent strange things for the reliefe of their deiected estate . such as publish lesse then they haue seene , ( omitting things of the greatest consequence , to satisfie our humors with trifles ) do it to gaine pregnancy , or singularity rather of conceit : they talke not of the acts of princes , nor the sites of regions , the temperature of such clymates , or any materiall discourse , but to shew an exquisite straine of wit , purchased by a little fruitlesse trauell : they insert friuolous occurrents , borrowed , or ( it may be ) inuented by their owne phantasticke braines . these misse the marke a good traueller should aime at : they should obserue lawes in forraigne places , like a good lycurgus to ●…ranspose so glorious a freight to their owne countrey . they should not ( like our fashion-inuenters , our italionated albionacts ) so much obserue what is worne on the body , as what habit best beseemes the nature and condition of their minde . since flourishing common-weales are then the highest , when in externall habilliments the lowest : for sparta neuer flourished more , then when she conformed her state to the imitation of the 〈◊〉 . many realmes haue we knowne to be miraculouily protected , by meanes of experienced men : which experience they either receiued by trauell or example : yea , many empires ( and those of amplest circumference ) haue beene reduced from a kinde of seruitude within themselues , by experiments deriued from a far●…e . for trauell , the excellent designes of sertorius , eumenes , marius , ●…nd antonius , may sufficiently confirme the profite to bee reaped thereby . for example : we shall read in all the roman annals , a certaine vehement desire in all the worthy patritians of imitating whatsoeuer they perceued to be worthy imitation in their predecessours , marking the euents of their intendments , and collecting the goodnesse of the meanes by the prosperous successe in the end . these were worthy monumentall honours , that could not onely imitate the vercues so transparant in others , but euen exemplifie their memorable actions in themselues . we are placed in the following ages , but we scorne to follow the precedent times in their vertues , though expert enough in contriuing politicke designes : the fabricke of our inuention can dispose or transpose it selfe to any shape , any impression , or priuate gaine or aduantage : but publicke affaires may bee aduocates for the●…selues ; they are a merchandise too farre estranged from our affections , none will trauell to purchase their countr●…es peace : solon and we haue few that goe mad for th●…ir countrey ; but tarp●…a's wee haue too many , that are mad with desire to betray their countrey . few law-inacters , many law-infringers : making wholesome lawes , like tarandulas web , wickets for great ones to come through , but snarles for little ones to hold . but to returne to our former argument : by the right vse of h●…story , we see vertue reuiued when her defender is dead : and to say the truth , i may vse thales sentence in this discourse : ●…ithout history , nihil mortem à vi●…a differre : since the life of the dead depends vpon the memory of the liuing : for without some memoriall of actions prosecuted , what difference betwixt the valiant acts of ithacus , and the shamefull retirednesse of aeg●…schus ? betwixt aeneas piety , and pigmalions cruelty ? they are dead , and their poore vrne can speake no more for them , then pompeys sepulchre spake for him : hic situs est mag●…us , here hee lyes that was once great : powerfull in popular command , generally succesfull , before his pharsalian discomfite : here hee lies that was stiled his countries patron , romes best centinell : yet failing in the close of his fortunes , drooping in the vpshot of his victories : time can erect no other monument in his remembrance : uixi , & uici : onely once i liued , and was once conquerour . it is recorded , that when alexander came to the tombe of achilles , and beheld the mirror of greece , shut vp in so small a scantling of earth , ( a parcell of that whole which could hardly containe him liuing ) he wept bitterly , adding : heccine sunt trophea ? be these all the monuments , all the trophies this world could affoord thee ? is greatnesse so soone extinguished , and the lampe of honour so soone put out ? a good motiue for alexander , to caution him of his mortality , and might make vp this conclusion : alexander thou art not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : not the sonne of iupiter , but the sonne of earth . the like we reade related by qu●…ntus curtius : that when this great prince of maccdon came into persia , an obiect of no lesse pitty , then example of humanc frail●…y , represented it selfe vnto him : to wit , the poore sepulchre of that victorious cyr●…s , on which he found no other inscription then this : o man , whosoeuer thou be , or from what pl●…ce soeuer thou shal●… come ( for i know thou wilt come ) know , that i am cyrus , who translated the emp●…re from the medes to the persians : pray thee doe not enur me for this little handfull of earth that doth couer me . this epitaph could not choose but fixe an impression of remorse and commiseration ( as indeed it did ) in that great conquerours heart : seeing whereto all his victories tended : so as neroes affecting command and soueraignty was well answered by seneca : pulchrum est regnare ( said ne●…o : ) nihil est , si nihil quaras , replied senec●… : certainly ( if i be not blinded with the loue of historical discourse ) there is no means better to deter from vice , nor more effectuall inducements vnto vertue , then these moral relatiōs . by them we see the liues of princes , and their employments ( prima sp●…cie leta ) ●…n their first entrance or passage pleasant , and delightfull , promising no lesse then successe , and in successe continuance : afterwards , tractu dura , more difficulties attending , as if the wheele of fortune were remoued to a place subiected to more occurrents ; yet not so dangerous , as to bee attended by ruine : nor so secure , as to promise an vndoubted issue . euentu tristia , a strange catastrophe of so faire beginnings : where , in the first , there was security grounded vpon more then hope : in the second , hope , though not secure : in the third , neither hope nor security , but depriuall of both . yet euen in these conuersions , if it please the reader to cast his eye vpon the admirable moderation of some princes affections , he shall see verily a christian resolution in a pagan . furius camill●…s could not bee daunted , ( ●…ough vniustly censured : ) his exile neither made him d●…ected , nor his dictatorship proud . phocion , that honest senatour ( to satisfie an vnsatiate appetite of reuenge ) renders vp his life willingly , and when hee could not dye without paying for his death , so indifferent was life to him , as he confirmed his resolution by this epiphonema : itaque nisi empta nece mo●…i mihi athenis non licuit . what should i speake of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 publicola , whose moderation in the ebbe of fortune , and surplusage of miseries , made him more admired , then hated . the equall temper of rutilli●…s , the exceeding modesty of l. quintius , the graue and serious respect of fabius maximus , the temperate deliberation of marcellus , and the admirable gouernment of tiberius gracchus ; the wi●… staidnesse of metellus , and the discreete patience of ma●…cus bibulu●… . we vse to be more excited to goodnesse by examples then precepts , and such instances in histories are not a little perswasiue , representing to our eyes the diuers obiects of piety in c●…riolanus , of iustice in aristides , of prudence in cleobul●… : and to be briefe of all vertues so well practised by pagans , as they may well deserue an imitation by christians . to proceede now to the discourse it selfe ; i allow of a copious phrase in historie : for contraction of sentences doth oftimes contract the sence , or at least makes the subiect lesse intelligible : cornelius tac : seemed to affect an intricate kind of writing , yet his argument in it selfe so copious might modestly apologize his succinctnesse ; approuing tullies opinion , where he propounds , what errors are most subiect to taxing in such discourses titio sum etiam est si nimium apparatis v●…rbis compositum , aut nimium longum est : taxing in the one singularity , commending in the other breuity : yet he seemes to oppose himselfe in it by plaine contradiction , making relation of the same discourse . non parum fructus habet in se copia dicendi , & commoditas orationis : but these tend rather to rhetoricall narrations , then hystoricall discriptions : tacitus is to be preferred before the most , 〈◊〉 a dilated compendiary of many declined states , disvnited prouinces : shewing the vices of the time , where it was dangerous to be v●…rtuous , and 〈◊〉 innocence tasted the sharpest censure : what g●…rbe best 〈◊〉 with the state of that ●…me , describing the 〈◊〉 tongue facundam i●…micitijs , more partiall then time-obseruers . where amici curi●… , were parasiti curi●… : the courts friends , the courts popingayes ; heere hee shewes a great man rising , and his fall as suddaine as his erection : the immeritorious in election for greatest honours , and the vertuous depressed , because they will not mount by sinister meanes . there a prince that shewed great testimonies of his approued vertues , so long as he was subi●…ct , but raised to an vnexpected height he seconded this conclusion : an ill prince spoiled a good subiect : so was galba : omnium consensu capax imperij , nisi imperasset : o what singular fruits may be gathered out of that one history , to teach men in high estates how to moderate their greatnesse ; and others of inferior ranke , rather to liue retired , then to purchase eminence in place by seruile meanes . but of all the diuers affections of princes , either well or ill disposed , minister no little delight to the iudicious reader : here o●…e so popularly affected , as he had the tricke to bind his subiects to alleageance by a natiue insinuation , such was augustus , antonius pius , septimus seuerus ; one whereof seemed rather to affect popular satisfaction then his owne , subiecting ( as he himfelfe professed ) his entirest thoughts to propagate his countries glory : anton : clemency , was the chaine that vnited and combined ( in a knot inviolable ) the hearts of the romanes to him , publiquely protesting : hee had rather saue one citizen , then destroy a thousand enemi●…s . but seuerus was loued ( which seemes no lesse admirable ) for that which engenders , for most part , greatest occasion of offence , and that was seuerity ; being no lesse exact in punishing his friends then enemies . but to reade ouer the life of scilla , we shall see an opposition in his nature . none that ere did more good to his friends , or more harme to his enemies : nay , euen in brothers ( deriued from one stem ) discrepant natures ; titus , the loue and darling of man-kind , domitian a professed foe to all man-kind ; the one banishing parasites his pallace , the other a persecutor of flyes : what more delightfull subiect can be imagined , then to conuerse ( and that without perill ) of the dangerous euents of warre ? of the diuers dispositions of princes , raisings and razings of empires : some shaken by the vi●…iousnesse of the people which inhabite them , being so long secure , till ruine impose a periode to their security : some by ( ciuill and intestine factions ) making their deerest countrie the sad spectator of their funerals , their entirest friends , their prof●…ssed foes ; and the argument of loue and amity , the ground of ciuill dissentions : the cause whereof ( for most part ) proceeds from a continued peace , for retirednesse from forraigne affaires , make vs bent to prosecute managements d●…mesticke , and the ouer-flow of successe ( purchased by peace ) makes men more capable of iniuries , euen to their best friends . this was the reason moued athens to erect places of martiall exercises ( euen in peace ) that so the youths being daily invred to such exercises , might employ their strengths in them , and not in ciuill commotions . this we haue by relation of histories , which so manageth affaires of state , as i am of that sages opinion who auerred : that no man could be an experienc't statist , that was not initiated in the reading of histories , which he confirmes with reasons no lesse authenticke , calling them the aptest and exquisitest directions that can attend man , either in publique or priuate affaires , at home or abroad . diuerse therefore of our famous senatours in rome , haue employed th●…ir times in these studies , as salust , whose wel-couch'd stile , succinct sentences , and purenesse of w●…iting , may a●…rogate , if not the chiefest place , yet to be inserted amongst the chiefest : varr●… one of reputed esteeme , and of ample possessions , tooke in ha●…d the like taske , to illustrate his natiue tongue not onely , with apt and accomodate phrases , but likewise to compile the memorable acts of the romanes , and to reduce them into an exact order , to excite his countrimen , by perusing the valiant attempts of their ancestours : eorum gloria in●…lammare ad eandem virtutis exercitationem 〈◊〉 : to be in●…lamed and prouok●… . by t●…ir 〈◊〉 and glory 〈◊〉 , to imitate th●…●…n th●… lik●… : a●… there is nothing cer●…ainely that 〈◊〉 m●…re 〈◊〉 impr●…ssion in a resolued minde , th●…n th●…●…port of ●…ormer exploits ; hearing this man 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and vigilant 〈◊〉 , to contemne all 〈◊〉 , oppose himselfe to ●…ll dangers , whereby he ●…ght 〈◊〉 some-thing ●…orthy memory : anoth●…r ( sustai●…ing 〈◊〉 labours ) to purc●…ase hims●…lfe but a little ●…lory . this man subiected to seawrackes , exposed to the mercy of the 〈◊〉 , enuiro●…ed and hemmed in by emin●…nt danger●… , y●…t moderating his passions , armes himselfe against th●… perils of se●… , aduerse wi●…ds , the menaces of ruine , with resolution ●…o endure the worst of fates , euer meditating of that motiue to patience : no●…cere hoc primum 〈◊〉 , quid facere victor debet , uictus pati . these obseruations , are receipts , or cordials against the maladies of fortune : a man thus resolued cannot be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a p●…ince , for hee gouernes a dominion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , an empire more imperious , a dia●…hy , o●… monarchy rather : hauing disconsorting affections , euer laying siege and battry to the pallace of the 〈◊〉 . ●…hich moued plutarch in his morals defini●… to con●…lude : that he who mod●…rated his affections 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , but hee that neuer past the bound●… and 〈◊〉 of temp●…rate motiues , nor felt the deluding enforcements o●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…im , was wholy vertuous : but the mo●…als p●…oposition was better then his conclusion : 〈◊〉 mortall ( since the staine of his originall puri●… ) co●…ld 〈◊〉 subsist so secure , or remai●…e so vnmoueabl●… , as neuer to be engage●… to perturbations , the 〈◊〉 attendants of 〈◊〉 . in this first entrance to my discourse , hauing spo●… some-thing in generall , of the vse and fruit of hystory : hauing by an ( equall diameter ) determined the proper place and center at which such historicall relations ought to tend : i will descend to the diuision of histories , which may properly branch themselues into — diuine , discursiue , morall , physicke , or mixt. for diuine , i will not comprehend them in my discourse , being such as depend on their owne arches , drained from the pure spring of coelestiall wisedome , and therefore impossible to erre either in action or relation : yet necessarily ( now and then ) immixed with morall histories , because their weight may better poise in the scale of euery iudicious reader , when hee seeth morall discourse so well fortefied , as by the pillar of truth : albeit i approue of hesiods words . fabulous relations should not , nor ought they to be authorised by holy writings : it was a pagans obseruation , and worthy ours : so should our prophane pamphleters , restraine their libidinous writings more , and either write that which should propagate themselues a generall reputation , without derogation to the sacred writings of the almighty , or silence their workes ; least they should depraue many , for a priuate reward , or pedling gaine : more i insist vpon this , because too many haue i knowne steeped in this promiscuous subiect , well read in scripture , to wrest them , otherwise babes and sucklings , for they cannot reach to the depth of such mysteries , but onely touch them to corrupt them : but their cymerian cloude , when it shall be dispersed , aud the raies of a reasonable vnderstanding to them exhibited : they will repent them ( i feare it not ) and heauens grant that repentance , be not like the after-raine , out of season of their prophaner mixtures . o let them turne their eye of consideratiō ( whosoeuer they be ) to the miserable end of lucian , cleand : metrodoras , whose disastrous fals answered their blasphemous risings , contemning the sacred writ of heauen , and prostituting their labours to the merited censure of confusion : but too much of them . times are not so easy to be wained from their habite of errour , or induced to a course of more sanctimony : lampes and oilely studies were made fruitlesse at epictetus death , his lanthorne hung vp , ( as a monument of his vertues ) made a deeper impression in his schollers , then all our mo●…iues , precepts , or examples can ●…o in ours : that age was more apprehensiue of good , thi●… of ill. now to our discursiue histo●…ies . many discourse without matter , onely descanting vpon idle theames : more obserued for their idlenesse , then for any subiect wher●…on they entreate : such be foolish phantastickes that spend their oile vpon vnnecessary subiects . i haue apprehended many of this vaine , but they shall be namelesse , talking of strange horse-races , such as their barra●…ne muse neuer conceiued : others of fabulous histories , neuer found out by that arch-artist nature , whence they deriued their foundation ; for such , i passe vntouched , being such as they hardly conceiue their owne writings . discursiue histories , are either true or feygned : if true , they comprehend in them a certaine ground , not onely forti●…ied by a reasonable production , but also by the authority of such , whose authentiquest labours claime to themselues , a kinde of authority without further proofe : such wee reade to be the labours of cornel : t●…c : tit : liu : trogus pompeius , and many others , whose subiect confirme their authority : being such as repres●…nt the diuerse euents of things done , by histori●…all relation , and ocular presentation : for diuers of those worthy historiographers haue bene interrested euen in such probable , and generally allowed discourses by personall presence , in the management of such affaires : as commineus of all histories ( amongst our moderne ) most approueable , being an eye witnesse of what he writ . but in ample tearmes to explaine what the condition of an historian is , let mee in briefe , yet materiall words expresse what he meanes : not such as inueigh against states , or politique gouernments , for such are rather satyrists , then historians ; nor such as personate the entire acts of a marti●…list , by assentatiue tearmes , which are such as insinuate themselues by a glossing stile to win the affection of their patron ; lesse to be borne with be these , then the other , subiecting the free vse of historie to a parasite and oylie tongue : which moued alexander so exceedingly against aristobulus , as that on a time , hearing his owne actes deblazoned farre aboue truth , he commanded his labours should be throwne ouer boord : saying ; hee was almost induced to throw aristobulus after : a caueat very nece●…sary for all clawing par●…sites that make their pen mer●…enary , and therefore as may be inferred vpon their workes , dare not vnrip the vitiousnesse of times , least by vnbosoming truth , they should incurre the offence of some person , to whom their labours are ingaged , their fortunes subiected , and their endeauours partially deuoted . plato banished all poets athens : but a fauourable glosse would restaine that ostracisme , onely to peculiar wits ( petulant i meane ) such as the prince of sparta prescribed his well-gouerned citty , for presenting some obscoene verses to his queene : but i wonder why plato excluded not these historians , since their labours were prostitute ( like the publique strumpet ) for gaine , making their wr●…tings to the opinion & imitation of that scarabee of history , who being demanded why he wrote not truth of such a prince ; replyed : viuit , quis veralice●… ? his life kept him in a●…e , he durst not expresse his vices to the quicke , lea●…t he should bite too much . indeed i must acknowledge there should be a reuerend and modest concealing of such personages in criminall causes , so the bounds of the history can admit it . and sometimes a natiue pusillanimity restraines vs to speake that which we know , because silence ( as the wise sage said ) neuer occasioned so great offence as speech . and , veritas odium parit , is a motto for these daies too probable , too well authorised ; where sinnes go with impunity , adorning their growth with a faire out-side , to second that tyrant of syracusas proposition : et quis corriget ? quis audet prodere , si crimen audiat ? sur●… such tyraniz●…ng subiects , or obiects rather of feare , must needs be terrible to the poore historian : he cannot shew iulus canius spirit , spit in the face of ●…anny : hating by a modest silence to pamper vice , though reprehension cost him a gage , hee could redeeme with nothing saue life : such was that cordus ( the romane historian ) who for speaking truth , was censured vnworthily . but if princes or potentates should exactly obserue the courses and reuolutions of times , the subsequent degrees of ruine and deposition ( vices apologized ) they would commend such an historian ( and no lesse desertfully ) who emploieth his time , wasteth his oile , and macerates himselfe in the scrutine of true relations , by conferring histories together , and with a iudicious approbation , or electing power , extract whatsoeuer may seeme most probable and authenticke . many worthy statists haue desired , and in themselues no lesse deserued ( though perhaps some little sparke of vaine-glory may seeme to appeare in them ) to haue their memorable acts recorded : as cicero his withstanding catyline , cato his opposing caesar , solon his pysistratus , and demosthenes his philip : their acts recount●…d , and committed to memory , induce others to the like attempts ; and like a coole arbour to a wearied passenger , yeelds no lesse delight to themselues , which persius seemes couertly to shadow in his first satyre : et pulchrum est digito monstrari & dicier hic est . this finger is history , which truly demonstrates the life of the person , characters his vertues , or vices ; disposing euery particular member , and branch of his discourse in such an exact methode , that it res●…mbles a faire beautifull building , which yet deserues more commendations for the contriuement , then the outward and garish garnishment . edes ( opera sunt ) quae si culte extruantur , mi●…us restat , si minus sumptuose . true , bookes historicall haue no better beauty ( nor indeed can they ) then an apt and methodicall disposicion : other accomplements are superfluous , resembling some of our works now and then published , with faire and beautifull frontispices , as if some worthy conueiances ( rare buildings of a●…t and nature ) were within so comely portalles . but alasse ! looke inward , nought but rubbish , and refuse of some old building , vnhandsomly repaired , or some frothy inuention , not worth halfe so much cost : these should feare ( as the philosopher told the mindians ) least their whole labours should flie out at their gate , hauing their gate so promising , their labour so immeriting : but such as goe od ▪ prelum tanquam ad prelium , ( for so indeed they doe ) furnish themselues aforehand with exactest labours to stand in defiance against the spirit of detraction : for we cannot fortifie our workes against all assa●…lants : some beeing addicted to carpe , because long custome hath consirmed in them a desire of reprehension . aelianus , in his naturall history , reports , how the vipers issue is the bane and death of the parent : certainly , as libri are our liberi , our children , which we should be as carefull and prouident in bringing vp , as the father ouer his childe : so oftentimes they play the vipers with vs , they murder vs in our name & reputation , much disparraging their parents , being priselesse and therefore vnfit for presse : nay , they do more , they oftentimes asperse an imputation vpon her that should bee no lesse deere ( if not more ) vnto vs , then our selues : our countrey , making her floury bosome a nourisher of ●…ruitlesse labours , a scale to licentious libel●… , or brothell rather of lasciuious measures . and how shall we make answere for so many motiues to lust , so diuers inforcements to inordinate affectons , and so temporizing subiects in humoring great ones , and soothing vice in her maiesty . debemur morti nos nostraque : where our workes must abide scanning , and that by a iudicious censurer , one that can vnrip the secretest of imagination , and knowes the bent of our purposes . thus much i haue writ briefly ( by way of inference ) to caution such as by their labours ere●…t a throne for impiety to sit in : these humor-mongers , that can with caesar the dictator , atros dies albos facere , make blacke white , and maske vice with a vaile better suiting with vertue : now will i discend to their opposite , and that is , the satyricall writer , or historiomastix . some of these are very dangerous to a state , laying it open too much : and though acts should be related , as they were done : yet if the circumstances may seeme any way detractiue to some person , or stat●… , they are better silenced , ( if it may stand wi●…h the body of the history , ) then discouer●… . i haue knowne some too precise in this veine : and one especially i remember , who speaking of the great sultan , could not be content to describe his palace , managements , domesticke and publicke , person , and the like ; but of his piked beard , the colour of his stockings : and in the end comming neere him ( said he ) and indeed neerer then need was , his breath was noysome . these , and such like imperti●…ent circumstances , are so friuolous , that they imply a defect of iudgement in the authour , to insert such idle , and immateriall ambages in a history of consequence . but the●…e are far from those historio-mastixes of our time , some whereof personate the wrongs of a noble ancestor to his lineall successour , mouing him to r●…uenge : this is one of the furies brands : for you shall neuer see one of this kinde , but a tergo nemesis , he hath vengeance at his backe , a spleenefull ●…on disgorged vpon the best of deserts . and thus he inserts the iniuries : such a family ( well meriting of prince and countrey , and euer sound loyall to the state ) was vndeser●…edly censu●…ed by the 〈◊〉 suggestions of such , and such ; whose suggestions are ( as yet ) vnreuenged , but the heauens are iust . what motiues more enforcing to ciuill commotion ? iniuries ript vp , haue oftentimes hazarded states : and there was neuer any people , nation or gouernment , which haue not from time to time had one of these . thersites , as deformed in minde as body ▪ ( for so homer characters him ) was euer kindling the ●…lame of ciuil combustion betwixt achilles and agamemnon at the siege of troy , about the rape of briseis , euer harping vpon that string to set them together by the eares . why achilles should yru sustaine so great reproach , that haue engaged your selfe for agamemnon , and his brothers glory ? be all your hopefull serui●…es , your valiant exploits , y●…ur incomparable a●…chieuements , so rewarded ? hath agamemnon no place for valour ? no r●…gard to honour ? why then desist achilles , embarke your selfe for greece , and le●…ue this braue champion to himselfe and his fortunes , your merits ( being gone ) will be better esteemed : you had but one prize , ( and that prize vnworthy too of your valour ▪ ) and must that prize , got with much sweate , many difficulties , imminent dangers , multitude of occurrents , now be taken from you ? but one briseis , one deere one , and yet achilles must loose her , alasse poore resolution ! why it is better to be aegystus , a coward , a recreant , one that retires himselfe from armes , fighting close under clytemnestra's target . such a carpet-knight is better then a martiall-knight . then would he presently moue agam●…mnon in like sort , in no case to moderate his desires : why should achilles haue so faire a paramour , and the prince of greece want one ? these are poysonous and virulent heads , that suggest into the eares of princes , arguments of reuenge , causes of distrust , motiues of suspition and iealousie : not to profite themselues , but to satisfie the deprauednesse of their owne natures , intended to nothing but the subuersion of states , the setting at discord vnited princes : en ' pallor ! &c. — it was thought , that in that glorious and christian-like expedition of those memorable heroes , princes recorded in the eternall booke of fame , against the turkes , whose hostility had laine waste those blessed and fruitfull coasts , where the remnant of israel was once planted : that the greatest cause of the ill successe of that warre , proceeded from some factious heads , setting ( that vnfortunat , yet neuer sufficiently praised heroe ) the duke of normandie , and the king of france , at variance : an impious and disasterous enmity , being a maine impediment for the hindering a warre , no lesse glorious to heauen then generally beneficiall to all the world . some haue imputed the cause to certaine expostulations betwixt the two princes , which grew afterwards to words of publicke reproach and infamy ; vpbraiding each other with diuers insolencies offered by their countries , one to another . what ere the motiue of this dissention was ( how varied soeuer the opinions of writers bee herein ) the braine that contriued it was sure the forge of great impiety , and an irrepairable detriment to the christians , exposing them to ruine , slaughter , and desolation . the like we reade of those two renowned citties , sparta and athens : which two flourishing common-weales long time liued in vnity , without the least motion of warre : but in fine , reading the workes of a mutinous historian : mutinous indeed ; for his factions before , had beene sufficient , without further inducements by writing : such bloudy and cruell warres ensued , as the fire of those intestine combustions was not extinguished with lesse then an vniuersall effusion of bloud . many more i could produce , euen neere at home , but i must not insist vpon one argument too long , since i haue entred a spacious and intricate maze , that promiseth entrance enough , if i can ( with ariad●…es threed ) finde a passage to my precipitate aduenture . thus much haue i spoken of state-snarling historians , that make their workes like prickes , or goads to the publicke state . i will now proceed with my former diuision of history , and finde in these two extreames ( assentation , and state-inuection ) a meane to direct vs in the perfect and exact vse of historicall narrations : medio tutissimus ibis ; neither too depressed , as if thy labours exprest their maisters pouerty : nor too erected , to intimate thy states security . thou art too depressed , when with lagging wings thou stoopest to euery base lure , or obiect of affection , making thy inuention a scale to others pleasure , writing nothing lesse then truth , because truth cannot teach thee how to liue . thou art too erected , when like an eminent censor thou taxes the acts of princes , with such an austere brow , as if thou hadst forgot the discipline of history , and w●…rt transformed to a profest satyrist ; mixing thy i●…ke with farre more gall then discretion : yet transported with imaginary motiues of selfe-conceit ; cares not who be galled , so thou ( with ctesiphon ) kicke against the moiles heeles . for the latter , there 's no profession more easie , nor subiect more frequent , nor argument more generall : and as invenal saith : di●…ficile est satyram nonscribere : nam qui●… inique , tam patiens vrbis , tam ferreus vt teneat se ? for the first , i neuer knew any discourse worth reading , proceed from so base and ignoble merchants : they sell their workes by retaile ; and hope of a gainefull dedicatory , makes them contemne methode , truth , subiect and all : irus skrippe is open , relieue but the needy artist , hee will imitate the bohemian curre , fawne on a good suite : shew the proiect of his intendments to him , and protest him , he will insert monumentall characters of honour to grace thee ; onely bestow thy bounty , and shew not thy selfe vnworthy of so fabulous an attendant : his inuention is tied to his benefactors : then dries the source of his fancy , when they restraine the spring of their bounty . these two sorts ( as not worthy an historicall title ) haue i proscribed the bounds of my discourse : if betwixt such two dangerous shelues , i can finde a retired harbour for the truly named historian to breath himselfe in , i haue attained my wished expectance . the meane betwixt these two , giues vs obseruation of noting causes and effects , how produced , and how ended : counsels and successes , how intended , how administred : then he proceeds further , making resemblance betwixt nature and nature , state and state , the gouernment of this prouince and of that : then differences of actions & euent : some wisely carried , bearing themselues faire , and promising a compleat satisfaction to the vndertaker : yet what opposition betwixt the end and beginning , ruine being the period , or extreme of his hopes . many such opposite conuersions , or catastrophes rather , may we daily see in the managements of warres : who more happy in his countries protection , and who more successiue in his prosecution , then pompey the great in his first entrance to martiall exploits ? yea , ( as caesar acknowledged himselfe ) he had conquered , if he had knowne when he had conquered : yet in euent , whose designes more vnhappy ? not onely depriued of the bent of his hopes , proscribed ( as it were ) his natiue countrey , and enforced to begge a poore sepulchre in a forraine countrey : but euen most oppressed by their cruelty , whose seruice , vnder his owne banner , had beene rewarded royally . such discourses often moue in men a commiseration , in seeing vertue so ill guerdoned , and vice ( vnder a counterfeit garbe ) of innocence receiue an immerited reward : and this certainly haue most historians euer obserued in their writings : so liuely to expresse the disasters of deseruing men , that their relations might moue a kinde of sensible pitty and remorce in the peruser , which is best exemplified by circumstances : for the time , place , cause , and person , with other necessary adiuncts , do ( for the most part ) lay a more open and smooth tract to the inforcement of passion . lucan , that heroicke historian , brings forth cornelia sitting vpon the shore , where her husband tooke his last farewel of her : where ( like another niobe ) she makes a limbeck of her eyes , and descants her owne calamity , oft wishing his returne ; and when depriued of his sight , yet the eye of her imagination represents a new obiect of sorrow . here , in such royall compositions , and funerall conclusions , he describes the diuersity of nature , in two contrary subiects : a seruant faithfull , sitting ore the headlesse trunk of his vnhappy mnister : a slaue as vngratefull , haling his once well-esteemed lord and generall to the fatall shore : where ( without taste of remorce , remembrance of former merits , or regard of countries loue ) he depriues him of life . such tragicke occurrents require their emphasis , and a kinde of vn-vsuall working passion : that the history may present to our eyes , the very acts how they were done ; making her discourse ( as it is ) a theater of humane actions . i know pittifull stories haue strange effects , if amply described : for warriers themselues in the report of their owne mis-fortunes ( of all men most pittilesse ) haue hardly contained themselues from teares : aeneas , wept to see the ruines of his countrey so liuely depictured in didoes hall : but when he beheld his poore father anchises hanging on his owne shoulders ( hauing no other refuge in so imminent disasters , ) suspiria mittit , hee could weepe no longer : for teares mittigate griefe ; but with a passionate silencing of his miseries , treasured his vn-vtterable woes in the balefull centre of his heart . xerxes , when of a populous army , as euer passed out of asia , he had but so many left as might attend him in a poore cocke-boat , to accompany him in his distressed expedition , the history mentions , that he wept bitterly ; enstiling himselfe , the rui●…e of his countrey , the slaughter of many resolute souldiers . nay , titus himselfe , the flower of all the roman emperours , in the sacke and subuersion of that once glorious citty ierusalem , is said to weepe exceedingly , beholding so many lamentable obiects of pitty ( dead carkasses lying in open ditches ) so as not able to containe himselfe , hee cryed out , i call hea●…en to witnesse , i am not the cause of this peoples slaughter . many such representments we haue very vsuall in histories , motiue for their passion , and memorable for their end , proceeding from the iust iudgment of god , to caution others by their miserable fals . there is another propriety in a history , which should be obserued : and that is a iudicious collation , or comparing of histories one with another : the defect and want hereof , is the principall cause why so maine discordancies & meere oppositions in histories arise : and that not in circumstances alone , but in materall points , as original foundations of cities , succession of princes miscited , the sites of countries ( an obseruance more geographical ) ill-disposed , with many other errors , which are grounded vpon no other reason , then the want of conferring such histories together , as tend to the present subiect we haue in hand . nay were it not much thinke you , now to proue directly , that the very computation of yeares which they deriued from their ancient kalender , and which they obserued as ceremonially and religiously ( in their kind ) as wee the yeares from christs incarnation , was very defectiue amo●…gst themselues ? and yet this is easily done : for their opinions about their olimpiads in greece , for the time of their erection are diuerse : the foundation of rome as vncertaine , since the founder himselfe is not as yet generally agreed of , for the diuers relations of numitor and amul●…is , romulus and remus , with their mother rhe●… , o●… ilia , ( as some wil haue it ) make vp a laborinth of themselues without further confusion : but to inferte the strange conueyance ( or apotheosis ) of romulus : suddainely vanished forth of their sight , and by the testimony of iulius proculus , transplanted to some other place of more eminence ; hardly deserues the credite o●… an historian : yet some there be which shew more fauour to this famous founder of rome , daigning to bestow a monument of him , which is erected for him in the temple quirinus . indeed it were little enough to memorize so renowned an establisher , with a tombe , and to consecrate the place of his buriall ; as achilles tombe , or monument in sygeum , theseus in athens , aiax in the rhetian shore , and alcides reliques in oëta : reade but ouer the romane annals , and you shall find the discordancies of historians in these computations of times to be great : as especially the destruction of troy , confounding the seuerall times of troies sacking , missing their accompt from laomedon to the succession of priam. but i haue touched the errour enough , let vs now descend to the preuention of it . before we take in hand any discourse we must alwaies meditate of the meanes , ere we can attaine the end : which end is soonest atchieued , when we addresse our selues for such subiects ( as haue bene in our ●…ime ) wherein we may receiue instruction , by some that haue bene interrested in those affaires , of farre more certainety then any transcription . but intending our studies to any forraine r●…lation ( whereof it may be we haue some one record ) i would not depend vpon the antiquity of the record ( for we haue many antient fables ) but recollect my selfe and examine the probability , whether such particulars are like to be are resemblance of truth or no : and herein we imitate the antientest and best authorized historians that euer wrot . valerius maximus had recours●… , not onely to romane annals ( which were kept with great care ) but he vsed to conferre with such as had any breuiats of the romane liues in their hands : comparing thē together , that he might cull and chuse out from the best authours ( as himselfe witnesseth ) such documents , as not onely propogated the glory and pristine height of his country , but might moue succeding ages to emulate their vertues . the like of that true morall historian plutarch , whose style so modestly garnished , and so sententiously concluding , hath ( a●…d not without cause ) purchased him the name of the father of histories . laertius a worthy recorder of those famous sages of greece ; describes his countries happinesse with great modesty : whose sentences may beseeme the grauest vnderstanding to extract , and vpon oc●…asion to accommodate to his owne purpos●… : here he shewes spirit in a philosophers pen , one opposing himselfe against a tyrant ; there a moralist , making yong men fit sociates for the matur●…st ●…imes : here a cynicke contemning the glory of the wo●…ld , though offered him ; there a mery greeke , laughing at the vanites of men wholly beso●…ed and subiected to mundane slauery . o what christian-like maximes , what diuine conclusions , what solide arguments , what enforcing reasons be there included , onely to moue men to the embrace of vertue ? with discourse plentifull enough in oppositions betwixt ethnicke and ethnicke ; out-stripping nature ( if it were possible ) in reasoning , and drawing an argument , neere to diuine approbation , and ready to confirme it , if the generall blindnesse of the time , and their want of further reuelation would admit of their asser●…ion . thus much for the former branch of my di●…ision , of histories true and authentique : now i will entreate of relations feigned ; yet such as moralized include an excellent meaning , drained from the vncorrupted springs of hellicon . all relations feign●…d are not to be excluded : for many poeticall narrations there be which comprehend in them a wonderfull sharpenesse of iudgement , pregnancy of inuention , and a great measure of discretion ; of which sort , none more excellent then the workes of homer , weauing many pretty conceits in the web of his history , to make the subiect it selfe more pleasant : the more i commend him to the reading of the iudiciously generous , because i could neuer finde in his workes any scurrulous affectation , but prosecuting his discourse with a modest grauity , as if nature , that had 〈◊〉 him of his corporall sight , had done it , to make the eye of his vnderstanding more piercing : for to reade the maiesty of his stile , the wel-coucht fables immixt in his warre betwixt the greekes and troians , may as in a store-house imagine the treasures of all wits to be locked vp in him . many excellent histories haue bene deriued from him , as well in prose as contracted measures , for his pleasing variety r●…lisheth more then others , because through all his workes , he vseth lesse digression then others : and pitty it is , that euery impolish'd hand should haue to do with the transcription of his lab●…urs : grieuing the poore blind-man with their blindnesse , for who so blind as buzzard ? and if stesychorus was worthily strucke blinde for commenting on u●…nus beauty , and discommending hellens forme : much more deserue they an exacter punishment , that dare comment on his eterniz'd labours , who detected venus lust , and portraied hellens inconstancy . to prescribe in what tongue histories are to be read , i know their owne garment is most na●…iue . but such haue beene the di●…parraging labours of our english translators , that romes tongue , and gr●…eces characters , grow as vulgar and common with vs , as the italian garbe : so as we seeme beholding to others , both for speech and raiment . i do know some workes are necessary to be translated , being such as expresse the politick states of realmes , which imparted to the illiterate , oftentimes conferre no little benefite to our countrey . but other workes there be , which modesty would haue concealed , being records of the viriousnesse of former times ; as the obscene and sensuall conuents , or prostitutions rather , of those mirrors of impi●…ty , ●…he roman emperours , the relation whereof acquaints the depraued too well with such impudence . but because i haue entred into a catalogue of poeticall histories , i will proceed further into the m●…morable , and no lesse ingenious works of hesyode : much i cannot write of hystoricall matter in hesyode ; yet what he writ of that subiect , comprehended in it more height and true proportion , then any poet that euer writ . with what hazarding danger doth he there delineate the rare combate betweene c●…ix and cy●…nus ? now equally poizing their valours ( as if nature had made them of that equal power ) to the end to leaue the conflict vncertaine . presently ( vpon occasioned aduantage ) he shewes a better and a worse : yet so , as without the least imputation , or disparrage to either of their spirits ( making them as imparalell as equall ) but applies the euent to some auspicious , genious , or diuine power , fauouring one more then another . straight , with a new passage , he proceeds to the resolued exploits of hercules ; and with an admirable facility describes his labours . he it was , that by the assisting hand of iupiter , of whom he descended , slew the cleonian lyon , the erimanthian boare , the bull of marathon , the lernean hydra , and the winged hart : he who purchased no lesse memorable trophies in hell , then on earth ; haling the three-necked c●…rberus , and rescuing pros●…rpina , ( if the supreme powers had not inhibited ) from the tyrannicke hands of infernall pluto : discomfiting the centaures , vanquishing achelous ( being his corriuall in the loue of faire deianeira , the 〈◊〉 , the cremona giants , the traiterous nessus , antheus , augeas stables , apples of hesperides , cacus , busyris , hurling diomedes to his horses ( to quit his own tyranny ) freeing hesyone from the whale , sacking troy in reuenge of the perfidious laomedon , subduing those inuincible giants , 〈◊〉 and albion , redeeming orcalia , and betricia from the captiuity of gerion : and wearing the amazon baldricke , to intimate his victories in those warlicke prouinces ▪ these , and the like , doth hesyode set downe with that probable coherence , that i●… the matter it selfe did not imply an impossibility , one would be certainly induced to beleeue so concorda●…t an history . presently he descends to the generation of the gods , making vp a genealogy in that distinct order , as the pagan gods ( for so one hath obserued ) were much indebted to him for so wel deriuing their pedigree , which without his inuention ( perhaps ) had laine obscure . lucian deserues his place , whose otherwise ill-deseruing parts , being a profest foe to all diuine adoration , purchased him an end as miserable as his prophanations merited ; being deuoured by dogges : yet in this regard we haue propounded our opinion about historical fictions , i will giue him his dueplace : one of an excellent wit , ripe vnderstanding , and labourious withall , to finde out the ancient manuscript●… , and records of authorized histories : yet , foras●…uch as his ●…itings are interlarded now ●…nd then with inuectiue sp●…ches against the coelestiall powers , arguing too much of natures power , too little of the soueraigne of natur●… . i would haue the generous reader to prepare himselfe in the perusall of such discourses , as calypso instructed vlysses against the syrens inchauntments , thus inuiting him : hue ades ô ingens graecorum gloria vlysses . siste ratem , &c. — thus englished . come hither noble ithacus , of valiant grekes the choice , take harbor here , incline thine eare vnto the syrens voice : for there nere was any did passe , since we arriued here , this liquid way , but wisht to stay , our warbling notes to heare . hence pregnant wits , and ripe conceits much knowledge haue conceiu'd : as for the acts you did at troy , we newes long since receiu'd . and how the gods pursu'd the greekes , the troians greekes pursue , the grecians hate in sacking troy , heauens hate in wracking you . of these inchauntments did calypso fore-warne ulysses with this preparation , that he should command his assotiates in his ship , to binde him , when he approached neere those fatall harmonists , and to stoppe their eares , least they should be made a prey to their cr●…elty . so must euery one prepare himselfe in such syren-discourses the liberty of these times , perswades some too easily to lucian●… arguments ; and those which ( in feare of diuine power ) dare not deny the omnipotencie of the immort●…ll power in word , yet their prophane couuersation implies an absolute apostasi●… in them in their workes . i wish these digrssions were not needfull : for then i might more directly proceed in my discourse , which the deprauednesse of times will in no case suffer . but in these feigned histories i wholly exclude all ribaldry , times themselues haue instruction sufficient for obscene subiects , without any further excitements : nor can i admit , that those vnprofi●…able stories of primalion , palmerin de olina , the knight of the sunne , gerilion , with many other fictiue discourses should be entertained by youth : many of these relations haue strangely transported diuers well-promising wits into strange amazements ; especially such as conceiue more delight in them , then more serious studies . some we haue heard , that in reading the strange aduentures of orlando furios●… , and conueying the very impression of his amorous passion to themselues , would presently imitate his distraction , run starke naked , make loue-songs in commendation of their angelica , put themselues ●…o intollerable torments to gaine the affection of their supposed mistresses . others , in imitation of some valiant knights , haue frequented desarts , and inhabited prouinces , ecchoi●…g in euery place their owne vanities , endorsing their names in barkes of trees , wholly turned sauag●… , aud vntractable to personate that knight more liuely . such histories i onely allow of ( whether in prose , or verse , for epickes may be writ in either ) as yeeld profit with delight ; not subiecting their discourse to obserue some indiscreet humour of the time , for application , but preuention . many read , and ( in the loosnesse of their owne liues ) make application of the worst vnto themselues ; hoping with herostratus , to be memorable for villany : these are like spiders , that turne the sweetest and most wholesome ●…lowers to ranke poyson ; the discredit of an history , and a gr●…at strengthner of vice . others there be , that transported onely with the delight and present variety of the history , make history onely ( as our gallants doe their tobacco ) a spender of time : they apply not the fruit or vse of histories . but as in some pleasant or delightfull dreame , satisfied for the present time : but past , quite razed out of memory . in stories of this nature , ( such i meane as bee ●…eigned ) i approue of those best that res●…mble truth : the neerest according to flaccus opinion : ficta volupt●…tis causa sint proxima veris. for the impossibility of the relation oftentimes maketh the subiect more ridiculous : whereas the concordancy , or apt connexion of the history ( though the maine plot be false ) enforceth more attention . and thus much of poeticall histories : i will come to the second branch of my diuision of histories ( to wit ) morall . morall histories be such , as conduce to a ciuill and morall institution of life or manners ; teaching what is to be done , and what auoided . xenophon in his instruction of cyrus , propounds what reasons should especially induce a morall historian to speake more of examplary motiues to vertue , then any thing else ; because ( saith he ) if cyrus had not beene elected king amongst sheepheards , it may be , he had neuer reigned ouer the persians : but the very title , which was giuen him by rurall swaines , enforced him to attempt further . moral histories teach men to behaue themselues in all 〈◊〉 : if imployed in embassages , commerce , or any n●…gotiation whatsoeu●…r , it directs them how to hazard f●…irely , beare themselues discreetly , and support the burthen imposed on them stoutly . these kind of stories are the best nurses , they weane vs from a childish effeminacy , and traine vs in more virile and man-like actions : so as education is called by the phylosopher , a second nature , habituating vs to the kinde of our breding : morality likewise is called , the soueraignesse of education , the squar●… of human actions , the best schoole-mistresse for vnbridled youth , that r●…straines affections raging , erects our passions too much asswaging , tempers our spirit , and 〈◊〉 vs to that perfect symmetrie , ut expede herculem , you may know h●…rcules by his foote , the inward habite by externall appearance , hence was it that alexander glorified so much of his stagyrian moralist : achilles of his phenix : of whom he had receiued so much good , as hee ingeniously acknowledged ; by phenix he could both , bene dicere , & bene agere . to be briefe , there is no exorbitancie in nature , which by morall narrations hath not beene reformed : seneca was naturally coue●…ous : which disposition , or malady rather , he shrowdes couertly in that sentence of his , inserted in his book●… , de tranquillitate animae . nec aegroto , nec valeo . yet by daily conference with morall histories , and precepts of ciuill institution , he could moderate his desire of hauing , esteeming the treasure of his minde o●…ely worth possessing . qui cuncta habet , nec tamen habetur , as salust obserueth . the like we reade of stylpho , a romane , whom ( as cicero speaketh ) was of all other most libidinous , yet by reading of morall pr●…cepts , amplified with graue examples , became most continent . the infirmities of this time are great , and need the hand of an expert physitian ; no medicine , nor antidote , more soueraigne to cure these contagious vlcers , then morall physicke , if the disease be greene , ( i meane the diseases of the minde : ) wee haue heere lenitiues to mittigate , if it be old , and growne to a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a very gangrene , griefes insensible , being most incurable ? we haue corrasiues to eate away all those corrupt tetters that hinder the cure . this is a ●…ingular art , and farre surpassing galens , aesculapius , or hypocrates : their cures were but externall , these internall : and so much more worthy is the cure of the minde then the body , by how much the one is more pretious then the other . o diuine art ! o secret mystery ! the greekes called this discourse , the life of man : for without it , he would degenerate from man , and loose the best ornaments of humane nature : the light of reason , the eye of election , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , great indeed , in comparison of the small esteeme this world makes of it : labouring of a great burthen of impiety , an huge freight of sinne , an insupportable carriage , & feeling her own strength vnfit for such a weight , yet refuseth to entertaine a companion that would willingly and readily lighten her burden . distempered age , that labours of minds phrensie , captiuated to vnworthy bondage : how long will thy intellectuall eye be shut ? how long hood-winckt ? if thou fall with open eyes , thy misery is greater , seeing thy fall yet would not preuent it , falling with blinded eyes : no maruell , that sees thine owne infirmity , and scornes the direction of others eyes to conduct thee . alasse , here be many intricate mazes , vnfrequented laborinths , places of imminent perrill , and thou art blind : no suspect of any strata geme or ambush doth possesse thee , thou promisest thy selfe most security , when most beleagred with perill . it was no meruail●… if miserable oedipus , runne into brakes and bri●…rs , when his erring feete were guided by two bli●…d eyes ? here be many seducements : and as in the pagan time , there were more temples erected in honour to bacchus and uenus , then to iuppiter and apollo : so for one example of piety and religion , wee haue ten of vice and licentiousnesse : heere the baite o●… ambition , hung out and swallowed , and like enough by a gudgion ; there the painted flagge of vaine-glory , leading a troupe of vices in a ring-dance : heere a silken foole welesteemed — for — nasci a principibus fortuitum est — hee was borne rich : there a ragged sage descanting on morall precepts , but n●…ither garded nor regarded . heere rosa mundi , the rose of worlds vanity , set on a splay-foote , making art a couer for natures deformity : there a plumpe of feathers dangling on a head more light then feathers , to make platoes naked definition of man true — homo est animal bipes , implune : no matter for reason : they would bee loath to be indued with more then is needefull for a phantasticke head — an ordinary portion of reason will serue an ordina●…y . o that these poiselesse braines would but imploy their time in morall discourses , what excellent matter might they find out worthy the iudicious approbation of refined wits . it is obserued that in athens , and in rome also , yong gentlemen were to bee imploied in preferring some law in behalfe of the people : or patronizing such as were poore , and destitute of succour in themselues : patronizing such , and protecting them in publicke defence of their cause , or the like . this was the first step of preferment vnto cicero , defending roscius against scilla : and that with such vehemency , as generally hee was approued for his seriousnesse in a poore actors cause . and sure generous mindes cannot be better expressed then in actions of this nature , whereby they may not onely secure themselues and their entirest affections from the friuolent assaults of irregular perturbations ; but also purchase vnto him , the generall loue and fauour of such as obserue their disposition , and admire it . by morall reading wee vse to bee most excited to these compassionate effects : exampled in them whom we deseruedly think of , and earnestly couet to imitate : not taxing them vnworthily , nor commenting otherwise of their vertues , then as we receiue by transcription from others . former ages ( in this kinde ) haue beene more charitable , but the apprehension of our owne defects makes vs suspectfull of others . as in rome , if the pisoes be frugall , they are censured parcimonius ; if the met●…lli religious , they are taxed superstitious ; if the appij popular , they are termed ambitious ; if the manlij austere , they are stiled tyrannous ; if the lelij wise , they are curious ; the public●…le aspiring , if courteous . many such mam●…threpts we haue , that censure others actions to the worst , making their owne depraued iudgements , censors of others vertues . but morall precepts would remedy this obliquity , and will vs first be maisters of our owne aff●…ctions , ere wee fish in the troubled waters of other mens errours : but this age confirmes the ass●…rtion of a wise romane senatour : suam cu●…usque culpam authores ad causam tranferunt : or , which seneca writes in his epistle to his friend lucil : many ( saith he ) my frierd lucilius commit faults in rome , but will in n●… case heare that they committed them : the aedile laies blame vpon the questor , the questor on the praetor , the praetor on the consul , the consul on the censor , the censor on the 〈◊〉 . apollogizing and defending errours , the greatest cherisher of them : for how is it possible we should am●…nd them , that will not confesse we did commit them ? but acknowledgement is a precedent direct●…sse to reformation , according to the traged : word●… : quem paenitet fecisse pene est innocens . in morall studies much excellent matter may be chose out of that mirrour of morals plutarch ; not onely to instruct youth , in the rudiments and precepts of vertue : as how to beare himselfe in all occasions , how to conceale and smother his passions , with a wise ouer-maistring of ●…is affe●…tions ; and how to redresse the multiplicity of iniuries by taking oportunity by the fore-top . but euen old men likewise , such as haue seene many changes and alterations in their times , and were well nigh perswaded , that all the volumes of the world could not shew them more , then they in the reuolution of times had seene : but seeing instructions rare to them , and vnaccustomed precepts fit for the maturest head to plod on , they then confesse that their old age hath bene a dotage , verefying — addiscendo se semper senescere : reaping more profite by o●…e morall precept , then a whole yeares experience in worldly affaires . many old men we haue ( that can discourse of the change of princes , ) whose gray-haires be as so many records of what they haue seene : but alasse , confer with them of true morall experience , and you shall finde them as yong in houres , as old in yeares : their knowledge in the infancy , though their one foote in the graue , ready to bid adiew to the world , when they are halfe scarcely erudiated in the preuentiue sleights of this world : a simple age , when we haue no other testimony that we haue liued long , saue onely our gray-haires , and yet the generall ignorance pleades pardon : none so generous as those which know the least , none of a ranked spirit , that wil cast the ●…ie of a iudicious applause , vpon the meriting labors of any man. it is recorded , that licinius , coleague in the empire with constantine the great ( being vncapable of learning himselfe ) by reason of the slownesse or barrennesse of his vnderstanding , was wont to call learning the very poison and publick plague that infected the realme : the romane historians , haue applyed this vanity of his , rather to his want of iudgement , then any thing else , being not able to comprehend the benefi●…e of arts. the like of maximiman , who wa●… d●…sirous to attaine some extraordinary height in ●…loquence ; which when he could not ( by reason of his naturall duln●…sse ) attaine vnto , hee enuied and maligned others . many hau●… we that second these , glorying in their own●… ignorance , and making a rediculous spectacle of learning : as a superficiall ornament to accommodate more to the threed-bare sophister , then the generous 〈◊〉 . i r●…call to minde the a●…cient presage vpon all arts , and the pr●…iction concurres well with this time : 〈◊〉 for a philos●…pher , and smoake for a coun●… . it was spoken in the declining age of the rom●…n empire , when vice rode in his foot-cloath , and vertue ( like a poore iris●… lacky ) ran at his stirrop . but morall learning illumines the intellectuall power with a better and cleerer fore-sight ; shewing the difference betweene goodnesse and appearance : for true morals loue not to garnish their portraitures with shadowes . the best meanes to distinguish betwixt the ignorant and morally instructed , is to put them into their habilliments of ●…ature , send them both forth naked into the world , and their distinct characters will appeare more manifest . alasse , the moralist cannot discourse of what the world most affecteth ; hee sees the ambitious man rouing at v●…setlded ends , meaning to ingrosse the whole world to himselfe ; he smiles at his illimited desires , and wonders whereto his fond pu●…poses tend : he considers the euent , ●…re he take in hand the meanes , and hates desire of popular praise , or ostentation , lest he should grow proud by ●…orraigne obseruances : he entertaines death with a cheerefull brow . terror of death is not terrible to one prepared for her ere she come ; alwayes taking her , as one of the necessities of nature , and in●…uitable , meditating of her , as one — qui finem vitae extremum inter munera ponit naturae . these considerations euer ●…ortifie a good morall against the violence of all assaults inward and outward ; apprehending his substance , and composition , to be such , as cannot barracadoe it selfe against the encounter of nature . agathocles , that tyrant of syracusa , in all his tyranny , had a good morall statue to represent to him the idiome of his mortality ; hauing the vpper part of his image made of marble , gold and iuory , but the feet of earth , to intimate of how weake and infirme ground , he and his goodly promising person stood . o if we should but reade the choyce variety of diuinely composed sentences , comprised in those elaborate workes of the ancient morall historians : they would moue vs to no lesse apprehension of our owne weaknesse , then if some expert or curious painter , ( apelles-like ) should portray to vs euery part and lineament of this little man we carry about vs. morality ( saith a good morall ) is mans anatomy ; it shewes euery part of his body , how composed , how disposed : and prescribes how this excellent composure may be best preserued : it deales not by predominancy of planets , ( as our ponderous burthens of nature calculate , ) but by an euen symmetry of vertues gouerning the inferior spheares , the bodies liniaments . nor deales it like your phantastike musitian , that bestowes more charges on the couer of his instrument , then the instrument it selfe : but by the couers debasement , augments the excellency of the instrument , the diuine faculties of the soule . but i may seeme to run too farre in this subiect , confounding morall history with philosophy : which though i might defend for morall phylosophy , is nothing else then a globe of morall precepts drawne from historicall grounds ; yet to make mine own passage mo●… smooth , i will descend to the next branch of history , intituled physicall . histories physicall , be especially conuersant in the search of the natures of things : approuing that opinion of the phylosopher : ea physica sunt , quae natur as rerum explorare solent : whether things animate or inanimate ; in liuing creatures , as in the search of beasts , birds , serpents , and the like ; and of vegetiue bodies , as plants : in ●…reatures inanimate , as in the sc●…utiny of me●…als , the distinct natures of stones , &c. wi●…h which discourses the greatest emperours haue beene delighted . those admirall workes of plinie , aristotle , and aelian , with many others , are sufficient to erudiate the most incapable in these relations : where they doe , abdita rerum rimari . here describing the very intimate natures of beasts , the rar●… and incredible vertues of plants , and hearbs , the virulent natures of serpents , and the attractiue powers of stones , mettals , and the like . the crocodile , a most dang●…rous beast , ( ●…requenting the riuer nyl●…s ) and a profest foe to man : the ichneumon , a little creature , yet powerfull in her selfe , and in her power a profest foe to the crocodile . to set downe the seuerall properties of all , or of most sorts of beasts , would craue an ample volumne of it selfe : i will onely ( as in my former discourse ) expresse the vse of naturall histories , and to what persons most accommodate . we reade of diuers most famous princes and monarchs to haue applied their mindes to the search of these studies : alexander ( otherwise most potent in armes , and sole commander of the world ) addicted his minde to the scrutiny of these rarieties : as may appeare most manifestly by his letter ( at this day extant ) to his maister aristotle , containing the strange proportions of beasts , with their natures ; which during his indian warre , he had obserued : describing the strange and vnheard of qualites of the 〈◊〉 aspi●…kes , cerasts , and many other kindes of serpents , continualy infesting his army ; professing ( as he himselfe writeth ) he found more difficulty in discomfiting beasts , then subduing men : for the one sort assaulted him when his troopes were well disposed , cheerefull , and full of alacrity : but the other inuaded him by night . ita vt ne in castris quidem nimium ocij detur : alwayes was this puissant prince much giuen to see the naturall qualities of beasts , so as no present could bee more gratefull , or acceptable to him , then some strangely natured sauage , making excellent vse of this theory , appropriated to the natures of men : which vpon all occasions ( with singular delight ) hee vsed to apply vnto his nobles disposition , which attended him . those noble and couragious dogges , which were sent him by the kings of albany , much contented him : they would not stirre at small beastes , disdaining them ( as it were ) in the ouer-flow of their courage , contemning any encounter but with lyons , and elephants . this magnanimity could the valiant emperour apply well enough to himselfe : hee saw his owne nature delineated , or charactred ( as it were ) in their courage , scorning to triumph on the conquered , solacing him euer with this extreame , yet cheerefull comfort : sup●…rest sperare salutem . the like desire of exploring the naturall properties of beastes , possessed s●…torius : one no lesse prouident , to shelter himselfe in aduersity , then in all his actions continent , amidst his prosperity ; who after his regiment in spaine , erected many places for taming of wild beasts , delighting exceedingly to see the aptnesse of some ioyned with a certaine naturall flexibility , and the backwardnesse of others , retaining euer a certaine semblance of their first nature , so d●…epely imprinted , as difficultly remoued . nay what stratagems vsed he ( by his white har●… ) to support and gouerne the whole fabrique of his declining estate : implying that by his hinde , or hart , he receiued instructions from diana , which the people ( with such superstition ) beleeued , that by his glory he conquered enuy , enlarging the bounds of his iurisdiction , and making his exile the symbole of his renowne , till by the bloudy conspiracy of perpenna and antoniu●… , he was depriued both of crowne and life . demetrius a worthy souldiour , and one well meriting of his country , was much inclined to this study : so as at home , if at any time sequestred from his more serious affaires , he conceiued exceeding pleasure and delight in the portraying of those beasts he had seene : excellent he was in the frame of any simillitude , but more diuine in his owne ; being of that exact forme , elegant constitution , and sweetely mixt complexionut â pictoribus , sculptoribusque ei similis non potuerit effugi : a rare modell of nature , when ( by nature ) he was imparrale●…d . alcibyades , no lesse deseruing , yet worse censured , was well experimented in the natures of beasts , but more in plants : hauing an hearbe , euen to this day ( amongst our apothecaries ) called after his name . alcybiadon or the wilde buglosse . and for mettals , minerals , or the like . none more accommodated to such studies then that soueraigne of romane hearts augustus , hearing his lapidary dioscorides with especiall delight : so as in time hee was not onely able to distinguish of any stone , but to describe their natures : vsing likewise the art of alchemy , more expert in their recalcinations ( saith the romane historian ) then the best professours of that time , and consequently i may conclude then the gro●…se quacke-saluers of our time . you see it is no disparagement for the generous , or heroicke spirit to bee studied in these notions : since the peerelesse for valour , and true r●…solution haue dedicated themselues vnto them : yet would i not haue them so besotted , or bewedded , to these studies , as to forget more important intendments : i confesse these are rather to make a man compleate , then exactly necessary , and a superficiall knowledge is sufficient for learning of this nature ▪ and well do i approue of that ornament of learning ( the best lustre to the schoole of arts ) where he would rather haue a gentleman superficially seene in all , then profoundly learned in one : too much retiring to these studies , accord not with grauity or state , but to discourse ( by way of reason ) without sophisticall argumenting well beseemes the most generous minds . it is an happy thing to keepe a meane in wisedome , not to striue ( i●… an ouer-flow of vnderstanding ) to out-strip nature , in the investigation or search of naturall things : a little will serue vs in indifferent things , and more it relisheth of discretion , to know when we haue enough ; then , with an vnbounded will of affecting knowledge , superstitiously to know more then nature hath prescribed . this excesse in desire of knowing , hath beene a contagion , that hath infected and poisoned the mature●…t studies : especially in things so impertinent , as when the pitch of that they expected was attained ; their knowledge conduced no more to the profite of the repub : then if with endymion they had sl●…pt their time , and passed their life ouer i●… a fruitlesse silence . it pleaseth the orator to tearme such a study — invitilis mentis agitatio : sayling in the troubled streame , where a more cleere and calme passage doth shew her selfe . thus i approue in these naturall discourses , a superficiall discursiue knowledge , to exclude ignorance , but no such affectiue height , least in so exquisite a search of nature , we should show our selues naturals . wee say the generous should be but mediocrit●…r doctus : i need not insist vpon the perswasion , wee haue too many of iuvenals painted blockes in the way of learning , that neuer meane to come neerer . so as i may answere , as an athenian reasoned , what the cause should be why there was such an ebbe of good wits in athens : because ( saith he ) they run into the sub-vrbs , and dwell with lais. the best and ripest wits are most subiect to corrupting , concording well with the natiue deprauation of these times , where medeas rule is made an axiome , euery one with lin●…ius seeing the best , but with blinde baiard , depriued of the eye of their election . too much of them : our treatise requires a better subiect , then such staines to their countries fame , and pristine honour , making her complaine , as rome did in time of old : eone vos produxi , &c. is this the fruit of my long labour , the freight of my race , and the reward of my motherly loue , to bring you vp , and then ( like vipers ) to sting me that hath nourished you ? well then , my blessings must bee turned of necessity vnto execrations : and that breast which first nourished you with the milke of comfort , must be the very sepulcher to interre you that buried my honour . thus did rome hollow out her complaint against her ill-nurtured issue , and no lesse cause albion against her vndisciplined race , that seeme as if they were , fruges consumere nati . but to proceede in our discourse : histories of this nature , are very needful for professors of phisicke : for how shold they conceiue the true art of cōposition , if the simples wherof the compounds are made , & their vertues be not perfectly knowne v●…to them ? braseualus , de examine herbarum , exemplifies this discourse more fully , i will referre th●…m to that place , not entertaining that subiect which is but superficially traduced to me ; and i haue alwayes made that obs●…ruance ( in way of axiome ) to all my readings , which siluius ●…n his booke , de simplici●… . medicament . inioyne●…h himselfe : what art soeuer a man knoweth , let ●…im only exercise and vse it : for otherwise he shall but descry his owne ignorance , as i haue noted in some : quos cum nes●…e piguit , mentiri n●…n pig●…bat . an odious scandall to a generous-minded scholler , to write that which he is ignorant of himselfe ; lesse ashamed to lye , then to be defectiue in knowledge . but especially some we haue of this sort , that lie vpon their knowledge : some ( as in traians fabling age ) write arts of horsem●…nship , that neuer rode otherwise then agesilaus with his children , on cocke-horse . others can exactly prescribe times for planting , sowing , reaping , and the like ; playing the good husband-man ( i pray you marke him ) that neuer read virgils bucolickes : these are vsurping wits , presuming on the affable censures of these depraued times . ignorance can apologize herselfe : for what writer now a dayes weares not that liuery ? to our history : these naturall discourses of the qualities of beasts , birds , serpents , and other crea●…ures , be likewise especially ne●…dfull for diuines : ●…hey may amply dilate vpon the admirable wo●…kes of their creator , by the s●…ruey of his creatures . for euen all birds and beasts ( if exactly considered ) shew the infinite power of the almighty ; not onely in creating , but infusing such 〈◊〉 natures and dispos●…tions in them . the witty emblematist also 〈◊〉 his pretty inuentions from these resemblances ; portraying the creature , and annexi●…g his deuice to the portray . nay , they are very motiue perswasions to the acknowledging of our owne weakenesse and infirmity : spurres to thankfulnesse , as that excellent embleme where a larke was pearched , with these verses : cantat al●…uda deo laudes gratissima summo , hinc nos ingratos grata lacescit auis . englished thus . the early larke her gratefull minde displaies , discanting morne by morne her makers praise : whence she doth taxe such as vnthankefull be , that haue more cause , yet giue lesse thankes then she . we haue many such witty embl●…mes , well befitting the most christian vnderstanding to contemplat●… ; drawing the inscrutable wisedome of god from the excellency of his creatures : the diuerse formes whereof generally varying , their different natures in few things concurring , and their continuance so mainly discording , may minister to the greatest atheist , no lesse c●…e of admiration , then c●…use of execration of his irreligious and damnable opinion . here the hyene ( as plinie relates ) can imitate the voyce of any man , and that so neerely , as his voyce can hardly be distinguished from the voyce of him he imitateth , taking his denomination from the greekes , according to his naturall rapine . there the fiber , or beuer ( by what instinct humane wisedome could neuer reach to ) to satisfie his couetous pursuer , bites off his owne stones , being the price ( he knowes ) for which he is pursued . here see the dissembling sphinx , able to personate any p●…ssion , either of ioy or sorow . there the wonderfull nature of the rhynocer●…s : the lyon so naturally vali●…nt , as not to be daunted ; yet behold the silly cocke can make him tremble . then represent to your generous reading , the naturall enmity betwixt the horse and the beare , the wolfe and the lyon , the ●…ox and the badger ; such a natiue disagreeing remaines among these beasts , as their hatred is implacable ; euer pursuing their enemy with an inueterate hate : for an enmity ingrafted by nature , cannot be suppressed by lesse then nature . many conflicts were instituted in rome ( at solemnization of any festiuall , or in remembrance of some memorabl●… exploite atchieued ) betwixt beasts : whence the romanes gathered great knowledge , seeing the remisnesse of some natures , and the eagernesse of others . some of an vnquailed spirit , yet in strength vnable to maintaine their spirit : others ( like our vnweldy epicures ) sinowy and fleshy enough , haue stre●…gth at will , but defect of cour●…ge so curbes them , as the ouer-flow of ability waines in the rising ; not daring to encounter with one of lesse strength , but more vivacity . when fabius maximus went in embassage to pyrrhus , prince of epyre , with whom ( at that time ) the romanes had warre : he denounced open hostility against him and his territories , for not performing some conditions included in the league . pyrrhus to terrifie fabius , commanded his guard to place an elephant behinde the arras , that at their next pa●…ly , fabius seeing so terrible a beast , might of his owne accord solicite peace . but fabius ( though one at that time vnacquainted with such sights , for neuer were any elephants then seene in rome ) hearing him send out his hollow voyce , replied : the sound of a roman ram will be more terrible then the voice of an epyrian el●…phant . but these grewe afterward to publicke spectacles : so as in any triumph of some victorious , or puissant captaine , there were many elephants , ounces , panther●… , tygers , and other sauadge beasts slaine , offering them ( in triumphant manner ) to the temple of the goddesse victoria . varr●… , a romane peere , one to whom the romane tongue was much indebted , did illustrate the annals of rome with their ceremoniall triumphs ; shewing also what beasts were wont to be sacrificed to the gods , and for what cause that institution was obserued ; if the victory ( saith he ) was purchased with the losse of bloud , they vsed to sacrifice to mars , a cock●… ; but if without bloud , they offered an oxe . these naturall desc●…iptions of beasts are very delightfull to the generous reader ; they are very fit for illustrating any subiect ; making comparison betwixt the natures of beasts , birds , or plants , and other materiall subiects of our discourse ; comparing lust , incest , and such lasci●…ious exorbitances to the lapwing , represented by tereus , the rauisher of phylomele : inferring by the spider , arrogancy , or p●…ide , that durst compare with pallas for preëminency . by the c●…rmorant , grating oppression , sencelesse and remorc●…sse of others miseries . progue ( i●… a swallowes habite ) implying the swiftnesse of reuenge to murder . in the beasts of the forrest this may likewise be obserued : the lyon ( a fierce beast ) of an heroicke nature , contemning the deiected ones , nor caring to feed on carrion : he is of a maiesticke disposition , and hates to be vngratefull for the least benefites receiued : if the mouse rid him of base seruitude , he will finde time to requite her loue one way or other . this may represent the person of a king ( for indeed he is the king of beasts ) who scornes to triumph ouer the subiected , but to tyrannise ouer the proud . the el●…phant resembles a man prest downe with honour ; being once downe , he cannot rise : he is like some great man , who puf●…ed vp with the prospero●… gales of his fortunes , can finde no knees of legiance , or submission to either prince or state ; his ioynts are inflexible , and the load of his honour insupportable : once downe , impossible to rise , but by some vn-vsuall occurrent . the wol●… , ( a state-gormandizer ) preyes vpon the innocent , suckes the bloud of the orphane , i●…paires others meanes to enlarge his owne : cruelty is the habilliment he best liketh , making the state a wilde forrest for euery sauage to liue in , but a shambles for the poore silly lambkin to suffer in . the goate , your wanton and sensuall amorist , that skippes here a●…d there , in euery brake of vani●…y , till so entwined , as the sale of his repu●…ation makes him beg for a good name : but the eyes of generall obseruance are not so dazeled , they haue seene his heart , and registred his follies . the beare , one that portends by his birth , what he will be : an vnhandsome peece of flesh ; one that needs licking before he be brought to fashion : heere 's natures deformity , charractring by the foulenesse of the body , the filthinesse of his disposition : tyrants we haue had of this resemblance , who came the wrong way into the world , but to intimate what wrongs they would do vnto the world . but now of tamer creatures . the lambe cannot drinke of a troubled spring , no more can innocence . the hare euer sleepes with open eyes : so doth good prouidence . the cony is fruitfull and fearefull : so is nuptiall chastity . the emmet is in summer euer fore-seeing a winter : such is good husbandry . shall we proceede in birds likewise , and examine their natures ? the turtle for constancy : the cran●… for vigilancy : the rohin expresseth his loue to man : the nightingall to women : none more industrious then the larke , more laborious then the wr●… : more odious to her selfe , and others , then the cuckow : more heroicke then the eagle , more base then the buzz●…rd ? then obserue what 〈◊〉 ins●…incts gi●…en to certaine birds , to prognosticate the euents of things . the crow a ●…ore-teller of what weather will come to passe . the halcion or seamew remarkeable in prediction of stormes , and the swallow , craue , and many others , exact obseruers of seasons . other birds there be that haue more humane feeling : pliny reports that there be certaine birds which howle excedingly at the ecclipse of the sunne ; as if naturally moued by som ( by some miraculous influence or instinct from heauen ) to suffer with a diuine body . so extremely suffering : let vs descend to wormes , serpents , and creeping things , we shall see in them distinct qualities also . the serpent pareas , creepeth on his taile , and with the sharpenesse of his belly makes a ●…urrow vpon the ground where he crawleth . strange things be reported of the serpent s●…raphis , adored by the aegyptians as a god : some feeding vpon raw flesh , intimating their rauenous natures : others on fish ( as diuers serpents ) liuing vpon the banke of the riuer nilus : others on plants , and the fruit of trees , which plautus expresseth by the vine-fretter . matura uitis folia inuoluolus carpit . but other creep●…ng creatures there be very beneficiall to humane society . the silke-worme , whose labours make our silken-gallants . to that excesse are we come , as our brauery must be maintained , by the diligence of the simplest creatures , cloathing our selues with the very bowels of wormes : wonderfull is their generation . the add●…r in her selfe obnoxius and hurtfull , yet she casts her skin ( to expresse ●…er good meaning to man ) an excellent cure to many diseases . the poore worme , of her selfe , neither greatly harmefull nor profitable , onely ( by a synonomy b●…twixt m●…n and her ) she is the best mirrour of humany glory , an embleme of our mortallity : and an importunate guest that will come to banquet on our bodies , though not inuited : shee is called uermis ( quasi inermis ) shee can but turne againe , that 's all the defensiue , or offensiue weapon she hath ready . these silly contemptible creatures be especiall motiues to a good man , of thankefulnesse : the ●…xample we reade in that deuoute father anselme , who walking on day in his garden , and seeing a poore worme crawling vnder his feete , presently applyed this christian-like vse to himselfe . o lord , thou mightst haue made mee like this worme , contemptible and base , to liue in the holes and cauernes of the earth ; but such was thy mercy , as thou wouldest not , bestowing on me thine owne image , that thy similitude might bee glorified in mee : a comfortable meditation of a zealous father , and wo●…thy our obseruation . we will now discourse of the skaly fishes in their kind , that the maiesty and power of god ( by giuing such diuersity of natures to fishes ) may appeare in the depths , as before it was manifestly expressed vpon the earth , and all dry places : here is a tyrannicke power euen in the ocean , and an absolute gouernement without restraint of power : here is a musicall concordancy likewise ; a diapason of sea-inhabitants . the dolphine playing a soft straine , resembling a meane : the sturgeon ( swimming against the streame ) sharpens her note , more neere a treble : the ●…ulis a smoth counter-tenor , and the rowling porpoise the base . here is great enmity likewise for predominancy : and that amongst the greatest , the orcke with the whale : the cuttell with the thorne-backe ; the sea-horse with the sea-vrchine : many rare ver●…ues in little creatures : with what strangenesse the r●…mora ( a fish of small bignesse ) holds a ship , when in her full saile ? how wonderfully the torpedo deliuers her-selfe , being taken by the vnhappy fisher ? disgorging her owne bowels , to stupefie the taker , with an vncoth amazement . the acipenser , or which pliny cals , sacer piscis , feeds on nothing but mans flesh , implying a caueat to man : that hauing so many enemies euen in earth , and not free from them in the depths , should not spend his time in security , but preuent the enmity of all creatures by a dilligent and vigilant care to himselfe . long could i protract this discourse , but two materiall parts of this relation with hold me from insisting longer : the first whereof first offering themselues , be plants and vegetatiue bodies . the wis●…st of all kings was much conuersant in these studies , knowing euery tree , euery hearbe , and euery flower : a cedro libanon vsque ad hysopum supra parietem : an excellent commendations in a king ; not addicting his minde to other things then the purchase of knowledge , euen in inferiour things : that a generallity of knowing , might make him worthy of gouerning . probus the romane emperour , who succeeded florianus in the empire , was much addicted to planting , and distinguishing the natures of flowers , the vertues of plants , with proper obseruances accommodated for the knowledge of all seasons , apt for grafting , stilling and the like : planting the mountaine almus scited neere syrmius , and the mount aureus in maesia the higher , with vines . the like we reade of galerius maximinus , surnamed armentarius , and many others of the romanes , whose diligence was much employed in such pleasant affaires . resemblances in these vegeta●…iue bodies , requires obseruance ; to see the vime like a fruitfull mother of many faire children , sending out her ripened ●…lusters , faire blossoming sprigges , and infinite store of pretty slippes , imitating their mothers fruitfulnesse , and bending with her owne burden , as not able to support herselfe without some stay or vp-holder : the pittifull elme stretcheth her armes out to beare her vp , in pure compassion moued to helpe her , that in herselfe and f●…uitefull issue , was so helpefull vnto others . the vine seemes sometime to weepe ( for teares indeed she sheds ) as if in throwes and paine of her labour : these teares distilling from the vine cure the leprosy : so as she seemes both fruitfull and soueraigne , yeelding no lesse comfort in her teares , then verdure in her spraies . many of these teare-shedding trees there be , as the myrrh , dropping amber , and the rosined fyrrh : these by allusion may seeme to commiserate our vnhappy states subiected to miriads of anxieties , by the taste of one tree , whose dismall fruite made vs wretched . some trees we haue for harbour and shadow one●…y , resembling our dissembling professours ; whose externall appearance makes great show of a fruitefull inside , when nothing , saue a meere naked pretence of piety , remaines in them . others for fruit , without any store of blossomes , and such be they as desire rather to be good , then so accompted . some trees pine away , as if surprised with an amorous passion , exemplified in the box : others shew by their freshnesse , to whom they are consecrate , as the myrtle . some loose not their colour in winter , like the patient man , who beleagred with the worst of fortunes oppositions , neuer changeth countenance for the matter : but like that uenetian motto writ in triumph : nec stuctu nec statu mouetur . others not subiect to any hurt by thunder , as the bayes : resemble the sincere conscience , not discomfited with any assault , or dismaied with any terrour . sweete odours , flowers , and all other beauties strowed vpon this arteficiall carpet garnish the earth , as the internall vertues inhabiting the minde do the soule : this discourse more concerning the hearbist , then historian , makes me more briefe in the handling hereof . for stones , and all kinds of minerals , it is a knowledge worthy gentlemen : wherein i may likewise comprehend the ancient knowledge of coines , in what emperours time , and their seuerall inscriptions . we reade how iulius caesar came into bri●…tany in hope to finde pearles ; though caligula's trafficke seemed lesse worthy , commanding his souldiers to gather cockle-shels . it is a very generous quality , ( and sometimes hee shall be put to his iudgement ) to distinguish rightly and ●…xactly of saphires , emraudes , diamonds , &c. this requires exact iudgement , iustres may be giuen to glasse , as well as diamond : adulterate gemmes , passe current with our nouice : the siluer-smiths of ●…phesus haue instructed ●…his age sufficiently , and fraud must be incorporate to euery profession . if these gemmes , i talke of , were ornaments of the minde , i should desire longer to insist vpon them : but being ( as these times vse them ) rather foments to ensnare and entrappe , then attractiue motiues , according to their natiue properties , being ordained as resemblances of vertues : i will not dilate of their valewes , onely of their power , more pertinent to my discourse , and better according with my knowledge , who aeschylus-like , haue long time drawne water out of anothers cesterne , but neuer filled mine owne bucket . many excellent vertues of stones , doth pliny in his naturall history set downe vnto vs : as some haue power to frustrate the effect of poyson : others very powerfull against the operations of magicke spels , with-craft , and the like : but as a iudicious commentary writes of him : mul●…a scribit , quae mehercule vera non existimanda s●…nt : yet to stand in suspence with vs ( for the reuerence of such a learned authour ) because their effects haue not bene as yet tried of vs. many things ( i confesse ) seeme by all probability like the amalga , to haue more moone then sunne in them : but the experiments which we haue in some , makes vs more credulous in others . the diamond ( whose character is not to be razed ) resembles the pure impressions of vertue we haue receiued , and which is traduced to vs by the intellectuall eye of the soule , which in no case should be razed or abolished in vs , but to be augmented with a greater encrease of vertues : it resembles also the truely charitable man , that to do good to others , impaires his owne fortunes : for the best motto that euer was made of the diamond was this : dum formo , minuo . the stone mithrax ( saith pliny ) is of a perfect colour , till opposed to the sunne , and then it looseth his colour : it alludeth to many of our painted sepulchers , our she-puppets : none more cleere , or amiably-coloured then they , till the sun glitter on them , and their slightly laid on varmish , presently then dissolueth : quantum mutatur ab illa : true sodoms apples , no sooner touched , then to dust and corruption turned . topaz , her opposite ( in natiue vertue ) shineth most in the thickest darkenesse : the very idea of vertue her selfe : the clouds cannot interpose themselues betwixt her , and her natiue lustre : the glo-worme glisters not more by night , then it doth in obscurity : a pretious stone fittest for these times , and an ornament wel-beseeming the greatest personage : for the cloude of errour should not be able to obscure their thoughts , euer bending their course to the mark of honour . to recount the vertues of all , were a superfluous taske , for so should i make a collection meerely of what hath beene wri●…ten before , i onely set downe with my selfe , to extract the speciallest , and to make resemblances of them with the natiue proportions of such things as are most vsuall obiects to our outward sences . i will briefly touch the admirable deuices of minerals , and so proceede to my intended 〈◊〉 . mines the lower laid , the better : in them we disbowell ( as it were ) nature of her hidden treasure●… ; yet the earth , like a kinde and bountifull mother , willingly vnrips her owne breast , to enrich her children , the diuers veines , and ●…ordons which wee find there , like hidden or concealed streames , hauing filled vp their treasure-channels ( because so long time vn●…mptied ) minister store of all mettals vnto their digger . c●…sar in his commentaries , seemes greatly to haue delighted herein , ha●…ing so quickely found out with what sorts of mettals , these britaine-coasts most abounded : some we haue of these mineralists that by the supe●…fices of the earth , can iudge , what kinde of mettall best agrees with that soile ; and without pier●…ing the ground ( can prettily well ) presage the euent of their labour : their studies deserue cherishing , being grounded on honest foundations , and such as ha●…e much be●…efited their countrey by their industry . the north-part in their copp●…r-workes most labourious , merite their share of commendations ; both profiting themselues , and yeelding an amp●…e gaine to the kings reuenewes out of their labours . the most pretious mines haue beene euer found out in regions least inhabited , and where the inhabitants could make little or no vse of so large a bounty of nature , as to this day among the indians , men that would exchange their preciousest things for trifles : like aesops cocke , preferring a barley-corne before a pearle . yet in these labours ( in themselues praise-worthy ) i altogether disalow such ( of which our reading ministers too many examples ) that haue digged the sepulchres of the dead , to finde some hidden treasure buried with them . a sharpe law was enacted ( for this end ) amongst the aegyptians , ( which nation vsed to interre their chiefest iewels with the dead party ) that whosoeuer should violate the sacred rites of the dead , by digging vp their treasures inchested with them , should be buried quicke . a pretty story to this purpose is recorded of semyramis , that valiant q●…eene of assyria , who before her death , commanded that a faire monument should be erected ouer her , vpon which should be ingrauen this inscription : whosoeuer shall digge vp this stone , let him but looke vnder it , and he shall finde an infinite masse of treasure . cyrus hauing conquered that people , chanced to come where that curious monument was erected ; and seing this inscription vpon it , presently commanded the stone to be taken vp , which being done accordingly , he found no treasure , but this caution of better value then all treasures : none but fooles and mis●…rs would digge vp the bones of the dead . a reward well fitting the miserable desire of an insatiate minde . i might annexe to this discourse , the excellent study of antiquities , and speake in part of them , but our coast is freighted with such elaborate antiquaries , as the digression might seeme lesse necessary : through all the body of this discourse ( including physicall relations ) i haue but shadowed the chiefest , without intention to entreate of ●…uery particular , vsing ualerius maximus words : quis omnis ●…ui gesta modico voluminum numero comprehenderit ? i will descend to mixt hist●…ries , which was the last branch of my diuision . mixt histories are composed , or compounded of all those three , of which we haue sufficiently entreated before . variety of subiects best agree with the frame of these writings : they expresse to the quicke , not only what was done discursiuely , but what should haue beene done morally , and deriuing the euent from probable causes , arising from nature , they conclude their discourse , making it vniuersall . some haue stiled these miscellaneae , because a commixture of all affaires ; they playing the morall phylosopher as well as historian : comprehend all which the other could any way seeme to entreate of ; bei●…g the abridgement of all relations , and in themselues sufficient to produce incredible effects : they require especiall reading , ripe iudgement , and an apt disposition withall to make their members , so diuersly hanging , vnite in one maine body . i approue of salusts opinion : ex ijs negotijs quae ingenio ex●…rcentur , in primis magno vsu est memoria rerum gestarum . yet of all those records , none in themselues more eminent , because none more elaborate then mixt histories : they contract in one leafe ( as it were ) what a whole volumne could scarcely comprehend . there must be a generall knowledge in these discourses , making a well-composed body of many scattered limbes , gathered from the reliques , or ashes of their deceased authors . for as a good limber will not see any blemish in his portraiture ; but ( ere he hang it out ) will desire to make euery part and proportion in a kinde of correspondency , to moue a more deepe impression in the beholder : so should there be an equall correspondency in these kinde of histories , letting no discourse passe ( if of consequence ) without a mixture of both morall and physicall reasons ; lest one little blemish ( one omission of either ) should be a disparrage to the whole . here antomedon-like , he should set out vertues table , making his life a globe of precepts : there , like an excellent naturalist , he should dilate vpon the natures of things , or probable reasons ( as i said b●…fore ) de●…iued from nature . the maister-peece ( like the warp●… in the web ) is discourse : for these buttresses , without a maine foundation , would soone decay . wits compared to soiles : some naturally fruitfull , without forci●…g : others , without continuall labour and ●…illage , will bring forth nothing but tares ( or the husbandmans teares ) some fit for barley , others for wheat , oates , or the like : and some most apt for missellane . so in wits , some naturally ripe & forward ; others require a more deliberate dispatch : the o●…e more pres●…nt , the other more solid . p●…egnant & ripe wits are not so good , they are like a rasorkeene and sharp●… , but his edge is soone rebated . one compared them , & not vnfitly , to soft wood , ready to receiue any impression from the limber ; but for warping , is vnable to keepe , and therefore not fit for any worthy , or curious portraiture . such wits are these , which be rather fit apt ●…or inuention , then iuditious scanning of any authour : they can inuent , better then extract ; and consequently vnfit for these mixed discourses whereof we now entreate , exquisite labour is the producer of these histories ; which ( for the most part ) is intolerable to your sharpest wits ; being rather for the present , then any serious deliberation . salust in his iugurthine warre , includes a pretty commixture of histories ; as if he had intended to make a president for relations of this kinde , where he brings in micipsa vpon his death-bed , speaking to his sonnes : equidem ego regnum vobis trado fi●…mum : si boni eritis , sin mali imbecillum . wherein he so liuely characters the state of pri●…ces , and the morall instruction of a father dying , to his c●…ildren , with the seuerall natures and dispositions ●…f ●…hem ; that it seemes hee purposed to instance t●…is kinde of writing in so excellent a subect . here he shewes dissimulation in a prince , euen at his end : there an vnworthy plot of an adopted sonne , seeking to reigne by indirect meanes . here micipsa exhorts them ; with , colite talem hunc virū , imitamini virtutem . yet he intimates withall , his feare of aspiring , seeing his nature so boundlesse . there he describes the iealous doubts , and perplexed windings of adherball ; there the drooping spirit of hyempsall , and the royall disposition of iugurth : so as by reading their diuers natures , one might coniecture for whom the gouernment of numidia was reserued . these histories are most fruitfull , they draw both attention , and they comprehend in them great plenty of instruction . attention by their variety , instruction by their morality ; including a pe●…swasiue kinde of writing in the one , and a delightfull proceeding , or continuance in the other . some historians in this kinde , and not vnfitly , lay open the causes of decayes in citties , empires , and gouernments : as romes fall proceeding from her popes pride , babylons from her ryot , the medes from her security , the tyrians from their sumptuousnesse in apparrel ; the christians ( in easterne parts ) more to their shame , and our griefe , from their ciuill dissention among themselues . thus haue the flourishingest common-weales fallen to desolation , and dissolution , their highest spires ruinate , their temples , with their places , of prophane adoration , defaced ; nothing remaining to boast of , saue that they once were happy , once victorious . yea iugurth himselfe seemes to expresse the cause of romes ruine ; shewing how subiect they were ( euen the purple fathers , the reuerent benchers ) to take bribes , & receiue oyntments , which would close their mouth for speaking in the common-weales behalfe . for when he was complained of , vnto the senate , for the murder of hyempsall : and the senate hauing then government ouer numidia in chiefe ; which realme ( as others ) w●…s tributary to them , commanded iugurth to appeare before them vpon such a day ; fully resolued to punish his insolencies . he so wrought by rewards , as their censure was not onely mittigated , but ( as the historian records ) tanta commutatio incessit , vt ex maxima inuidia in gratiam & fauorem nobilitatis iugur . veniret . a strange metamorphosis , when states were so soone changed , which portended a sudden change of their gouernment , falling from so great glory , and ●…minence , to eternall obscurity . many histories of these natures there be , which depend vpon apt allusions , equally mixt with discursiue , morall , and physicall : discursiue to delight and tricke on the appetite , by a sweet variety ; seeing the change of great states in a few leaues ; being a speech meerely documentall , to better our liues , teach vs what should be done , as well in priuate as publike . phisicall , in the character of seuerall ●…atures , aptly accommodated to the subiect whereof we ent●…eate . with wh●…t delight do we reade the diuers inclinations of princes ? here a catyline , doing little , and ●…peaking much : there a iugurth , doing much , ●…nd speaking little . here ●… philip drunke , and in his drunkennesse raging against his foes : there an alexander , drunke too ; but in his passion raging against his best friends . here a caesar , then whom , none euer 〈◊〉 more good to his followers : there a nero ▪ then whom , none more desertlesse to his followers . here a working crafty wit , stirring vp trifling rewards , to containe him in suspence ; instanced in ti●…erius : there an affable minde , set out in threed-bare words , one that could neuer flatter ; specified in titus . these seuerall natures we may see , and marke what successe they had : some , the more thinking , the more not knowing what to thinke : yet to obserue the work of heauen , seldome , or neuer haue these suspitio●…s heads cause to rest ; but th●… more they suspect , the more motiues they haue to suspect : for this craft is alwayes hatefull , and procureth enemies : sub●…ill councels being odious vnto the world , and so dis-fauoured of god , that they are alwaye●… waited on , and attended with most vnprosperous ends . we shall see in prophane stories a maine diuersitie , euen in the simplest and shallowest vnderstandings , the subtillest sconses the meanes of their own decay ; as in sejanus , who in the opinion of his owne worth , grew in time , ferox sceleris : such aspiring spirits be ( for the most part ) vsed like sponges , wet with their spoyles and extortions , with which being a long time soaked , they are ●…t last crushed and condemned , that th●…ir long gathered wealth might returne to the princes coffers . traian vsed ●…o call the treasury , or exchequer ( by way of comparison ) the splene , because it increasing , brings to all the other parts a pining . the simple ( or innocently imagining statist ) comes euer to an expected end in his hopes ; as they are not great , so not subiect to so great an ecclipse : yea , the hopes of these men attaine sometimes ends aboue expectance : such was h●…luius pertinax his successe , who ( neuer aiming at the title of emperour ) was crowned when he was from thoughts of titulary honour most sequestred : r●…pugnansque suscipiens vsing a kinde of withstanding ere he would entertaine so great a weight . and in al histories , if we obserue the diuers occurrents which befell men in great and eminent places , we shall see euer the honestest purposes seconded with the happiest euents ; and the disproportion of the end euer sorting with the discordance of the minde : for the intention is discussed by him that layeth the foundation , and ( of all empires in dust at his pleasure ) breathing euer vpon the sincere purposes of the good , and confounding the deepe defigues ( vpon what pretence soeuer grounded ) of the euill . in mixt histories ( as the scope whereat they ai●… ) is mixed part with profite , and part with delight , to make the discourse m●…re compleat : so should the seriousnesse of the subiect attract a kinde of maiesty to it ; for impossible it is , either with trimnesse of words , propriety of aptly-annexed , and duly-applied sentences , or any other elegancy whatsoeuer , to make a subiect ( of it selfe light and friuolous ) beare the portray of state : for words ( if well applyed ) illustr●…te , and add●… a beauty , but not any way better the weight of the matter . there be three things which be especially required in histories of this nature , to make them perfect : first truth , in ●…incerely relating , without hauing any thing ( as tacitus obserueth ) ●…austum ex van●… , foisted in by our owne inuention , to smooth the passage of our story . secondly , an explanation in discouering , not onely the sequels of things , but also the causes and reasons drawing to the conclusions . thirdly , iudgement in distinguishing things by approuing the best , and disallowing the contrary . for the first , stories should be true , or at least resemble truth , because by so much , they are more pleasing , by how much they resemble truth the neerer ; and so much more gracefull , by how much more probable and doubtfull : we haue many histories ( euen of this kinde ) mixed , that comprehend in them nothing lesse then truth : yet by their smooth carriage , and their proper ▪ circumstances with such aptnesse drained and disposed , they haue been taken for truth , and registred amongst workes of more s●…rious consequence . such were those apologae fabulae ( whereof we haue in part spoken before ) which contained in them many pitthy and graue 〈◊〉 , and worthy obseruation in the excellentest moral : these are fitly called by tully , mirrors of mans life , patternes of manners , and images of truth . their neere resemblance of truth , made the reader more attentiue , subiecting his eare to discourses probable , more then to things surpassing the bounds and limits of beliefe , as producing vnheard of miracles ( meere conceptions of the braine ) phanaticke chymeras : a gyant immured in a rocke , yet able to pierce it through , win a whole monarchy with his owne single hands , lead a multitude of kings captiues , and returne home without a wound . here strange inchaunted castles , ladies and knights detained in most base seruitude by an airy monster : there admirable victories purchased vpon incredible , oddes : and to be belieued , it pleaseth the painter so to deliniate their vertues . but of these erronious stories there be some obserue no methode , planting an arcadie in a brittanny : as if by some super-natural accident there were a transplantation of regions , or some earth-quake in the authors braine , whence this immane colosse of an irregular discourse proceeded . which strange representations be not vnlike to your lanskip ; where vpon the sea , whatsoeuer we see , by land , seemes in our saile to go with vs : euen so do these vain historians make strange obiects vnto vs , of places impossible , transiting whole countries to make an impolished straine of pastorall musicke ( one good bell-weather would make as perfect harmony ) sound well in a clownes eare . to be short , my opinion positiuely is this : that historian which can ioyne profite with a modest delight together in one body or frame of one vnited discourse , grounding his story vpon an essentiall truth , deserues the first and principall place : and he who ( vpon a fained discourse ) can proportion it to a likenesse of truth , merits the next . as for him that ( like one of duke humphreyes knights ) obserues neither meane nor measure , but gorge their own insatiate appetites with full messes of vntruths ( without probability ) should be dealt withall , as that wandring italian squire was vsed , for his monstrous lying : tost in a blanket , till his erring spirit by suffumigations , or some such like meanes , were canuased out of him . great blemishes these be to so reputed a profession , aiming neither at profite nor modest delight , but imitating your mercenary actors , spurt out some obsoene ieast to make a prophane rogue applaud him : and sure if the strict doome , and censure , of banishment , were to be inflicted vpon any kinde of learning , rather should it be pronounced against such as these then any . the pagans haue abhorred them and much more odious should they bee in a christian common-wealth , where vertue should be the scope of all our actions . they are like some comoedies wee reade now a daies ; the first act whereof is in asia , the next in affrica , the third in europa , the fourth in america : and if ptolomeus , or marcus paulus had found out a fi●…fth part of the world , no question but it had beene represented on their vniuersall stage : such as these ought to haue some distinct language , utopian , or some other grunting tongue eng●…ossed to themselues : for they should profite more , by being lesse vnderstood . much they speake of vallour , and many imaginary heroes are pitching their pauillions ; but i will take my leaue of them with my french prouerbe : beaucoup de bruit , è peu de fruict : much bruite , but little fruite : battels more fierce ( by report ) then alcahors : that was but kings , their 's giants : and one of those giants as able to vanquish all those kings , as for milo to carry his bull on his shoulders . for the second : their should be an explanation in discouery of the causes , with a direct and graduall proceeding to the sequels : as thus ; in description of a solemne iust , or tournament , it is necessary for the historian to show the cause why such solemnities were instituted : i do know many things there be in discourses , which may be as well implyed as inserted ; but in festiuals , solemne games , euents of duellors , or publicke trials : the causes forcing should and ought to be as well deciphered , as the ends succeeding : how should we haue knowne of the vniting of the sabines with the romanes , or the occasion of their marrying together , but by those dissembled feasts ordained by romulus , to bring his purpose to effect : the circumstances of which feast ( are with a certaine concordancy ) amongst most of the romane writers agreed on ; standing ( though with too nice prec●…senesse ) i confesse vpon the place , occasion , and houre of the day , with such a liuely transcription , as if the sabine rape had bene committed in their time . the like we reade of the destruction and vtter subuersion of the gabians , in the time of tarquin superbus : the generall vnion of historians , about the time , place , and occasion , so concordantly iumping , as if all those proceedings ( as well in the stratagemes by tarquins yongest sonne , as the very contents of that letter writ by the father to his sonne , for the management of this exploite ) had bene set downe by one pen. the like in that combat , or bloudy banquet rather of thomyris her eldest sonne , and the persian cyrus , with such natiue descriptions of euery circumstance , the riuer araxis , the place of their passage , the reasons which moued thamyris to suffer their passage , and the very plot where their tents were pitcht , their dainty viands left for the scythian surffet , in what sort prepared , & how insatiably desired by the scythian army , comming rather to feast then to fight : and then their defeate , being there vanquished , where they were most confident of victory . in these explanations , the reader should not be delayed , or frustrated too much in his hopes , by vnnecessary ambages : we should not trifle out the time in vaine and impertinent repetitions , it cloies and satiates the appetite too much : not vnlike to your great feasts , reseruing the choycest dainties for the end , when the appetites of the guests are satisfied before they come : it is a good frugall course , and includes an occonomicke pollicy , their best dishes may be preferued for another time : he that discouers euents and sequels without their precedent causes , is as one that would draw a riuer dry , without knowing whence the spring is deriued : applying the conclusions of things , as it pleased the ethnickes in ancient time , to reserre them to the arbitriment of fortune ; making euer this womanish argument : the euent was so , because it was so ; and it was so because fate would haue it so : answering titus opinion , potestates fato dari : but these which thus apply the course of all conclusions to fortune , be as blind as fortune : nay , farre more ; for though fortune be blind , yet she is not inuisible : but these men are not onely blind in the eye of common sence , but invisible in the composure of their owne arguments ; their conclusions being as blind as themselues . in making likewise our iudgement of histories , and considerately applying it to our present interests , we must specially regard the dispositions of the agents , and dilligently remarke how they are affected in minde , this is the least dece●…uing ground of forming opinion : by the nature of the agent , coniecturall euents or reasons of euents may be drawne : as if an ambitious man be imployed in embassage twixt prince and prince , he is to be suspected that his treaty will be lesse happy , in that his illimited passions oftimes , rather aggrauate then allay causes of ciuill discord . men of moderate dispositions , purchase peace with lesse adoe , and more successefull ; for princes ( ballancing their owne wrongs , to their apprehension insupportable ) cannot endure brauing ▪ but will rather try the extreamest of fortune , then be vnworthy of themselues , by hearing and bearing affronts with patience . the like we haue obserued in the successe of war , a wise and experienc't leader , to haue accomplished great matters with a handfull of men ; and that aphorisme to be very true : better is an army of harts , with a lyon to their leader , then an army of lyons , hauing an hart to their leader : and contrary wise the vnhappy euents of most flourishing empires , the miserable slaughters of most puissant armies , by the vnaduised gouernement of their agents , or tyranny of their regents , whose improuidence made much people vnfortunate : to see han●…iball once a conquerour , because his hopes were not seated on indirect meanes , and by his owne traculent disposition , to become a prey to the conquered , makes ●…his assertion good . many examples we haue of the like , where the nature of the agent ill affected , crossed not onely the successe of hopefull designes , but buried their names in obliuion , of such i speake , as haue bene interrested in the like aduentures . as sometimes where the agents haue bene neglectfull of religion ; depending more vpon their owne proper resolutions , then the power of heauen directing all humane a●…aires to their appointed ends : as wee may reade in that memorable disaster of the romanes at canne , where the consull v●…ro , with a populous army of experienc't souldiers , was vtterly discomfited ; and that ( as the romane historians haue obserued ) because of iunoes wrath conceiued against uarro , for erecting ( in derision of iupiters temple ) a mimicke-boy to keepe watch , as the solemne order was . the like of potitius detracting from the honour of hercules : the like reuenge inflicted on virilius by aesculapius : by iuno lacinian q. fulv : by proserpine on plenimius : by iupiter , on that sacriligious tyrant dionysius : by apollo on the pirate-prince thymasitheus : on alexand●…r by c●…res . sometimes by the libidinous disposition of the gouernour , other sometimes by his auarice : now and then by his impatience , and most of all by his recklesnesse , haue the sequels of things proued lesse fortunate , because the precedent motiues , or instruments directing to the end , had no better likely-hoods in them . wee wonder not at all , to see troubled water come from an v●…cleere spring : nor at tares growing in the sluggards field ; but we admire successiue ends , drawne from improbable causes : many times there be ( i confesse ) intrinsecall motiues , which like , as that beauty is the best which cannot be expressed by the painter , so arrogates it the chiefest place ( that inwardly mouing cause , i meane ) because , the efficient cause of causes , more sure , more infallible then the euidentest demonstration : and i haue ( for my part ) euer superstitiously feared to bring such causes in question : since such arguments haue ministred no small occasion to the prophaner wits , both of ancient and moderne times , to boulster their insufficient opinions : as to arguethus : heere we see a flourishing common-weale supporting her selfe by no other mean●…s then iustice ; reaching to as high a perfection in euery degree , of as exact gouernment , as the blindnesse of the time would permit : yet this state ( so flourishing ) laid wast by a people exposed to all impieties : here the end can hardly be collected by the fore-going cause . equity was in the conquered , tirrany in the conquerour : here is a maine discrepancy in the beginning , and conclusion ; and the actiue causes ordinarily mouing seeme ( cardine uerso ) to oppose themselues . it is true ; but tell mee ( whosoeuer thou art ) that lucian-like composest this argument : is he that sets vp , and confounds , what empires as b●…st pleaseth him , tyed to meanes , or secondary causes ? there is no realm which for some abuse or other , hath no●… deserued to loose her glor●… ; and herei●… doth the maiesticke power of heauen shew aboundant mercy , to some kingdomes in chasti●…ing them before they come to the heigth of sinne , that their eclypse of glory , might be an increase vnto them of vertue ; their ●…bbe of honour , an occasion of acknowledgement of their creator . for euen in the best common-weales , we reade , that the experiment of some externall misery or disaster , hath reduced them to more ripe consideration of themselues , and an exact search in themselues , discussing the causes of the gods indignation against them . present extremities are of that force to humane bodi●… , that the present apprehension of their woe , seemes in some sort to extenuate their pride , in●…lameth religion , ●…iteth men to vndertake a labour for the benefite of their country ( with the losse of themselues ) to appease the wrath of the gods. this was the cause why the romanes vsed to haue the gate of the temple lanus open in warre , but shut in peace : for nec●…ssity ( as well in these times as in pagan times ( vseth to be the mo●…e of deuotion . explanation of causes , is an elucidary or examply●…g , as it were of the matter whereon we entreate : happy ( saith t●…e poet ) is hee , that hath knowne , or doth know , the principall causes of things , as well precedent as su●…uent : euents may be knowne ( i confesse ) without their causes , but so defectiue is that knowledge , as the co●…ntrie shepe-heards prediction is of weather : his obseruan ces are causelesse because artlesse , iudging of the cloude ( by vsuall approbation ) making experiment his ground , without recourse had to naturall causes : to shew the destruction of troy by alcydes , without explaning the perfidious dealing of laomed●…n : or of troies second subuersion , without the rape of hellen : or of romes translated aristocracy , without relation made of those ciuill warres , planting c●…sar in his mona●…chy ; or of that ample and potent empire of media translated to the persians , without the precedent causes arising from the glory , and eternall renowne of cyrus , would make a confused history , as if the former chaos were reduced to her first indigestion : causes are the springs of euents . if we should reade the diuers effects of glory , the sundry mouing causes of perpetuall honour , amongst the romanes , we would admire them : some hauing raised themselues to an exceeding eminent pitch of greatnesse , and that by as vnaccustomed meanes , selfe-affiance , or confidence of their owne vallour , instanced in cne : scipio , publiquely proclaming : that nothing was more generous then this confidence , more infallible then prediction , more powerfull than celerity in dispatch , or more eminent then the digni●…y of the person : the like of scipio aemilian●…s , scipio n●…ca , furius phyl●…s , luc. crassus , m. scaurus ▪ and many others , whose greatest fame was purchased by that meane , which vseth to be the greatest errour i●… humane society , 〈◊〉 of a mans owne deseruings : which likewise hath beene ruine to many populous and most puissant empires . then to diuert our eye to an opposite of conceit , and that is modesty , or a silent shadowing of their owne demerites : excellent and memorable examples whereof may be produced out of valer : m●…ximus in his 4. booke , entreating of modesty : where he obserues ( by way of explanation , ) the meriting parts of many , whose resolutions shadowed , made the lustre of their country more eminent . likewise to describe , the strange , and vnexpected , rising of some , qui p●…steris fuere nobilitatis initium , & virtutis exemplum : borne of nothing ; yet by some priuate indowments , either of i●…sinuating , as the ignoble wits : or of state-obserui●…g , as those elated natures , grieued ( as it were ) with the obscurity of their birth , in seeing others lesse ( it may be ) meritorious , ascend the throne of highest honours , possesse the eminentst places , in contempt & despi●…e of fortune , & humblenes of b●…rth , crowde in the presse of the honored , if but sor enobling their country by their peculiar deserts . this wa●… obiected against cicero , which he as sufficiently answered : satius est me meis rebꝰ gestis storere quam maiorum opinione ni●…i . dependance of auncestors conferre small or no glory to vs , if our succ●…ding worth shew not a correspondency to our prodecessours glory . tullus hostilius , tarquinius priscus , tulliu●… seruius , perpenna , and t●…rrentius 〈◊〉 , & that mirror of countries loue , m. portius cato : their births ignoble , y●…t they made their cradles noble by their many d●…seruing parts ; characters of proper nobility , not deriued from their fathers greatnesse , but from their owne eminence : nor haue there wanted others who degenerated from their a●…cestors well deserued liues : scipio affriā , his countries honor , leaues a scipio the monument of his own dishonor : fabius maximus , ●… sonne , for worthlesse respect , deseruing the name of fabi●…s minimus : clodius pulcher beautified with ornaments of mind , as well as body , makes his country no lesse hopelesse by his birth , then renowned by himselfe . the like of 〈◊〉 his nephew , one least equalling so many deserued parts of his thrice glorious ances●…our : the one a prosessed prostitute to all licentious places , an arch-protector of sensuality , hauing no other clients , but noted s●…rumpets : the other a supporter of equity , a resister of indirect proceedings , a mirror of continence in his time ; and one , second ●…o none , saue cicero , in promptnesse of speech , and a present modestly composed eloquence . in the description of their natures we include the causes of ●…heir ends ; vertue being ( as we said before ) euer seconded with euent answerable to her intent , either in the beginning , middle , or end . and certai●…ly , whosoeuer should but read the desolations of the mightiest empires , or their rising , shall see some appearance of causes proceeding from their gouernment , occasions of their glory , or ruine . nor can we ( wi●…hout cause ) admire the erection & establishing of the turk●…sh empire , her many dilated prouinces , extended confines ; and almost soueraigne command in the easterne parts . let vs but consider their politicke gouernement ( subiecting all lawes of conscience , or religion , to the furthering of their designes ; planting their seat ( maugre the fury of all opponents ) in those floury and spaciou●… territories , where once the sanctified feet of the sacred apostles vsed to tread . yet in their policies ( because not proportionate to vertue ) shall they be subu●…rted . they haue erected themselues to an exceeding height , ( with the gyants menacing the fabricke of heauen ; ) but their fall will be more miserable , by how much they be of miseries more i●…capable . for that kingdome which is not established in peace , shall be ruined by warre ; & where vertue had not her predominance , there shall the illimited rage of vice take her residence : and where she is an inhabitant , there is imminent desolatiō menaced . to make explanation of causes in this , were needlesse , because the seate of such a gouernement is the occasion of her fall ; for ruine and extirpation haue euer followed imp●…ous gouernours at the heeles . yet in making vse of this especiall branch of history : explanation of the discouery of causes , i will limit and restraine it to an asser●…aine bound . we must must not search causes aboue their natures ; there be many hidden and concealed reasons , which to enquire after , were vnlawfull ; much lesse to wade into the secret conuentions of that facred power from whom all visible and apparant causes borrow their light . what we may gather by authenticke relation , or prob●…ble im●…gination , may without pre●…udice , or error , be produced . as for supernaturall causes , the more we sound them , the more we sound into the shallownesse of our owne iudgements ; neuer further from apprehendng them , then when we seeme to apprehend them . now to the third , that is , iudgement in distinguishing things , by approuing the best , and disallowing the co●…trary . dijudication of histories , or i●…dgement in distinguishing the approuedst , proceeds from a mature vnderstanding . in this historicall scale we must ba●…ish all lasci●…ious and petulant wits , conuersant ●…bout fro●…thy and licentious obscenities . the workes of an historian should be monuments of antiquity , true heralds of acts ; either prosperously , or insucc●…ssiuely atchieued : and not forments to lust , inducements to sensuality . two sorts there be which ecclipse an historians glory : from the one , we reape the haruest of shame , where characters of myrrha , and uenus ( the wantons votarie●… ) are deblazoned in their colours : yet in their descrip●…ions more pernitious to easily-inclined youth , then euer archilochus was to the spa●…tan dames . poore albion hath laboured too long of this impostume ; such historians must either be exiled , or the common-wealth must of necessity be depraued . vice h●…th too many supporters , without the furtherance of authors . from the other , there redounds no other benefite , then impertinent inquisitions of strangely-sought out antiquities ; so ●…recise in description , so cur●…ous in foundation and so selfe-opiniona●…e of their owne writings , as they oft-times doe on●…ly ( haerere in verb●… ) omit●…ing the substance to set out ( with phydias ) the shadow : search of a fruitlesse antiquity , occasioning a contempt in the body of the history . as in the foundation of a cit●…y , neglecting the materiallest parts of the discourse ; as vpon what occasion the citty was rather erected there , then in another place , by what meanes it was augmented , how con●…inued , and other necessary circumstances omitted : they insist vpon affaires of l●…sse consequence ; finding out where the first stone was laid , when the foundation of such a citty was digged . this causes often-times great volumes , with small benefite to the reader , and indeed rather implies an affecting-opinion in the authour , of pleasing himselfe , then others . ancient records are necessarily inserted in histories ; but such are to be supported by truth , including a necessary relation to the subiect where of he intreats . otherwise , such antiquities ( as for selfe-pleasing ) are produced , expresse nothing . propt●…r plebaeium & invtilem quendam opinioni●… succum . these be rather opinionists then historians . these two kindes ( like ianu●… face ) stand contrary-wayes : the one sort ( to wit the first ) are charons best factors , they traffique for a ladyes bon-voyage to hell ; there 's not a line in all their writings , that tastes of modesty , or relish v●…rtue : if pluto and his angels had not one she-prophet , nor state-moppet within all his dominions , to make his empire noble : yet these broth●…ll-authors ( ●…or better i cannot name them ) would by their lime-twigges furnish his ( malasperanza ) with a full saile . my lady here sits and reades , wonders at the ingenuity of the man , ( a pr●…gnant youth doubtlesse , ) and will make her pregnant too , if she haue any mouing faculty in h●…r ; his best character is the schoole-maister of folly , the introduccr of sensuall liberty , extinguisher of pure loue , experienced instructer to lust , harbourer of illimited desires ; and consequently harbinger to the diuell . as the martin will not build , but in faire houses , so this man will not liue , but in the ruines of honour : he is too conuersan●… in the court , too familiar in the citty , and sometimes too willingly entertained in the countrey . his pen , as it is mercenary , so his labours pernitious , his state labours of penury ( and he would rais●… it ) his soule of a lethargy , but seekes not to redeeme it . to be briefe ( for such a subiect is not worthy dilating on . ) as augustus banished naso to naxos , and his depraued workes to the darkest corner of his study : so should these petulant wits bee expulsed euery well-gouerned common-weale , and their prostitute labours sustaine enpolis censure . for the other , as none yeeld or affoord more benefite to their countrey , then laborious and iudicious antiquaries : so trifling and opinionately-conceited historians may benefite themselues , but hardly can communicate the best of their knowlege vnto others . opinion is a maine opponent to iudgement : the one guided ( or rather drawne ) by a precipitant will , the other disposed by the directing eye of reason . opinion ( lesbian-like ) frame their line by their worke , and not their worke by their line : but iudgement hath euer ( cleanthes-like ) a table equaly mixed or furnished with seruices of arete & pomona , vertue and pleasure : the one to profite , the other to delight : which equally-mixed iudgement should be especially conuersant in censurers of histories ; they must not do , as it is reported of ualerius maximus , inhibite many things in the euening , which he would approue of in the morning , and command that to be enacted one houre , which he would be ashamed to confirme the next houre . a setled & wel-seasoned iudgment will with ( circumspection ) not so much censure a modest digression in a history , as the vse which may be made of that digression ; nor tax ●…ny thing in a faithfull historian , though he shadow at the corruptiōs of the age with bitternes : for oylie and temporising tongues , are nourishers of these vitious and irregular times ; where , as beasts in the desart , so men liue in the world : nor be censurers to taxe such things for impossibilities , because they haue not heard of the like ; nor such r●…lations as false , which haue not occurred to their readings . for how should we giue credite to those incredible attempts of former times , where victories were atchieued with lesse adoe , then may-games in these times . to s●…e antheus renewing his strength , and doubling his force by falling : those magnanimous romans erecting their spirits most when they were neerest declining . i haue euer obserued these times , as they second the first in gradation , so they stand inferior to the first in exploits and managements of resolution . censures should b●… ballances equally and euenly disposed ; neither inclining to partiall affectation of person or state ; but ready to giue approbation where the verity of discourse , and sincerity of the author giues his pen fre●… scope to curbe errour , and attribute to vertue her merited titles . alasse , that censurers should be either so engagaged to the seruile command of popular glory , or tied to great mens sleeues , that the historian●… labours must be razed , which truth would haue raised : vertue hath in her selfe a soueraigne end , to which all liberall arts and sciences ( in themselues truly noble , and meriting honour ) haue their aime and recourse . this occasions learning to be neglected , and the exact scrutinie of ancient records ( then the which nothing more beneficiall ) to be suppressed , or at least , not a little darkned : when a rhadamanth , or criticke censurer must haue the corrections of our industrious labours , and iuditious volumes : which ( to feed his owne indigested humour ) must be subiect to many friuolous inte●…lacings . but patience ( which is c●…mes sapientiae , non famula concupiscenti●… ) must be the poore historians supporter , making vse of times abuse , and applying this salue to his misery , which the poet inferred , as cause of romes subuersion , and calamity . prim●… peregrinos obsc●…na pecu●…ia mor●…s intulit . but let me stay a little , that i may make an end the sooner ; ●…re i proceed to the tru 〈◊〉 of histories , i must caution two so●… of men , which ( in their reading ) peruert the vse and scope of history , by a maleuolent disposition , either bred in them by nature , or ingendred by custome , a second nature : the one foolishly precise , whose behauiour ( as one obserueth ) are like a verse , wherein euery sillable is measured ; or like your spaniards aspect , who will not smile beyond a poynt , for feare to vnstarch his looke . these cannot taste any thing well , that is not absolute ; yet for their iudgement a uenetian asse may out-strip them : he is ( vnmeasurably proud ) wise in hi●… owne conceit , ●…hath an orbe in his braine , which euer turning round , makes his iudgem●…nt brain esicke . the other , farre more intollerable , because more troubled with the rising of spleene : he detracteth from the best , and findes scruples in infallible truths ; his owne iudgement , as it is defectiue , so it en●…ies a-against others , maturer in the height of vnderstanding , and more exact in the ancient surueyes of truth . but as fortitude of body deriues her essence from the imbecility of the minde , and the ability of the mind from the d●…bility of the body : so the authors glory is oft-times reuiued , and augmented by the sting of detraction , as the detractors in●…amy by the authors glory : vertue alone is crowned , vertue in her selfe , is of all possessed . she it is alone by which man is eternized . this is she that steeres the poore historians barke against all oppositions . in this harbour therefore may i repose , leauing the depraued reader to the distemprature of his owne humor , and betaking my selfe to my propounded taske . we must walke in a more modest path for iudgement in the relation of euery act that is done : we ought to vse a kind of deliberation , consulting with our own intimate vnderstandings , and aske them whether such an act is worthy memory , or no : for many things we see and reade , which discretion would rather ha●…e omitted , then to writing committed ; we haue occasion sometimes to vnrip the tyrannicke liues of princes , and their illimited affections , of dissolute gouernements , and to what peculiar vices most engaged ; yet in the summary rehearsall of these vices , we do oft-times ( as an excellent historian hath well obserued ) instruere malos , teach men to be euill , instructing them in the exercise of those impieties , with which before they were scarce acquainted . thar memorable law-giuer being demanded what punishment was to be inflicted on him , who should chance to slay his father , or mother : he answered them with , haud equidem puto , &c. i do not think there can be any of so vnnaturall disposition . acts silenced sometimes doe better then if expressed : for the curtaine of vices drawne , moues imitation rather than euitation : in distinguishing also of things good and necessary from their contraries , we should not mixe triuiall discourses in our maine relation : they much impaire and disparage the weight of an history , distracting the readers minde with impertinencies , where the subiect might of it selfe be better prosecuted ; nor can any thing shew more indiscretion in an author , then these vagaries , where attention can no way be moued , the expectances of men satisfied , or a reall delight with profite apprehended . attention ( as that eloquent orator noteth ) is there the quickest , where we promise to speake of things , great , new , vn-vsuall , or of such affaires as may conduce to the benefit of the common-weale , to the establishing of religion , piety , or the like . now such serious discourses ( in themselues graue and ponderous ) are not to be mixed with euery friuolous digression ; the body of the history b●…ing solid , should not depend of weake and infi●…me members : which might seeme to resemble the roman colosse , of an huge proportion in body , but feeble feet ; so as one day the frame of the whole was demolished by the debility of one part . yet in this graue and firme composition , there must be one necessary cau●…at inferted : that whencesoeuer we draine the approbation of our di●…course ( as from many , and those to our iudgement of the selected authours ) we reconcile their opinions , and make one vnited body of so many dispersed parts . this i thought to caution ( as well the histories peruser , as the generallest collectors of ) because i haue obserued this foule errour ( and that in both ancient and moderne relations ) where diuers authors were cited , and their seuerall opinions marshalled on a row : but as in a battell , when the wings be broken , there insueth nought but an vn●…uersall confusion ; so without reconcilement in the conclusion , he leaues the reader in suspence , whose opinion to entertaine ; because not directed by the author . this implies a double defect ; either from stupidity , not able to distinguish ; or from a pertinacy , not willing to communicate his iudgement to others . the latt●…r is more intollerable then the first ; for the one includes a na●…iue defect , ( which he would remedy if his apprehension could better it . ) the other a malitious d●…sire of ingrossing knowledge to hims●…lfe ; though both vnworthy of an historicall place : for ignorance deserues small entertainment in so iuditious an argument : and a peruerse disposition much lesse , concealing his knowledge from his countrey , which by his subiect it seemes he intended to benefite . in distinguishing likewise , we should euer obserue to cull out such perspi●…uous sentences , as comprehend most , yet least i●… affectation : for such taste euer of singularity . hortensius was called by pythias ( for his too much gesturing ) a profest mimicke , a dionysian : the same ti●…le may be giuen our curious relators : th●…y binde their subiect to their words , esteeming no discourse in it selfe worth iudicious obseruation , but what is replenished and full fraughted with polite sentences , making the matter indebted to the superficiall art of the composer . these beseeme not a history , dilated circumstances , instances too much stood vpon , an ambiguous leauing of some-thing vndetermined : they leaue the vnde●…standing in doubt what to resolue , the iudgement what to thinke , the thoughts what to deliberate : so as our reading conferres no other profite , saue an int●…icate ●…inding , or wr●…athing , of many anxities vp together : giuing the minde free scope to imagine the euent , being implyed by the authour . an historian in his writings should haue a kind of seeming security , for his stile and order of speech : yet not so , ( as to omit an exact or wittily composed ieast ) to relish the readers distaste : such was tacitus vse , by enterlacing the seriousnes of his tale , with some iudiciall , ( but strangely briefe , ) sentences : annexing some pleasant straine , either of me●…re purpose invented , or from the occasion of his subiect deriued , to sweeten the heauier part of his discourse : which should not be too long insisted on , for that w●…re trifling ; but shadowingly touched , ●…or that implyes ple●…ty of subiect , not flying to tr●…uiall relations , to make vp a greater volume , but for the delight of the iudiciously affected : misce●…do v●…ile dulci. but alasse , where this distinguishing of iudgement of histories requires great labour , it os●…imes ob●…aines as little fauour : the present age cannot admit of such discourses , they be too serious : so that whosoeuer should compile a volume of iudiciall extractions , or approued obseruances , should hardly haue as many readers , as persius coniectured for his labours : vel duo , v●…l nemo : o ill disposed times ! when iudgement goes a wool-gathering . 〈◊〉 had two which he especially respected aboue the rest of his nobles , and the one of them was a mecenas , a patron of learning , and a grace to the sacred influence of poesie : but where should we finde an atl●…s for pernassus in these daies , where noble ( yet degenerate spirits ) esteeme him that will be pandor to his punke , aboue him that will be patron to a poem : it seemes strange that in best experienc't times , where knowledge should be hightned , the foggy vapours of ignorance dispelled : nay , where these times haue respite from warlike alarums , and therefore may securely feede at mineruaes table , should be so delighted with superficiall shadowes , contemning the perfect essence and lustre of man , ( to wit ) how to know himselfe . here the miser digs ( and with the dormouse ) sleepes out his time in a fruitlesse scraping ; there the prodigall ( carelesse of times expence ) bastardizeth his fathers prouidence , leauing no more to himselfe , then that he could not take from himselfe , a poore graue : heere the ambitious man , displaying his pie-coulored flags of vanity ( in the elation of his spirit ) contemnes the inferiour ranke of men , euer aiming at an higher sphere then popular presse , till his aspiring produce his falling , and the honour which he purchast without merite , forsakes him not without shame : but which of these will take paines to see himselfe represented in exemplary histories ? if the picture of old menedemus were hung vp in the eye of the miser ( he would i doubt it not ) gaze with his foure eyes on the picture , but make little or no vse on the patterne : the ambitious man , if he saw the character of himselfe in that vast and indetermined minde of catyline , in that ambitiously insinuating spirit of sejan , i feare me he would rather make vse of the meanes of his rising then caution himselfe by his vntimely declining : the prodigall ( expressing his owne mirrour , by theotimus errour ) who preferred lust before his eyes , would ( m●…ch i feare it ) rath●…r da●…ken the eye of his soule , to satisfie the eye of his body , then moderate hi●… passions on earth , to reape the fruite of his moderation in heauen . o that these times would so distinguish of their abuses , as being discou●…red they may be censured ; for where abuses are concealed they seeme afresh to be renewed , and ( with authority ) confirmed , but being openly ript , they may be whipt and stript : first displayed to the eye of the world , then summoned before the throne of iustice. o let histories , as they be records of what were done , whether good or euill ; excite vs to be good , and deter vs from being euill : stories are replenished with examples of both sorts , for they be store-houses of precedent euents , and consequently so to be obserued and digested , as the iudicious reader may better dispose of his euen●…s . i haue noted in discourses of this kind , the obseruance of that generally iudicious gentlman , and the best aduancer of depressed learning , where he saith : some bookes are to be tasted , some to bee swallowed few to be chewed and dig●…sted . such as are to be tasted i comprehend , in s●…ories of modest accomplement , superficiall flourishes , garnishing our discourse modestly without vaine ostentation or brauery : such are to be swallowed , as those amorous , and fruitlesse labours of braine-sicke authours , freighted with continuall hyperboles , comely in nothing but loue , such are to be chewed and digested , as include discourse tending both to instruction and delight , &c , so then heere we may come to our iudiciall point , we see and reade histories , some onely to be tasted , others swallowed , some few chewed , as beasts were in the old law. histories being ruminated and chewed , yeeld a continuall profite , and the more meditated , the more beneficiall ; which seemed well approued ( and no lesse worthy our obseruance ) by his institution ▪ that wished ●…uery reader to take these three remembrances in his way to reade : libenter , dilligenter , and intelligenter ; the first yeeldes a present delight , because it includes a willingnesse ; the next a dilligent attention , implying a seriousnesse ; the last an vse of both , enfolding an vnderstandingnesse : these three attend a iudicious distinguishing of histories , iudgement in discerning what is best , and these to apprehend the best : these foure commixed resemble twinnes at two burthens , all directours one to another : for without iudgement we may chuse the worst as soone as best , taking our aime onely at delight , without recourse to profite , best agreeing with the outward sence ; here is a want in the election : without willingnesse , our reading breeds a loathing ; without dilligence , our discourse is fruitlesse ; and without vnderstanding , our minds be erring : and thus much for dijudicating of histories , an essentiall part of this booke : i haue but summarily set downe my opinion ( grounded on the collections of oth●…rs ) herein , that i might prosecute the former parts of my diuision in the methode of this history , contracting much into a little body . the methode which i propounded to my selfe in the beginning , was first to describe the scope of histories : secondly , the vse , fruite , and eff●…ct of histories in generall : and the third ●…xtracted from the second , was the parti●…ular profite which redounded either to a family in p●…iuate , or administration of states in publique by these histories : for the first , being the originall whence the two others are dra●…ned , i haue spoken sufficient : longer ( i confesse ) was i enforced to insist vpon them , then my volume ( which i prescribed my selfe ) would ●…dmit : but the many vses , subdiuisions , and grounds naturally arising from them , enenforced me to ●…rosecute the argum●…nt more fully : i entend now to handle the second part , to wit , the fruit & vse of history , the speciall'st motiue inducing reading . the greatest and mouingst argument of perswasion to the vndertaking of this or that , is the benefite we expect redounding from our enterprise : i will succinctly expresse the seuerally mouing effects of profite ( the worldly mans admant ) from history , naturally and essentially deriued : which being laid open , i hope the miser ( who as seneca noteth , is good to none , but worst to himselfe ) will be profitable both to himselfe and others : my exordium shall be drawne from him , because i take him to be one of the deuils chiefest factours , and more benefite should i yeeld my country in bringing in such a one , then in taking an arch-pirate : from him descending to euery vitious professour ( binding my selfe euer to my tackling ) the fruite of history in it selfe able to reclaime the deprauedst from their habituated enormities . the miser , that is indebted to both back and belly , so engaged to the world , as he must haue his houshold god of the world , euer harboured in his bosome , or made his pillow to sleep on , the key of his rust : he that neuer fed nature in all his daies with competency ; or durst recreate himselfe , for feare least his recreation should play cheater , and cosen him of his prouidence : being the moath of the vertuous , the harbour of the vitious : carrying a conscience more infectious then rats-bane euer about him , if euer he haue grace to cast his eye into an historicall discourse ( next to the sacred writ ) he shall find as soueragne antidotes for his malady , as in any place . i will anatomise the misers corruptions , and like an artificiall practitioner first open his wounds , and then infuse balme into them ; which vnction if it will not serue , i shall then apply more rough and sharpe plaisters . now maister miser , that is , meere wretched man , thou hast sufficient , and more then is competent for nature , yet thou art not satisfied : a very , very little will serue thee for thy vse , for thou neuer hadst the grace to know what an honest expence meant : thou cautalizest thy selfe , amidst of plenty , 〈◊〉 ; thou hast a good minde to be rich , but that 's impossi●…le : semper au●…rus ●…get ; there is a greedy ●…orme that is euer consuming and gnawing on thee : thou ●…rt at liberty , yet imprisoned , and in more intollerable seruitude , then the miserablest captiue vpon earth ; yet thy chaines are of gold , thou art a gorgeous prisoner , thou art subiected to more hazards then a merchant ven●…urer , to more rightly-oppressing , and sur-charching cares , then an emperour ; to more hourely distractions , ●…nd terrible apparitions , then a murtherer : thou wouldst sleepe if thou couldst , but thy disturbed thoughts depriue thee of that comfort : to be briefe , as thou art in image the best , so in disposition the worst of all creatures , being thine owne tymon , thine owne hangman ; that macerates thy selfe , and makes thy appetite euer insa●…iate . i will leade thee into a spatious field of histories , where thou shalt see thy immerited minde deblazoned in her colours , not a memorable instruction for liberality ( thy absolute opponent ) but shall be produced for thy vse : that seeing the eminence of thy aduersary , thou maist hate thy selfe , and be r●…conciled a●… last to thy foe . the liberall-hearted-man is as much maister to himselfe , a●… thou art thine owne slaue : he surpasseth thee in vse of his owne , and can direct himselfe by an equall proportion , limited euer to a generally approu●…d end : he hates to draw in the sailes of his bounty , in the presence of desert , and makes no more account of his owne , then to distribute to others wants a share of his fortunes , nor esteemes he that his owne , of which he hath not power , and in his power can freely giue : he verefies the verse ( approuing a liberall mind : quod nunquam dederit , non habuisse putat : he neuer was so farre engaged , or enthralled , to any earthy substance , as to make it chiefe-tane ouer his intellectuall part : he makes this his position , and scornes it should be controuled by any inferiour subiect : to giue , and to delight i●… giuing : and that day wherein , ( to the moity of his fortunes ) he hath not demonstrated the rare character of his bounty , he cries out with ti●…us , amici , perdidimus diem : this day hath bene an ab●…idgement of my generous intentions , a restraint to my extended mind●… ; i did n●…uer show my selfe , lesse to be my selfe , then in this daies exigent : this is he who measures vertue for his meere peace and contentment , and not according to successe ; he shows not his liberality for obseruance , but peculiar satisfaction , for he imagines no greater infelicity , then to be miserable ; his promises are euer relatiues with his performances : he scornes to dissemble with the world , he neuer annointed his tongue to enrich his fortunes , the perfect idiome and character of his natiue properties is already depictured : i will illustrate this mirrour of vertues with examplary mirrours , professours of this vertue : reade but the ancient romane annals you shall see many renowned for liberallity , and in syrac●…sa too , for her eminence and exquisite gouernment no lesse glorious : in rome a fabius maximus : who willlingly forgoes his patrimony , to preserue his countries reputation : se enim p●…trimonij , quam patriam fidei inopem esse malui●… . paula no lesse renowned , and in this more to be obserued , because a woman , whose sex implies a parsimony , releiuing the poore distressed romanes ( coupt vp in the walle●… of cann●… ) making her selfe poore , to adde power ( by her bounty ) to the afflicted . quintus considius ( of all most memorable ) an vsurer and bountifull , a blacke swan was neuer rarer : the pagan vsurer ( it seemes ) had a conscience , which our christian vsurer wants : for in that bloudy , and inhumane conspiracy of catyline , second to none , our moderne counterbuffe , our powder-treason , except●… : he remmi●…ed all his debtors , laying his bils and b●…nds vpon o●…e pile , making a bone-fire with them : where i make no question , but the vsurers conti●…uall customers , the poet archias , and his eccho the actor roscius had reason to sweare : quod nunquam ignem vidiss●…nt clariorem : that they neuer saw a cleere●… , or m●…re comfortable fire in all their dayes : it may be considiu●… did this , because he saw the disability of his debtors ( ●…or those ciuill commotions had much empou●…rished all estates ) and therefore in pollicy , once to exp●…sse hi●… bounty , thought it fittest to forgiue them that , which they were not able to giue . more worthy is the memory of quintiu●… flaminius , who in an isthmiam triumph , in the presence of his countries soe , the daring phillip of macedon , redeemed such as were phillips captiues at his owne charge : worthy our obseruation it is , willing to answere so publique solemnity , with an vniuersall-concording harmony , making such free spectators , that were before in seruitude . the modest prince hier●… of syracusa , who in meere compassion of the slaughter of the romanes , at the lake thrasimenus , sent to the afflicted remnant of that wofull army , three hundred thousand bushels of wheate , two hundred of barly , and two hundred and f●…urty pound weight of gold to releiue their wants , a●…d manifest his royall bounty . i may annex the memorable example of gillia of agrigentum , who was rich in mines , but much more rich in minde , alwaies rather inclined to distribute then scrape : so as his house ( and that not vndeseruedly ) was called officina munificentiae , a ware-house of bounty , erecting monuments for publick vse , that the ●…ies of the people mightbe delighted with so gratefull spectacles . here were prepared sumptuous feasts , yeelding and ministring food , & all other necessaries for the sustaining nature , to all way-faring men , bestowing dowers vpon maids , and reli●…fe to the poore , ministring plenty of comfort ( out of his royall exchequer ) to such as had sustained any detriment , or damage . to be briefe , he kept open hospitality , receiuing fiue hundred cel●…nsian gentlemen at one time , by occasion of tempest driuen vpon his coast , which he fed at his owne table ; and at their departure royally adorned them with sumptuous garments . to be short thou wouldst not ( saith our history ) haue taken him for any mortall , for he was too liberall , but the very bounties-bosome of propitious fortune . thou hast seene these examples of liberality , i will now vnrip thy owne casket , and see what worthy pictures thou hast lockt vp in it . i see many bagges of mould , but not one ragge of conscience : great chests ram'd vp with inexorable barres , crammed with auarice , famine , and oppression . lucifer is thy treasurer , and prouing a faithfull seruant : for he will not cheate thee for a world , lest he should loose his part of thee in the world to come . thou committest to him the keyes of thy conscience ; which opens and shuts vpon all occasions : he being one of thy family , how canst thou chuse but be prosperous ? yet bele●…ue me , ( thy end will be poore and miserable ) not one of those many angels thou possessest , like a good angell , will guard , or giue thee so much as the least taste of com●…ort . i come not to instruct thee , like a diuine , but to illustrate my assertions by historicall examples , which i haue here placed before thee , to deterre thee from their life , that thou mayest auoid their death . auarice , or ( which is extended ●…urther ) mysery ▪ was best exempli●…ied in hermon ; who to decciue his owne friends , and depriue them of that which he made his god , at his death , made himselfe his owne excecutor : this man would be loth to loose so pretious a friend , death must not part him and his riches . no question but his opi●…ion was , he might purchase himselfe a tabernacle of rest with his rust : and translated from the vale of earth , might erect himselfe a mansion of pure gold , for he carried the stuffe with him . i could here produce infinite other examples , which to auoid tediousnesse i omit , and returne to our discourse . history may yeeld no lesse profite to the prodigall , who makes himselfe the last of his name ; who no sooner ( yea oft-times sooner ) then he hath shut his fathers eyes , opens his fathers chest , and wipes away the remembrance of his fathers death , with the euidence & broad seale of hi●… fathers loue : he had need of some direction . there be many mazes for the yong man : i haue knowne many exposed to all delights , and ( as it were ) sold vnder the gage of prostitution , who by historicall obseruations haue not onely reclaimed their former error , but grew singular mirrors of purity . no question , if catyline , whose minde was euer subiected to illimited affections , had but perused the excellent relations of his noble predec●…sor , he had not beene onely able to extinguish that common and vniuersall combustion , which his aspiring s●…irit raised to consume his whole countrey ; but had beene memorable for his owne atchieu●…ments : for the best of roman historians ( that i may vse the words of the best commentor vpon crispius salustus ) saw thus m●…ch into his disposition , that so long as he retired himselfe from tho●…e factious and 〈◊〉 spirits , cethegus , leutuli●…s , with others of that hatefull consort , none shewd him-himselfe a more profitable member to the common-weale , or more ready to endanger himselfe for her 〈◊〉 ; imploying his time in s●…rious discourses ; which not onely moderated his affections ▪ but poised him to the equall ballance of a vertuous discourse : which afterwards per●…erted by the depraued suggestions of those ruffi●…s , reduced those faire beginnings to nothing , & him to a miserable death , & perpetual i●…famy . the very same effect we see in all other vices ( which wo●…ld be w●…ll extenuated ) if vitiou ▪ mi●…des would apply themselues to these , and the like discourses : we should haue our d●…unkards see into their owne shame , deblazoned by the epyrotes ; our epicures by the rauenous vit ellij , spending their fortunes in pampering their worst houshold seruant ; our carnall brothellists , by those impudent prostitutes in n●…roes time , who were neuer weary of their shame , till ●…heir publicke filthinesse ingendred a loathing in the professors themselues : looke to th●…se me●…s ends . oh how long might i prosecute this argument without want of copiou●… discourse ! here producing an helliogab●…lus , generally hated for his i●…satiate lust , and least pittied in that ebbe of his 〈◊〉 ( his miserable death ) when men vse most to be pittied , being attended at his funerals with milit●…ry reproaches : here goe wee to bury a dogge of distempered lusts : there a wanton messalina , r●…warded with a death beseeming her . here an aspiring sejanus , shaken with an vnexpected end , and made miserable in his best fort●…nes , interred with dry eyes : for who will pitty the fall of ambition ? there an herostratus ( memorable for nothing but villany ) purchasing by his fame , an infamous end . here a bloudy perillus , expert in the inuention of cruell proiects , punished with the torture of his owne inuention : there a fleering parasite , who circumvents himsel●…e with his owne policie . such exemplary motiues be frequent in histories , and able in themselues ( if duly pondered ) to e●…force nature from herselfe , and reduce man , prima●…ily addicted to this or that vice , to a consideration of his own estate , wisely fore-seeing his owne danger by others misery ; wisely cautioning the yong man to leuell his affections at an other scope , then the depraued intendments of the time wherein he liueth ; making difference betwixt sence and reason : the o●…e common to beasts with men : the other a disiunct propriety onely to man from beasts : for reason , the directresse of our vnderstanding , the limiter of our affectio●…s wit●…in honest bounds , the touch-stone to dijudicate what is good , from what is ill , the intellectuall notion of the soule , should be euer the conductor of our fancies ; which is best shewne , when ( antomedon-like ) we can delineate v●…rtue in no better shadow , then the tablet of our owne hearts ; expressing our selues the best by that , which makes our selues the best , to wit , in prosecuting v●…rtue with an earnestnesse , that in the end we may become maisters of our selues , gouernours of our affections , and right signiors ouer our in-disposed fancies . but to come more neere thee in this second part of my diuision , we must distinguish of the seuerall fruits and effects of history , directed to peculiar ends : as first , art thou a louer , and desirest to complement with thy beloued ? thou art in a dangerous way , and if thou wisely select not such histories , as may ( like soueraignes ) rather allay & moderate thy brain-sicke passion , then kindle the fire of thy sencelesse reason , be-lulled with nightly apparitiōs of thy beloued faire one , to what exorbitances shalt thou be made subiect ? but i know the nature of thy sicknesse : thou art like one who hath taken poyson ; and though drinke be mortall to him , yet he longeth out of all measure for it . there is no subiect so fitting thy humor , as amorous sonn●…ts , historicall relations , carolli●…g out the discontents of vns●…tisfied loue . leander swimming ouer hellespont , to crop a blossome alrea●…y cropped . achilles retiring discontented for the losse of his briseis , agamem●…on for his chryseis : these are subiects fit for thy loue-sicke fancie ; whereas opposites to loue , ( morall relations , instructing thee in a more equall & reasonable path ) wo●…ld better cure thy disease , and bring thee to an vnderstanding of thy selfe . absence ( we say ) from our mistresse , makes vs most forgetfull of her ; and lest we thinke of her when we discourse of arguments least concerning her ; whilest reading idle pamphlets , the very bane and canker of youth , and age too : for age is as subiect to dotage , as youth to fancy ; putting vs in minde of our former distracting passions , crying : nec m●… minor vrget a●…or : with hard-hearted mistresse , inconstant dame , fickle in affection , inconstant in thy resolution , shedding as many teares as would drowne our mistresse , if she were not so light , as she is able to beare herselfe aboue water . alasse poore louer ! and whereto so many fruitlesse wishes , so discomfortabl●… laments , so discordant ecco's of redoubled sighes , aye me vnhappy ? thou knowest not how these reasonlesse perturbations make thee more lothed then loued , more intranced then fancied ; and more beleagred with passions a-new , then to salue those passions wherewith thou wast tormented of old . reade the continent life of zenocrates , dedicated wholly to chastity ; not a lais ( though neuer so motiue ) can induce him to gage his reputation to a harlot . reade me the noble disposition of scipio affrican , who scorn'd to make himselfe a slaue to his fancie , the royall minde of that potent alexander , who would not captiue ●…is affection to his captiue : the vndestained resolution of the matron antonia , wife to drusus ; that chaste tragedian sophocles , who being demanded , whether he euer applied his minde to sensuall affections , replied ; dij meliora : heauen forefend a strumpet should put on a tragicke buskin . these continent relations will reduce thy stragling motions to a more setled and retired harbour . but yet i must proceed further ; art thou ambitious , and hast both wings and will to flye ? thou art soaring with icarus , and thy waxen wings ( no question ) must be dissolued with icarus : he gaue a sea a name : but thou hast a sea in thine owne braine , tho●… art floting , and ( camelion-like ) feedest vpon the air●… of thy own●… fancy : thou art now for building a second pyr●…mides in the aire ; and no doubt but thou wouldst p●…rfect thy intentions , if death preuent thee not . thou 〈◊〉 a vaine foole , thou seest many daily decli●…ing meri●…s vnd●…seruing , raised to height aboue themselues : not a senator , or sage purple father , but subiected to an vndese●…uing censure : and what is the cause ? why , honour procureth censure ; and yet thou art well , serued w●…ll , safely retired , not enuied , nor maligned by ●…he opposites of greatn●…sse ; and yet thou desirest ( like another phoe●…s ) to shine in the eye of the court , to shew thine owne admiration by a vaine flourish , commenting on thine owne per●…ections , which need some exposition ▪ ●…or they cannot demonstrate themselues . alas●…e , how strangely art thou transported aboue thy selfe ! not apprehending how the meanes of rising oft-times procure an vnexpected fall . consider thy owne vnb●…idled desires , and seeke to repr●…sse them , i pray thee do ; and take this obseruance with thee : neue●… looke into , either moderne histories , or an●…ient , for the proiect●… , how they grounded the foundation of their plots ; but aime at the end and euent of their designes , what issue they had : there thou shal●… see a caesar reign●… long , and attaine the very height of his hopes ; yet his continuance ●…bridged , and his new-established monarchy ( in himselfe ) qui●…e ruinate in a stab . here a sejanus ( who was 〈◊〉 ) a great hunter after cruelty , become the last of his aspi●…ing desires , and the sponge ( ●…s taci●…us obserueth ) who being squised , only en●…iched his emperours fortunes , and made himselfe miserable by his owne fall : for ambitious men , who leap to greatnesse , for the most part , hop without heads , and too late repent their madnesse . to run 〈◊〉 euery vice pa●…ticularly , would require a 〈◊〉 ampler of themselues , then i haue allot●…d my 〈◊〉 . proceed i must to my third branch , the particular profit●… which redounds to euery priuate stat●… or family , from discourses of this nature . i know that the naturall deprauation of man is such , as that he fixeth his minde vpon that , which ( for the most part ) conferres least profite , and most delight : this is liuely exemplified euen in historicall discourses ; where we shall see men ( for the most part ) rather addicted to fabulous trauels , the suruey of str●…nge and neuer-heard of ilands , prodigious sights , monsters , chymera's , and meere imaginary fancies , then to such narrations as might minister instruction ●…nd benefite to euery particular reader . some we see delighted with the strange and incredible miracles of mandeuill : others with the victorious combats of our beuis of south-hampton : others , more conuersant with the tragicke histories of our time ( prodigies in part meerely inuented . ) and last of all ( which in my iudgement is worst of all ) others with the phantasticke writings of some supposed knights , ( don quixotte transformed into a knight with the golden pestle ) with many other fruitlesse inuentions , moulded onely for delight without profite . these histories i altogether exclude my oeconomy , or priuate family ; i haue culd out more beneficiall discourses for youth ●…o employ themselues withall ; producing a subiect from the pure cabbin of truth : not from the brain●… of euery quackesaluer , that runs out his inuentions by selling lyes at grosse-sale . to expresse our latine authors i need not , so much is our countrey be●…ited by translators , as the neat-heard in this houell may discourse as well of corneliu●… tacitus ( if he ●…now his mothers tongue ) as our best latinist . in my opinion no argument better for instruction then that authour : and if i should dwell vpon one , i had rath●…r insist vpon his phrases ( though seemingly perplexed ) then any other roman authour , how perspicuous soeuer . tranquillus writes true , but he vnrips the immodesties of the time with too long discourse vpon euery particular vice . nothing ( saith quintillian ) can be esteemed more perfect , then the elegancy and breuity of salusts speech ( presertim apud vacuas & eruditas aures ) and i assent to his opinion ; the singularity of his phrase was ( which may seeme strange ) without affectation : so aulius gellius ( a very aristarchus for the search of antiquities ) testifieth of him . neither was ●…abius afraid to entitle him , the chiefe of the roman historians , as thucydides the prince of the grecians . yet in these histories there is an exactnesse of vnderstanding required ; and more do their writings conduce to state-affaires , then priuate and domesticke employment . i will retire my selfe to such as may yeeld the reader no little profit by consideration had to the iudgments of god ; modestly mixing morall instructions with a sweet variety of diuine discourse : a matter which may seeme directly opposite to my first intention , but is not so ; for these histories which i meane to produce , are so grounded vpon infallible truths , as in that respect they may seeme to merite a morally diuine title . iosephus works i esp●…cially entertaine into my family , as best describers of the iudgments of god , expressers , to the life , of an obdurate and stiffe-necked generation . here to behold the incomparable beauty of that glorious temple ( the type of the coelestial temple ) founded by that wisest of men , & that peace of princes , salomon , defaced , and that citty which was once called , the citty of the great king , demolished , and laid leuell with the ground . then to direct our eye to the wonderfull iudgments of god in raising ciuil discords , and mutinies amongst the iewes themselues , the greatest means of their subuersion , the main predictiōs of their ruine and vtter destruction , before these warres came vpon them , yet their impieties not a whit lessened , their arme of sinne shortned , or remorse of conscience excited : no refuge to the religious , but defence to the wicked in euery place of the cit●…y ministred : then surueigh the pollution of that sacred temple , where altars were once erected , peace-offering sacrificed , and the prayers of the holy consecrated to god ; there nought but effussion of bloud , slaughters among themselues ( an occurrent remarkeable ) committing no lesse massacres vpon themselues , in the ceasing of warre , th●…n the romanes did in the heate of warre : being wholly exposed to tyrannicall factions in the citry ; to expose themselues to romane seruitude more easily . these examples of gods iustice , are worthy our obseruation , to admonish vs of our p●…culiar duties , carefull how we offend , serious in the administration of iustice : for how should we think he will spare the wilde vine , that hath thus dealt with his owne naturall vine ? when he hath delt thus with the greene tree , what will he do with the dry tree ? that vine was planted with his owne hand , watered with the dew of his especiallest fauours srom heauen , dressed and pruned , yet behold the wilde boare hath rooted it vp : et seges est vbi troia fuit : the truth of that history is so vndoubted , as besides his owne concordance in relating , there is none that euer made question of the truth and verity thereof , composing what he wrote , not by report of others , who speake ( for most part ) as they are affect●…d , but by the approbation of his owne eyes , the best outward directresses to inward knowledge . to this noble historian ( for he was nobly discended ) i may adde those excellent greeke writers , worthy and memorable : as nicephorus , evagoras , socrates , &c. for their diuine examples plentifull , the successe of the christians amidst the tirannies of the cruellest emperours wonderfull : the diuerse sorts of 〈◊〉 by those tyrant●… inuen●…ed , pittifull ; and ●…he dismall and terrible end of those bloud ▪ suckers , fearefull . heere thou shalt see an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aboue himselfe , with the acclamation of his people : not the voyce of man , but of god : a●…d presen●…ly behold ●…is pompe conuerted into loathsomnesse , his precedent ioy , to a subsequent pensiuenesse , and the ●…xcellency of admiration to a suddaine amazednesse ; he that seemed before a god , and no man , is now by god made the miserablest of man , forlorne and deiected : nay , if we would obserue the whole current of their histories , we shall see in them that god euer vsed to recompence the offendour with a punishment of the l●…e nature : nic●…phorus reports , how herodias daughter hauing begged the head of iohn baptist , chanced on a time to go ouer a maine riuer , frozen ouer with ice , where the ice presently parting receiued her , and meeting againe cut off her head , a true and euident testimony of gods iudgement . the like of that blasphemous wretch iulian , a foule mouth'd detractor from the glory of god : who on a time mocked a christian for talking reuerently of the bowels of chists co●…passions : but what end came of this miserable atheist : his bowels fell out of his belly being thrust through with a iaueling , confessiing the power of god with a regreate , saying : vicisti ô galilee , &c. yet vouchsasing to bestow no better name on him , then galilean , a fearefull end of a most prophane blasphemer . the like of dioclesian that cruell emperour ( and a great persecutor of the christians ) who , whilst he raigned seemed little or nothing to feare the diuine power of heauen , yet the history records , that feare was the greatest occasion of his death , no , that he died by a voluntarry feare , very iealous of the aire , least it should peirce his braine . these examples extracted from infallible grounds , may seeme the iudicious vnderstanding of the grauest , and fittest for priuate families , where order is best attained by examples : we vfe most to be moued , when we see the end of such a man , to caution vs ; who hauing led his life securely , concludes the period of his daies as miserably : and some haue i knowne euen of the discreetest and most vertuous parents , who to deter their children from drunkennesse , vsed ( like as the epirotes did with their children ) to hang the picture of a hog wallowing in a filthy pudle , with this inscription on it : nunc ebrius astet — neque suem sumpsisse suam formam : drunkard , if ●…hou wouldst see this forme of thine , come heere and see 't depictured in a swine . the lasciuious and sensuall worldling , deciphered with this character : myrha hanging in a chaine of gold about her father cyneras bed , with this impressa . hinc amor vt tenuit suspendet . the miserable wretch that makes his gold his god , best expressed by menedemus , with his spade , deluing and digging for life , with this mo●…r : sic mihi diuitijas famulique parti . trewest deciphering os all vices , proceeding from the exemplary 〈◊〉 of delinquents , committing what they like , and at last feeling what they like not : the best gouernment in priuate , proceeds from histories , and the serious reading thereof : the vertuous ma●…ron squaring her course , by that modestest of roman●… dames lucretia , making her ( colum her thorum ) her distaffe , her best companion in her bed , when her husband was absent : no vitious minde can depraue her , she is fighting at home with her owne passions , whilst colatine her husband , fights in the field against his countries enemy : but you shall see lentulus and aruns , their ●…iues rioting , and reuelling , in their husbands absence . if our historians , now a daies , would employ their lampes and oile in the deliuery of profitable history , such as might rather tend to the cherishing of the vnripned blossomes of vertue , then the nipping of them : how happy members were they , yea : that i may vse salusts words , though they retired themselues from publicke affaires , yet ; maius commodum ex eo ●…tio , quam ex ali●…rum n●…gotijs reipub : venturum : yet such haue beene the depraued humours of former times , that the best obseruors and relators , haue purchased little , saue enuy , for their labours : no , the very chiefest historians haue opposed themselues one against another . titus liuius was so violent against poore salust ( as seneca obserueth ) as he obiected that certaine things , transcribed by salust out of thucydides , though elegantly applyed , yet by him depraued and corrupted ; which aurelius fuscus also , noteth to be done , as it were , of set purpose by salust , to derogate from the excellency of thucydides writings : a meere detraction to such a worthy authour : but what workes meriting emulation , haue not euer had enuy for their attendants . i conc●…iue the reason to proceed from that of hesiod , who inferreth in professions , none to be more apt to en●…y one another , then such as be of one trade : figulus figulum odit : true , for where either singularity is required , or hope of gaine , there enuy is euer shooting her impoisoned arrowes : and ( for the most pa●…t ) ●…nuy raigneth there most , where our labours deserue most : the low mushrome is seldome touch●…d by the violence of any tempest , but the peering cedar is euer exposed to all vehemencies . for the particular vse of histories , and their f●…uite , i haue gathered these obseruances , extracted from a iudicious writer : expert he was in all histo●…icall rela●…ions , as his apt similitudes more fully demonstrate : what they are i haue heere set downe , and as contractedly ( as i could imagine ) for the benefite of cuery vnderstanding reader . if history comprehend in it any ceertaine documents for the instruction of mans life , i suppose it expedient for all men ; as well to select and make vse of it , as to rush violently into such most plentifull and fruitfull fields of history , where all exemplary grounds are in ample sort propounded . for what can be more pleasant , or more profitable , then in the theatre of mans life ; so , to be made wary and wise by other mens harmes ( and that without harme ) as to sit in safety , and yet to be instructed in all parts without ieopardy : chusing out examples of all kind , which thou maist apply vnto thy owne peculiar vse , vpon all occasions : and whereas history , is conuersant oftimes in the secretest counsels , importing the weightiest affaires of the greatest persons : we that are men do with greatest appetite couet them , as likewise to be interressed in their euents , because it is impossible ( through the shortnesse of mans life ) otherwise to abridge the successions of times , by the limit of our forgetfull memory : or to see the prosperous fortunes , successes , and ends of empires , or manifestly to conceiue the causes of euils , either priuate or publique ; or in euery hard and difficult assay , to haue a president before our eyes , of such things as were t●…yed before vs , or which were in hazard before they were attempted by vs : and that i may speake all in one word ; to iudge of things present , by things past , which is the property of a wise man , and discreetely to fore-see of what is to come by all succeeding euents . but it becommeth vs , to come so much the better furnished , by how much our history is with all fruits better fraught a●…d replenished : and whereas there is the very same difficulty in iudging rightly , as well of our owne , as anothers life ; there is none that can duely ( how piercing-ei'd soeuer ) iudge of anothers life , that hath not measured his owne : of both sides it is to be implyed , that not onely a maine difficulty is heere placed , but also before we be to this history addressed , it is required necessarily , that we be not onely endued with a certaine ciuill wisdome and moderation , but also to haue our liues grounded on a setled inten●…ion vnle●…se we will be miserably , and that perpetually , deluded with the vaine illusions of this life . for euen as it fares in a most sumptuous and royall banquet , replenished with all sorts of dainties , one thing seemes delightfull to one which is distastfull to another , sew things are liked of all , euery one being best pleas●…d with his owne , though all dishes be alike to the glutton : and as euery one's appetite is , so is he affected ; yet there is a meane ( which nature hath ordain●…d ) and a certaine kind of nourishment , which in it selfe is meerely simple and vncorrupted , and best agreeing with our bodies : from which , whosoeu●…r departeth so , as he crammeth himselfe aboue the bounds or determination of nature , will finde more in conueniency then profite in it : so in this diuersity of mans life , though the●…e be a thousand formes , and a thousand purposes , and as euery one is resolued in minde and iudgement , so he iudgeth of his owne and anothers life : yet there is one onely path of vertue , which whosoeuer keepeth and obs●…rueth wisely , he onely maketh vse of his life really . others , as in a doubtfull supper , when they inuite themselues to all pleasures , can neither find out in themselues or others what might deserue imitation , or whereto they might make recourse : but if there be any thing giuen to man by nature , which is in his power to vse well or ill , it behoueth him to vse great circumspection in the vse thereof : but what is he i pray thee , that will vse more exact consideration in all his words and works ( by the direct line of vertue ) then in the vse of such meates as are set before him ? and who thinks not himselfe sufficiently instructed herein ? in which how wonderfully are men deceiued ? supposing that discourse to be history , which teacheth the reader , ministring to him matter of learning ( yet so ) as a banquet ministreth vse and appetite to euery one as he is affected . this is the reason that we see some so delighted with the sweetnesse of reading , as obeying their owne pleasure , they loose the inestimable fruits thereof . such haue no other scope in all histories , then with which our generous musitions , vs●… to passe time away , vpon their instruments , employed in reading onely , to spend their weary houres , which be presently encountred with more wearisomenesse : for there is no pleasure in it , which hath no reference to uert●…e , the glitt●…ring obiect of glory and ambition exciteth others , and that which showes a flexibility of minde in all other things , vainely transports them to euery braue and eminent image , forgetfull how glorious and remarkeable examples are produced by writers ; not onely to follow vertue , and contemne honour offered vs ; but if a competitor were admitted vs to countermaund the authority of our honour , to endure him with patience ; yet , though none but fooles will purpose to aspire to such merited excellence , without the like meriting vertue : we see many men , by the very reading of excellent things , to taste in themselues a certaine kind of excellency , arrogating much to themselues , and resembling those tragedians , who imitate the state of such persons they represented , after they haue put off their habits . there be also ( but of these there be but a few ) ●…hom new , and vnacustomed things do delight ( men ●…f vulgar apprehension ) who hearing the state of emperors , for the most part , more esteeme the purple then the man , the picture the●… the work : so effectuall a force , doth history exercise , and imprint in the minde of the reader . now it is the scope , and draught of all histories to excite mans sloth , and to arme him against all dangers ; a●…d whereas the force of examples ( then which nothing can be imagined more powerfull to perswade ) tend especially to that end ; it commeth to passe that by the security of men ( who thinke other mens harmes little or nothing to concerne them ) such things ( as in themselues are memorable and worthy obseruatio●… ) be read and heard with a deafe and carelesse ●…are . to briefe , there be some also ( which on●… would hardly thinke ) offend in a more seuere , and critticke kind of reading : as if things should not be writ as they were done , but as they ought to haue beene done . where●…ore , partly by this curio●…ity , partly by that secu●…ity ( the very surfet of confused and rash reading ) it commeth to passe ( as in a body pestred with corrupt humors ) that a certaine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or ill disposion of iudgement and opinion , which ought especially to be sound and sincere in the course of our life , and a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or bad temperature , conuerting all food into ill humours , vseth to be contracted in vs : and as meate auaileth such as be distempered nothing , so no prosite at all by these meanes is ministred to our reading . i suppose thou s●… est how the very same reason is in reading history , & disposing the course of thy life : but this is certainly the greatest difficulty ( to wit ) the per●…ersenes of our iudgmēt , which is the speciali'st cause ; that we are not moued with examples as we ought , ●…ut what way as our minds is inclined and affected most : and this difficulty is no lesse then the other : forasmuch as writers so desc●…ibe things done , as they do not onely ●…arry fauo●…r , but follow their owne appetites ( like some builders ) euer interposing their owne peculiar iudgements , ( of their owne accord ) praising some things , ( though not praise-worthy ; ) and whatsoeuer liketh them , they imagine it worthy approbation : which ( surely ) if they did simply , it were easie to consent or dissent vnto them . but euen as cookes ( for the most part ) do more respect their maisters palate then his profite : euen so an historian ( i could wish the most did not so ) applies himselfe to the appetite of the reader . we are oft-times therfore deluded by these two meanes , our owne iudgement , and the preiudice of the author , not laying things open and naked , as they were done . an historian is the best interpreter of acts atchieued ; whose iudgement , i●… it chance to be corrupt , it commeth to passe , as when wine ( of it selfe neat and generous ) taketh either some wa●…t of the caske , or is corupted by some other distast , which either proceeds frō an imposture , or folly great & intollerable . we may see in one onely example , the iudgement of the writer : the prophane historian ascribeth the ●…uents of serious and weighty affaires , to the councell and industry of men ; al-be-it he hath sufficiently tried how fowly those men were deceiued in the euents . hence it is that men be drawne to great ●…olly ; that they , whose knowledge was scarce sufficient for the consideration of things subiected before their eyes ; and whose force and strength not much 〈◊〉 little worm●…s , should by one small successe arrogate the gouernment of the whole world vnto them . but a good historian teacheth thus : things ( saith he ) are purposed by man , but 〈◊〉 , and moderated by god ; whereby he riddeth the scrupulous reader both of folly and superstition ( a mischi●…fe no less●… then the other : ) and in all other pro●… good historians ( whose studies are onely consecrated to holinesse ) ought not to be ignorant of the agent and instrument wherein they differ , and what be their seuerall effects : the one mouing , and the other moued . but especially i admonish thee to this end ; that whereas i obserue many authors of that kinde , who for their exceeding force of innumerable examples , deserue to be read ; i could wish that the no●…ice-reader discusse with himselfe as circumspectly and seriously as he can by proposing to himselfe both the fruits which might redound , & the dangers which might occurre him in his reading : for to one that runnneth ouer all histories cursorily , or who rashly and vnaduisedly spends his time without any exact obseruance , of priuate or publicke duties , it commeth to passe as to countrey clownes , who in sacking of a neighbour citty , take spoile of some apothecaries shop well furnished with all receits ; where , prouoked with the sweetnesse of some iunkets or spices , being the first that came to their hands , and imagining the rest to be of the same sort , they swallow , sup vp , deuoure , and gormandize all before them ; whereby presently some are taken with a strange disease , others with a phrensie , most are bereft of life ; none but strangely distempered , which occasions laughter through all the army : for as mans life ( so history the image of mans life ) hath her commodities and discommodities : for the gouernment of mans life consisteth onely in the vse of his life . in these collections , as in a most cleare mirror , may our yong ga●…lant see into his errors : he shall be of necessity forced to distaste himselfe , till he haue relinquished his mid-night reuels , surceased from his licentious meetings , and reduced his disconsorting passions vnto a calme & retired harbour ; here the publicke magistrate shall be able to dispose of himselfe , and office deputed vnto him ; seeing matters worthy imitation , and precepts worthy the grauest and ripest consideration : one to instruct , others to correct , and all to make per●…ct this whole module of man. the philosophers axiome is : om●…e quod non ens est , malum est . and worse then no being , ( hau●… they ) who measure out their liues without a due proportion drawne from others , and applied to themselues instruction is the light of being , the directresse of liuing , and the best schoole-mistresse that disciplines vs dying : states publicke are managed by her , offices priuate admistred by her , and the wisest men haue desired to possesse her . no beauty more permanent , gemme more eminent , or treasure more excellent ; it beautifies it selfe , and no phydias could euer portray any picture so well as i●… portrayes it selfe . and what instruction better then that which comes from history , where the true image of our life is delineated , vertue in her best colours expressed , and vice ( without either shadow or pretence ) laid open and naked . the prodigall reades , and sees himselfe r●…presented in another person , he sees the miserable end of others , which ( vnlesse he will fall with open eyes ) must needs caution himselfe : he sees haire-brain'd courses , leaue both patrimony and reputation behinde them : penelopes woers , euer woing , neuer winning . the miserable wretch , that pincheth himselfe to enrich his vnthankfull posterity , may see the fruit of gathering perdi●…ion to himselfe , and oft-times occasion of ruine and speedy desolation to his surfeitting heire . here the braue souldier seeth his owne fame ; acts duly and fully expressed : not a famous exploite ( deseruing memory ) must be silenced , but the very name of the agent , ( ●…o excite others the more ) must be r●…corded . here the effeminate milke-sop , that fights best vnder his ladies flagge , first man that will come to a lasciuious banket , but last that will come to a pitched field : he ( i say ) must shew himselfe , though smally to his credite : yea , alcybiades ( though otherwise well deseruing of his countrey ) must be set out in his ignominious death , as well as his memorable life ; giuing vp the ghost in the lappe of his concubine tymandra . absolute histories will not admit of the least concealement ; but representing euery act , person , and euent , vse to illustrate what is worth insisting vpon , omitting ( or at least cursorily passing ouer ) more fruitlesse subiects : and how delightfull may it seeme to euery iuditious man , when in reading of ancient records , he conferres the stratagems of warre then vsed , with the present obseruance of this time : sees ( and seeing ) notes the sundry dispositions of men , how noble in themselues , and how generally esteemed inuincible , by a sudden conuersion laid low , beneath the stirrop of fortune , and made a spectacle of fate . then to obserue states , better gouerned in their decline then in their height ; and farre more able in power , when in the eye of the world least powerfull . the romans , when they had attained the very height of felicity , that all gouernements were their tributaries , then they began to stoope most vnder their burden ; and pressed with their owne grandeure , seemed to imitate the phoenix , who weary of her selfe , desired to haue her ashes renewed , but her selfe extinguished . what ambitious tyrants proud of their owne strength , and secure of diuine power , are laid flat in the height of their expectancies : so as where they pla●…ted the foundation of their hopes , there they were most defeated , to expresse the prouidence , & all-working maiesty of god , who disposeth of all gouernments , pulling down the tyrannicall empires , and setting wise and discreet princes in their place ; and no motiue ( of prophane writings ) more effectuall then histories , to draw vs to a consideration of ou●… selues , and the maiesty of god , whose excellencie beautifies this vniuerse , teaching vs to admire , and ( in our admiration ) to tremble and feare , having recourse to the incomprehensible iudgements , and secret counsels of the almighty . euery priuate family may draine hence vnspeakeable profit , obseruing the diuers casualties , and mutabilities subiect to euery one that is interessed especially in matters of state ; preferring their owne priuate , and free life , before popular admiration , so intangled with continuall incertainties . here may the poore husband-man , at his leasure , receiue tidings from forraigne courts : here may he learne what difference there is betwixt the coulter and the scepter , the share and the shield . here may the marchants wife , pitty her poore husband , tossed with so many aduerse windes , inuironed with so sundry dangers , and exposed to so miserable aduentures , she cannot chuse but play true at home , that hath a husband so faithfull abroad , who endangers himselfe to make her secure : why should any come into his hazard , that like a tenis-ball casts himselfe into euery hazard . here the wife of the valiant souldier may see what difficulties her distressed husband is exposed vnto , heat , cold , watching , hunger , thirst , al inconueniences , to propagate the glory of his country , & purchase himself a name eternally memorable . his poore family hath reason to poure out their prayers for his deliuerance , and thankfully ascribe all glory to the power of heauen for his safe returne . to be briefe , what particular estate not engaged to relations of this nature ? the mariner seeth his dangers ; & seeing them , obserueth the influence of the starres , and planets , the orion and the pleiades ; yet in all these obseruances , he gathers there is a power aboue , whom the sea and windes obey : to him therefore , as ( the expertest pilote ) he flies for succour , finding no harbour more secure , no repose more safe . the souldier sees into the discipline of armes ; and ( by history ) apprehends how a small handful of men haue oft-times conquered an army , to the iudgement of man inuincible : he sees into it , and admires the wonderfull power of god , who worketh oft-times directly against all meanes , to teach vs thus much : that his power is not limited to meanes ; but can effect ( without the least instruments ) what in his sacred synode he hath ordained . here the marchant seeth into the riches of the whole earth , how it pleaseth god to subiect all things to the seruice of man , to the end man might onely reserue himselfe for the seruice of god : he obserues the exceeding fauours of heauen shewne vpon earth , and he collects hence , that those ioyes , those comforts & exceeding treasures which he keepeth for the elect in heauen , must needs be great aboue all comparison . si ●…anta solatia in die lachrymarum , quanta conferet in die nuptiarum ? these considerations must of necessity moue him to play the good merchant , who finding one gem of price , will sell all and b●…y it . euery priuate houshold is a little kingdome within it selfe , and needs instructions ( though not soe consequently serious ) as the greatest palace , and royallest empire : order must be obserued in the one , as well as in the other , a principality in both , and a subiection to both . what fitter for the housholder to traine his children , seruants , and attendants in ( next diuine writ ) then the reading of profit●…ble sto●…ies , such as excite to vertue , and stirre vp their mindes to the vndertaking of some thing worthy a resolued spirit . i know the base minded groome hearing the prosperous successe of lucius quintius , who was chosen one of the patricij from his plow stilt , and afterwards by his valour and magnanimity , reserueth the name to this day , of triumphalis agricola : a poore husband-man sitting in his chaire of triumph , will desire by all meanes to imitate so notable a president ; scorning to rip vp the bosome of the earth , when he may purchase himselfe more fame by the deblazing his honour vpon earth . the home-spun sheepheard hearing the renowned acts of romul●… , fed and brought vp among sheepheards : and of cyrus , who bare himselfe a prince among sheepheards , will cast away sk●…ippe and sheepe-crooke , and behaue himselfe a worthy successor in their profession . the gardiner hath an emperour of his profession to imitate , and an honest one too , as his name implies , to wit , probus . the wood-man , or forrester , a pompilius . the diuiner , a zoroastres , and the philosopher , an anto●…ius . but many haue we , that we may better imitate then princes : as their state was eminent , so were their natures depraued . wee shall read that many of them were as good law-breakers , as law-makers ; and the greatest vices appeared least , ( though most approued ) in greatest men . they had euer vertuous pretences to shadow vice : sin became clothed in tissue . we shall see impunity of offence to be a great supportresse of them , presuming still on the kings mercy , & squaring their course to his discipline : for subiects loue to imitate their prince , either in vice or vertue : but more are there inclined to the worst thē the best , making this conclusiō , through long & inueterate custom of sin : which medea with that cunning & quaint discourse seemed to compasse , with this subtile preparation , laying this grand-hold of proceeding : fructus est scelerum tibi nullum sceleris putare : a position of machiauel : wherein euery iudicious reader may gather the admirable and inscrutable wisedome of god , frustrating their deuices , anhilating their purposes , neuer bringing their designes to effect : yea , which is more worthy our obseruation , making there the most fooles , where they thought themselues to be most wise : for their pollicies either in gouerning , or establishing empires , how farre short haue their purposes euer come to effects . examples i could produce many of this nature , as well diuine as morall . how safe thought cyrus himselfe established in his new translated monarchy , when behold his security ends as miserably , as his beginnings had a flourish of seeming happinesse : vnfortunate he was to be depriued of his hoped-for greatnesse , by a sex so weakely effeminate : soucing that head ( which was head to a powerfull gouernement ) in a tunnell of bloud , with this bitter inuection : satia te sanguine quem diu sitij●…ti , cuiusque insatiabilis semp●…r fuisti . the like of his successour cambyses , who hoping to plant himselfe in a royall throne by bloud , miserably ended his owne life by his owne bloud . an excellent and notable example of a sacrilegious and bloudthirsty-prince , who sought to establish himselfe by indirect meanes , ( to wit ) by the murther of his owne naturall brother mergis . i insist lo●…ger vpon examples because i haue oft-times found that sentence of demosthenes to bee most true : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . these examples being best motiues vnto piety , and indeed more forcible , in that we haue two occasions in exemplary precedents of imitation ; the one to caution vs not to do this or that , least we fall into the like punishment , being attended on by the like meanes : the other ( like a sweete lenitiue ) inducing vs by reasons drawne from profit , which we conceiue may redound any way by the like examples , which the poet seemes to illustrate when he saith : exemplo alterius qui sapit ille sapit . the greatest benefite in priuate , i imagine to be drawne likewise , from the right and exact vse of history : which particular good i haue ranked in the second place , and that is this : in priuate to behold the sundry dispositio●…s of princes and people : reasons whereof cannot be giuen , but onely from the temperature of the region wherein they liue : which reasons drawne from coniecturall grounds are oftimes deceiued in themse●…ues ; as in disposing or ordering of states to the square of wisedome . this benefite i haue gathered , and placed in the rereward : last obseruances ( i know ) take greatest impression , and none more needfull then this : when we shall haue commerce with any people , then to call to mind their disposition , least we incurre a greater mischiefe through our ignorance . strangely iealous are some nations , they haue actaeons eyes , perchance his eares : we must shew our selues modestly bashfull toward such ; euery lasciuious looke is as good as a comment for such men , taking our eye to be the directresse of our heart : others more prodigall of their wiues reputation , seeme respectlesse of their shame , or the hostage of honour , so they may encrease their estate , and raise their fortunes out of honours ruines . other people we know to be of a surly , proud , and intractable nature , liuing more by their owne will ( making it their law ) then the square of reason . others seemingly humble , more dangerous farre then the other ; vnder pretences religiously honest , masking treacherous and disloyall proiects : neuer lesse your friend , then when seeming most so : he hath a fleering looke , smooth face , sleeke tongue ; can obserue times , and for priuate aduantage ( like a second sinon ) vnbosome himselfe vnto you : there be no windowes in his heart , therefore beleeue him not ; if by the transparancy of thy eye thou couldst see into that rotten sepulchre of his sugred-poisoned hea●…t , thou wouldst admite so faire and beautifull an out-side , to haue so loathsome & hideous an inside : better charactred thou canst not haue him then by history , it is the best image of thy life , and can best set out in their owne natiue colours such deformed images . thy whole life wrap●… vp in experiments either at home or abroad , cannot tea●…h thee so much , as one yeares serious discourse in history will teach thee in one yeare . lvcid . scriptis aspiret meis , qui fa●…et voti●… ▪ finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a16676-e500 a three-fold diuision . 1. scope of histories . 2. fruit of histories . 3. the profite redounding to 〈◊〉 families by histories . office of an●… historian . 〈◊〉 of transcriptories . seuerall fruits of history . profite of history . vsc of 〈◊〉 and example . imitation in vertue . . what s●…ile best seru●… an history . diuersity of affections . how studious the romanes were of histo●…ies . diuision of histories , diuine , discu●…siue , morall , physicke , or mixt . in noct. & di●… . not to mix●… sacred with prophane . vid. lypsium in prescript : in lib. de const . corrupters of scripture . discu●…siue histories . diuision of disc●…rsiue histories . faithfull historians . 〈◊〉 historian , and the sycophant historian . hiero & l●…rna . a mod●…st caution for all historians . the commendation of a sincere historian . fruitlesse labours . l●…centious 〈◊〉 . the satyricall historian . 〈◊〉 this hu●…or in the seditious and fact●…ous write●…s of our time . a true aphorisme . a memorable christian , and royall expedition . a mischicuous plot . factious historians amongst the ancient . an excellent meane for an historian to 〈◊〉 . lib. 1. satyr●… . a flattering historian . vicisses , si te vicisse , cognouisses . mouing historians . how to moue passion , and by what circumstances . liuely impressions of remorce drawne from the son towards the father . comparing of histories ve●…y necessary . a differenc●… amongst the pagans in their computation of yea●…es . vid. aul. gell. & laert. transcriptions oft-times vncertaine & defectiue . the variety of discourse in laertius . feigned relations or poeticall histories . homer an excellent & heroicke poet ; shadowed onely at , because my iudicious friend maister tho : heywood , hath taken in hand ( by his great industry ) to make a generall ( though summary ) description of all the poets liues . labours disparraged by translators . many illiterat of the exactest iudgement . hercul●…s labours . 〈◊〉 . in iliad . 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . feigned histo●…ies approued tending to instruction . such histories onely merite that name , which yeeld profite with delight . morall 〈◊〉 . the praise of morall hist. a caution for your silken gallant . platoes definition . the fruite of morall reading . 〈◊〉 . these times , old in yeares , but yong in houres . the cause why learning is contemned . . . to whom death is not terrible . an excellent obseruation by a tyrant . morality man●… anatomi●… . the seuerall kindes of physicall obseruations . these two beasts , in nature & feature different , by one peculiar nation ( aegypt ) equally ●…euerenced , what princes best assected these studies . couragïous dogges . natures of beasts . 〈◊〉 ce●…ua 〈◊〉 . natures of plants . nature●… of mines . plutarch & suet. expedi●…nt not necessary . 〈◊〉 in●…lyta no●…ine truncus exhibuit . ●…one materna cura se prouexit embleme●… o●… birds . the contemplation of the crea●… ministe●… admiration in vs toward our creator . vid. sambucum & alciat . the distinct na●…ures of beasts expressed . vide lucium flor. in 1 lib. do sab. be●…l . & pos●…ea de bello tarent . cap. 18 ▪ si multo sanguine victoriam obticuissent , gallum : si absque sanguine , bouem marti i●…molarent . &c. resemblances in beasts . ●…sus tanquam orsus . seuerall pro●… resem ▪ bling seuerall persons . vid. aur. vict. natures of serpents , and of pagan 〈◊〉 . see the discourse of asia , and affricke , entituled : the far●…ell of fashions . in aulular . s●…ll . de contempt . mundi . singula solatia singulis malis obuiantia preparauit deus . august . the worme a motiue of thankfulnes , and the best charracter of humane frailty . diuersities of natures in fishes . iulis vide plinium quam ●…nacem piscem appellat , &c. contention amongst ●…ishes . the study of kings in plants , herbs , a●…d fruits , &c. to wha●… especiall resemblance these 〈◊〉 bee accommodate . plinius . teare-shedding trees . buxus amator●… languere similima visa est , pallor inest illi pall●…t & omnis amans . alciat . a resemblance of odou●…s , flowers and other beauties to the inward graces & ornaments of the minde . of pretious stones . iulium caesarem spe margaritarum , britanniam pet●…se . the ver●…ues of stones described . the patient man like ●…he stone gallasia ; hard as the diamond , cold like ice , not to be fired . or the stone amazantus , once on fire wil neuer go out . strange effects in stones . allusions of certaine stones to internall graces . of mine●…als . the northpart famous for copper-work , by their labor and industry yeelding no small benefite t●… their coun●…ry . a pretty cau●…ion for a miser . mixt 〈◊〉 mi●…t histories composed of all kindes . these requir●… a generall knowledge , & extend furth●…r then all the rest . a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of wits . example of mixt histories . mixt histories ●…ost fruitfull . causes precedent directors to the euents . distinct proprieties in all historie●… . inclination●… different i●… princes . vertue euer ●…ttended with a prosperous end . policy her owne ●…ine exemplified . what subiect best concord●… with mixt hi●… . three things necessarily required in histories of thi●… nature . histories should be true absurdities in historians of our time . explanation in discouery of causes . a concord in circumstances amongst historians . the euent gathered by foregoing causos . tanti esse exercitum q●…nti imperato●…m luc. fl●…r . 2. lib. contempt of religion , the cause of realmes subuersion . this euen the very heathens haue obserued . in aur●…am cr●…teram delphos perferendam curasset . valer. max. such things as bee aboue vs , be not to bee argued of vs. kingdom●… 〈◊〉 to acknowledgement by the taste of ●…seties . causes directo●…ies of eu●…nts . a disposition , yet not limited , an order yet not coacted , a meanes yet not enforced : qui enim ( si voluit ) omnia si●…e medijs creare potuit , ea etiam siae medijs ( si voluit ) seruare potuit . many kingdomes much renowned , by that meanes , which makes them most debased : selfe●…ceit . honour the ●…st when it i●… deriu●…d from ●…r selues . 〈◊〉 . the wonderfull establishing of the turkish empire . concealed reasons not to be searched . dijudication of histories . ●…id . ●…siod . in noct. & di●… . sicut bestiae in eremo , ita genti●…es in mundo . greg : in moral . 29. cap. 18. virg. in a●…nead 30. superbire est supra regula ire . hae●… 〈◊〉 quae faci●… 〈◊〉 deum , &c. s●…neca deliberation n●…dfull in histories of main consequence . strange nouelties draw attentiō , mo●…e approbation , if probability be mixed in the discourse . opinions draw●…n from diuers authou●…s should bee reconciled . a double d●…fect , obstinate and ignorant . vid. aul. gel. in noct. a●…ic . words should bee accommodate to the matter , not the matter to the words . non ●…hi vanitati sestiuitas proprie cedit . a three-fold discourse branched into a threefold obseruance . three obseruances worthy our considerationinreading . vse of those three obseruances . the methode prosecuted . vse of history . the misers profite by history . a miser cannot be rich . a miser his owne hangman . a 〈◊〉 i●… two differ●…t dispositions . the liberall mans aphorisme . the character of a liberall man. examples of liberallity . an vsurer neuer found his countries friend . an vsurer bountifull against his will. examples of bounty an o●…gst the 〈◊〉 . planted is this cit●…y 〈◊〉 , on that 〈◊〉 moun●…ame agrag●…s . a memorable instance of hospitality . miserable end●… of misers . the young mans maze . o●…r predecesso●…s vertues motiues of imit●…tion q●…m propri●…tatis seruantissimum , voc●…t gelliu●… . histories best discouerers of errors . instances of famous delinquents . history the b●…st tou●…hstone to dijudicate ●…wixt what i●… good and ill . how to be maisters ouer ou●… selues . passions pro●…ding from 〈◊〉 sicke louers , &c. a louer●… ●…phonesis . look vpon the history of antony and cleopatra . vid. val. max. lib. 4. cap. 30. 〈◊〉 fall of 〈◊〉 . third branch . particular profit drawne from history to particular persons . what fabulous histories more suff●…red then approu●…d vid. in vit . neron . aul. gel. in noct. attic. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉 wa●…re giue a●… 〈◊〉 b●…uty to the discours●… . 〈◊〉 is said to haue his tents there first pitched wh●…re our sauiour was taken . in mo●…tem oliuarum castra metans , &c. the iudgment of god in that history most remarkeable . diuine histories . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . punis●…ment alluding to the condition of the fact . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . v●…d . lud. vinem de educ . virgin . 1. lib. an vsuall meanes o●… reclaiming drunkards from their bestiall filthiness●… . euery vice briefly deciphered . oeconomicall 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 priuate families how to be dispos●…d . historian●… most p●…ositable to th●… common●… . enmity amongst historians themselues . hesiod 1. lib. a compendious discourse of the gene●…all profite of h●…story . an apt similit●…de . nulla volupta●… est quae non respicit virtutem . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in tit●…lis & imagini●…s . artificium beneuolentiae colligendae habe●…tes . gulam s●…pius quam commodum heri spectant . instruction the light of vnderstanding histories mirrors for all states . histori●… must n●…t 〈◊〉 . rome in her decay compared 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 . a christian consideration of the power and 〈◊〉 ▪ of god. profit deriued from histories to priuate families . merces domestica in coniugio longinqua in nauigio ●…ita est . the description of a mariners danger . the souldiers discipline by histories . all arts may be reduced to noble atempts and condigne fortunes by their owne professions . royall errors . machiuels position . iust. 1. lib. ipse enim gladio sponte sua euagin●…to in femore grauiter vuln●…ratus , 〈◊〉 , ibid. examples best motiues to piety , confirmed by the o●…ator demosth. noli obscurare faciem , qualis es talis appare . basilius . historicall rela●…ions , occasions of publique experiments . claudius ælianus, his various history varia historia aelian, claudius. 1666 approx. 393 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 179 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-07 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a26482 wing a680 estc r28933 10784619 ocm 10784619 45846 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a26482) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 45846) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 1413:5) claudius ælianus, his various history varia historia aelian, claudius. stanley, thomas, 1625-1678. [10], 314, [28] p. printed for thomas dring, london : 1666. "to lady newton" signed: thomas stanley. reproduction of original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng history, ancient. 2003-02 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2003-03 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2003-04 judith siefring sampled and proofread 2003-04 judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-06 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion claudius aelianus his various history . london , printed for thomas dring at the george in fleetstreet near st dunstan's church . 1666. to the lady newton . madam , having in obedience to a father's command made his first attempt upon learning , ●…y duty next directs me to lay it ●…t your ladiship 's feet . the original i received from a person ●…hose loss can never be too much ●…mented by any but your self , ●…y dearest cousin and your in●…omparable son mr newton . par●…on me , madam , that i have awa●…ed a grief which is alwaies too busie in disturbing your rest : i will therefore forbear those praises due to his memory , which upon any other account it were a kind of sacrilege to suppress ; and shall onely beg your ladiship 's pardon for this address , which affords me the honour of being known to be , madam , your ladiship 's most obedient nephew and most humble servant , thomas stanley . preface . to pass by that aelian ( if his name were such , for some copies reade helian , others hadrian ) whom martial , lib. 12. epigr. 24. mentions as his contemporary and friend : the first eminent person of this name was the author of the tacticks , who appears to have been ( not a roman but ) a grecian , in regard he acknowledgeth in his preface that he had no knowledge of the roman tacticks . the time wherein he lived is manifestly collected from the same preface , which he addresseth to the emperour adrian , and in it saith that he met nerva at formiae . later in time ( as being contemporary with philostratus the lemnian who lived under severus ) was aelian the sophist , of whom philostratus gives this account ; aelian was a roman , but spoke greek as purely as those who lived in the midst of attica : this man seems to me worthy of praise ; first , because though he lived in a city which used another language , yet he arrived at the purity of the greek : next , because being honoured by the title of sophist by those who used to confere such attributes , he was nothing the more confident of himself , nor conceited of his own opinion , nor exalted with so great a title , but making scrutiny into himself , and finding himself not proper for publick declamations , he gave himself to writing , in which he was admirable ▪ his style is unaffected , with a gracefulness beyond nicostratus . sometime he imitates dion and his way ▪ on a time philostratus the lemnian found him intent upon a book , and reading it with anger and eagerness , he asked him what he was about ; he answered , i am making a declamation against gynnis , for so i name that tyrant who so lately by his infamous life dishonoured rome . philostratus replied , i should have admired you , if you had declaimed against him whilest he was living ; for to oppose a living tyrant is manly , but every one can revile him when dead . this man said that he never went out of italy , that he never went on shipboard , or saw the sea ; for which he was much respected by the romans , as one that loved their manners . he was a hearer of pausanius : but he admired herod as the most florid of all oratours . he lived above threescore years , and died without issue ; for he approved not the having of children or mariage . suidas more briefly of the same aelian of preneste in italy , chief priest and sophist , surnamed claudius called meliglossus and melipthongus taught rhetorick in rome in the times after adrian . suidas implieth that he lived under antoninus who succeeded adrian , but that he was not the same with the other aelian , author of the tacticks . this last aelian in all probability , was the author of this treatise , as also of that concerning living creatures ; both which are one style , and that much different from his who wrote the tacticks . in his treatise concerning living creatures he cites dion ( cassius ) who lived under severus : in this , he takes many passages out of athenaeus , not athenaeus out of him ; for athenaeus is very punctual in citing his authors omitted by the other . on aelian his various history , translated into english by mr thomas stanley , the hopeful and onely son of my dearest friend thomas stanley of cumberlow , esquire . aelian , as if affecting to be known to others in a language not his own , this curious piece thought fit at first t' express , though native roman , in a grecian dress . you , kind to him and us , what lay conceal'd in a learn'd tongue , have in our own reveal'd ; and taught our generous youth by this essay , t' improve those hours they vainly cast away . your blooming years forth early vertues shoot , and ere we leaves expected , shew us fruit ; such , and so various , as must needs invite the dull , and please the curious appetite . not to know what was done ere we were born , is to live children still ; the too-just scorn of many an aged head : this slothful crime your industry refells ; looks back on time , and shews as present in old aelian's glass what-ere of rarest note long since did pass ; and that transmitted in a style and phrase as pleasing as the * tempe it displaies . goe on ( dear sir , ) goe on , and nobly trace ( iülus-like ) though with unequal pace , your learned father's steps , who does engage by so much worth this too ungrateful age : and think it still your best concern , you shou'd be like him in variety of good. edw. sherburne . to mr thomas stanley , on his translation of aelian's various history . if from a glorious morn we justly may take a prognostick of th' ensuing day ; what do these early glories promise , when you shall arrive at your meridian ? when at an age others scarce read their own , the roman and greek tongues to you are known ; which , like some subtle merchant , coasting o're , ( not in the search of spices or of ore ) you at a noble way of traffick aim , bring learning home , to barter here for fame . y' have made a fair return , let your success tempt you to sea again : nor could we less expect from you , whose happy birthright laies hereditary claim unto the baies : for to be much and early learn'd's your fate ; not to be so , were to degenerate . goe on in your paternal tracks of fame , t' entail the style of learned on your name : and let the trophees of your labours be as various as your aelian's historie . but i these vain encouragements might spare , what we would have you be , is what you are . richard stokes , m. d. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aelian's various history . the first book . chap. i. of the polypus . the * polypusses are so ravenous that they devour all they light on ; so that many times they abstain not even from one another . the lesser taken by the greater , and falling into his stronger nets , ( which are usually called the hairs or grasps of the fish ) becometh his prey . they also betray fishes in this manner ; lurking under the rocks they change themselves to their colour , and seem to be all one with the rock it self . when therefore the fishes swim to the rocks , and so to the polypus , they intangle them in their nets , or grasps . chap. ii. of spiders . the art of weaving and the gifts of the goddess * ergane , spiders neither know nor require : for what should such a creature doe with woven garments ? the web is onely spred as a net for such things as fall into it , whilest she standing still , immovable , keeps watch : whatsoever falls in she eats ; it being as much as the web can hold , is enough to satisfie her hunger . chap. iii. of the aegyptian frogs . the aegyptian kinde of frogs hath a peculiar wisedom , and farre excelleth all other : for if a frog meeteth a serpent bred in nilus , she biteth off a piece of reed and holds it as fast as she can cross-wise , and will not let it goe . the serpent is not able to swallow the reed , because his mouth is not so wide as the reed . thus the frog by wisedome overcomes and masters the strength of the serpents . chap. iv. of the aegyptian dog. this also is wise in the aegyptian dogs : they drink of the river not greedily or freely , stooping and lapping till they have at the same time satisfied their thirst , for they are afraid of the creatures in it ; but run along the bank , and catch up drink by stealth at times , till at last they have allayed their thirst by snatches without receiving harm . chap. v. of the sea ▪ fox . the fox , not onely the land-beast is wily , but the sea-fox very cunning : for she scruples not the bait , neither , being greedy , refrains from it , but contemneth the hook ; for before the fisher can pluck up the reed , she leaps up , and gnawing the line asunder , swims away . so that many times she swallows two or three hooks , yet the fisherman cannot get her for his supper . chap. vi. of sea ▪ tortoises . the sea-tortoises lay upon land , and having laid , they immediately bury their eggs in the ground , and returning to their usual abode , swim there : they are so good accomptants , that having reckoned forty daies , ( in which time the eggs are hardned and become living creatures ) they returning to the place where they hid what they laid , and digging up the earth which they had cast upon them , lead their young away , now able to follow them . chap. vii . of wild swine . wild swine are not wholly ignorant of physick and medicine ; for if unwittingly they have eaten henbane , whereby their hinder parts are contracted with a kinde of palsie , though thus shrunk up , they make to the waters , where they get crabs and eat them with all haste . these afford remedy of their ill , and make them sound again . chap. viii . of the phalangium . the * phalangium is as hurtful to deer as to men : if they bite the deer , they are in danger of dying quickly after it ; yet if they tast ivy , the bite will not harm them . but it must be wild ivy. chap. ix . of the lion , sick . when a lion is sick , nothing will cure him but to eat an ape . chap. x. how the cretan goats cure themselves when shot . the cretans are excellent archers ; they shoot the goats which feed on the tops of mountains , which being hurt , immediately eat of the herb d●…ttany , which as soon as they have tasted , the arrow drops out . chap. xi . that mice have praescience . mice also are to be reckoned among creatures of greatest praescience ; for when a house decaieth and is ready to fall , they first perceive it , and leaving their holes and former dwellings , run away as fast as they can , and remove to new . chap. xii . of pismires . pismires also , as i am informed , have some kinde of praescience ; for when there shall be a famine , they take pains extraordinarily to carry in provision , and lay up corn and other grain on which they feed . chap. xiii . of gelo. gelo the syracusian dreaming that he was thunder-st●…uck , cried out , not with a soft or low voice , as is usual in dreams , but aloud , being exceedingly affrighted . the dog which lay asleep by him , wakened with the cry , went round about him , and fell a barking fiercely and eagerly : by which means gelo was at once delivered from sleep and fear . chap. xiv . of the swan . aristotle saith that the swan begets a fair and numerous offspring ; but that they are prone to anger , fighting and killing one another . he also affirms the swans warre with the eagles , but so as that they resist onely , not begin the assault . it is commonly reported they sing sweetly ; but i never heard a swan sing , nor perhaps any man else : yet it is believed she sings , and then especially ( as is said ) she sings most sweetly and pleasantly when she draws near her end . they cross the sea and fly too over it , yet their wings never are tired . chap. xv. of pigeons . they report that pigeons ( the male and the female ) sit upon their eggs by turns ; which being hatched , the male bedews them with a kinde of spittle to avert envy , and ( as it is said ) that they may not be liable to fascination . the female laies two eggs , of which the first alwaies proveth a male , the second a female . they lay all the year long , so that they bring forth young ten times in the year . of aegypt it is reported , that pigeons lay twelve times [ a year ] in that countrey . aristotle asserts that wood-pigeons are d●…fferent from house-pigeons , these being bigger , those lesser : besides , house-pigeons are tame , wood-pigeons wild . he also affirms that the male couples not with the female till he hath kiss'd her , for she will not admit his society without a kiss . *** but if we credit callimachus , the phassa , the pyrallis , the house-pigeon and the turtle are nothing alike . the indian relations tell us that in india there are yellowish pigeons : charon of lampsacus affirms that about athos there were seen white pigeons when the persian gallies coasting about athos were defeated there . at eryx in sicily is the renowned and sacred temple of venus ; where when the erycinians celebrate the [ feast ] anagogia , ( at which time they say venus removes from sicily to libya ) all the pigeons disappear , as if they went along with the goddess . at all times else it is certain that a great number of these birds are about the temple . moreover the achaeans report that jupiter falling in love with a virgin named phthia , turned himself to a pigeon : phthia lived at aegium . chap. xvi . of socrates drinking hemlock . when the ship returned from delus , and socrates was now to die , apollodorus ( a friend of socrates ) coming to him in prison brought him a vest of fine cloth and rich , with a gown of the same , desiring him that he would put on that vest and gown when he was to drink the poison ; since he should not fail of handsome funeral-robes if he died in them . for it is not * unfit that a dead body should be covered vered with decent ornaments . thus apollodorus to socrates . but he would not permit it , saying to crito , simmias and phaedo , how high an opinion hath apollodorus of us , if he believe that after i have pledged the athenians , and taken the potion , he shall see socrates any more ? for if he thinks that he which shall shortly lie at your feet extended on the ground is socrates , it is certain he knows me not . chap. xvii . of a very little chariot , and an elegiack distich . the admired little works of myrmecides a milesian , and callicrates a lacedemonian . they made chariots with four horses which a flie might cover ; they writ an elegiack distich in golden letters in a sesamum : neither of which a wise man ( i think ) will praise ; for what are these but a vain waste of time ? chap. xviii . of women vain in apparel . were not many women [ among the ancients ] luxurious in apparel ? they wore on their heads a high coronet , on their feet chiappines : they had also long ear-rings hanging at their ears . that part of their gowns which reacheth from the shoulder to the hand was not sowed together , but fastned all along with buttons of gold and silver . thus did the women among the ancients : the vanity of the athenian women let aristophanes relate . chap. xix . the luxury of the sybarites , colophonians , and corinthians . it is a common saying and known to all , that to the sybarites and the city sybaris the cause of destruction was their great luxury . but i will relate what is not commonly known : they say that the colophonians also were ruined by excessive luxury ; for they also went proudly attired , were lavish at their tables farre beyond need , and apt to affront others . likewise the reign of the bacchiadae at corinth ( when they had arrived to great power ) was destroyed by immoderate luxury . chap. xx. of dionysius his sacrilege . dionysius plundered all the temples of syracuse of their treasure . from the statue of jupiter he took the robe and ornaments , valued at fourscore and five talents of gold . the publick artificers not being forward to touch the statue , he first laid hands upon it . he likewise robbed apollo's image of a golden periwig , which he commanded to be cut off . sailing thence to troezene , he impiously took away all the treasure of apollo and leucothea . he also having drank a * grace-cup , commanded a silver table which stood by apollo to be taken away . chap. xxi . how ismenias without dishonour adored the king of persia. i cannot omit the wise and t●…uly graecian action of ismenias a theban : being by his countrey sent embassadour to the king of persia , he went thither , and would have spoken himself to the persian about his business ; but the captain whose office it was to report business to the king , and to conduct such as were admitted to his presence , told him , theban , ( he spake this merrily by an interpreter , the captain 's name tithraustes ) the law of the persians is , that he who cometh into the king's presence , shall not speak with him till he hath first * adored him . if therefore you will goe in person to him , you must doe what the law requires ; otherwise your business may be done by us , though you adore not . ' conduct me , said ismenias . when he came into the king's presence , he pluckt off a ring which he had upon his finger , and letting it secretly drop , stooped down as if he had adored , and took it up again , making the king believe that he adored ; yet he did nothing that might dishonour the greeks . by this means he obtained all that he requested , and was not denied any thing by the persian [ emperour . ] chap. xxii . the gifts which the kings of persia used to bestow upon embassadours . the gifts which the king gave to embassadours who came to him either from greece or elsewhere were these : to every one a babylonian talent of finest silver ; two silver cups , * each weighing a talent . the babylonian talent makes twenty two attick pounds . he gave them also a scimitar and bracelets , and a chain , all which were valued at a thousand daricks . likewise a median vest which they called a dorophorick . chap. xxiii . of gorgias and protagoras . among the ancient greeks , gorgias the leontine son of philolaus , and protagoras son of democritus , were famous as to rhetorical opinion ; yet were they as far short of others in wisedome as boies are of men ▪ for opinion neither hears nor sees clearly : whence it oftentimes erres , overprizing some things , undervaluing others . chap. xxiv . of the contest betwixt hercules and lepreas . glaucon [ or caucon ] son of neptune had by astydamia , daughter of phorbas , a son named lepreas , who counselled augeas to cast hercules in bonds when he came to demand the reward of his labours ▪ hereupon , as it seems , lepreas was hated by hercules for this advice . afterwards the son of jupiter [ hercules ] went to * caucon ; but at the intercession of astydamia laid aside all enmity towards lepreas . then there happened a youthful emulation between them , and they challenged one another at the discus , and to draw wate●… , and which of them could first eat an oxe . in all which lepreas was overcome . hereupon another contention arose , which of them could drink most ; in which also lepreas was worsted . at last , moved with anger and indignation , he challenged hercules to single combate . thus he received punishment for his counsel to augeas , for he was slain in the fight . chap. xxv . of alexander's magnificence to phocion , and his to alexander . alexander the son of philip , ( or , if any one likes it better , of jupiter , for to me it is all one ) to phocion the athenian captain onely began his letters with the usual form of salutation , hail ; so much has phocion won upon the macedonian . he also sent him a hundred talents of silver , and named four cities , of which he might chuse any one to receive the revenues and profits thereof for his own use . these cities were cius , elaea , mylasa , patara : thus did alexander liberally and ●…gnificently . but phocion farre more , wh●… accepted neither the city nor the silver ; yet that he might not seem to dis-esteem and contemn the offers of alexander , he expressed his respect to him thus : he requested that they who were kept prisoners in the tower of sardis might be set at liberty ; echecratides the sophist , athenodorus of himera , demaratus and sparto : these two were brethren and rhodians . chap. xxvi . of aglais a great eater . i have heard of a woman that could sound a trumpet , which art was her way of living , by name aglais , daughter of megacles ; she wore a periwig and a plume on her head , as posidippus relates . at one meal she did devour twelve pounds of flesh , and four * choenixes of bread , and drank a * congius of wine . chap. xxvii . other great eaters . these are reported to have been extraordinary great eaters ; pityreus a phrygian , cambletes a lydia●… , thus a paphlagonian , charidas , cleony●…us , pisander , charippus , mithridates of pontus , calamodorus of cyzicus , timocreon a rhodian , both a wrastler and poet , cantibaris a persian , erysichthon son of myrmidon , who for that reason was nick-named * aethon . it is said also that there is a temple in sicily dedicated to gluttony , and an image of ceres the corn-giver . likewise alcman the poet attests of himself that he was a great eater . and anaxilas the comick poet saith that there was one ctesias an extraordinary glutton . chap. xxviii . diet of fish much esteemed by the rhodians . i will tell you a rhodian opinion . in rhodes , they say that if a man looks upon fish with a great liking , and loves * fish above all other meat , they esteem him an extraordinary person : but such as like the diet of flesh better are reproched by the rhodians as clownish and gluttonous ; whether justly or wrongfully , i not examine . chap. xxix . of an ewe which eaned a lion. the coans report that an ewe in the pastures of nicippus the tyrant did ean , not a lamb , but a lion. by which sign it was portended to nicippus ( as yet but a private person ) that he should be king. chap. xxx . that galetes was beloved of ptolemee not more for his beauty then his prudence . king ptolemee loved a youth named galetes : he was very beautiful , but of a mind transcending h●…s form ; which ptolemee frequently testified of him , saying , oh thou sweet of d●…sposition ! thou never wert author of harm to any , but on the contrary hast done several good offices to many . on a time this youth rode forth with the king , and beholding afarre off some malefactors led to execution , he readily said , ( speaking to ptolemee ) o king , since it is our chance to be on horse-back according to some good genius of those wretches , come , if you please , let us spur on and overtake them , that we may appear to the unhappy men as the * dioscuri , preservers and succourers : ( so those gods are called . ) ptolemee much pleased with his sweet disposition and proneness to mercy , embraced him , and not onely saved the malefactors , but confirmed and increased the affection he bare him . chap. xxxi . the persian custome of presenting gifts to the king. the persians have a custome which they observe most strictly ; when the king rides abroad in persia , all the persians make him presents according to their several abilities . they who live by the labour of their hands in husbandry and tillage , give one neither too mean , nor too rich or too magnificent , but either oxen or sheep ; some also corn or wine . these are presented to him by every one as he rides along , and are called presents , by which name he also accepts them . the poorer sort bring milk , palms , cheese , ripe fruits , and other delicacies which grow in that countrey . chap. xxxii . of water presented as a gift to the king of persia. this also is a persian story . they report that a persian called sinetes , being far from home , met artaxerxes surnamed mnemon ; being thus surprised , he was much perplexed with fear of the law and respect of the king. having nothing at that time to give him , and being much troubled to be exceeded in duty by the rest of the persians , unwilling that he alone should be infamous for not making a present , they say that with all speed he ran to the river hard by , which was named cyrus , and hastily lying down took up water in both his hands . o king artaxerxes , ( said he ) reign for ever . i make you at this time such a present as i can get , and in such a manner as i can , that as farre as lies in me you may not pass by unpresented . i pay you homage in the water of cyrus . but when you shall come at night to your station , i will bring from my house , and present you , the best and richest things that i have , according to my ability : i shall not come behind any of those who now offer you gifts . artaxerxes was much pleased herewith . man , ( saith he ) i accept thy present kindly , and reckon it amongst the most precious , declaring that it is of equal value with them ; first , because water is the best of all things ; next , because it bears the name of cyrus : and i will that you come to me where i shall lodge to night . this said , he commanded the eunuchs to take the gift from him ; who instantly running to him , received the water out of his hand into a golden cup. the king , as soon as he came to his lodging , sent him a persian vest , a golden cup , and a thousand daricks ; withall , gave the bearer order to say thus ; the king commands you to delight your mind with this , because you have delighted his , in not suffering him to pass by unpresented and without homage , but paid him such respect as necessity would then allow . he wills also that you drink water from that river in this cup. chap. xxxiii . of an extraordinary great pomegranate presented to the same king. misus presented an extraordinary great pomegranate in a basket to artaxerxes as he was riding in persia. the king admiring the largeness of it , from what paradise ( said he ) did you take this gift which you bring me ? he answered , out of his own grounds , and that it was of his own grafting . the king was exceedingly pleased , and sent him royal gifts , saying , by * mithra , this man by like care and diligence might also in my opinion make a little city great . this speech implies , that by continual industry and labour all things may be made better then nature hath produced them . chap. xxxiv . of a father , who accused his son of a capital crime . a certain man , by countrey mardian , by name rhacoces , had seven sons , the youngest of which , named cartomes , did many harms to the * magi. his father first tried to reform his manners by admonition and instruction : but he not obeying , and the judges coming to the place where this young man's father lived , he taking his son , and binding his hands behind him , brought him before the judges , where he accused his son of all the several outrages which he had committed , and desired the judges to put the young man to death . they amazed hereat , would not condemn him , but brought them both before artaxerxes ; where the mardian persisting in his plea , the king interrupting him said , then you can endure that your son should be put to death before your eies . he answered , most willingly : for when in my garden i prune and cut off the lower branches which grow about the lettice , the mother and root of them is so farre from being grieved thereat , that she flourishes the better , and becometh both fairer and sweeter . in like manner , o king , when i shall see him who wrongeth my family , and consumeth the means of his brothers , lose his life , and be prevented from doing them farther injury , i shall thrive the better , and behold the rest of my family thrive with my self . which artaxerxes hearing , praised rhacoces , and made him one of the royal judges , saying to those who were present , that he who had determined so justly concerning his own children , would towards all others be an upright judge . he dismissed the young man without punishment , threatning to put him to a most cruel death if he should offend again for the time to come . the end. aelian's various history . the second book . chap. i. how socrates taught alcibiades confidence not to be daunted at the people . socrates discoursed thus to alcibiades . the young man was much perplexed and abashed , being to appear before a publick assembly . but socrates encouraging and exciting him , do you not despise ( saith he ) that shoe-maker ? ( naming him . ) alcibiades assenting : and so likewise ( continueth socrates ) that publick crier ? and that tent-maker ? [ alcibiades ] the son of clinias granting this ; and doth not , said socrates , the athenian commonwealth consist of these ? if you contemn them single , fear them not in an assembly . thus [ socrates ] son of sophroniscus and phenareta prudently instructed [ alcibiades ] son of clinias and dinomache . chap. ii. of pictures praised amiss . megabyzus highly commending some pictures that were meanly and ignorantly painted , and finding fault with others that were made with great art , the boies of zeuxis that were grinding colours laughed at him ; whereupon zeuxis said , when you hold your peace , megabyzus , these boies admire you , for they look on your rich garments and attendants ; but as soon as you say any thing concerning this art , they laugh at you : therefore preserve your self in esteem by holding your peace , and censure not the work or skill of any which is not in your way . chap. iii. of alexander not giving due commendations of a picture . alexander beholding his own picture at ephesus drawn by apelles , did not give it such praise as it deserved ; but a horse which was brought in neighed to the painted horse , as if it had been a true one . king , said apelles , this horse seems to understand painting much better then you . chap. iv. of the friendship betwixt chariton and melanippus , and the tyrant's mercy towards them . i will relate to you an action of phalaris not agreeing with his disposition : for it expresseth a great humanity , and therefore seemeth not to sute with him . chariton an agrigentine loved melanippus passionately , who was also an agrigentine , of a sweet disposition and excellent form . phalaris had injured this melanippus in a certain business ; for he having brought an action against a favourite of phalaris , the tyrant commanded him to surcease the suit : he not obeying , the tyrant threatned him with death unless he submitted . so being compelled he gave over the cause , and the judges under phalaris null'd the proceedings ; which the young man taking ill , said that he was wronged , and discovered his resentment thereof to his friend , praying him to joyn with him in a plot against the tyrant , intending also to ingage some other young men , whom he knew proper and ready for such an attempt . chariton seeing him inraged and inflamed with fury , and knowing that none of the citizens would joyn in the design through fear of the tyrant , said that he also had formerly the same intention , and should ever be ready above all things to free his country from slavery ; but it was dangerous to communicate such things to many persons : wherefore he intreated melanippus to consider it more deliberately , and to permit him to finde out an opportunity proper for the attempt . the young man yielded . chariton thereupon undertook the whole business himself , not willing to engage his friend in it ; that if he were taken and discovered , he alone might bear the punishment , and his friend not share in the danger . he provided himself of a falchion to assault the tyrant when he should see a fit occasion . this could not be carried so privately , but that he was apprehended by the guard , watchful of such things . being carried to prison , and tortured to make discovery of his complices , he couragiously endured the torment . but this continuing a long time , melanippus went to phalaris , and confessed that he was not onely a conspirator , but author of the treason . the king demanding the cause that moved him to it , he declared the whole business from the beginning ; how he was obstructed in his suit , and that this was it which provoked him . the tyrant wondering hereat set them both at liberty ; but commanded them immediately to depart , not onely out of all cities belonging to the agrigentines , but quite out of sicily . yet he allowed them to receive the full benefit of their estates . these and their friendships pythia afterwards commended in these verses : to men , true patterns of celestial love blest chariton and melanippus prove . the god calling this love of theirs a divine friendship . chap. v. of well husbanding time , and that among the lacedemonians walking was not permitted . the lacedemonians conceived that time above all things ought to be husbanded , employing it diligently in serious business , not allowing any of the citizens to wast i●… in idleness or play ; that it might not be thrown away upon things of no vertue . a testimony hereof amongst the rest is this : the lacedemonian ephori hearing that they who had taken decelia used to walk in the afternoon , sent this command to them , walk not : ( as if they did it for recreation rather then exercise of the body ) it behoveth the lacedemonians to get and preserve health not by walking , but by exercise . chap. vi. an instance that we ought not to please the vulgar . hippomachus , ( they say , ) one that taught to wrastle , when the people that stood about as one of his scholars was wrastling gave a great shout , struck him with a wand , saying , you did amiss and not as you ought , it should have been done better . for if you had done according to art , these men would not have applauded you . implying , that they who perform every thing well and handsomely , must not please the multitude , but those who are understanding in the art. socrates also seems to contemn the common people in his discourse with crito , who came to him in the prison , and counselled him to make an escape , and avoid the sentence of the athenians against him . chap. vii . that the thebans expose not children . this is a theban law most just and humane ; that no theban might expose his child or leave it in a wilderness , upon pain of death . but if the father were extremely poor , whether it were male or female , the law requires that as soon as it is born it be brought in the swadling-clouts to the magistrate , who receiving it , delivers it to some other for some small reward , conditioning with him that he shall bring up the child , and when it is grown up take it into his service , man or maid , and have the benefit of its labour in requital for its education . chap. viii . of xenocles and euripides contending at the olympick games . in the ninety first olympiad , wherein exenetus won the race , xenocles and euripides contended . xenocles ( whosoever he was ) got the first victory by these tragedies , oedipus , lycaon , bacchae , and athamas a satyre . it is ridiculous that xenocl●…s should not be worsted , and euripides get the better , especially ▪ in those tragedies ▪ one of these two must have been the reason , either that they who gave the votes were ignorant and void of clear judgement , or corrupt . but both are dishonourable , and unworthy the athenians . chap. ix . decrees of the athenians against some revolters . what decrees did the athenians make , and those in a democracy ? that every one of the aeginetae should have his thumb cut off from his right hand , so that he might for ever after be disabled from holding a spear , yet might handle an oar ▪ that all the young men of mitylene should be put to death : which decree was made at the instigation of cleon son of cleaenetus . that such as had been taken prisoners by the samians should be branded in the face with the mark of an owl . this also was an athenian decree . i wish , o minerva , guardian of the city , and jupiter eleutherius , and all the gods of the grecians , that the athenians had never done these things , and that it might never have been said of them . chap. x. timotheus having heard plato discourse , judged himself to be less happy . i have heard that timotheus ( son of conon ) general of the athenians , when he was in height of felicity , and took cities with great ease , so as the athenians knew not how they should honour him sufficiently , met accidentally with plato son of aristo ▪ as he was walking with some scholars without the city wall , and seeing his reverend presence , his proper person and graceful aspect , hearing him also discourse , not of contributions , gallies , naval affairs , supplies , reliefs , confederates , islanders , and the like matters , but of those things which he professed , and in which he employed his studies , said , ' ' o this life and true felicity ! whence it appears , that timotheus did not conceive himself absolutely happy , as not enjoying this , though otherwise in highest honour and esteem with the athenians . chap. xi . what socrates said of those that were put to death by the thirty tyrants . socrates seeing that the thirty tyrants put many eminent persons to death , and betrayed the rich to excessive punishments , said to antisthenes , doth it repent thee that we have done nothing in our whole lives great and remarkable , as those monarchs who are described in tragedies , atreus's , thyestes's , agamemnons , and aegisthus's ? they are in those plaies beheaded , feasted with their own flesh , and generally destroyed : but no poet was ever so bold or impudent as to represent a poor man kill'd upon the stage . chap. xii . of themistocles giving over prodigality . i know not whether this speech of themistocles son of neocles be commendable or not . after that his father had cast him off , giving over prodigality , he began to live temperately , and to refrain from curtezans , being taken with another affection , that of governing the athenian state ; and contested eagerly with the magistrates , endeavouring to make himself the chief . he said ( as is reported ) to his friends , what will you give me , who never yet was envied ? he that loves to be envied , hastens , according to euripides , to harm himself : but that this is folly , euripides himself declares . chap. xiii . of socrates abused in a comedy by aristophanes . anytus and his companions studied to doe socrates a mischief , for those reasons which are related by many ; but feared the athenians , doubting , if they should accuse socrates , how they would take it , his name being in high esteem for many respects , but chiefly for opposing the sophists , who neither taught nor knew any solid learning . wherefore they began , by making trial in less things , to sound how the athenians would entertain a charge against his life : for to have accused him upon the very first , he conceived unsafe , as well for the reason already mentioned , as lest the friends and followers of socrates should divert the anger of the judges upon them , for falsly accusing a person so farre from being guilty of any wrong to the state , that he was the onely ornament of athens . what then do they contrive ? they suborn aristophanes a comick poet , whose onely business was to raise mirth , to bring socrates upon the stage , taxing him with crimes which most men knew him free from ; impertinent discourse , making an ill cause by argument seem good , introducing new and strange deities , whilst himself believed and reverenced none : hereby to insinuate an ill opinion of him even into those who most frequented him . aristophanes taking this theme , interweaves it with much abusive mirth & pleasant verses ; taking for his subject the best man of the grecians . the argument of his play was not against cleon ; he did not abuse the lacedemonians , the thebans , or pericles himself ; but a person dear to all the gods , especially to apollo . at first ( by reason of the novelty of the thing , the unusual personating of socrates upon the stage ) the athenians , who expected nothing less , were struck with wonder : then ( being naturally envious , apt to detract from the best persons , not onely such as bore office in the commonwealth , but any that were eminent for learning or vertue ) they begun to be taken with the clouds , [ so was the play named ] and cried up the poet with more applause then ever any before , giving him with many shouts the victory , and sending word to the judges to set the name of aristophanes in the highest place . socrates came seldome to the theatre , unless when euripides the tragick poet contested with any new tragedian , then he used to goe : and when euripides contended in the piraeum , he went thither also , for he loved the man as well for his wisedome , as the sweetness of his verse . sometimes alcibiades son of clinias and critias son of callaeschrus would invite him to a comedy , and in a manner compell him : for he was so farre from esteeming , that he did greatly contemn those persons that were abusive and scurrilous in their language , ( being himself a temperate , just , good and discreet person ) which hugely troubled the comedians . and this was the ground ( as well as other things suggested by anytus and melitus ) of aristophanes his comedy ; who , it is likely too , got a great summe of money by it , they being eager in prosecution of their design , and he prepared by want and malice to receive their impression : but this he best knows . in fine , the play got extraordinary credit , that of cratinus being verified , the theatre was then fill'd with malicious men . it being at that time the feast of bacchus , a multitude of grecians went to see the play. socrates being personated on the stage , and often named , ( nor was it much the players should represent him , for the potters frequently did it upon their stone juggs ) the strangers that were presen●… ( not knowing whom the comedy abused ) raised a humme and whisper , every one asking who that socrates was . which he observing , ( for he came not thither by chance , but because he knew himself shoul●… be abused in the play , had chosen the most conspicuous seat in the theatre ) to pu●… the strangers out of doubt , he rose up , an●… all the while the play lasted continued i●… that posture . so much did socrates despis●… the comedy and the athenians themselves chap. xiv . of a plane-tree beloved of xerxes . xerxes deserves justly to be laughed at , who after he had contemned the works of jupiter , and made himself new waies to travel by land and water , fell in love with a plane , and doted upon the tree : for seeing ( as it is reported ) in lydia a tall plane-tree , there he stayed a whole day , no necessity requiring , and pitched his tents in the wilderness about the plane-tree : he also hung upon it many rich ornaments , honouring the boughs with chains and bracelets , and left it a keeper , as the guardian and protectour of a mistress . but what did this profit the tree ? the apposititious ornament nothing suiting with it , hung there in vain , not adding any thing to the beauty of the tree . for to the beauty of a tree are requisite fair branches , leaves thick , a body strong , roots deep and plaint , yielding to the winds , wideness of shadow , the successive seasons of the year , the nourishment of the water by chanels and rains . but the robes of xerxes , the gold of the barbarian , and his other gifts , contribute nothing to the plane , or any other tree . chap. xv. of those who besmeared the seats of the lacedemonian ephori with soot . certain clazomenians coming to sparta , through abuse and insolence besmeared with soot the seats of the ephori , in which they used to give judgement , and determine publick affairs . this being known , the ephori were not incensed , but calling the publick crier , commanded him to make this strange proclamation openly through the city , let it be lawful for the clazomenians to doe unhandsome things . chap. xvi . of phocion . i esteem this action of phocion ( the son of phocus ) commendable also . coming before a publick assembly of athenians , after he had reproved them for some ingratitude , he said , both wisely and sharply , i had rather receive ill from you , then doe ill to you . chap. xvii . of the wisedome of the persian magi , and of ochus . the wisedome of the persian magi was ( besides other things proper to them ) conversant in prediction : they foretold the cruelty of ochus towards his subjects , and his bloudy disposition , which they collected from some secret signs . for when ochus , upon the death of his father artaxerxes , came to the crown , the magi charged one of the eunuchs that were next him to observe upon what things , when the table was set before him , he first laid hands ; who watching intentively , ochus reached forth both his hands , and with his right laid hold of a knife that lay by , with the other took a great loaf , which he laid upon the meat , and did cut and eat greedily . the magi , hearing this , foretold that there would be plenty during his reign , and much bloud shed . in which they erred not . chap. xviii . of magnificent suppers . timotheus ( son of conon ) general of the athenians , on a time retiring from magnificent suppers and military entertainments , was invited by plato to a treat in the academy ; where being entertained with a frugal supper and with musick , when he returned to his friends , he said , they who sup with plato are better for the next day also . from thence forward timotheus dispraised sumptuous and chargeable suppers , of which there is no benefit the next day . there is a speech much to the same purpose reported of him , that timotheus meeting plato on the morrow said to him , you , o plato , sup better the next morning then over night . chap. xix . of alexander , who would be called a god. alexander , when he had vanquished darius , and was possess'd of the persian empire , being high-conceited of himself , and puffed up with his success , writ to the grecians , that they should decree him to be a god : ridiculously ; what he had not by nature , he thought to obtain by requiring it of men . hereupon several people made several decrees ; the lacedemonians this , forasmuch as alexander woul●… be a god , let him be a god. thus with laconick brevity , according to the manner of their countrey , the lacedemonians reprehended the pride of alexander . chap. xx. of the meekness of king antigonus . it is reported that king antigonus was popular and meek . he that hath leisure to make enquiry after him and his actions , may satisfie himself elsewhere . i shall relate onely one act of his full of clemency and void of pride . this antigonus , perceiving that his son behaved himself rigidly and severely towards his subjects , do ▪ you not know , son , said he , that our reign is but a glorious servitude ? this speech of antigonus to his son express'd much mildness and humanity . he who conceiveth otherwise of it , seems in my opinion not to understand either what belongeth to a king or a subject , but rather to have lived under some tyrant . chap. xxi . of pausanias his friendship with agatho the poet. there was great friendship betwixt pausanias a ceramean and agatho the poet : this is generally known ; but i will relate what is less common . on a time the two friends came before archelaus : he observing the frequent differences betwixt pausanias and agatho , and thinking that one friend despited the other , asked agatho what was the reason that he had such frequent quarrels with him who loved him so well . he answered , o king , i will tell you : it is not that i am froward towards him , neither doe i this through rusticity ; but if i understand any thing of behaviour , as well by poetry as other things , i finde that the greatest pleasure of friends is , after some falling out to be reconciled ; and i am of opinion that nothing can happen to them more delightful : therefore i make him partake often of this pleasure , by falling out with him frequently . for he is over-joyed when i end the difference and am reconciled ; whereas if i should use him alwaies alike , he would not understand the difference . archelaus ( as they say ) commended this answer . it is reported that euripides also the poet exceedingly loved this agatho , and in favour of him composed his tragedy intituled chrysippus . but this i cannot certainly affirm , yet know it to be attested by many . chap. xxii . that the mantineans were just law-makers . i am told that the mantineans were just law-givers , no less then the locrians and cretans , and the lacedemonians themselves , and the athenians . for though the laws of solon were most excellent , yet the athenians soon after his death abrogated the laws which they received from him . chap. xxiii . that nicodorus the wrastler became a law-giver . nicodorus , an excellent and famous wrastler among the mantineans , in his later years giving over wrastling , became a law-giver to them , benefitting his country farre more in civil affairs , then when he was publickly proclaimed victor in the lists . some say that diagoras the melian , who loved him much , composed those laws for him . i have more to say of nicodorus , but lest i should seem to intermix any commendations of diagoras , let this suffice : for diagoras was a hater of the gods ; neither do i take any pleasure in making farther mention of him . chap. xxiv . that milo was strong in body , but not in mind . some have undervalued the famed strength of milo the crotonian , relating thus of him ; none of milo's antagonists were able to force away a pomegranate which he held in his hand ; but his mistress , with whom he had frequent differences , was much too hard for him . whence it is manifest , that milo was of a strong body , but an effeminate minde . chap. xxv . that the sixth of the month thargelion was fortunate to the greeks . it is observed , that on the sixth day of the month thargelion many good fortunes have befallen not onely the athenians , but divers others . socrates was born on this day , the persians vanquished on this day ; and the athenians sacrifice three hundred goats to agrotera upon this day in pursuit of miltiades his vow : on the same day of this month was the fight of plataeae , in which the grecians had the better : ( for the former fight which i mentioned was at artemisium ) neither was the victory which the greeks obtained at mycale on any other day ; seeing that the victory at plataeae and mycale happened on the self-same day . likewise alexander the macedonian , son of philip , vanqu●…shed many myriads of the barbarians on the sixth day , when he took darius prisoner . all which is observed to have happened on this moneth . it is likewise reported that alexander was born and died on the same day . chap. xxvi . of hyperborean apollo , and certain wonders concerning pythagoras . aristotle saith that pythagoras was call'd by the crotonians hyperborean apollo . the son of nicomachus [ aristotle ] farther saies , that he was at the same hour of the same day seen by many at metapontium and at croton , where he stood up at the games . there also he shewed one of his thighs , which was of gold. the same author saies , that as he was passing over the river nessus it called him , and that many heard the call . chap. xxvii . that anniceris was a good charioteer ; and that he who bestows much pains upon little things , neglects the greater . anniceris the cyrenian was proud of his horseman-ship and chariot-driving . he on a time desired to let plato see his skill : wherefore having made ready his chariot , he drove many courses round the academy , keeping his track so exactly , that the wheels never went out of it . all who were present admired it much . but plato reprehended his too much industry , saying , that it was impossible that he who imployed so much pains about things of no value , could bend his study to things of greater concernment . for being wholly taken up with those things , he must necessarily neglect such as are truly worth admiration . chap. xxviii . upon what occasion cock fighting was first instituted . after their victory over the persians , the athenians made a law that cocks should one day in the year be brought to fight in the theatre . the occasion of which law was this : when themistocles went forth with an army of the citizens against the barbarians , he saw some cocks fighting ; neither did he behold it slightly , but turning to the whole army , these ( saith he ) undertake this danger , neither for their country , nor for their country gods , nor for the monuments of their ancestours , nor for fame , liberty , or children ; but that they may not be worsted , or yield one to the other . with which words he incouraged the athenians . this therefore which was at that time an occasion of inciting them to valour , he would have to be ever after had in remembrance . chap. xxix . how pittacus made an embleme of fortune . pittacus at mitylene made stairs to the temples , which served for no use , but as a dedicated gift ; hereby signifying the ascent and descent of fortune : those whom fortune favours ascending , the unfortunate descending . chap. xxx . of plato . plato son of aristo was at first extremely addicted to poetry , and wrote heroical verses ; which afterwards he burnt , perceiving them to be farre inferiour to homer's . then he betook himself to writing tragedies , composing a tetralogy ; which poems he gave to the players , intending to contest at the games . but before the bacchanalian feast he heard socrates discourse , and was so much taken with that siren , that he not onely forbore his design of conten●…ing , but from thence forward wholly gave off writing tragedies , and addicted himself to philosophy . chap. xxxi . that no barbarian is impiou●… and who extolls not the wisedome of the barbarians , since none of them have fallen into any atheism , or question whether there are gods or not , and whether they take care of us or not ? none of them ever held such opinions as euemerus the messenian , or diogenes the phrygian , or hippo , or diagoras , or sosias , or epicurus ; not any indian , celt , or aegyptian . for these barbarians which i have named attest that there are gods , and that they have a providential care of us , and that they presignifie events by birds , omens , entrals , and by other observations and rules , which do teach men the providence of the gods towards them . they say also that many things are signified before-hand by dreams and by the starres . being firmly setled in this belief , they sacrifice purely , live holily , perfo●…m divine rites , observe the rules of the orgia and all the rest : whence it must be acknowledged that they worship and reverence the gods firmly . chap. xxxii . how hercules his name was changed , and of the oracle of apollo concerning it . some pythian relations affirm that hercules , son of jupiter and alcmena , was at his birth named heraclides ; but that afterwards coming to delphi to consult the oracle about some business , he obtained that for which he came , and received farther privately from the god this oracle concerning himself , thee hercules doth phoebus name , for thou shalt gain immortal fame . chap. xxxiii . of the images of rivers . we behold the nature of rivers , an●… their channels ; but they who worship them and make images of them give them some the shape of men , others of oxen in the shape of oxen the stymphalians represented erasinus and metopus ; the lacedemonians , eurotas ; the sicyonian and phliasians , asopus ; the argives , cephissus : but in the shape of men the psophilians represented erymanthus ; the heraeans , alpheus ; so likewise the cherronesians that came from cnidus , represent the river cnidus . the athenians worship cephissus as a horned man. in sicily the syracusians represent anapus in the shape of a man , and cyane a fountain as a woman . the aegestaeans worship porpax , crimissus and telmissus under the figures of men. the agrigentines represent the river which beareth the same name with their city by the image of a ●…eautiful boy , to which they sacrifice . they ●…ikewise dedicated an ivory statue at del●…hi , and inscribed the name of the river ●…pon it , which statue was of a boy . chap. xxxiv . of old age . they say that epicharmus being very ●…ld , sitting and discoursing with some of ●…ike age , and every one of them saying , ●…ne , i could be content to live but sive ●…ears longer ; another , three years ; a third , ●…our ; he interposing said , o good men , why do you contest and wrangle about a a few daies ? all we that are here met tend by some fate or other to our end . therefore it is time for us all to die with the soonest , before we feel any of the miseries which attend old age . chap. xxxv . that sleep is the brother of death ; and of the decease of gorgias . gorgias the leontine being at his latter end , and being of a great age and surprised by sickness , fell by degrees asleep : and when one of his friends coming to visit him asked him how he did ; just now , saith he , sleep is going to deliver me up to his brother . chap. xxxvi . of socrates falling sick in his old age . socrates being very old fell sick ; and one asking him how he did , well , saith he , both waies : sor if i live longer , i shall have more emulators ; if i die , more praisers . chap. xxxvii . of a law which prohibited the sick to drink wine . zaleucus the locrian made many excellent and convenient laws , of which this was not the worst . if any of the epizephyrian locrians , being sick , drank pure wine , unless by prescription of the physician , though he returned to his former health , yet he was to be put to death for drinking it without leave . chap. xxxviii . a law of the romans and other people not allowing wine to all persons , nor of all ages . this was also a law of the massilians , that no women should tast wine , but of what age soever they were they should drink water . theophrastus affirms that this law was of force also among the milesians , which not onely the ionian * but milesian wives observed . but why should we not speak of the law of the romans ? or how can i avoid being reproched of neglect , if having mentioned the locrians , massilians and milesians , i omit to speak of my own country ? amongst the romans this law was strictly observed , that no free woman or she slave should drink wine ; nor any of noble birth , from their childhood till five and thirty years of age . chap. xxxix . the law of the c●…etans concerning learning . the cretans commanded all free-born children to learn the laws with a kind of melody , that their minds might be inticed by their musick , and they get them by heart the more easily : so that if they committed any thing contrary to law , they could not plead ignorance . the second thing which they were appointed was , to learn the hymns of the gods : the third , encomiums of good men . chap. xl. that beasts love not wine , and of some beasts that will be drunk . every irrational creature naturally abhorreth wine , especially those who being over-fed with grapes become drunk . crows if they eat the herb oenutta , as also dogs , run mad . if the ape and the elephant drink wine , the one forgets his strength , the other his subtilty , and both are easily to be taken . chap. xli . of some who were lovers of drink , and great drinkers . lovers of drink were dionysius in sicily , and nisaeus a tyrant also , apollocrates son of dionysius the tyrant , hipparinus kinsman of dionysius , timolaus a theban , charidemus an orithean , arcadion , erasixenus , alcetas a macedonian , and diotimus an athenian . this last was called a tunnel , because putting a tunnel into his mouth , he could drink wine poured into it without taking breath . they relate of cleomenes the lacedemonian , that he was not onely a great drinker , but that he also used the ill custome of the scythians to drink wine unallai'd . they say also that io of chios , the poet , was an immoderate drinker of wine . likewise alexander the macedonian , in honour of calanus the brahman , an indian sophist , that burned himself , instituting games of musick , horse-racing and wrastling ; to gratifie the indians , he added another part proper to that country , which was drinking . to him that should be victor he appointed a talent for his reward , to the next thirty minae , to the third ten . promachus got the victory . moreover dionysius , at the feast which they call choae , proposed a golden crown as a reward to him that drank most . xenocrates the chalcedonian was victor , and taking the crown when he went away after supper , put it upon a statue of mercury which stood at the door , according to his custome : for he used to lay there garlands of flowers , myrrhe , ivy , and laurel , and leave them . also anacharsis , as it is said , drank much at periander's house . he brought this custome from his own country , for it is proper for the scythians to drink pure wine . lacydes and timon , philosophers , are said to have drank much . likewise mycerinus an aegyptian , a prophecy being brought him from buta , foretelling that he should live but a little while , to delude the oracle by doubling the time , turning nights into daies , watched and drank continually . to these adde amasis the aegyptian , of whom herodotus attests enough . and nicoteles a corinthian must not be severed from these . and they say also that scopas the son of creon and antiochus the king were much addicted to wine : for which reason he put the whole government of his kingdome into the hands of aristaeus and themisto , cyprians , whilest he , given over to drunkenness , bare onely the title of king. likewise antiochus epiphanes , delivered as pledge to the romans , used to drink wine immoderately . as also his name-sake antiochus , who waging warre with the medians against arsaces , was a slave to drunkenness . amongst these may be reckoned antiochus the great . immoderate drinking cast agro king of the illyrians into a pleurisie , and kill'd him . likewise gentius another king of the illyrians was a great drinker . what shall we say of orophernes king of cappadocia , who was also a great drinker ? and if we must mention women , ( in whom to love drink is a great vice , to drink much a greater ) clio , as they say , contended in drinking , not with women onely , but with men ; for she was a great drinker , and had the better of every one , carrying in my opinion a shameful victory . chap. xlii . of plato's renown , and of his laws for equal distribution . the fame of plato and renown of his vertue came to the arcadians and thebans , who thereupon sent embassadours earnestly to request him to come over to them , not onely to instruct their young men in philosophy , but , which was a higher concernment , to ordain laws . they were ready to have obtained what they desired of him ; for the son of aristo was pleased with the invitation , and intended to yield to them . he asked the embassadours how they stood affected to equality of estates : when understanding by them that they were so averse from it , as not to be by any means induced thereto , he refused to goe . chap. xliii . certain eminent persons among the grecians very poor . there were most excellent persons among the grecians who lived in extreme poverty . aristides son of nicomachus , and phocion son of phocus , epaminondas son of polymatis , pelopidas a theban , lamachus an athenian , socrates son of sophroniscus , and ephialtes son of sophonides . chap. xliv . a description of a picture made by theon a painter . amongst other things which witness the excellent art of theon the painter was this picture : an armed man ready to charge the enemy , who had made an incursion and wasted the country . the young man seemed ready to fall on with sprightliness and courage : you would have said he were transported with rage and the fury of mars . his eies seemed to sparkle fiercely . having taken up his arms he appeared snatching , as if eager to assault the enemy with all speed . he held forth his shield , and waved as it were his sword , as ready to fight , with a killing look , his posture expressing that he meant not to spare any . theon painted not any thing more , no common souldier , no centurion , no company , no horseman , no archer ; this armed man onely being sufficient to compleat the excellence of the piece . but before he would discover this picture to publick view , he got a trumpeter , and bade him to sound a charge as loudly and fiercely as he could , and to give it all possible spirit of encouragement to fight . assoon as this shrill and dreadful noise was heard , the trumpet sounding as if there were a sudden incursion of the enemy , he discovered his picture , and the armed man appeared , after that the sound of the trumpet had excited the fancy of the beholders . the end. aelian's various history . the third book . chap. i. thessalian tempe described . let us now describe and paint out in discourse the thessalian tempe : for it is acknowledged that speech , where the faculty is free , can represent whatsoever it pleaseth as fully to the life , as men that are excellent in handy-work . it is a place situated betwixt olympus and ossa . these are mountains of extraordinary height , and disjoyned as it were by providence . they include a plain whose length extends to forty ▪ * stadia ; its breadth in some places is a plethrum , in others somewhat more . through the middle runs the river peneus , into which other rive●…s flow , and by communicating their waters make peneus great . it affords various places of delight of all kinds , not wrought by the hand of man , but spontaneous works of nature , which contributed much to the beauty and glory of the place from its first beginning . for ivy full of down abounds and flourisheth there , which like generous vines creepeth up the high trees , and groweth with them . there is also plenty of smallage , which climbing up the hill shadoweth the rock , so that it lies hid under it , nothing being seen but the green herb , which yields a pleasant entertainment to the eye . in this plain there are divers groves and large cupbords , which in the summer afford grateful shelter to travellers and refreshment . it is full of little brooks and springs of water , cool and pleasant to the tast . these waters , they say , benefit such as wash in them , and conduce much to health . birds are dispersed about every-where , especially the musical , which yield extraordinary pleasure to the ear , and by continual warbling invite and delight the very passenger . on each side of the river are those pleasantnesses which i mentioned before , and places fit for repose and diversion . through the middle of the tempe runneth the river peneus gently and smoothly like oil . this is much shaded by the thick branches of the adjoyning trees , which for the greatest part of the day keep off the sun's beams , and afford to those that sail a cool passage . all the neighbouring people meet with one another there , and offer sacrifice , converse ▪ and feast . whence there being many that sacrifice and perform divine rites continually , it happeneth that such as travel thither either on foot or by water perceive very sweet odours . this unintermitted worship of the gods makes the place sacred . here the thessalians say that apollo pythius , having slain pytho with his arrows at that time possessed of delphi when the goddess earth held the oracles , was by jupiter's command purified ; and that then the son of jupiter and latona crowned with this tempian laurel , and bearing a branch thereof in his hand , came to delphi and took possession of the oracle . there is also an altar in that place where he was crowned , and took away the branch . whereupon even to this time the delphians every ninth year send youths of noble birth with an architheorus , who is one of their own . these coming to tempe sacrifice magnificently , and having made garlands of that laurel which the god then so loved as to crown himself with it , depart . they pass that way which is called pythias , and goeth through thessaly , pelagonia , oeta , and the countries of the aenians , melians , dorians , and hesperian locrians . they carry these youths thither with no less respect and reverence , then those who with sacred presents from the hyperboreans pay homag●… to the same god. likewise at the pythia●… games the victors are presented with ●… crown of the same laurel . thus muc●… concerning the thessalian tempe . chap. ii. of anaxagoras bearing the death of hi●… children with courage . when one coming to anaxagoras th●… clazomenian ( as he was discoursing wit●… his friends ) told him that his two onely sons were dead ; he nothing troubled o●… disordered at the news , answered , i knew that they were born mortal . chap. iii. of xenophon bearing the death of his son unmovedly . a messenger from mantinea told xenophon ( as he was sacrificing ) that his son grillus was slain . he taking onely his garland off , continued to sacrifice . but when the messenger added that he died victoriously , he took again the garland to put it on his head . this is generally known . chap. iv. that dio was not troubled at the loss of his son. as dio , son of hipparinus , a disciple of plato , was treating about publick affairs , his son was killed with a fall from the house top into the court. dio was nothing troubled at it , but proceeded in what he was about before . chap. v. antigonus seeing his son dead , was nothing troubled . they say that antigonus the second , when his son was brought home slain in battel , did behold him without changing colour , or shedding a tear : but having commended him for dying as a stout souldier , gave order that he should be buried . chap. vi. of the magnanimity of crates . crates the theban is known to have been a magnanimous person , as well by other things , as by his despising what the vulgar admire , as also his wealth and country ▪ that he gave the thebans his estate is generally known . but this other action perhaps is less notorious . he quitted thebes newly restored , saying , i have no need of a city which alexander or some other may subvert . chap. vii . of the calumny of the vulgar . demochares nephew to demosthenes , to shew that he nothing valued the dispraises of the vulgar , seeing certain detractors together sitting in a physician 's shop , and wholly bent upon calumniating others , what doe you say ( said he ) you dysmenidae ? discovering their disposition by that compellation . chap. viii . ●…hat phrynichus was chosen general for a certain poem . the athenians made phrynichus gene●…l , not out of favour , nor for nobleness of ●…irth , or for being rich ; for which men ●…e commonly esteemed at athens , and pre●…rred above others : but he having in a cer●…in tragedy composed verses sutable to ●…med dancers , did win so much upon the ●…heatre , and please the spectators , that ●…ey immediately chose him general ; be●…ving that he would behave himself ex●…llently and advantageously in martial af●…irs , who had in a play composed verses ●…d songs so proper for armed men . chap. ix . of love. who is able to fight with a lover , that not a lover himself , and when the busi●…ss is to be decided by the sword ? for ●… who loves not , alwaies shunneth and de●…neth a lover , as being himself prophane ●…d uninitiated with the god : he dares as ●…uch as the courage of his soul and strength of his body will bear ; yet fears the other as one transported with divine fury ; animated not by mars onely , which is common to both , but likewise by love , for they who are excited with other of the gods , whereof one ( as homer saith ) rageth equal with mars ; they , i say , which are possessed onely with one , fight with as much courage as one god inspireth : but the servants of love being inflamed with mars and love , serving both deities , have according to the opinion of the cretans a double share of courage . but none therefore fin●… fault if a souldier who fights onely by instigation of one god , refuse to encounte●… with him who is assisted both by man and love. chap. x. of lacedemonian friendship . of the lacedemonian ephori i could relate many excellent things said and done at present i shall onely tell you this : if amongst them any man preferred in friendship a rich man before another that 〈◊〉 poor and vertuous , they fined him , punishing his avarice with loss of money . if an●… other that were a vertuous person profe●… particular friendship to none , they fined him also , because being vertuous he would not make choice of a friend : whereas he might render him he loved like himself , and perhaps divers ; for affection of friends conduceth much to the advancement of vertue in those whom they love , if they be temperate and vertuous . there was also this law among the lacedemonians ; if any young man transgressed , they pardoned him , imputing it to want of years and experience ; yet punished his friend , as conscious and overseer of his actions . chap. xi . of the soul. the peripateticks assert that the soul in the day-time is inslaved and involved in the body , so that she cannot behold truth ; but in the night , being freed from this servitude , and gathered together , as it were , in a round about the parts that are in the breast , she is more prophetick , whence proceed dreams . chap. xii . of friendship amongst the lacedemonians . friendship among the spartans was truly innocent : if any thing unlawful happened , both persons must either forsake their country or their lives . chap. xiii . of the drunkenness of the tapyrians . the nation of the tapyrians is so addicted to wine , that they live in wine , and bestow the greatest part of their life and conversation upon it . neither do they abuse it by drinking onely , but by anointing themselves therewith , as others do with oil. chap. xiv . of the drunkenness of the byzantines . the byzantines ( as is reported ) live in taverns , quitting their own houses , and letting them to strangers . nor leave they their houses onely to them , but their wives also . thus they by one act are guilty of two crimes , drunkenness and prostitution . moreover , flowing in wine and drunkenness , they delight to hear the pipe , and make piping their chiefest business . but they cannot endure to hear the least sound of a trumpet ; whence it is manifest that the byzantines are wholly averse from arms and warre . wherefore leonides their general , in a strict siege , seeing that when the enemy was assaulting the walls they left the works , and went to their usual entertainments , commanded that taverns should be set up for them upon the walls . this damon relates of them , which menander seems to confirm , saying , byzantium makes the merchants drunkards ; they drank all night long . chap. xv. of the drunkenness of the argives , corinthians , thracians and illyrians . the argives also and corinthians have been reproched in comedies for being intemperately addicted to wine . of the thracians it is at this time reported for certain , that they are great drinkers . neither are the illyrians at present free from this vice . to which they adde another dishonesty , inasmuch as at a feast they permit the guests to drink to their wives , every one as he pleaseth , though nothing related to them . chap. xvi . a comparison betwixt the two generals , demetrius and timotheus . which of these two was the better general , demetrius poliorcetes , or timotheus the athenian ? i will tell you the nature of both , and then you may judge which deserves to be preferred . demetrius by force and avarice , and oppressing many , and committing injustice , took cities , battering their walls with engines , and undermining them : but timotheus by discourse , persuading them it was most to their advantage to obey the athenians . chap. xvii . that philosophy is not inconsistent with political government , and that some philosophers have governed common-wealths . some philosophers have governed states , though studying onely the good of their own minds they lived privately . of those who managed publick affairs were zaleucus , who reformed the state of the locrians , charondas that of catana , and of rhegium when he was banished catana . archytas much benefited the tarentines , solon the athenians ; bias and thales greatly profited ionia , chilon the lacedemonians , pittacus the mitylenaeans , cleobulus the rhodians , and anaximander brought a colony from miletus to apollonia . xenophon also was an excellent souldier , and proved the best general when he went up along with cyrus , at what time cyrus and many others with him was slain . necessity then requiring a person that might bring the greeks off and conduct them safe home , he was the man. plato son of aristo brought dio back to sicily , whom he counselled and taught how to subvert the tyranny o●… dionysius . but socrates would not meddle with the athenian state , because the democracy of the athenians did at that time more resemble a tyrannical and monarchick government . neither would he joyn in sentencing the ten commanders to death , nor partake of the injustices committed by the thirty tyrants . but when occasion called him forth , he was a souldier . he fought at delium , and at amphipolis and potidea . aristotle , when his country was not declining , but quite dejected , raised her up again . demetrius phalereus governed the athenian commonwealth with much honour , until envy , customary with the athenians , threw him out . in egypt also , living with ptolemee , he was chief in making laws . and who will deny that pericles son of xanthippus was a philosopher ? or epaminondas son of polymnis , and phocion son of phocus , and aristides son of lysimachus , and ephialtes son of sophonidas ; and long after these carneades and critolaus ? for they were sent by the athenians embassadours to rome , and procured a peace ; so much did they prevail with the senate , that they said , the athenians have sent embassadours , that not persuade , but compel us to doe what they please . i must instance also the skill of perseus in politicks , for he taught antigonus : and of aristotle , who instructed alexander son of philip from his youth in philosophy : and lysis disciple of pythagoras taught epaminondas . therefore if any shall say philosophers are unpractical , he speaks inconsiderately and ignorantly , though , for my own part , i should much more willingly embrace the contemplative quiet life . chap. xviii . of the discourse betwixt midas the phrygian , and silenus ; and the incredible relations of midas . theopompus relates a discourse between midas the phrygian and silenus . this silenus was son of a nymph , inferiour by nature to the gods onely , superiour to men and death . amongst many other things , silenus told midas that europe , asia and africk were islands surrounded by the ocean : that there was but one continent onely , which was beyond this world , and that as to magnitude it was infinite : that in it were bred , besides other very great creatures , men twice as big as those here , and they lived double our age : that many great cities are there , and peculiar manners of life ; and that they have laws wholly different from those amongst us : that there are two cities farre greater then the rest , nothing like to each other ; one named machimus , warlike , the other eusebes , pious : that the pious people live in peace , abounding in wealth , & reap the fruits of the earth without ploughs or oxen , having no need of tillage or sowing . they live , as he said , free from sickness , and die laughing , and with great pleasure : they are so exactly just , that the gods many times vouchsafe to converse with them ▪ the inhabitants of the city machimus are very warlike , continually armed and fighting : they subdue their neighbours , and this one city predominates over many . the inhabitants are not fewer then two hundred myriads : they die sometimes of sickness , but this happens very rarely , for most commonly they are kill'd in the wars by stones or wood , for they are invulnerable by steel . they have vast plenty of gold and silver , insomuch that gold is of less value with them then iron with us . he said that they once designed a voiage to these our islands , and sailed upon the ocean , being in number a thousand myriads of men , till they came to the hyperboreans ; but understanding that they were the happiest men amongst us , they contemned us as persons that led a mean inglorious life , and therefore thought it not worth their going farther . he added what is yet more wonderful , that there are men living amongst them called meropes , who inhabit many great cities ; and that at the farthest end of their countrey there is a place named anostus , ( from whence there is no return ) which resembles a gulf ; it is neither very light nor very dark , the air being dusky intermingled with a kinde of red : that there are two rivers in this place , one of pleasure , the other of grief ; and that along each river grow trees of the bigness of a plane-tree . those which grow up by the river of grief bear fruit 〈◊〉 this nature ; if any one eat of them , he shall spend all the rest of his life in tears and grief , and so die . the other trees which grow by the river of pleasure produce fruit of a contrary nature ; for who tasts thereof shall be eased from all his former desires : if he loved any thing , he shall quite forget it ; and in a short time shall become younger , and live over again his former years : he shall cast off old age , and return to the prime of his strength , becoming first a young man , then a child , lastly , an infant , and so die . this , if any man think the chian worthy credit , he may believe . to me he appears an egregious romancer as well in this as other things . chap. xix . of the dissension betwixt aristotle and plato . the first dissension betwixt aristotle and plato is said to be thus occasioned ; plato did not approve of his life and habit , for aristotle wore rich garments and shoes , and cut his hair after a manner not used by plato ▪ he also wore many rings for ornament ; he had a deriding kind of look , and was peremptory in discourse : all which mis-became a philosopher . plato seeing this rejected him , and preferred before him xenocrates , speusippus , amyclas , and others ; to whom he shewed respect , and admitted them to his conversation . on a time , xenocrates being gone into his country , aristotle came to plato , accompanied with a great many of his disciples , of whom was mnason the phocian , and the like : speusippus was then sick and unable to be with plato : plato was fourscore years old , and through age his memory much impaired . aristotle assaulting and circumventing him by propounding arrogantly some questions , and arguing with him , discovered himself injurious and ingrateful . hereupon plato retiring from his outward walk , walked privately with his friends . after three months xenocrates returned from his journey , and found aristotle walking where he had left plato , and seeing that he and his disciples went not from the walk to plato , but directly to the city , he asked one of the walk where plato was , doubting that he was sick . he answered , he is not sick , but aristotle troubling him hath made him quit the walk , and now he teacheth philosophy privately in his own garden . xenocrates hearing this went presently to plato , whom he found discoursing with such as were present , who were young men of eminent quality , and some of the noblest . when he had ended his discourse , he saluted xenocrates kindly , according to his usual manner , and xenocrates did the like to him . when the company was dismist , xenocrates , without speaking a word to plato , or acquainting him with it , got his friends together , and sharply reproved speusippus for having yielded the walk to aristotle . then to his utmost he opposed the stagirite , and so farre proceeded the contention , that at last aristotle was thrown out , and plato restored to his former place . chap. xx. of lysander , and some gifts presented to him . to lysander the spartan going to ionia , some of his acquaintance there sent , amongst many other presents , an oxe and a cake ▪ he looking upon the cake , asked what dainty it was . to which he that brought it answered , it was made of honey , cheese , and some other things . give this then , said lysander , to the * hilots ; for it is not meat for a free person . bu●… the oxe he commanded to be sacrificed , killed , and drest according to the fashion of his country , and did eat of it with delight . chap. xxi . of the magnanimity of themistocles . on a time themistocles , yet a boy , returning from school , his master bade him , meeting pisistratus the tyrant , to go a littl●… out of the way . whereto he generously answered , is not here way enough for him ▪ so much did somthing ingenious and generous appear in themistocles at those years . chap. xxii . of the piety of aeneas , and compassion of the greeks to the trojans . when troy was taken , the grecians ( as it becomes greeks ) commiserating the condition of the captives , made proclamation by a herald , that every free citizen might carry away with him any one thing he pleased . hereupon aeneas , neglecting all other things , carried out his houshold gods. the grecians pleased with the piety of the man , gave him leave to take something else . he then took up his father of a very great age upon his shoulders , and bore him away . they not a little astonished hereat , gave him back all that was his ; confessing that to such men as were pious towards the gods , and honoured their parents , even those who were by nature their enemies become merciful . chap. xxiii . of alexander . great were the actions of alexander at granicus and issus , and the fight at arbela , and darius subdued , and the persians subjected to the macedonians ; all asia conquered , and the indies reduced under his power . great were those things which he did at tyr●… , and among the oxydracae , and many others . why should we endeavour to comprehend within the narrow expression of words the unlimited courage of this person in warre ? or if any detractor will rather impute these things to the fortune which attended on him , so let it be . but he was doubtless excellent in that he was never worsted by fortune , nor at any time deserted by her . other things there are not commendable in him . that on the fifth day of the month he drank excessively at eumaeus his house , on the sixth day he slept after his debauch , and recovered so well as to rise and give order to his captains for the expedition of the next day , saying that they should set forth very early . on the seventh he feasted with perdiccas , and again drank freely . on the eighth he slept . on the fifteenth day of the same month he made another debauch , and the next day slept . on the four and twentieth he supp'd with bagoas . ( the house of bagoas was from the palace ten stadia ) the day following he slept . one of these two therefore must needs have been ; either that alexander did prejudice himself exceedingly by imploying so many daies of the month in drinking , or that they who write these things have belied him . we may likewise imagine that they who relate other things of the same kinde concerning him , wrong him also , of whom is eumenes the cardian . chap. xxiv . how much xenophon was delighted with bravery . xenophon amongst other things took great delight to have rich a●…ms . for he said that if he should overcome the enemy , the best ornaments would suit with him : if he died in fight , he should be laid out decently in a rich suit of arms : this being the proper winding-sheet for a man of courage , and which best adorns him . they say therefore of this son of gryllus , that his shield was argolick , his breast-plate attick , his helmet wrought in boeotia , his horse epidaurian . i must needs say he was a person delighted in bravery , and merited it . chap. xxv . of ●…eonides , and three hundred more , who gave themselves up to death voluntarily for the preservation of greece . leonides the lacedemonian , and three hundred more with him , voluntarily underwent the death at pylae which was prophesied of them : and fighting stoutly and gallantly for greece , obtained a glorious end , leaving a deathless renown and eternal fame behind them . chap. xxvi . of pindarus the tyrant . pindarus , son of melas , grandson o●… alyattes the lydian by his daughter , being tyrant of the ephesians , was severe in punishments & inexorable , but othe●…wise courteous and wise . he took great care that his country might not be brought into servitude by the barbarians , of which this is a testimony . when croesus his uncle by the mother's side invaded ionia , he sent an embassador to pindarus , requiring the ephesians to be subjected to him : to which pindarus not yielding , croesus besieged the city . but one of the towers being undermined , ( which was afterwards called the traitour ) and destruction appearing before their eyes , pindarus advised the ephesians to fasten ropes from the gates and walls to the pil●…ars of the temple of diana , by that means making the whole city an anatheme to her , thereby to preserve it secure . farther he advised them to goe forth and make suit to the lydian . upon the ephesians declaring the case and their suit , it is said that croesus laughed , and was pleased with the stratagem , granting the ephesians liberty , on condition that pindarus should be banished the city : which he opposed not , but taking along such friends as would goe with him , left his son and the greatest part of his estate in the city , committing them both to the care of pasicles one of his friends . he departed to peloponnesus , preferring banishment before regal power , that his country might not be subjected to the lydians . chap. xxvii . of plato's poverty , and how he betook himself to philosophy . this also i have heard , but whether it be true or not i know not : they say that plato son of aristo was driven by poverty to betake himself to the warres ; but intercepted by socrates , while he was buying his arms , and instructed in that which concerns mankind , he through his persuasion addicted himself to philosophy . chap. xxviii . how socrates reformed the pride of alcibiades . socrates perceiving alcibiades to be exceeding proud of his riches and lands , he shewed him a map of the world , and bid him find attica therein ; which done , he desired that he would shew him his own lands . he answered , they were not there ▪ do you boast , replies socrates , of that which you see is no ( considerable ) part of the earth ? chap. xxix . of the poverty and pride of diogenes . diogenes the sinopean used to say of himself , that he fulfilled and suffered the imprecations mentioned in the tragedy , being a vagabond , destitute of a house , deprived of his country , a begger , ill clothed , having his livelihood onely from day to day : and yet he was more pleased with this condition , then alexander with the command of the whole world , when having conquered the indians he returned to babylon . chap. xxx . of certain persons extremely modest. amoebeas the lutenist was extremely continent , insomuch that having a very beautiful wife , he never lay with her . so likewise diogenes the tragedian player . clitomachus , one that had been victour in all exercises , was extraordinary modest . at feasts , if there were any loose discourse , immediately he arose and departed . chap. xxxi . of the diligence of nicias in his art. nicias the picture-drawer was so intent upon painting , that he many times forgot to eat , his thoughts being wholly taken up with his employment . chap. xxxii . of alexander and hercules , learning to play on the lute . alexander son of philip , whilest yet a boy , not of mans estate , learnt to play on the lute . his master bidding him strike such a string as suted with the tune , and the air required ; and what imports it , said he , if i strike this ? pointing to another . he answered , it imports nothing to him that shall be a king , but to him that would be a lutenist it doth . doubtless he feared , that if he behaved himself not discreetly he might suffer as linus ; for linus taught hercules ( yet a boy ) to play on the lute , who touching the instrument unmusically , linus rebuked him ; whereat hercules incensed struck linus with the lute and killed him . chap. xxxiii . of satyrus a player on the flute . satyrus a player on the flute heard many times aristo the philosopher , and being much taken with his discourse , said , into the fire my glittering bow why do i not as useless throw ? < so mean did he esteem his own art in comparison of philosophy . chap. xxxiv . a law common to the romans and lacedemonians . the lacedemonians and romans had a law , that no man might eat of whatsoever things , or as much as he pleased . they reduced the citizens to temperance , besides other waies , principally by diet . chap. xxxv . that it was not permitted to laugh in the academy . there is a general report amongst the athenians , which saith , that it was not permitted to laugh in the academy : for they endeavoured to preserve that place free from contumely and levity . chap. xxxvi . why aristotle left athens . when aristotle left athens , fearing to be attainted , to one that asked him what kinde of city is athens ? he answered , very beautiful ; but in it pears upon pears and figs on figs do grow : meaning sycophants . and to one who asked him why he left athens , he answered , because he would not the athenians should sin twice against philosophy ; reflecting on the death of socrates , and his own danger . chap. xxxvii . a law of the ceans concerning old men . it is a custome of the ceans , that all such amongst them as are very old , as if they invited one another to a feast or some solemn sacrifice , should meet together , and being crowned drink hemlock ; because they are no longer fit to doe their country service , their minds now doting by reason of age. chap. xxxviii . some things first found out at athens . they say that at athens were first found out the olive and fig-trees ; which the earth also first brought forth . also that the athenians invented judiciary pleas , and first instituted coporal exercises , and uncloathed and anointed themselves . and erichthonius first harnessed horses together . chap. xxxix . what things some of old did eat . the arcadians fed on acorns , the argives on pears , the athenians on figs , the tyrinthians on wild figs , the indians on canes , the carmans on dates , the maeotians and sauromatians on millet , the persians on turpentine and cardamum . chap. xl. of satyrs , tityri , and silenes . the satyrs companions of bacchus in dancing are by some named tityri ; which name they had from teretisms ( wanton dances ) in which satyrs delight : satyrs , from the wideness of their mouths ; silenes , from sillos , which is a scoff with an unpleasing jest . the silenes were cloathed in coats with sleeves , hairy on both sides ; which robe signified the planting of vines by bacchus , and the downy thickness of the leaves . chap. xli . many surnames of bacchus . the ancients called to bring forth fruit plentifully * phluin , whence they named bacchus phleon , as also protryges , and staphylites , and omphacites , with divers other names . chap. xlii . of ●…ertain women that fell mad. elege and celaene were daughters of proetus . the queen of cyprus work'd them to prostitute themselves ; insomuch as in some parts of peloponnesus they ran up and down , as it is said , naked and raging . they roved also mad into other parts of greece , transported with this distemper . it is likewise reported that the wives of the lacedemonians were transported with bacchanalian fury ; as also those of the chians : and that those of the boeotians were transported with divine frenzies , the very tragedy manifests . they say that onely the minyades , leucippe , aristippe and alcithoe declined the dance of bacchus : the cause whereof was , that they desired to have husbands , and therefore would not be maenades to the god ; whereat he was incensed . and when they were working at their looms , and very busie in weaving , on a sudden branches of ivy and of vines twined about their looms , and dragons made nests in their baskets , and from the roof distilled drops of milk and wine . but when by all this they could not be persuaded to serve the deity , then fury possessed them , & they committed a foul crime out of cithaeron , no less then that in cithaeron : for the minyades , seised with frenzy , tore in pieces a young infant of leucippe's , thinking it a kid ; then went to the rest of the minyades , who persecuted them for this mischief , when they were turned into birds . one was changed into a crow , the other into a bat , and the third into an owl . chap. xliii . of a lutenist murdered by the sybarites . at sybaris a lutenist singing at a festival which they celebrated in honour of juno , and the sybarites falling together by the ears about him , and taking up weapons to assault one another , the lutenist afraid fled with his long robe to the altar of juno : but they spared him not even there . a little while after bloud was see●… to spout up in the temple of juno , as if it had been from a spring . the sybarites sent to delphi : pythia said , goe from my tripods , for thy hands prophane distilling bloud my sacred pavements stain : from me expect no answer , who didst slay the muses son ; thou for his death must pay . none that transgresseth , vengeance can decline , not though descended from jove's mighty line . he & his children , & their children must expect due vengeance for that act unjust . chap. xliv . of one who might have assisted his companion , but would not : and of another that did assist , but unfortunately . three young men of the same city being sent to delphi to consult the oracle , ●…ell among thieves : one of them ran away and escaped ; the second having killed all the thieves but one , missed the last , and ●…an his sword through his companion . to him that ran away pythia gave this oracle ; thou sufferedst thy companion to be slain : i will not answer thee , goe from my fane . to the other demanding an answer pythia gave this ; thou slew'st thy friend by chance in his defence : clearer then ever is thy innocence . chap. xlv . an oracle given to philip. they say that philip received an oracle ●…n boeotia at the trophonian cave , that he should take heed of a chariot . fearing therefore because of the oracle , it is reported he would never goe in a chariot . th●… success is related two waies . some sa●… that the sword of pausanias wherewith 〈◊〉 killed philip had a chariot carved in ivor●… upon the hilt : others , that he was slain 〈◊〉 he went round the thebaean lake name●… harma , a chariot . the first report is mor●… generally received , the other is less frequen●… chap. xlvi . a law of the stagirites . this was a law of the stagirites , trul●… becoming the greeks ; what you laid no●… down , take not away . chap. xlvii . of timotheus and some others , who●… their vertues availed nothing . the athenians first magnified tim●…theus ; but afterwards when he was thoug●… to have offended , neither did his own merits avail him in the least , nor those of h●… ancestours . themistocles was nothing benefited either by the sea-fight at salam●… or his embassy to sparta : i mean that em●… bassy by which he gave the athenian means to build up their walls again . fo●… ●…e was banished , not onely from athens , ●…ut quite out of greece . pausanias the la●…edemonian was nothing helped by his vi●…tory at plataeae ; for when affairs were new●…odelled at byzantium , and they were ●…ck of the persian disease , he lost that fa●…our which he formerly had . phocion was ●…ot saved by the general title of phocion ●…e good , nor by his age of seventy five ●…ears , in which time he never injured any ●…thenian in the least ; for the athenians●…agining ●…agining that he would have betrayed the ●…yroeum to antipater , condemned him to ●…eath . the end. aelian's various history . the fourth book . chap. i. several customes of nations and peopl●… acertain law of the lucani●… saith , that if after sun-set stranger come and request 〈◊〉 lodge under the roof of any on●… if he entertain not the man , let him be p●… nished , and pay the penalties of inhospi●… lity . as i conceive both to the person th●… came to him , and to hospitable jupiter . i am informed that the dardanians in 〈◊〉 lyria wash but thrice in their whole li●… at birth , at marriage , and at death . the indians do not let out money use , neither do they receive any : neith●… is it lawful for an indian to give or ta●… ●…rong . hence they neither make bonds , ●…r give pawns . it is a sardinian law , that when pa●…nts grow very old , their sons should by eating them with clubs kill them , and ●…en bury them ; they conceiving it unfit ●…at a man at extraordinary old age should ●…ve any longer , he frequently failing by rea●…n of his bodie 's being opprest with old ●…ge . there was also this law amongst ●…em , they punished idleness ; and he who ●…ved slothfully was to be arraigned , and to ●…ive an account of his manner of life , and to ●…ew where were his means of subsistence ▪ the assyrians gathered together in a cer●…in city such virgins as were fit for marri●…e , proclaiming a fair of them ; and who●…ever buyes one carries her away as his ●…ride . the biblians , if they light upon any ●…ing by chance in the way , take not up ●…hat they laid not down ; for such a thing 〈◊〉 not esteemed the right of the finder , but theft . the berbiccans put all persons to death ●…at are above threescore and ten years ●…ld ; the men by sword , the women by ●…alter . the colchians intomb their dead in skins , in which they sow them , and hang them up on trees . it was a custome of the lydians to prostitute their women before marriage : bu●… being once married they must live continently ; and she who transgressed was no●… capable of pardon . chap. ii. of the difference betwixt nicostratus who plaied upon the lute onely , and laodocus , who both plaied and sung to th lute . it is reported that nicostratus a fidle●… arguing with laodocus a lutenist abou●… musick , said , that he in a great art wa●… little , but that himself in a little art w●… great . it is therefore a commendable thin●… not onely to improve a family and estate but an art also , if we believe nicostratu●… who in this said excellently . chap. iii. of polygnotus and dionysius , pai●…ters . polygnotus a thasian and dionysius colophonian were two painters , polygnot●… ●…rought to the full bigness , and most com●…only descriptions of games : dionysius opied the same things in little , alike exacty in every thing but their bigness ; as the pirit , air , posture , habit , and the like . chap. iv. a theban law concerning artificers and painters . i am told there is a law at thebes , which ●…ommands artificers , both painters and ●…otters , to make the figures as good as may be . this law menaceth to those who ●…ould or paint them not well a pecuniary ●…ulct . chap. v. persons that were mindful of benefits . persons that were mindful of benefits ●…eceived , and gratefully requited them . theseus to hercules : for aidoneus king of the molossians having cast theseus into bonds because he came along with pirithous , to steal away his wife , ( not intending to marry her himself , but doing this onely for the sake of pirithous ) hercules coming to the molossians set theseus at liberty , for which theseus erected an altar to him . and those seven captains that besieged thebes were grateful to pronax , for pronax being killed in their cause , they instituted games in memory of him ; which most think were celebrated for the captain archemorus . and hercules was grateful to nestor : for when neleus would not entertain him , and the rest of his sons were of neleus his minde , nestor onely dissented ; for which reason hercules , having taken the city , put neleus and the rest of his sons to death , but not onely spared nestor , but bestowed on him the kingdom of his ancestours . and the athenians expressed a publick gratitude to the children of hercules ; for because their progenitour had deserved well of theseus , the athenians did therefore conduct them to peloponnesus . and hercules was grateful to the three hundred and threescore cleonians : for they having aided ●…im against the molionidae , and dying generously and honourably , he transferred to them the honours which the nemeans bestowed on him for subduing the lion which over-ran and wasted their country . and menestheus son of peteus was not ungrateful to the tyndaridae : for they having cast out the sons of theseus , and taken aethra the mother of theseus . prisoner , they bestowed the kingdome upon menestheus ; for which reason menestheus named them kings and preservers . and darius son of hystaspes having ( whilest he was yet a private person ) received in gift a garment from syloson , when he was possessed of the empire , bestowed on him the government of his own country samos , gold , as we may say , for dross . chap. vi. an oracle concerning the athenians . when the lacedemonians would have utterly destroyed the city of the athenians , consulting the oracle , they brought answer in this manner ; do not remove the common altar of greece . chap. vii . that sometimes the dead rest not even after death ; and of pausanias . not death it self benefits wicked persons , since even then they cannot rest : but either they are wholly destitute of sepulchres ; or , if buried , yet fail of the latest honor , and common port of all bodies . so when pausanias took part with the medes , the lacedemonians not onely famished him , but threw his carcase out beyond their borders , as epitimedes reports . chap. viii . of the vicissitudes of fortune . who knows not the sudden and swift changes of fortune ? the lacedemonians , when they were masters of the thebans , were again so subdued by them , that the thebans came not onely into peloponnesus , but passed eurotas , and wasted the country of the lacedemonians , and had taken their city , if epimonandas had not feared that all the peloponnesians should conspire and fight for sparta . dionysius the tyrant being besieged by the carthaginians , having no hope of relief , did quite despair , and intended to run away ; but one of his friends , named ellopides , coming to him , said , o dionysius , the title of king is an excellent funeral ornament . hereat ashamed , he took heart , and with a few overcame many myriads , and enlarged his empire . amyntas the macedonian being worsted by the neighbouring barbarians , and losing his kingdome , took his resolution to quit the country wholly , thinking he did enough if he saved himself . whilest he was in these thoughts , one told him the saying of ellopides : whereupon seizing a little place , and gathering many souldiers together , he recovered the kingdome . the aegyptians in their own language called ochus an ass , reproching his sloth by the dulness of that beast . for which he seizing apis sacrificed him to an ass. dio son of hipparinus being banished by dionysius , with three thousand souldiers conquered him , and reduced him to his own estate , a banished person . the syracu●…ians with nine gallies assaulting an hundred and twenty of the carthaginians , overcame them . chap. ix . of the humility of plato , and ingratitude of aristotle . plato , son of aristo , at the olympick games fell into company with some strangers who knew him not , upon whose affections he gained much by his affable conversation ; dining and spending the whole day with them , not mentioning either the academy or socrates , onely saying his name was plato . when they came to athens , he entertained them courteously . come , plato , said the strangers , shew us your name-sake , socrates his disciple , bring us to the academy , recommend us to him , that we may know him . he smiling a little , as he used , said , ' ' i am the man : whereat they were much amazed , having conversed so familiarly with a person of that note , and not knowing him , who used no boasting or ostentation . whence it appears , that besides his philosophical discourse , his ordinary conversation was extremely winning . plato called aristotle a colt : what is meant by that name is manifest : a colt as soon as it is satisfied with the milk of the dam kicks at her . plato therefore hereby signified some ingratitude of aristotle ; for he having received the greatest seeds of philosophy from him , and introduction thereto , as soon as he was replenished and satisfied with the best things thereof , revolted from him , and , getting his friends together , set up against him peripateticism , professing himself plato's adversary . chap. x. what respect pericles had for the athenian people . did not pericles , son of xanthippus , bear a great respect to the athenian people ? to me it appears so ; for as often as he was to speak in publick , he wished that no word might fall from him which might exasperate the people , as being contrary to them or their opinion . chap. xi . of the luxury of socrates . diogenes said that socrates himself was luxurious : for he was too curious in his little house , and in his little bed , and in the sandals which he used to wear . chap. xii . of the picture of helena drawn by zeuxis . zeuxis the heracleote having drawn helena , got much money by the picture ; for he admitted not every one that came accidentally , or out of a desire to see it , but made them first pay money before they saw it . hereupon the heracleote gaining much money by the picture , the grecians of that time called this helena a curtezan . chap. xiii . the saying and happiness of epicurus . epicurus the gargettian said , that to whom a little is not sufficient , nothing is sufficient . the same said , that he was ready to contend with jupiter in felicity when he had bread and water . this being the opinion of epicurus , what he meant when he praised pleasure we shall know elsewhere . chap. xiv . of sparing and keeping riches . many times riches gathered together peny by peny , with much labour , as archilochus saith , are poured into the lap of a curtezan . for money is as the sea hedge-hog , easier to be taken then kept . anaxagoras also in his book of kingly government saith , it is hard to get money , but much harder to keep it . chap. xv. of some who in sickness learned musick and other sciences , in which recovering they became eminent . hiero tyrant of sicily is said to have been first a private person , and of all men the most averse from learning musick , and nothing inferiour to his brother gelo in rusticity . but falling sick he became extraordinary learned , imploying the leisure of his infirmity in hearing learned discourses . hiero therefore recovering heard simonides the cean , pindarus the theban , and bacchylides the juliet ; but gelo was illiterate to the last . they say also that ptolemee the second falling sick became very learned . and plato affirms that theages studied philosophy upon no other occasion then the leisure of sickness , which hindring him from civil affairs forced him to the love of learning . what man of understanding wisheth not that sickness had befallen alcibiades , critias , pausanias the lacedemonian , and others ? to alcibiades and critias , that they might not have revolted from socrates . one becoming insolent , and sometimes taking part with the boeotians , sometimes with the thessalians , the medes and persians , adhering to pharnabazus . but critias became most tyrannical and bloudy , and much opprest his country , and led a hated life . and straton son of corrhagus seems to have fallen sick advantageously . for being of an old family and rich , he used no exercise ; but falling ill of the spleen , and exercise being requisite for his cure , he addicted himself to it , and making progress therein , he in one day at the olympick games was victor in wrastling and the pancratium , as also in the following olympick and nemean and isthmian and pythian games . likewise democrates the wrastler , having a pain in his feet , went to the games , and standing in the stadium made a circle about himself , and challenged his antagonists to force him beyond the line ; which they not able to doe , were worsted : and he , for continuing firmly in his station , went away crowned . chap. xvi . qualities of some of the ancients . if any man imitate callias , he will make him a great drinker ; if ismenias , a player on the flute ; a boaster , if alcibiades ; a maker of broths , if crobylus ; an excellent oratour , if demosthenes ; warlike , if epaminondas ; magnanimous , if agesilaus ; good , if phocion ; just , if aristides ; and wise , if socrates . chap. xvii . wonders and opinions of pythagoras . pythagoras taught men that he was begotten of a better kind then mortal nature . for on the same day , and at the same hour , he was seen at metapontium and in crotona . likewise at olympia he shewed one of his thighs which was of gold ; and did make myllias the crotonian call to mind that he had been midas son of gordius a phrygian . he also stroked a white eagle which ●…ame to him of her own accord ; and as he pa●…sed over the river cosa , the river saluted him , saying , hail pythagoras . he afsi●…med the leaf of mallows to be most sacred . he said that arithmetick is the wisest of all things : next , he who imposed names on things . and that earthquakes were nothing else but conventions of the dead : and that the rainbow is the beams of the sun : and that the sound which frequently strikes the ear is the voice of daemons . it was not lawful to doubt of any thing he said , or question him about it , but to acquiesce in what he said as in a divine oracle . and when he came to cities , a report was spread that he came not to teach , but to heal . the same pythagoras commanded to abstain from the heart , and from a white cock , and from all things that died of themselves , and not to use baths , nor to goe in the common road ; it being doubtful whether these things were pure . chap. xviii . of the respect and honour which dionysius gave to plato . when plato , invited by the frequent letters of dionysius , came to sicily , the young dionysius placed him in a chariot , whilest he himself played the coachman : whereupon a facetious syracusian well versed in homer , pleased with the sight , spake these verses out of the i●…iads , with a little alteration : the chariot groan'd beneath the weight , proud that the best of men there sat . whereas dionysius was jealous of all others , he had so great respect for plato , that he suffered him onely to come to him unsearched ( although he knew him to be dio's intimate friend . ) chap. xix . that philip honoured learning ; and of aristotle . philip the macedonian is not onely said ●…o have been a good souldier , and an excel●…ent oratour ; but he likewise honoured learning exceedingly . wherefore supply●…ng aristotle with much money , he was ●…he cause of his great and various experi●…nce , and of his knowledge in living crea●…ures . whose history the son of nicoma●…hus acquired through the wealth of philip. he honoured plato also and theophrastus . chap. xx. of democritus , and of the renown of him , theophrastus , hippocrates , and others . it is reported that democritus the abderite was wise , besides other things , in desiring to live unknown , and that he wholly endeavoured it . in pursuit whereof he travelled to many countries ; he went to the chaldaeans , and to babylon , and to the magi , and to the indian sophists . when the estate of his father damasippus was to be divided into three parts amongst the three brothers , he took onely so much as might serve for his travel , and left the rest to his brethren . for this theophrastus commends him , that by travelling he had gained better things then menelaus and ulysses . for they wandred up and down no otherwise then phoenician merchants , fo●… they gathered money , which was the occasion of their travel by se●… and ●…and . the abderites called democr●…us , philosophy ; but protagoras , discourse . democritus laughed at all people , an●… said they were mad ; whence his country-men called him gelasinus . they likewis●… ●…ay , that hippocrates at his first meeting with democritus thought him mad : but ●…fter they had conversed together , admired ●…he man. they say that hippocrates , though ●…e were dorick , yet for the sake of demo●…ritus he composed his writings in the io●…ick dialect . chap. xxi . of those who were beloved of socrates and plato . alcibiades was beloved of socrates , dio of plato . but dio received advantage by ●…he love of his friend . chap. xxii . of the luxury of the athenians . the ancient athenians wore purple garments , and various coloured vests . they ●…ikewise tied their hair in knots , to which ●…hey put golden grass-hoppers , and other ●…rnaments of gold. when they went ●…broad , their servants carried folding-stools , ●…hat when they pleased they might sit down . it is cert●…in also , that their tables and diet were very luxurious ; and yet whiest they did this , they were victors at ma●…athon . chap. xxiii . of certain prodigal persons . prodigality and volup●…uous life reduced pericles , and callia●… son of hipponicus , and nicias of pergaseus to indigence . when money failed them , these three drank hemlock , their last draught , to one another , and died as at a feast . chap. xxiv . how friendship may be best preserved . leoprepes the cean , father of simonides , chanced on a time to sit in the wrastling-place : two young men , intire friends , came to him , and asked him how their f●…iendship might best be preserved . he said , if you yield to one anothers anger , and not by opposition provoke each other . chap. xxv . of the strange madness of thrasyllus . thrasyllus the aexonian fell into a strange and new kind of madness ; he left the city and went to pyraeum ( the heaven , ) and dwelling there , he fansied that all the ships which came in were his , and registred them , and so dismissed them . when any came safe into the haven , he rejoyced exceedingly . this infirmity held him many years . at length his brother , coming from sicily , put him to a physician to be cured , and so his madness ceased . he many times mentioned his actions during his madness , and said that he never had so much joy , as when he was pleased with ●…eing ships come in safe which nothing belonged to him . chap. xxvi . of electra . xanthus a lyrick poet ( he was ancienter then stesichorus the himeraean ) saith that electra daughter of agamemnon was not named so at first , but laodice . afterwards when agamemnon was slain , and aegisthus marrying clytemnestra reigned , she lived unacquainted with the marriage-bed , and grew old a virgin : for which reason the grecians called her electra , as having never had a husband , and living unacquainted with the marriag●…-bed . chap. xxvii . of the gift of pamphaes and diotimus . pamphaes a prienian gave to croesus , whilest his father was yet living , thirty minae , who coming to the crown sent him a great chariot filled with silver . diogenes●…eiving ●…eiving a little money of diotimus the carystian said , the gods immortal grant to thee what thou dost want , a man and house . it seems that this diotimus was effeminate . chap. xxviii . that pherecydes fell into a phthiriasis because of his atheism . pherecydes the syrian ended his life the most miserable of men : his whole body being consumed by vermine , and his countenance becoming loathsome , he declined the conversation of his acquaintance . and wh●…nsoever any one coming to visit him demanded how he did , putting out his finger through the hole in the door , the flesh whereof was quite eaten off , he said , that his whole body was such . the delians affirm , that the god in delus displeased with him wrought this : for as he sate in delus with his disciples , he spoke many things concerning himself , amongst the rest this , that he had sacrificed to none of the gods , and yet led a life no less pleasant and void of grief then they who offered hecatombs . for this vain speech he suffered severe punishment . chap. xxix . that alexande●… ridiculously believed there are infinite worlds . i cannot forbear to laugh at alexander the son of philip , who seeing that democrit●…s in his writings asserted that there are infinite worlds , was troubled that he had not quite subdued one . how much democritus himself would have laughed at him , what need i say ? whose custome that was . the end. aelian's various history . the fifth book . chap. i. that tachos died upon using more delicate diet. tachos the aegyptian , whilest he used the diet of his country , and lived sparingly , was the most healthful of men ; but when he went to the persians , and fell into their luxury , not able to bear their unaccustomed diet , he ended his life by a dysentery , and changed luxury for death . chap. ii. pherecydes how he died . pherecydes , master of pythagoras , falling sick , first had a very hot sweat , viscous-like phlegm , afterwards like that of beasts ; then little vermin grew in him : and his flesh corrupting into them , he wasted away , and so ended his life . chap. iii. of hercules his pillars . aristotle affirms that those pillars which are now called of hercules , were first called the pillars of briareus ; but after that hercules had cleared the sea and land , and beyond all question shewed much kindness to men , they in honour of him , not esteeming the memory of briareus , called them heraclean . chap. iv. of some trees growing in delus . it is reported that in delus there groweth an olive and a palm , which latona touching was immediately brought to bed ; whereas until then she could not . chap. v. of epaminondas his indigence and magnanimity . epaminondas had but one vest , and that sordid , so that whensoever he sent it to the fuller , he was forced to stay at home for want of another . whilest he was thus indigent , the persian king sending him a great summe of money , he would not accept it . and , if i mistake not , he that refused the gift was more magnanimous then he that offered it . chap. vi. of the voluntary death of calanus . likewise the end of calanus the indian is worthy to be praised , another would say to be admired . it was on this manner ; calanus the indian sophist , having bid a long farewell to alexander and the macedonians , and to life , when he would free himself from the fetters of the body , caused a pyre to be made in the fairest suburb of babylon ; the wood thereof was dry , and chosen for fragrancy , cedar , thyum , cypress , myrtle and laurel . he having performed his accustomed exercise ( which was to run a course ) came and stood in the middle of the pyre , crowned with reeds . the sun shone upon him , and he worshipped him , which was the sign he had given the macedonians , that they should kindle the pyre , which they did ; and continued standing upright in the flame , and fell not till he was quite consumed . hereat alexander ( as is reported ) much astonished , said , that calanus had vanquished greater enemies then he . for he warred with porus , and taxiles , and darius ; but calanus with pains and death . chap. vii . of anacharsis . the scythians wander up and down their own country ; but anacharsis , being a wise man , extended his travells farther : for he came into greece , and solon admired him . chap. viii . how some have born scoffs . scoffs and reproches to me seem of no force : for if they meet with a solid minde , they are shattered in pieces ; but if with a mean and low , they have power , and many times occasion not onely grief , but death : whereof take this instance ; socrates being derided in a comedy , laughed ; but poliagrus hanged himself . chap. ix . of aristotle . aristotle having prodigally consumed his patrimony , went to the warres ; which succeeding ill with him also , he then traded as an apothecary . but coming by chance into the peripatus , and hearing the discourses there , being of better natural parts then most of them , he acquired that habit which afterwards he put in execution . chap. x. the number of some ships and arms which the athenians lost . the athenians were diligent in taking care for their navy . sometimes having the better , and sometimes being worsted , they lost in aegypt two hundred galleys , with all that belonged to them ; at cyprus a hundred and fifty ; in sicily two hundred and forty ; in the hellespont two hundred . of compleatly-armed souldiers there were slain in sicily forty thousand , and at chaeronaea a thousand . chap. xi . the cruelty of a king of thrace towards his children . a king of thrace , ( his name let some other tell ) when xerxes warred against greece , fled to the mountain rhodope , and advised his six sons not to fight against greece . but th●…y not obeying him , when he returned , he put out the eyes of them all ; an act unlike a grecian . chap. xii . that d●…mades wa●… fined for making a 〈◊〉 ▪ ●…at alexander should be accounted a god. i cannot but love this act of the athenians ; in a publi●…k assembly of the athenians , demades rising up decreed that alexander should be the thirteenth deity . but the people not enduring his excessive impiery , fined him a hundred talents , for enrolling al●…xander , who was a mortal , amongst the celestial gods. chap. xiii . that the athenians were inclined to novelties . the athenians were very changeable as to government , and exceedingly inclined to alteration . they patiently suffered kingly government under cecrops , erechtheus and theseus , and afterwards under the codridae ; they experimented tyranny under the pisistratidae ; they used aristocracy four hundred years ; after which they chose yearly ten citizens which governed the city . at last there happened an anarchy by the sedition of the thirty tyrants . this ready change of customes , whether it should be commended or not , i know not . chap. xiv . an attick law concerning the interrment of bodies , and killing of oxen. this was an attick law ; whosoever happens to light upon the car●…ase of any man , he must throw earth all over it , and bury it as looking towards the west . this also was observed by them ; a ploughing oxe , that laboureth under the yoak , either with plough or cart , sacrifice not . for he also is a tiller of the earth , and partakes with men of their labour . chap. xv. places of judicature in athens for murthers . attick courts of judicature , for wilfull murthers in the areopagus , for involuntary in the palladium ; for those who confessed the murther , but pleaded the lawfulness of it , in the delphinium . chap. xvi . that a little boy was condemned for sacrilege . a little boy carried away a plate of gold which fell from the crown of diana . it was discovered . the judges caused play-things and dice to be set before him , as also the plate . he again laid hold of the plate : whereupon they put him to death for s●…crilege , not sparing his age , but punishing the act . chap. xvii . of the superstition of the athenians . the athenians were so superstitious , that if any one felled a little oak out of the heroes grove , they put him to death ▪ and atarbes , for that he killed the sparrow sacred to aesculapius , they spared not , but executed him : not pardoning either his ignorance or madness , but preferring the concernment of the god before both these . for some said he did it by chance , others , through fury . chap. xviii . of a woman with child condemned to death . the court of areopagus having tried a woman poisoner , and it being judged she should die , they would not put her to death until she were delivered of the infant wherewith she was great . then saving the innocent child , they executed the guilty person . chap. xix . how aeschylus condemned for impiety was preserved . aeschylus the tragick poet was by reason of some play condemned ●…or impiety . whereupon the athenians being ready to stone him , amynias his younger brother , throwing back h●…s vest , shewed his arm without a hand ▪ amynias had the reward for fighting best at salamis , where he lost his hand , and was the first of the athenians that was rewarded . the judges seeing the trouble of the man , called to mind his actions , and dismist aeschylus . chap. xx. of the fasting of the tarentines and rhegians . the tarentines being besieged by the romans , and ready to surrender through famine , the rhegians ordered a fast to be kept every ten daies ; and with the allowance of that food supplied the tarentines . hereupon the romans raised their si●…ge ; and the tarentines , ●…n 〈◊〉 of their d●…stress , kept a feast , which they called the f●…st . chap. xxi . that medea did not kill her own children . some say that the relation concerning medea is false , and that she did not kill her children , bu●… the corinthians . this fable concerning colchis , and the tragedy ( medea ) they say euripides made at the request of the corinthians . the falsity prevailed above the truth , by reason of the excellency of the poet. but for the murther of the children , they say that even to this day the corinthians offer exp●…atory sacrifices to them ; which they render as a kind of tribute . the end. aelian's various history . the sixth book . chap. i. of the wrath , inhumanity , contempt , injustice , and violence of some towards others . the athenians having overcome the chalcidenses , distributed that part of their country which is called hippobotus into forty lots ; but medled not with the ground consecrated to minerva in the place named lilantus . the rest of the country they let out , and brought away the pillars which now stand at the royal piazza , on which they set up the bills of sale. the prisoners that they took they cast into fetters : neither did this s●…tisfie their rage against the chalcidenses . t●…e lacedemonians having overcome the messenians , took to themselves the half of every th●…ng in messenia , and compelled the free-women to goe to funerals , and to bewa●…l the de●…d , such as were strangers , and not●…ing related to them . of the men , they imp●…oyed some ●…n husband●…y , some they sold , some they slew . 〈◊〉 the athenians were insolent in this 〈◊〉 . having good success , they used not their good ●…ortune moderately : for they compelled the forein virgins that inhabited the●…r country , to carry umbrella's in publick solemn●…ties before their own virgins , and the women before their women ; and the men to carry spades . the s●…cyonians having taken pellene , prostituted publickly the w●…ves and daughters of the pellenians . this was most savage , o you gr●…ian gods , and unseemly , i think , even in barbarians . philip having gained the victory at chaeronaea , was exalted with the success , as were also all the macedonians . the grecians , searing him exceedingly , surrendred themselves according to their several cities , as ●…ast as possible to him . the same did the thebans , and the megarenses , the corinthians , achaeans , elei , and the euboeans , that dwelt upon the sea-side . philip kept not the agreement he had made with them , but subjected them all to servitude , contrary to right and equity . chap. ii. of the valour of the son of harmatidias . the son of harmatidias the thespian , going with others of his country to aid the athenians , fought at ●…irst stoutly and gallantly ; then having lost his arms , fought with his bare hands against the armed men , and so died honourably . i have named the father of the young man , and celebrated him after the manner of homer . his own name , if any is inquisitive to know , let some other tell . chap. iii. of ●…sadas a boy . the lacedemonians crowned isadas , yet but a boy , and not obliged by the law to take arms , for leaving the gymnasium , and behaving himself gallantly in a fight . yet because he engaged with the enemy before his age required it , and before he had received arms from his country , they fined him . chap. iv. of him that was betrothed to the daughter of lysander . lysander dying , one that was betrothed to his daughter in his life-time , because she was fatherless , and that lysander at his decease proved poor , cast her off , and said he would not have her to wife ; hereupon the ephori fined him : not like a lacedemonian or grecian , to forget his friend dead , and to preferre wealth before a contract . chap. v. of the athenian embassadours . the athenians , because the embassadours which they sent to arcadia took another way , and not that which they appointed , though they performed their charge well , put them to death . chap. vi. laconick laws . are not these laconick ? there is a law amongst the spartans , that he who hath had three sons should be exempt from watch and ward ; he who five , should be discharg'd from all publick offices and taxes . that marriages should be contracted without portions . no lacedemonian might learn a trade . they must goe to warre clothed in scarlet : for besides that the colour had something of awfulness in it self ; the bloud which was spilt upon it from wounds did much more daunt the enemy , appearing more sharp to the sight and more dreadful . it was not lawful for a lacedemonian to strip a slain enemy . they who died fighting stoutly , were carried crowned with olive and other branches . but they who had fought best , had a scarlet-robe thrown over them , and so were buried honourably . chap. vii . of the earthquake which happened at sparta . when the lacedemonians had treacherously expelled the taenarian servants , ( these servants were of the race of the hilotes ) through the anger of neptune there happened an earthquake at sparta , which threw down the city , so that there were but five houses left standing of the whole city . chap. viii . of the murther of artaxerxes . they say that artaxerxes surnamed ochus , being by bagoas the eunuch , who was an aegyptian , slain and cut to pieces , was thrown to cats , and some other buried in his stead was laid in the regal monuments . the sacrileges which are reported of ochus are many ; especially those committed in aegypt . neither was bagoas satisfied with killing ochus , but he also made hilts for swords of the bones of his thighs : thereby signifying his bloudy disposition . he hated him , because when he came into aegypt he slew apis , as cambyses had done before . chap. ix . of a treasure sought by the delphians in the pythian temple . there coming a report to delphi , that the temple of apollo was anciently very rich ( grounded upon these verses of homer , not so much wealth as phoebus marble fane founded in rocky pytho doth contain , ) they say that hereupon the delphians began to digg about the altar , and the tripod ; but there happening violent earthquakes about the seat of the oracles , they gave over the attempt . chap. x. a law concerning citizens made by pericles . pericles general of the athenians made a law , that he whose parents on both sides were not citizens , might not enjoy the privileges of a citizen . from this law there happened a revenge upon himself ; for his two legitimate sons , paralus and xanthippus , died of the common pestilence . there remained onely to him his natural issue , who by their fathers law were deprived of interest in the state. chap. xi . of gelo offering to resign the government . gelo having overcome the carthaginians at himera , reduced all sicily to his obedience . then coming into the market-place unarmed , he declared that he would resign the government to the citizens . but they refused , knowing him to be more loving to the people , then desirous of monarchick power . hence in the temple of sicilian juno there is an image representing him unarmed ; which pictures this action . chap. xii . of the happiness of dionysius , and what end it had . dionysius the second had an empire excellently fortified after this manner . he possessed ships no less then four hundred , of five rows and six rows of oars . his power of foot-souldiers was a hundred thousand , horse-men nine thousand . the city of syracusa was adorned with exceeding great havens , and encompassed with a very high wall. he had store for five hundred ships more . his provision of corn which was laid up was a hundred myriads of medimnae . his magazine was furnished with shields , swords , and spears , many leggarms , breast-plates , and slings . the sling was dionysius his own invention . he had also many auxiliaries ; and confiding in these dionysius thought he possessed an empire bound with adamant . but he first put his brothers to death ; then saw his sons cruelly murthered , and daughters first ravished , then killed . not one of those that descended from him had the rite of sepulture : for some were burned alive , others cut in pieces and cast into the sea. this happened to him , when dio son of hipparinus invaded his kingdome . he himself died old in extreme poverty . theopompus saith , that through excessive drinking he had so great an infirmity in his eyes , that he grew blind ; and that he sat in barbers shops , and talked jestingly to move laughter ; and that in the midst of greece he led a dishonourable and wretched life . no light argument to persuade men to moderation and temper , is the change of dionysius his fortune , from so high , to so low a condition . chap. xiii . of tyrannical governments in greece , which have continued in posterities . it is excellently ordered by providence , that tyrannical governments last not to the third generation ; but either the tyrants are rooted out like pitch-trees , or their children devested of power . but amongst the greeks these tyrannical governments are known to have lasted so long ; that of gelo in sicily , of the leucanians in bosphorus , and of the cypselidae at corinth . chap. xiv . of a conspiracy against darius . i am told an extraordinary meek act of darius son of hystaspes . aribazus the hyrcanian , with many other persons , not inconsiderable , in persia , conspired against him . the plot was laid at a hunting : which darius understanding , was not daunted , but commanded them to betake themselves to their weapons and horses , and to fix their arms. and looking sternly upon them , why then doe you not that , said he , which you designed ? but they seeing the undaunted look of the man , gave over the attempt . and so great fear seized them , that they threw away their spears , leaped from their horses , adored darius , and delivered themselves up to doe with them as he pleased . he separated them from one another , and sent some to the confines of india , others to the borders of scythia ; and they continued ever afterwards faithful to him , being mindful of this favour . the end. aelian's various history . the seventh book . chap. i. of semiramis , and how she obtained the assyrian empire . of semiramis the assyrian several things are related . she was the fairest of women , yet neglected her beauty . when she came to the king of assyria , whether she was summoned through the renown of her beauty , as soon as he saw her , he fell in love with her . she requested of the king that he would grant her a royal robe ; and that she might have the command of asia five daies , and the ordering of all things during that time . she failed not of her request . but as soon as the king had seated her upon the throne , and that she knew all things were at her power and disposal , she commanded the guard to kill the king , and so possessed herself of the assyrian empire . dinon relates this . chap. ii. of the luxury of strato and nicocles . strato the sidonian is said to have studied to exceed all men in luxury and magnificence . theopompus the chian compares his life to the feasting of the phaeacians , which homer according to his great wit , as he useth to doe , highly magnified . this man had not a single musician at his feast to delight him , but there waited many women-musicians , and players on the flute , and beautiful curtezans , and women-dancers . he emulated exceedingly nicocles the cyprian , and nicocles him . this emulation was about nothing serious , but concerning the things we spoke of . for each of them hearing from those who came from the other what was done there , emulated and endeavoured to exceed the other . but this lasted not alwaies , for both died violent deaths . chap. iii. a consolatory saying of aristippus . aristippus , to some of his friends bein●… exceedingly afflicted , besides many othe●… consolatory speeches , said thus at first t●… them ; i come to you not as to condol●… with you , but to suppress your grief . chap. iv. of the praise of a mill. pittacus exceedingly commended a mill making an encomium upon it , for that many persons may exercise themselves in little compass . there was a common so●… hence called the mill-song . chap. v. of the hand-labour of ulysses and a chilles in many things . even laertes was by his son surprize labouring with his hands , and pruning tree when he was very old . ulysses like wise confesseth that he knew many things and how to doe them with his own hands . there is not any man alive so good at making fires , & cleaving out the woo●… he also quickly made a little ship by his own labour , without any ship-wright . and achilles himself , who was the third from jupiter , did cut the meat and dress the supper for the embassadours that came from the achaeans . chap. vi. the answer of a scythian concerning cold. on a time there falling a great snow , the king of the scythians asked one whom he saw walk naked , whether he were not frozen . he again asked the king whether his forehead were not frozen . to which he answering , no ; the other replied , neither am i , for i am forehead all over . chap. vii . of demosthenes his watchfulness . pytheas scoffed at demosthenes son of demosthenes , saying that his arguments smelt of the lamp , because he sat up all the night , meditating and considering what he should say when he w●…s to come before the athenians . chap. viii . of alexander's grief at hephaestion's death . when hephaestion died , alexander cast into the pyre his arms , and gold and silver , to be burnt with the dead body ; as also a vest of great esteem amongst the persians . he likewise caused all the chie●… souldiers to be shaved , himself acting a●… homerical passion , and imitating his achilles . but he did more eagerly and fiercely , laying waste the castle of the city ecbatana , and throwing down the wall. a●… to the shaving of his hair , he did in my o●… pinion like a greek●… : but in throwing dow●… the walls , he exprest his mourning like ●… barbarian . he also changed his vest , giving all over to grief , love and tears . hephaestion died at ecbatana . it is reported that these things were intended for th●… burial of hephaestion , but that alexande●… used them dying , before the mourning wa●… over for the young man. chap. ix . of a modest woman . was not this a singular token of modesty ? to me it seems such . the wife ●…f phocion wore phocion's vest , and requi●…ed not a * crocotum , or * tarentine , or cloak , or mantle , or veil , or hood , or co●…oured robes . but she first put on mode●…ty , and then such things as were at hand . chap. x. of the wife of socrates . xanthippe , wife of socrates , refusing to ●…ut on his vest , so to goe to a publick spectacle , he said , do you not perceive that you goe not to see , but rather to be seen ? chap. xi . of the shoes of the roman women . of the roman women many have used ●…o wear the same shoes as men. chap. xii . an apophthegm of lysander or philip concerning perjury . children must be cheated by dice , men by o●…ths . some ascribe this saying to lysander , others to philip the macedonian . but which soever it was , it is not well said , in my opinion . neither is it perhaps strange that lysander and i differ in our opinions , for he was a tyrant : but my mind may be guess'd by this , that i have declared that this saying pleaseth me not . chap. xiii . of the tolerance of agesilaus . agesilaus a lacedemonian , now an old man , very often went forth without shoes and coat , in his mantle , and that in the winter mornings . and when a certain person reprehended him , that he did more youthfully then became his age , he answered , but the young citizens cast their eyes on me , as colts on their sires . chap. xiv . of philosophers that went to war , and administred civil government . were not the philosophers skilful in warlike affairs ? to me they seem such . for the tarentines chose archytas their general six times . melissus was their admiral . socrates fought thrice , and plato himself at tanagra , and at corinth . the warlike actions and generalship of xenophon many celebrate ; and he himself acknowledgeth , in his discourses concerning cyrus . dio son of hipparinus subverted the tyranny of dionysius : and epaminond●…s , being made chief commander of the boeotians , at leuctra overcame the lacedemonians , and was chief among the romans and grecians . zeno much advantaged the athenian state , whilest he was with antigonus . for there is no difference if a man benefits others , whether it be by his wisedome or arms. chap. xv. how the mitylenaeans revenged themselves upon their revolted confederates . the mitylenaeans being absolute masters of the sea , imposed as a punishment upon their confederates which had revolted from them , that they should not teach their children to read , nor suffer them to be instructed in any learning ; conceiving that to be bred ignorantly and illiterately was of all punishments the greatest . chap. xvi . of rome , remus , romulus , and servia . rome was built by remus and romulus , sons of mars and servia . she was of the race of aeneas . chap. xvii . of eudoxus coming to sicily . when eudoxus came to sicily , dionysius largely congratulated his arrival . but he neither flattering nor concealing any thing said , i come as to a good host with whom plato liveth . declaring that he came not for his sake , but for the others . chap. xviii . that the aegyptians are courageous in torments ; and of the indian women . they say that the aegyptians behave themselves stoutly in torments . and that an aegyptian being put to torture , will sooner die then confess the truth . amongst the indians , the wives resolutely goe into the same fire with their dead husbands . the wives of the man contest ambitiously about it ; and she to whom the lot falls is burned with him . chap. xix . of solon's stratagem against the megareans , and how afterwards he overcame them by argument . solon was made general in the warre concerning salamis . having taken two megarean ships , he manned them with athenian souldiers , and caused them to put on the enemies armour , and passing undiscovered slew many of the megareans unarmed . he also overcame them by reason ; not by specious words , but weight of argument . for causing some monuments of the dead to be opened , he shewed that they were all athenians , being laid towards the west , according to the manner of their country ; for the megareans used to be buried disorderly , and as it happened . the lacedemonians judged the controversie . chap. xx. of an old man , a cean , that died his hair. there came to lacedemon a cean , an old man , conceited of himself and ashamed of his age : for which reason he endeavoured to conceal the grayness of his hair by dying it . coming in this manner before the lacedemonians in publick , he declared his business . but archidamus king of the lacedemonians rising up , what truth , said he , can this man speak , who doth not onely lie in his heart , but in his hair ? so he rejected what he had alledged , from his outward appearance arguing the unsoundness of his mind . chap. xxi . of the sedulity and care of caesar and pompey , to learn such things which are requisite to govern rightly . caesar disdained not to frequent the school of aristo , and pompey that of cratippus . for their great power did not make them despise those persons that might most advantage them ; and of these they had need notwithstanding their great dignities . for , as it seems , they desired not so much to command , as to command well . the end. aelian's various history . the eighth book . chap. i. of socrates his daemon . socrates said of his daemon to theages , demodocus , and many others , that he many times perceived a voice warning him by divine instinct , which , saith he , when it comes , signifieth a dissuasion from that which i am going to doe , but never persuades to doe any thing . and when any of my friends ( saith he ) impart their business to me , if this voice happens , it dissuades also , giving me the like counsel : wher●…upon i dehort him who adviseth with me , and suffer him not to proceed in what he was about , following the divine admonition . he alledged as witness hereof charmides son of glauco , who asking his advice , whether he should exercise at the nemean games ; as soon as he began to speak , the voice gave the accustomed sigh . whereupon socrates endeavoured to divert charmides from his purpose , telling him the reason : but he not following the advice , it succeeded ill with him . chap. ii. of hipparchus his wisedome , his care of learned men ; and of homer's poems . hipparchus , eldest son of pisistratus , was the wisest person among the athenians . he fi●…st brought homer's poems to athens , and caused the rhapsodists to sing them at the panathenaick feast . he sent also a gally of fifty oars to anacreon the teian [ poet ] that he might come to him . to simonides the cean [ poet ] he was very kind , and kept him alwaies with him , obliging him ( as is probable ) by great gifts and rewards : for that simonides was a great lover of money , none will deny . this hipparchus made it his business to favour learned men , and endeavoured by his authority to reduce the athenians to learning , and to better his subjects ; conceiving that no man ought to envy wisedome , who himself is just and honest . this plato relates , if * hipparchus be truly his . chap. iii. the athenian custome of killing an oxe , and of the diipolian and buphonian festival . this is an athenian custome when an oxe is killed : by proclamation they acquit all severally of murther , onely they condemn the knife , and say that killed him . the day on which they doe this they call the diipolian and buphonian festival . chap. iv. of the luxury of poliarchus . they say that poliarchus the athenian arrived at so great a height of luxury , that he caused those dogs and cocks which he had loved , being dead , to be carried out solemnly , and invited friends to their funerals , and buried them splendidly , erecting columns over them , on which were engraved epitaphs . chap. v. of neleus and medon , and the twelve ionian cities . neleus son of codrus , being deposed from the regal●… government , left athens , ( for the pythian oracle assigned the kingdome to medon ) and intending to settle a colony came to naxus , not by design , but driven thither by tempest : willing to depart thence , he was hindred by contrary winds . whereupon being in suspence what to doe , the soothsayers told him that his company must be expiated , there being amongst those who came along with him many persons whose hands were defiled with bloud . hereupon he pretended that he had killed some servant , and needed expiation ; whereby he induced such as were conscious of ill to the same . which done , having now discovered who were the prophane persons , he left them . they continued at naxus ; but neleus came to ionia , and first setled at miletus , having turned out the carians , the mygdonians , the leleges , and the rest of the barbarians , * who built the twelve cities in ionia . the cities are these ; miletus , ephesus , erythrae , clazomenae , priena , lesbus , teos , colophon , myus , phocaea , samos , and chios . he also built many other cities in epirus . chap. vi. of the ignorance of learning and institution amongst the barbarians . they say that none of the ancient thracians knew any thing of learning . even all the barbarians that inhabited europe thought it dishonourable to understand literature . but those in asia ( as is said ) used it more . whence some forbear not to affirm , that not orpheus himself , being a thracian , was wise ; but that his writings are false and fabulous . this androtion asserts , if he be credible , concerning the ignorance of learning and institution amongst the thracians . chap. vii . of the marriages solemnized by alexander , after his victory over darius . alexander having taken darius , solemnized marriages of himself and friends . the men that were married were ninety , and the marriage-beds as many . the hall in which they were entertained had a hundred couches , such as they used to lie on at meals : the feet of every couch were of silver ; but of that on which he lay , they were of gold. they were all covered with various-coloured carpets of rich barbarian work . he admitted to the feast some particular friends , whom he caused to sit over against him . in the court were feasted the foot-souldiers , mariners , horsemen , embassadours , and forein greeks . before supper the * trumpets sounded , to give notice that it was time to come to the table ; and again when supper was ended , that they should rise to depart . he solemnized these nuptials five daies together . very many musicians , and players , tragedians and comedians , came thither . there came also many jugglers out of india , of which kind those of that country exceed all others . chap. viii . of the art of painting . conon the cleonaean ( as is said ) perfected the art of painting , which until then was but rude , and very indifferent , and as it were in its infancy . for which reason he also received a greater reward then the painters that were before . chap. ix . of a tyrant killed by his friend . archelaus , tyrant of macedonia , ( for so plato calls him , not king ) loved crateuas exceedingly , who no less loved the supreme command , and therefore killed his friend archelaus , hoping thereby to obtain the tyranny , and make himself happy . but having possest the tyranny three or four daies , he was also betraied by others and slain . to this macedonick tragedy aptly suit these verses , who snares for others laies , himself at last betraies . they say that archelaus had betrothed one of his daughters to him : but marrying her to another , he out of indignation slew archelaus . chap. x. of solon , and the laws written by him and draco . the athenians chose solon their archon ; for that office was not conferr'd by lot . after he was chosen , he beautified the city , besides other things , with laws which he writ for them , and are observed to this day . then the athenians gave over using the laws of draco , which were called thesmi , retaining onely those which concerned homicides . chap. xi . of the decay and dissolution of things , and of the world it self . it is not to be wondred at , that humane nature being mortal and transitory , necessitates them to perish , if we look upon rivers that fail , and consider that even the highest mountains diminish . travellers say that aetna appears to be much less then it was formerly . they relate the same of parnassus , and olympus the pierican mountain . and they who seem to understand the nature of the universe , assert that the world it self shall be dissolved . chap. xii . of demosthenes , aeschines , theophrastus , and demochares . it is a strange thing , if true , that demosthenes failing of rhetorick in macedonia , aeschines the cothocidean , son of atromitus , flourished amongst the macedonians , and farre transcended the rest of the embassadours in wit. the cause whereby this happened to aeschines , was the friendship of philip and his gifts ; and because philip heard him patiently and pleasingly , and looked upon him with a mild and benevolent aspect , thereby discovering the good will he had for him ; all which were great incitements to aeschines of confidence and fluent language . this happened not onely to demosthenes in macedonia , though a most excellent oratour , but also to theophrastus the eresian ; for he likewise was at a loss before the council of the areopagus , for which he alledged this excuse , that he was daunted with the grave presence of the senate . to which speech demochares answered bitterly and readily thus , theophrastus , the judges were athenians , not the twelve gods. chap. xiii . of some who never laughed . they say that anaxagoras the clazomenian never laughed , nor so much as smiled . they say also that aristoxenus was a great enemy to laughter . and that heraclitus bewailed all things in life . chap. xiv . of the death of diogenes . diogenes the sinopean , being sick to death , and scarce able to goe , cast himself from a bridge which was near the place of exercise , and charged the keeper of the place that as soon as he was quite dead , he should throw him into the [ river ] ilissus ; so little did diogenes value death or burial . chap. xv. of the moderation of philip upon a victory ; and of what he would be minded continually . philip , when he had vanquished the athenians at chaeronaea , though exalted with his success , yet subdu●…d his passion , and behaved himself not insolently . therefore he thought it requisite to be put in mind by one of his servants that he was a man : wherefore he appointed this office to a servant ; neither did he goe forth before that , as is said ; nor was any that came to speak with him admitted before the servant had cried aloud thrice to him , which he did daily . he said to him , philip , thou art a man. chap. xvi . of solon and pisistratus . solon son of execestides now grown old , began to suspect pisistratus as aiming at tyranny , when he came before a publick convention of the athenians , and required a guard of the people . but seeing the athenians , not regarding his speeches , went to pisistratus , he said that he was wiser then some , and more valiant then others : wiser then those who perceived not that as soon as he had gotten a guard , he would become tyrant ; more valiant then those who perceived it , but held their peace . pisistratus having gotten this power made himself tyrant . then solon hanging out his shield and spear before his gate , said , that he had taken arms and defended his country whilest he was able ; and now , though no longer fit by reason of his age to be a souldier , he still was in mind a well-willer . notwithstanding pisistratus , whether respecting the man and his wisedome , or mindful of their acquaintance in his youth , did no harm to solon not long after solon being very old died , leaving behind him a great renown of wisedome and fortitude . they set up his image of brass in the market-place , and buried him publickly near the gates of the wall on the right hand as you come in his monument was encompassed with a wall. chap. xvii . of oenycinus monarch of the zanclaeans . oenycinus a scythian , monarch of the zanclaeans , came up into asia to king darius , and was esteemed by him more just then all the persons that had come up out of greece to him : for having obtained leave of the king , he went into sicily , and came back again from thence to the king. this democedes the crotonian did not ; and therefore darius much reproached him , calling him a deceiver , and a most wicked man. but the scythian lived very happily in persia till he was old , and died there . chap. xviii . of euthymus and the hero in temese , and a proverb . euthymus a locrian , of those in italy , was an eminent wrastler , and reported to have been of admirable strength . for the locrians shew an extraordinary great stone which he carried and set before his gates . he quelled the hero in temese , who exacted tribute of all that lived thereabout ; for coming into his temple , which to most persons was inaccessible , he fought with him , and compelled him to give up much more then he had plundered : whence arose a proverb of those who get any thing whereby they receive no benefit , that the hero in temese is come to them . they say that euthymus going down to the river caecis , which runs by the city of the locrians , was never after seen . chap. xix . the epitaph of anaxagoras , and his altar . here lies , who through the truest waies did pass o' th' world celestial , anaxagoras . there was a double altar erected to him ; one inscribed of the minde , the other of truth . the end. aelian's various history . the ninth book . chap. i. that hiero loved learning , and was liberal , and lived friendly with his brothers . they say that hiero the syracusian was a lover of the grecians , and esteemed learning exceedingly . they affirm also that he was most ready to conferre benefits ; for he was more forward to bestow them , then the suiters to receive them . his soul likewise was of great courage , and he lived together with his brothers , who were three , without any jealousie , loving them , and beloved in like manner of them exceedingly . with him lived simonides and pindar ; neither did simonides , though of extraordinary age , decline coming to him . for the cean was naturally very covetous , and that which chiefly allured him was ( as they say ) the liberality of hiero. chap. ii. of the victory of taurosthenes . to aegina from olympia on the same day news of the victory of taurosthenes was brought to his father , some say by an apparition ; others report that he carried along with him a pigeon taken from her young ( not yet fledged , ) and as soon as he gained the victory , let her loose , having tied a little purple about her , and then she came back to her young the same day from pisa to aegina . chap. iii. of the luxury and pride of alexander and some others . alexander made his companions effeminate by allowing them to be luxurious . for agno wore golden nails in his shoes . clitus , when any came to ask counsel of him , came out to his clients clothed in purple . perdiccas and craterus , who loved exercise , had alwaies brought after them lists made of skins of the length of a stadium , which upon occasion they pitched on the ground , and exercised within them . they were attended with a continual cloud of dust raised by the beasts that brought these carriages . leonnatus and menelaus , who were addicted to hunting , had hangings brought after them which reached the length of a hundred stadia . alexander himself had a tent that held a hundred couches ; the partitions made by fifty pillars of gold ▪ which upheld the roof : the roof it self was of gold curiously wrought . within it round about were placed first five hundred persians , called melophori , clothed in purple and yellow coats . next those a thousand archers in flame-colour and light red . withall a hundred macedonian squires with silver shields . in the middle of the tent was placed a golden throne , upon which alexander sate and heard suits , encompassed round about with this guard. the tent it self was surrounded with a thousand macedonians , and ten thousand persians . neither might any man without much difficulty get access to him , for he was much dreaded , being raised by fortune and exalted with pride to so large a tyranny . chap. iv. of the diligence of polycrates in hearing anacreon , and of his jealousie . polycrates the samian was addicted to the muses , and much respected anacreon the teian , and took delight as well in his verses as company : but i cannot commend his intemperate life . anacreon made an encomium of smerdias . chap. v. of hiero and themistocles . themistocles , when hiero brought horses to the olympick games , forbad him the solemnity , saying , it was not fit that he that would not share in their greatest danger , should partake of their festivals . for which themistocles was commended . chap. vi. of pericles and his sons dying of the pestilence . pericles , when his sons were taken away by the pestilence , bore their death with great fortitude : by whose example the rest of the athenians were encouraged to suffer patiently the loss of their nearest friends . chap. vii . of socrates his equanimity in all things . xanthippe used to say , that when the state was oppressed with a thousand miseries , yet socrates alwaies went abroad and came home with the same look . for he bore a mind smooth and chearful upon all occasions , farre remote from grief , and above all fear . chap. viii . of dionysius his incontinence . dionysius the younger coming to the city of the locrians , ( for doris his mother was a locrian ) took possession of the fairest houses of the city , and caused the floors to be strewed with roses , marjoram , and other flowers . he also sent for the daughters of the locrians , with whom he conversed lasciviously . but he was punished for this ; for when his tyranny was subverted by dio , the locrians seized on his daughters , and prostituted them publickly to all persons , especially to such as were of kin to the virgins whom dionysius had abused : this done , they pricked their fingers under their nails , and so killed them ; then they pounded their bones in a mortar , and whosoever tasted not of the flesh that was taken from them , they cursed . what remained they cast into the sea. as for dionysius , he suffered the vicissitude of fortune at corinth , in extreme poverty , becoming a metragyrta , and begging alms , beating a tabour and playing on a pipe till he died . chap. ix . that demetrius also was incontinent . demetrius poliorcetes , having taken cities , abused them to maintain his luxury , exacting of them yearly one thousand and two hundred talents . of which summe , the least part was employed for the army , the rest expended upon his own disorders : for not onely himself , but the floors of his house were anointed with sweet unguents ; and according to the season of the year , flowers strewed for him to tread on . he was lascivious also ; he studied to appear handsome , and died his hair yellow , and used paint . chap. x. of plato's little valuing life . plato , when it was told him that the academy was an unhealthful place , and the physicians advised him to remove to the lyceum , refused , saying , i would not , to prolong my life , goe live on the top of athos . chap. xi . of parrhasius the painter . that parrhasius the painter wore a purple vest and crown of gold , besides others , the epigrams on many of his images attest . on a time he contested at samos , and met with an adversary not much inferiour to himself ; he was worsted : the subject was ajax contending with ulysses for the arms of achilles . parrhasius being thus overcome , said to a friend who bewailed the misfortune , that for his own being worsted he valued it not , but he was sorry for the son of telamon , that in the same contest had been twice overcome by his adversary . he carried a staff full of golden nails : his shoes were fastened on the top with golden buckles . they say he wrought freely and without trouble , and chearfully , singing softly all the while to divert himself . this is related by theophrastus . chap. xii . of the epicureans banished by the romans and messenians . the romans expelled alcaeus and philiscus out of the city , because they taught the young men many dishonest pleasures ▪ likewise the messenians expelled the epicureans . chap. xiii . of the gluttony and excessive fatness of dionysius . i am informed that dionysius the heracleote , son of clearchus the tyrant , through daily gluttony and intemperance , increased to an extraordinary degree of corpulency and fatness , by reason whereof he had much adoe to take breath . the physicians ordered for remedy of this inconvenience , that needles should be made very long and small , which when he fell into sound sleep should be thrust through his sides into his belly . which office his attendants performed , and till the needle had passed quite through the fat , and came to the flesh it self , he lay like a stone ; but when it came to the firm flesh , he felt it and awaked . when he had business , when any came to speak with him for advice or orders , he set a chest before him , ( some say it was not a chest , but a little kind of turret ) which hid all of him but his face , which was seen out of the top , and so talked with them : an excellent garment , farre fitter for a beast then a man. chap. xiv . of the extraordinary leanness of philetas . they say that philetas the coan was extremely lean ; insomuch that being apt to be thrown down upon the least occasion , he was fain , as they report , to put lead within the soles of his shoes , lest the wind , if it blew hard , should overturn him . but if he were so feeble that he could not resist the wind , how was he able to draw such a weight after him ? to me it seems improbable . i onely relate what i have heard . chap. xv. of homer . the argives give the first palm of all poetry to homer , making all others second to him . when they sacrificed , they invoked apollo and homer to be present with them . moreover they say , that not being able to give a portion with his daughter , he bestowed on her his cyprian poems , as pindar attests . chap. xvi . of italy , and of mares both man and horse . the ausonians first inhabited italy , being natives of the place . they say that in old time a man lived there named mares , before like a man , behind like a horse , his name signifying as much as hippomiges in greek , half-horse . my opinion is , that he first back'd and managed a horse ; whence he was believed to have both natures . they fable that he lived a hundred twenty three years ; and that he died thrice , and was restored thrice to life ▪ which i conceive incredible . they say that more several nations inhabited italy then any other land , by reason of the temperateness of the country and goodness of the soil , it being well watered , fruitful , and full of rivers , and having all along convenient havens to harbour ships . moreover , the humanity and civility of the inhabitants allured many to remove thither . and that there were in italy one thousand one hundred and ninety seven cities . chap. xvii . of demosthenes his pride . demosthenes seems to be argued of pride by this relation , which saith , that the water-bearers raised a pride in him , when they said something of him softly to one another as he passed by . for he who was puffed up by them , and proud of such commendations , what must he be when the whole publick assembly applauded him ? chap. xviii . of themistocles . themistocles son of neocles likened himself to oaks , saying that men come to them for shelter , when they have need of them in rain , and desire to be protected by their boughs ; but when it is fair , they come to them to strip and peel them . he also said , if any one should shew me two waies , one leading to the grave , the other to the tribunal , i should think it more pleasant to take that which leads to the grave . chap. xix . that demosthenes refused , being called by diogenes to goe into a cook 's shop . as on a time diogenes was at dinner in a cook 's shop , he called to demosthenes who passed by . but he taking no notice , do you think it a disparagement , demosthenes , ( said he ) to come into a cook 's shop ? your master comes hither every day ; meaning the common people , and implying that oratours and lawyers are servants of the vulgar . chap. xx. of aristippus . aristippus being in a great storm at sea , one of those who were aboard with him said , are you afraid too , aristippus , as well as we of the ordinary ●…ort ? yes , answered he , and with reason ; for you shall onely lose a wicked life , but i , felicity . chap. xxi . of theramenes . it happened that as soon as theramenes came out of an house , the house fell down immediately : the athenians flocked to him from every side to congratulate his escape ; but he , contrary to all their expectations , said , o jupiter , to what opportunity do you reserve me ? and not long after he was put to death by the thirty tyrants , drinking hemlock . chap. xxii . of some that studied medicine . they say that pythagoras was much addicted to the art of medicine . plato also studied it much . so did aristotle son of nicomachus , and many others . chap. xxiii . of aristotle being sick . aristotle on a time falling sick , the physician prescribed him something . cure me not as if i were an oxe-driver , ( saith he ) but shew me first a reason , and then i will obey : implying , that nothing is to be done but upon good grounds . chap. xxiv . of the luxury of smindyrides . smindyrides the sybarite advanced to so high degree of luxury , that though the sybarites themselves were very luxurious , yet he farre out-went them . on a time being laid to sleep on a bed of roses , as soon as he awaked he said , that the hardness of the bed had raised blisters on him . how would he have done to lie on the ground , or on a carpet , or on the grass , or on a bull 's skin , as diomedes ? a bed befitting a souldier . and underneath him a bull 's skin they spread . chap. xxv . how pisistratus behaved himself towards his citizens . pisistratus having obtained the government , sent for such as passed their time idlely in the market-place , and asked them the reason why they walked up and down unemployed , adding , if your yoke of oxen be dead , take of mine , and goe your waies and work ; if you want corn for seed , you shall have some of me . he feared lest being idle , they might contrive some treason against him . chap. xxvi . of zeno and antigonus . antigonus the king loved and respected zeno the cittiean exceedingly . it happened , that on a time being full of wine , he met zeno , and like a drunken man embraced and kissed him , and bade him ask something of him , binding himself by an oath to grant it . zeno said to him , goe then and sleep ; gravely and discreetly reproving his drunkenness , and consulting his health . chap. xxvii . ingenuity of manners . one reprehended a lacedemonian rustick for grieving immoderately . he answered with great simplicity , what should i doe ? it is not i that am the cause , but nature . chap. xxviii . of diogenes . a spartan commending this verse of hesiod , not so much as an oxe can die , unless a neighbour ill be by ; and diogenes hearing him , but , saith he , the messenians and their oxen were destroyed , and you are their neighbours . chap. xxix . that socrates was fearless , and despised gifts . socrates coming home late one night from a feast , some wild young men knowing of his return , lay in wait for him , attired like furies , with vizards and torches , whereby they used to fright such as they met . socrates as soon as he saw them , nothing troubled , made a stand , and fell to question them , as he used to doe to others in the lyceum , or academy . alcibiades , ambitiously munificent , sent many presents to socrates . xanthippe admiring their value , desired him to accept them . we ( answered socrates ) will contest in liberality with alcibiades , not accepting by a kind of munificence what he hath sent us . also when one said to him , it is a great thing to enjoy what we desire ; he answered , but a greater not to desire at all . chap. xxx . of the providence of anaxarchus . anaxarchus when he accompanied alexander in the warres , the winter coming on , foreseeing that alexander would encamp in a place destitute of wood , buried all his vessels and other utensils in his tent , and laded his carriages with wood . when they came to the rendezvous , there being want of wood , alexander was forced to make use of his bedsteds for fuell . but being told that anaxarchus had gotten fire , he went to him and anointed himself in his tent. and having understood his providence , commended it ; bestowing on him utensils and garments double in value to those he had thrown away , for the use of his fire . chap. xxxi . of a wrastler who , having gained the victory , died before he was crowned . a wrastler of crotona having gained the victory at the olympick games , going to the judges to receive the crown , was suddenly seized with an epileptick fit , and died with the fall . chap. xxxii . of the statues of phryne a curtizan , and the mares of cimon . the grecians erected a statue of phryne the curtizan at delphi upon a high pillar : i say not simply the grecians , lest i seem to involve them all in that crime whom i chiefly love , but those of the grecians who were most addicted to intemperance . the statue was of gold. there were also at athens statues of the mares of cimon in brass proportioned to the life . chap. xxxiii . the answer of a young man to his father , demanding what he had learned . a young man of eretria , having heard zeno a long time , returning home , his father asked him what wisedome he had learnt . he answered that he would shew him . his father being angry , and beating him , he bore it humbly . this ( saith he ) i have learnt , to bear with the anger of a father . chap. xxxiv . of persons richly clad . diogenes coming to olympia , and seeing at the solemnity some young men , rhodians , richly attired , laughing said , this is pride . then meeting with some lacedemonians clad in coats course and sordid , this ( said he ) is another pride . chap. xxxv . of antisthenes taking pride in a torn cloak . socrates seeing that antisthenes alwaies exposed to view the torn part of his cloak , will you not ( saith he ) lay aside ostentation amongst us ? chap. xxxvi . of antigonus and a lutenist . a lutenist shewed his skill before antigonus , who often saying to him , scrue the treble ; and again , scrue up the tenor : the lutenist angry said , the gods divert such a mischief from you , o king , as for you to be more skilful herein then i am . chap. xxxvii . how anaxarchus derided alexander , who would be esteemed a god. anaxarchus , surnamed eudaemonicus , laughed at alexander for making himself a god. alexander on a time falling sick , the physician prescribed a broth for him . anaxarchus laughing , said , the hopes of our god are in a porrenger of broth. chap. xxxviii . of alexander , and the harp of paris . alexander went to troy , and making there a curious scrutiny , one of the trojans came to him , and shewed him the harp of paris . he said , i had much rather see that of achilles then this of paris . for he desired to see that which belonged to the excellent souldier , and to which he sung the praises of great persons . but to that of paris , what were sung but adulterous airs to take and entice women ? chap. xxxix . of ridiculous and extravagant affections . who can say that these affections were not ridiculous and extravagant ? that of xerxes , when he fell in love with a plane-tree . likewise a young man at athens , of a good family , fell desperately in love with the statue of good fortune , which stood before the prytaneum . he often would embrace it and kiss it ; at last transported with mad desire , he came to the senate , and desired that he might purchase it at any rate . but not obtaining his suit , he crowned it with many garlands and ribbons , offered sacrifice , put upon it a very rich garment , and , after he had shed innumerable tears , killed himself . **** chap. xl. of the pilots of the carthaginian ships . the carthaginians appointed two pilots for every ship , saying , that it was not fit a ship should have two rudders ; and he who did chiefly benefit the passengers , and had command of the ship , should be desolate and alone without an assistant . chap. xli . of pausanias and simonides . simonides the cean and pausanias the lacedemonian ( they say ) were at a feast together . pausanias bade simonides speak some wise thing . but the cean laughing , said , ' ' remember you are a man. at that present pausanias slighted this , and valued it not ; siding then with the medes , & proud of the hospitality which the king shewed him ; perhaps also transported with wine : but when he was in the temple of minerva chalcioecus , and struggled with famine , and was ready to die the most miserable of men , he then remembred simonides , and cried out thrice , o cean guest , thy speech imported much , though i ignorantly undervalued it . chap. xlii . of artaxerxes and darius . artaxerxes having put his eldest son darius to death for conspiring against him ; the second , his father commanding , drew his scimitar and slew himself before the palace . the end. aelian's various history . the tenth book . chap. i. of pherenice admitted to behold the olympick games . pherenice brought her son to contend at the olympick games : the judges forbidding her to behold the spectacle , she went and argued with them , alledging she had a father who had been victor at the olympick●… , as also three brothers , and she had now brought a son to be one of the contendours . thus she prevailed with the people , contrary to the law , which forbids women the spectacle , and beheld the olympick games . chap. ii. of the continency of eubatas . lais seeing eubatas the cyrenaean , fell deeply in love with him , and made a proposal of marriage to him : which he ( fearing some treachery from her ) promised to doe ; but forbare her company , and lived continently . it was agreed they should be married assoon as the games were over . assoon as he had won , that he might not seem to break his contract with her , he caused her picture to be drawn , and carried it along with him to cyrene , saying he had taken lais , and not broken the agreement . for which she that should have married him caused a great statue to be erected for him in cyrene , to requite this continence . chap. iii. properties of some creatures . young partridges , assoon as their feet are at liberty , can run nimbly . young ducks , assoon as fledged , swim . and the whelps of lions , before they are brought forth , scratch their dam with their claws , eager to come into the light . chap. iv. of alexander's quickness in action . alexander son of philip marched in his arms thrice four hundred furlongs , and before he rested fought the enemy , and overcame them . chap. v. of tyrants , out of aesop's writing . this is a phrygian saying , for it is aesop's the phrygian . the sow when any one takes her , makes a great cry , and not without cause , for she hath no wooll or the like , and therefore presently dreams of death , knowing that so she may benefit those who make use of her . tyrants are like aesop's sow , mistrusting and fearing every thing , for they know , as swine , that their life is owing to every one . chap. vi. of little men . for leanness were derided sannyrio the comick poet , and melitus the tragick poet , and cinesias who made songs for round dances , and philetas the poet that wrote hexameters . archestratus the prophet , being taken by the enemy , and put in a pair of scales , was found to weigh but one obolus . panaretus also was very lean , yet lived free from sickness . they report likewise that hipponax the poet was not onely low of person and deformed , but very slender . moreover philippides , against whom is extant an oration of hyperides , was very lean . so that to be of a very spare constitution , they commonly called to be philippified . witness alexis . chap. vii . of some astronomers , and of the great year . oenopides the chian , an astronomer , set up a brass table at the olympicks , having written thereon the astronomy of fifty nine years , affirming this to be the great year . meton the laconian , an astronomer , erected pillars on which he inscribed the tropicks of the sun , and found out as he said the great year , which he affirmed to consist of nineteen years . chap. viii . of benefits . aristotle the cyrenaean said , that we ought not to receive a benefit from any ; for either you must take pains to requite it , or seem ungrateful if you requite it not . chap. ix . that philoxenus was a glutton . philoxenus was gluttonous , and a slave to his belly . seeing a pot boiling in a cook 's shop , he pleased himself all the while with the smell ; at last his appetite increased , and nature prevailed ( o gods , a beastly nature ) so that not able to forbear any longer , he commanded his boy to buy the pot. who answering that the cook valued it at a great rate ; he replies , it will be so much the sweeter , the more i pay for it . such things ought to be remembred , not that we may imitate , but avoid them . chap. x. of the ancient painters . when painting first began , and was as it were in its infancy , they drew creatures so rudely , that the painters were fain to write upon them , this is an oxe , that a horse , this a tree . chap. xi . of diogenes having a pain in his shoulder . diogenes had a pain in his shoulder by some hurt , as i conceive , or from some other cause : and seeming to be much troubled , one that was present being vexed at him , derided him , saying , why then do you not die , diogenes , and free your self from ills ? he answered , it was fit those persons who knew what was to be done and said in life , ( of which sort he professed himself one ) should live . wherefore for you ( saith he ) who know neither what is fit to be said or done , it is convenient to die ; but me , who know these things , it behoveth to live . chap. xii . an apophthegm of archytas concerning men. archytas said , that as it is hard to find a fish without sharp bones , so is it to find a man who hath not something of deceit and sharpness . chap. xiii . that archilochus defamed himself . critias accused archilochus for defaming himself : for ( saith he ) if he himself had not brought this report of himself into greece , we could never have known either that he was son of enipo a woman-servant ; or that he left parus through want and penury , and came to thasus ; how that after he came thither he bore them enmity ; nor that he spake ill of friends and foes alike : nor ( said he ) had we known that he was an adulterer , if we had not been told it by himself ; nor that he was luxurious and insolent ; nor ( which was the basest of all ) that he threw away his shield . wherefore he was no good witness of himself , leaving so bad a record behind him . this is laid to his charge , not by me , but by critias . chap. xiv . of idleness . socrates said that idleness is the sister of liberty , alledging in testimony hereof the indians and persians , people most valiant and most free , but as to work most slothful : the phrygians and lydians very laborious , and servile . chap. xv. of those who were betrothed to the daughters of aristides and lysander . some of the most eminent of the grecians betrothed themselves to the daughters of aristides , whilest he was yet living ; but they looked not upon the life of aristides , nor admired his justice . for if they had been emulators of these , they would not afterward have broken their contract . but as soon as he was dead , they disengaged themselves from the virgins ; because at his death it was known that the son of lysimachus was poor , which deterred those miserable men from so worthy ( in my opinion ) and honourable a match . the like happened to lysander , for when they knew that he was poor , they shunned his alliance . chap. xvi . of antisthenes and diogenes . antisthenes invited many to learn philosophy of him , but none came . at last , growing angry , he would admit none at all , and therefore bad diogenes be gone also . diogenes continuing to come frequently , he chid and threatned him , and at last struck him with his staff. diogenes would not goe back , but persisting still in desire of hearing him , said , strike if you will , here is my head , you cannot find a staff hard enough to drive me from you , until you have instructed me . antisthenes overcome with his perseverance , admitted him , and made him his intimate friend . chap. xvii . of those who grew rich by publick imployments . critias saith that themistocles son of neocles , before he had a publick command , was heir to no more then three talents : but having had a charge in the commonwealth , and happening afterwards to be banished , his estate being exposed to publick sale , was valued at more then a hundred talents . likewise cleon , before he came to be engaged in publick affairs , had not means enough for a free person ; but afterwards left an estate of fifty talents . chap. xviii . of syracusian daphnis , and of bucolick verses . some say that daphnis the neatherd was mercurie's friend , others , his son ; and that he had this name from an accident : for he was born of a nymph , and as soon as born exposed under a laurel-tree . the cows which he kept ( they say ) were sisters to those of the sun , mentioned by homer in the odyssees . whilest daphnis kept cows in sicily , being very beautiful , a nymph fell in love with him , whom he enjoyed , being in his blooming years , at which time ( as homer saith ) the gracefulness of youth appeareth most attractive . they agreed that he should not enjoy any other ; but if he transgressed , she threatned him , that it was decreed by fate he should lose his sight . hereupon they plighted troth mutually . afterwards the king's daughter falling in love with him , he being drunk violated the agreement , and lay with her . this was the first occasion of bucolick verses , the subject whereof was to bewail the misfortune of daphnis , and the loss of his eyes . stesichorus the himeraean first used this kind of verse . chap. xix . of eurydamus . eurydamus the cyrenaean gained the victory at the caestus : his teeth being beaten out by his antagonist , he swallowed them down , that his adversary might not perceive it . chap. xx. of agesilaus . the persian emperour sent word to agesilaus , that he would be his friend . agesilaus returned answer , that he could not be a friend particularly to agesilaus : but if he were friend to all the lacedemonians , he must consequently be his also , for he had a share in each of them . chap. xxi . of plato . perictione carried plato in her arms . aristo sacrificing in hymettus to the muses or the nymphs , whilest they were performing the divine rites , she laid plato down among certain thick and shady myrtle-trees that grew near to the place . a swarm of hymettian bees lighted about his mouth as he slept , thereby signifying the future sweetness of plato's tongue . chap. xxii . of dioxippus . dioxippus in the presence of alexander and the macedonians , laying hold of a club , challenged corrhagus a macedonian armed to single combat ; and having broken his spear closed with the man in armour , and casting him down , set his foot upon his neck , and drawing forth the sword that was girt to him , slew the armed man. alexander hated him for this . he perceiving that alexander hated him , died of grief . the end. aelian's various history . the eleventh book . chap. i. of oricadmus , and the art of wrastling . oricadmus gave rules for wrastling , and invented that manner of wrastling which is called sicilian . chap. ii. of the verses of oroebantius , dares and melisander . the poems of oroebantius the troezenian were before homer , as the troezenian relations affirm . they ●…ay also that dares the phrygian , whose phrygian iliad i know to be yet extant , was before homer . melisander the milesian writ the battel betwixt the lapithae and the centaurs . chap. iii. of icchus , and wrastling . icchus the tarentine used wrastling , and in the time of his exercise continued most temperate , using spare diet , and living continently all his time . chap. iv. of the baldness of agathocles . they say that agathocles tyrant of sicily was bald-headed even to derision ; his hair by degrees falling off , he ashamed made a myrtle garland to cover his head and hide the baldness . the syracusians were not ignorant of his want of hair , but they took no notice of it , by reason of his fierce spirit and tyrannical demeanour . chap. v. of some persons unjustly condemned for sacrilege . some persons sacrificed at delphi ; the delphians conspiring against them , privately put consecrated monies into the baskets wherein was their frankincense and cakes for sacrifice . hereupon apprehending them as sacrilegious persons , they led them to the top of the rock , and , according to the delphian law , threw them down . chap. vi. of an adulterer . it happened that an adulterer was taken in thespiae , and as he was led fettered through the market-place , his friends rescued him . this occasioned an insurrection , wherein many men were slain . chap. vii . of lysander and alcibiades . eteocles the lacedemonian said that sparta could not suffer two lysanders : and archestratus the athenian said that athens could not suffer two alcibiades . so intolerable were they both in their countries . chap. viii . of the death of hipparchus . hipparchus was murthered by harmodius and aristogiton , because he would not suffer the sister of harmodius to carry the basket to the goddess , according to the custome of the country , in the panathenian solemnity , she perhaps deserving it . chap. ix . of certain excellent persons , indigent , yet would not accept gifts . the most excellent persons among the greeks lived in extreme penury all their lives . let some then still praise riches above the best grecians , to whom penury was allotted as long as they lived . of those was aristides son of lysimachus , a man of excellent conduct in war , who also imposed tribute on the grecians : yet this so great a person did not leave enough to buy him funeral ornaments . phocion also was very poor , who when alexander sent him a hundred talents , asked , for what reason doth he give me this ? they answering , because he conceives you to be the onely just and good person amongst the athenians ; he replied , then let him suffer me to be such . epaminondas also son of polymnis was poor . when jason sent him sive hundred crowns , you begin ( saith he ) to doe me wrong . he borrowed of a citizen five hundred drachms for the charges of his journey to peloponnesus ; but hearing that his squire had got money of a prisoner , give me , saith he , the shield back , and purchase for your self a cook 's shop to live in : for now you are grown rich , you will no longer fight . pelopidas being reproved by his friends for neglecting riches , a thing necessary to life ; yes , by jove , saith he , necessary for that nicomedes indeed ; pointing to one lame and maimed . scipio lived fifty four years , and neither bought nor sold any thing , with so little was he contented . one shewing him a shield richly adorned , he said , but it behoves a roman to place his hope on his right hand , not on his left . ephialtes son of sophonides was exceeding poor : his friends offering to give him ten talents , he would not accept them , saying , these will either make me , through respect of you , to doe something unjustly in favour ; or if i shew no particular favour or respect to you , i shall seem ungrateful . chap. x. of zoilus . zoilus the amphipolitan , who wrote against homer , plato and others , was disciple of polycrates . this polycrates wrote an accusation against socrates . zoilus was called the rhetorical dog ; his character this , he wore a long beard , he shaved his head close , his gown reached not to his knees , his whole employment was to speak ill and sow dissension ; this unhappy man was wholly given to detraction . a 〈◊〉 person asked him why he spoke ill of all : he answered , because i would doe them hurt , but cannot . chap. xi . of dionysius the sicilian . dionysius the sicilian practised physick ▪ and did cures himself , lancing ; cauterizing , and the like . chap. xii . of a marchpane sent by alcibiades to socrates . alcibiades sent to socrates a large marchpane fairly wrought . xanthippe angry hereat ; after her manner , threw it out of the basket , and trod upon it : whereat socrates laughing said , and you then will have no share in it your self . if any one think that in relating these things i speak trifles , he knows not that even in such a wise man is proved , despising those things which the vulgar esteem as the ornament of a table , and crown of a feast . chap. xiii . of one in sicily very sharp-sighted . they say there was a sicilian of so sharp sight , that extending his view from lilybaeus to carthage he erred not : they say he could tell the number of the ships riding at carthage without missing . the end. aelian's various history . the twelfth book . chap. i. of aspasia . aspasia a phocian , daughter o●… hermotimus , was brought up a●… orphan , her mother dying i●… the pains of child-birth . sh●… was bred up in poverty , but modestly an●… vertuously . she had many times a drea●… which foretold her that she should be mar●… ried to an excellent person . whilest sh●… was yet young , she chanced to have a swe●… ling under her chin , loathsome to sigh●… whereat both the father and the maid we●… much afflicted . her father brought her 〈◊〉 a physician : he offered to undertake t●… cure for three staters ; the other said he ha●… not the money . the physician replied , he had then no physick for him . hereupon aspasia departed weeping ; and holding a looking-glass on her knee , beheld her face in it , which much increased her grief . going to rest without supping , by the reason of the trouble she was in , she had an opportune dream ; a dove seemed to appear to her as she slept , which being changed to ●… woman , said , be of good courage , and bid a long farewel to physicians and their medicines : take of the dried rose of venus garlands , which being pounded apply to the swelling . after the maid had ●…nderstood and made trial of this , the tumor was wholly asswaged ; and aspasia recovering her beauty by means of the most beautiful goddess , did once again appear the ●…airest amongst her virgin-companions , enriched with graces far above any of the rest . of hair yellow , locks a little curling , she had great eyes , somewhat hawk-nosed , ears short , skin delicate , complexion like roses ; whence the phocians , whilest she was yet a child , called her milto . her lips were red , teeth whiter then snow , small insteps , such as of those women whom homer calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . her voice sweet and smooth , that whosoever heard her might justly say he heard the voice of a siren. she was averse from womanish curiosity in dressing : such things are to be supplied by wealth . she being poor , and bred up under a poor father , used nothing superfluous or extravagant to advantage her beauty . on a time aspasia came to cyrus , son of darius and parysatis , brother of artaxerxes , not willingly nor with the consent of her father , but by compulsion , as it often happens upon the taking of cities , or the violence of tyrants and their officers . one of the officers of cyrus brought her with other virgins to cyrus , who immediately preferred her before all his concubines , for simplicity of behaviour , and modesty ; whereto also contributed her beauty without artifice , and he●… extraordinary discretion , which was such , that cyrus many times asked her advice in affairs , which he never repented to have followed . when aspasia came first to cyrus , it happened that he was newly rise●… from supper , and was going to drink afte●… the persian manner : for after they have done eating , they betake themselves to wine , and fall to their cups freely , encountring drink as an adversary . whilest they were in the midst of their drinking , fou●… grecian virgins were brought to cyrus amongst whom was aspasia the phocian . they were finely attired ; three of them had their heads neatly drest by their own women which came along with them , and had painted their faces . they had been also instructed by their governesses how to behave themselves towards cyrus , to gain ●…is favour ; not to turn away when he came to them , not to be coy when he touched them , to permit him to kiss them , and many other amatory instructions practised by women who exposed their beauty to sale . each contended to outvie the other in handsomeness . onely aspasia would not endure to be clothed with a rich robe , nor to put on a various-coloured vest , nor to be washed ; but calling upon the grecian and eleutherian gods , she cried out upon her father's name , execrating herself to her father . she thought the robe which she should put on was a manifest sign of bondage . at last being compelled with blows she put it on , and was necessitated to behave herself with greater liberty then beseemed a virgin. when they came to cyrus , the rest smiled , and expressed chearfulness in their looks . but aspasia looking on the ground , her eyes full of tears , did every way express an extraordinary bashfulness . when he commanded them to sit down by him , the rest instantly obeyed ; but the phocian refused , until the officer caused her to sit down by force . when cyrus looked upon or touched their eyes , cheeks and fingers , the rest freely permitted him ; but she would not suffer it : for if cyrus did but offer to touch her , she cried out , saying , he should not goe unpunished for such actions . cyrus was herewith extremely pleased ; and when upon his offering to touch her breast , she rose up , and would have run away , cyrus much taken with her native ingenuity , which was not like the persians , turning to him that bought them , this maid onely , saith he , of those which you have brought me is free and pure ; the rest are adulterate in face , but much more in behaviour . hereupon cyrus loved her above all the women he ever had . afterwards there grew a mutual love between them , and their friendship proceeded to such a height that it almost arrived at parity , not differing from the concord and modesty of grecian marriage . hereupon the fame of his affection to aspasia was spread to ionia and throughout greece ; peloponnesus also was filled with discourses of the love betwixt cyrus and her . the report went even to the great king [ of persia , ] for it was conceived that cyrus , after his acquaintance with her , kept company with no other woman . from these things aspasia recollected the remembrance of her old apparition , and of the dove , and her words , and what the goddess foretold her . hence she conceived that she was from the very beginning particularly regarded by her . she therefore offered sacrifice of thanks to venus . and first caused a great image of gold to be erected to her , which she called the image of venus , and by it placed the picture of a dove beset with jewels , and every day implored the favour of the goddess with sacrifice and prayer . she sent to hermotimus her father many rich presents , and made him wealthy . she lived continently all her life , as both the grecian and persian women affirm . on a time a neck-lace was sent as a present to cyrus from scopas the younger , which had been sent to scopas out of sicily . the neck-lace was of extraordinary workmanship , and variety . all therefore to whom cyrus shewed it admiring it , he was much taken with the jewel , and went immediately to aspasia , it being about noon . finding her asleep , he lay down gently by her , watching quietly whilest she slept . as soon as she awaked , and saw cyrus , she imbraced him after her usual manner . he taking the neck-lace out of a boxe , said , this is worthy either the daughter or the mother of a king. to which she assenting ; i will give it you , said he , for your own use , let me see your neck adorned with it . but she received not the gift , prudently and discreetly answering , how will parysatis your mother take it , this being a gift fit for her that bare you ? send it to her , cyrus , i will shew you a neck handsome enough without it . aspasia from the greatness of her minde acted contrary to other royal queens , who are excessively desirous of rich ornaments . cyrus being pleased with this answer , kissed aspasia . all these actions and speeches cyrus writ in a letter which he sent together with the chain to his mother ; and parysatis receiving the present was no less delighted with the news then with the gold , for which she requited aspasia with great and royal gifts ; for this pleased her above all things , that though aspasia were chiefly affected by her son , yet in the love of cyrus she desired to be placed beneath his mother . aspasia praised the gifts , but said she had no need of them ; ( for there was much money sent with the presents ) but sent them to cyrus , saying , to you who maintain many men this may be useful : for me it is enough that you love me and are my ornament . with these things , as it seemeth , she much astonished cyrus . and indeed the woman was without dispute admirable for her personal beauty , but much more for the nobleness of her mind . when cyrus was slain in the fight against his brother , and his army taken prisoners , with the rest of the prey she was taken ; not falling accidentally into the enemies hands , but sought for with much diligence by king artaxerxes , for he had heard her ●…ame and vertue . when they brought her bound , he was angry , and cast those that did it into prison . he commanded that a rich robe should be given her : which she hearing , intreated with tea●…s and lamentation that she might not put on the garment the king appointed , for she mourned exceedingly for cyrus . but when she had put it on , she appeared the fairest of all women , and artaxerxes was immediately surprised and inflamed with love of her . he valued her beyond all the rest of his women , respecting her infinitely . he endeavoured to ingratiate himself into her favour , hoping to make her forget cyrus , and to love him no less then she had done his brother ; but it was long before he could compass it . for the affection of aspasia to cyrus had taken so deep impression , that it could not easily be rooted out . long after this , teridates the eunuch died , who was the most beautiful youth in asia . he had full surpassed his childhood , and was reckoned among the youths . the king was said to have loved him exceedingly : he was infinitely grieved and troubled at his death , and there was an universal mourning throughout asia , every one endeavouring to gratify the king herein ; and none durst venture to come to him and comfort him , for they thought his passion would not admit any consolation . three daies being past , aspasia taking a mourning robe as the king was going to the bath , stood weeping , her eyes cast on the ground . he seeing her , wondred , and demanded the reason of her coming . she said , i come , o king , to comfort your grief and affliction , if you so please ; otherwise i shall goe back . the persian pleased with this care , commanded that she should retire to her chamber , and wait his coming . as soon as he returned , he put the vest of the eunuch upon aspasia , which did in a manner fit her : and by this means her beauty appeared with greater splendo●…r to the king's eye , who much affected the youth . and being once pleased herewith , he desired her to come alwaies to him in that dress , until the height of his grief were allayed : which to please him she did . thus more then all his other women , or his own son and kindred , she comforted artaxerxes , and relieved his sorrow ; the king being pleased with her care , and prudently admitting her consolation . chap. ii. of the muses . no statuary or painter did ever represent the daughters of jupiter armed . this signifies that the life which is devoted to the muses ought to be peaceable and meek . chap. iii. of epaminondas , and daiphantus , and iolaidas . epaminondas having received a mortal wound at mantinea , and being brought ( yet alive ) to the tents , called for daiphantus , that he might declare him general ▪ when they told him that he was slain , he called to iolaidas . when they said that he also was dead , he counselled them to make peace and friendship with their enemies , because the thebans had no longer any general . chap. iv. of sesostris . the aegyptians say that sesostris received learning and counsel from mercury . chap. v. of lais. lais the curtezan was called ( as aristophanes the byzantine reports ) axine , [ ] which surname impleads the cruelty of her disposition . chap. vi. of the parents of marius and cato . they deserve to be laughed at who are proud of their ancestors , since among the romans we know not the father of marius , yet admire him for his parts . to know the father of cato the elder would require much scrutiny ▪ chap. vii . of alexander and hephaestion . alexander crowned the tomb of achilles , and hephaestion that of patroclus ; signifying that he was as dear to alexander as patroclus to achilles . chap. viii . of the treachery of cleomenes to archonides . cleomenes the lacedemonian taking to him archonides one of his friends , made him partaker of his design ; whereupon he swore to him that if he accomplished it he would doe all things by his head . being possessed of the government , he killed his friend , and cutting off his head put it into a vessel of honey . and whensoever he went to doe any thing , he ●…tooped down to the vessel , and said what he ●…ntended to doe ; affirming that he had not broken his promise , nor was forsworn , for he advised with the head of archonides . chap. ix . how timesias forsook his country voluntarily . timesias the clazomenian governed the clazomenians uprightly ; for he was a good man : but envy , which useth to oppugn such persons , assaulted him also . at first he little valued the envy of the common people , but at last forsook his countrey upon this occasion . on a time he passed by the school just as the boyes were dismissed of their master to play . two boyes fell out about a line . one of them swore , so may i break the head of timesias . hearing this , and imagining that he was much envied and hated of the citizens , and that if the boyes hated him , the men did much more , he voluntarily forsook his country . chap. x. that the aeginetae first coyned money . the aeginetae were once most powerful amongst the greeks , having a great advantage and opportunity ; for they had a great command at sea , and were very powerful . they also behaved themselves valiantly in the persian warre , whereby they gained the chief prize of valour . moreover , they first stamped money , and from them it was called aeginean money . chap. xi . of the pallantian hill , and of the temple and altar dedicated to feaver . the romans erected a temple and altar to feaver under the pallantian hill. chap. xii . of an adulterer apprehended in crete . an adulterer being apprehended at gortyne in crete , was brought to trial , and being convicted , was crowned with wooll . this kind of crowning argued that he was unmanly , effeminate , studious to please women . he was by the general vote fined fifty staters , degraded from honour , and made incapable of publick office. chap. xiii . how gnathaena the curtizan silenced a great talker . a lover came from hellespont to gnathaena the athenian curtizan , invited by her fame . he talked much in his drink , and was impertinent . gnathaena hereupon interposing , said , did not you affirm you came from hellespont ? he assenting ; and how then , saith she , happens it that you know not the chief city there ? he asking which that was , she answered , sigeum . by which name she ingeniously silenced him . chap. xiv . of persons excellent in beauty . they say that the most amiable and beautiful amongst the greeks was alcibiades , amongst the romans , scipio . it is reported also that demetrius poliorcetes contended in beauty . they affirm likewise that alexander son of philip was of a neglectful handsomness : for his hair curled naturally , and was yellow ; yet they say there was something stern in his countenance . homer speaking of handsome persons , compares them to trees , — he shoots up like a plant. chap. xv. of certain excellent persons who delighted to play with children . they say that hercules alleviated the trouble of his labours by play . the son of jupiter and alcmena sported much with children ; which euripides hints to us , making the god say , i play to intermit my toils : this he speaks holding a child . and socrates was on a time surprised by alcibi●…des , playing with lamprocles , as yet a child . agesilaus bestriding a reed , rid with his son a child , and to one that laughed at him , said , ' ' at this time hold your peace ; when ' ' you shall be a father your self , then you ' ' may give counsel to fathers . moreover archytas the tarentine , a great states-man and philosopher , having many servants , took great delight in their children , and played with them , chiefly delighting to sport with ●…hem at feasts . chap. xvi . persons whom alexander hated for their vertue . alexander hated perdiccas because he was martial ; lysimachus , because he was excellent in commanding an army ; sele●…cus , because he was valiant . the liberality of antigonus displeased him , the conduct of attalus , the fortune of ptolemee . chap. xvii . of demetrius going to the house of a curtizan . demetrius , lord over so many nations , went to the house of lamia a curtizan in his armour , and wearing his diadem . to have sent for her home had been very dishonourable , [ much more was it that ] he went amorously to her . i preferre theodorus the player on the flute before demetrius ; for lamia invited theodorus , but he contemned her invitation . chap. xviii . that phaon was beautiful . phaon , being the most beautiful of all men , was by venus hid among lettices . another saies he was a ferry-man , and exercised that employment . on a time venus●…ame ●…ame to him , desiring to pass over : he received her courteously , not knowing who ●…he was , and with much care conveyed her whither she desired ; for which the goddess gave him an alabaster box of ointment , which phaon using , became the most beautiful of men , and the wives of the mi●…ylenaeans fell in love with him . at last being taken in adultery he was killed . chap. xix . of sappho . sappho the poetress , daughter of scamandronymus , is ( by plato son of aristo ) ●…eckoned among the sages . i am informed that there was another sappho in lesbus , ●… curtizan , not a poetress . chap. xx. of the nightingale and swallow . hesiod saith that the nightingale above all birds cares not for sleep , but wakes continually ; and that the swallow wakes no●… alwaies , but half the night onely . this punishment they suffer for the horrid actio●… committed in thrace at the abominable supper . chap. xxi . of the lacedemonian women . the lacedemonian matrons , as many as heard that their sons were slain in fight ▪ went themselves to look upon the wounds they had received before and behind : and if of the wounds they had received the greater number were before , triumphing and looking proudly , they attended thei●… sons to the sepulchres of their parents ; but if they received wounds otherwise , they were ashamed and lamented , and hastene●… away as privately as they could , leaving the dead to be buried in the common sepulchre , or caused them to be brought away secretly and buried at home . chap. xxii . of the strength of titormus and milo , and of a certain proverb . they say that milo the crotonian , proud of his strength , happened to meet titormus a neatherd ; and seeing that titormus was of an extraordinary bigness , would make a trial of strength with him . titormus pleaded that he was not very strong ; but going down to euenus , and putting off his garment , he laid hold of an extraordinary great stone , and first drew it to him , then thrust it from him ; this he did two or three times : after which he lifted it up to his knees ; and lastly , lifting it up upon his shoulders , carried it eight paces , and then threw it down . but milo the crotonian could hardly stirre the stone . the second trial of titormus was this ; he went to his herd , and standing in the midst of them , took hold of the greatest bull amongst them by the leg , who endevoured to get away , but could not . another passing by , he catch'd him by the leg with the other hand , and held him also . milo beholding this , & stretching forth his hands to heaven , said , o jupiter , hast thou not begotten another hercules ? whence they say came this proverb , he is another hercules . chap. xxiii . of the boldness of the celtae . i am informed that the celtae are of all men most addicted to engage themselves in dangers . such persons as die gallantly in fight , they make the subjects of songs . they fight crowned , and erect trophies , triumphing in their actions , and leaving monuments of their valour , after the greek manner . they esteem it so dishonourable to flie , that many times they will not goe out of their houses when they are falling or burning , though they see themselves surrounded with fire . many also oppose themselves to inundations of the sea. there are also who taking their arms fall upon the waves , and resist their force with naked swords , and brandishing their lances , as if able to terrifie or wound them . chap. xxiv . of the luxurious diet and gluttony of smindyrides . they say that smindyrides the sybarite was so luxurious in diet , that when he went to sicyon , as a suitor to agarista daughter of clisthenes , he carried with him a thousand cooks , and as many fowlers , and a thousand fishermen . chap. xxv . many who improv'd and benefitted the most excellent persons . ulysses was improv'd by alcinous , achilles by chiron , patroclus by achilles , agamemnon by nestor , telemachus by menelaus , and hector by polydamas ; the trojans , as far as they followed him , by antenor ; the pythagorean disciples by pythagoras , the democriteans by democritus . if the athenians had followed socrates , they had been every way happy and skilful in philosophy . hiero son of dinomenes was delighted in simonides the cean , polycrates in anacreon , proxenus in xenophon , antig●…nus in zeno. and to mention those also who concern me no less then the greeks , inasmuch as i am a roman ; lucullus profited by antiochus the asc●…lonite , mecoenas by arius , cicero by apollodorus , augustus by athenodorus . but plato , who far exceeded me in wisedome , saith that jupiter himself had a counsellor ; but whom and how , we learn from him . chap. xxvi . of some persons addicted to wine . persons , as 't is said , most addicted to drink were xenagoras the rhodian , whom they called * amphoreus , and heraclides the wrastler , and proteas the son of lanica , who was brought up with alexander the king ; even alexander himself is said to have drunk more then any man. chap. xxvii . that hercules was mild towards his adversaries . they say that hercules was extraordinary mild towards his adversaries , for he is the first we know of who without any mediation freely gave back the bodies of the dead to be buried , the slain being at those times neglected , and left to be a feast for dogs , for , as homer saith , he made them unto dogs a prey ; and , a feast to dogs they were . — chap. xxviii . of the leocorium at athens . the leocorium so call'd at athens was a temple of the daughters of leos , praxithea , theope , and eubule . these , as is reported , were put to death for the city of athens , leos delivering them up according to the delphian oracle , which said , that the city could be no other way preserved then by putting them to death . chap. xxix . what plato said of the excess of the agrigentines . plato son of aristo , seeing that the agrigentines built magnificently and feasted highly , said , that the agrigentines build as if they were to live for ever , and feast as if they were to live no longer . timaeus affirms that the vessels in which they put their oil and their rubbers were of silver , and that they had beds all of ivory . chap. xxx . of the drunkenness of the tarentines , and the luxury of the cyrenaeans . the tarentines used to fall a-drinking as soon as they rose , and to be drunk by that time the people met in the forum . the cyrenaeans arrived at so great a height of luxury , that when they invited plato to be their law-giver , he would not vouchsafe it , as they say , by reason of their habitual dissoluteness . eupolis also mentioneth in his comedy entituled maricas , that the meanest of them had seals of the value of ten minae . their rings also were graven to admiration . chap. xxxi . of several kinds of greek wines . i will reckon to you the names of greek wines much esteemed by the ancients . one sort they call'd pramnian , which was sacred to ceres ; another chian , from the island ; another thasian and lesbian : besides these , there was one sort called glycys , sweet , the name agreeing with the tast ; another cretan , and at syracuse a sort named polian , from a king of the country . they drunk also coan wine , and so called it , as also rhodian , from the place . are not these demonstrations of the greek luxury ? they mix'd perfumes with their wine ; and so drank it by a forced composition , which wine was called myrrhinites . philippides the comick poet mentions it . chap. xxxii . of the vests and shoes of pythagoras , empedocles , hippias , and gorgias . pythagoras the samian wore a white vest , and a golden crown and drawers . empedocles the agrigentine used a sea-green vest , and shoes of brass . hippias and gorgias , as is reported , went abroad in purple vests . chap. xxxiii . that the romans would not allow the treachery of pyrrhus his physician . they say that nicias , physician to pyrrhus , writ privately to the roman senate , and demanded a summe of money for which he would undertake to poison pyrrhus ; but they accepted not his offer ( fo●… the romans know how to overcome by valour , not by art and treachery to circumvent their enemies , ) but discovered the design of nicias to pyrrhus . chap. xxxiv . of the loves of pausanias , and of apelles . many affections among the ancients are remembred , these not the least . pausanias loved his wife extraordinarily ; apelles the concubine of alexander , by name pancaste , by country a larissaean . she is said to be the first whom alexander ever enjoyed . chap. xxxv . of the perianders , miltiades , sibylls , and the bacides . there were two perianders , the one a philosopher , the other a tyrant : three miltiades ; one who built chersonesus , another the son of cypsellus , the third a son of cimon : four sibylls ; the erythraean , the samian , the aegyptian , and the sardian ▪ others adde six more , making them in all ten ; among which they reckon the cumaean and the jewish . there were three bacides ; one of hellas , another of athens , the third of arcadia . chap. xxxvi . of the number of the children of niobe . the ancients seem not to agree with one another concerning the number of the children of niobe . homer saith there were six sons and as many daughters ; lasus twice seven ; hesiod nineteen , if those verses are hesiod's , and not rather , as many others , falsly ascribed to him . aleman reckons them ten , mimnermus twenty , and pindar as many . chap. xxxvii . of the want of victual to which alexander was reduced ; and that some towns were taken by smoke . alexander in pursuit of bessus was reduced to extreme want of victual , insomuch that they were forc'd to feed on their camels , and other beasts of carriage ; and , being destitute of wood , did eat the flesh raw . but much silphium growing there , it did much avail them towards the digesting their diet. in bactriana the souldiers took several towns , conjecturing by the smoke that they were inhabited , taking away the snow from their doors . chap. xxxviii . of the horses , and some customes of the sacae . the horses of the sacae have this quality , that if one of them casts his rider , he stands still till he gets up again . if any of them intends to marry a virgin , he fights with her ; and if she gets the better , she carries him away captive , and commands and has dominion over him . they fight for victory , not to death . the sacae , when they mourn , hide themselves in caves and shady places . chap. xxxix . of the boldness of perdiccas , and of the lioness . perdiccas the macedonian , who fought under alexander , was so bold , that on a time he went alone into a cave where a lioness had whelped , and seised not on the lioness , but brought away her whelps : for which action he deserved to be much admired . the lioness is believed to be the most strong and most couragious of all creatures , not onely by grecians , but by the barbarians also . they say that semiramis the assyrian [ queen ] was very proud , not if she took a lion , or kill'd a leopard , or the like beasts , but if she overcame a lioness . chap. xl. of the provisions which followed xerxes . amongst the provisions full of magnificence and ostentation which were carried after xerxes , was some water of the river choaspes . when they wanted drink in a desart place , and had nothing to allay their thirst , proclamation was made in the army , that if any one had some water of choaspes , he should give it to the king to drink . there was found one who had a little , and that putrid . xerxes drank it , and esteemed the giver as his benefactor ; for he should have died of thirst if this had not been found . chap. xli . of protogenes the painter . protogenes the painter , as is said , bestowed seven years in drawing ialysus , at last perfected the piece : which apelles seeing , at first stood mute , struck with admiration of the wonderful sight ; then looking off from it , said , great is the work and the workman ; but the grace is not equal to the pains bestowed upon it ; which if this man could have given it , the work would have reached to heaven . chap. xlii . of certain men who were suckled by beasts . it is said that a bitch gave suck to cyrus , son of mandale ; a hind to telephus , son to agave and hercules ; a mare to pelias , son of neptune and tyro ; a bear to paris , son of alope and priam ; a goat to aegisthus , son of thyestes and pelopia . chap. xliii . certain persons who of obscure became very eminent . i am informed that darius son of hystaspes was quiver-bearer to cyrus : the last darius , who was vanquished by alexander , was the son of a woman-slave : archelaus king of the macedonians was son of simicha , a woman-slave : menelaus grandfather of philip was registred among the bastards ; his son amyntas was servant to aerope , and believ'd to be a slave : perseus , whom paulus the roman conquer'd , was by country argive , the son of some obscure person : eumenes is believed to have been son of a poor man , a piper at funerals : antigonus , son of philip , who had but one eye , whence surnamed cyclops , was servant to polysperchus and a robber : themistocles , who overcame the barbarians at sea , and who alone understood the meaning of the oracle of the gods , was son of a thracian woman , his mother was called abrotonos : phocion , surnamed the good , had for father a poor mechanick . they say that demetrius pha●…ereus was a houshold-servant belonging to the families of timotheus and conon . though hyperbolus , cleophon and demades were chief men in the commonwealth of the athenians , yet no man can easily say who were their fathers . in lacedemonia , callicratidas , gylippus and lysander were called mothaces , a name proper to the servants of rich men , whom they sent along with their sons to the places of exercise to be educated with them . lycurgus , who instituted this , granted , that such of them as continued in the discipline of the young men should be free of the lacedemonian commonwealth . the father of epaminondas was an obscure person . cleon tyrant of the sicyonians was a pirate . chap. xliv . of those who lived a long time in the quarries of sicily . the quarries of sicily were near the surface of the ground , in length a furlong , i●… breadth two acres ; there were in them some men who lived so long there , as to b●… married and have children , and some of thei●… children never saw the city , so that whe●… they went to syracuse , and beheld horse●… in chariots , they ran away crying out , bein●… much affrighted . the fairest of those caves did bear the name of philoxenus the poet , in which they say he dwelt when he composed his cyclops , the best of his poems , not valuing the punishment imposed upon him by dionysius , but in that calamity he exercised poetry . chap. xlv . of midas , plato , and pindar , their infancy . the phrygian stories say thus ; whilest midas the phrygian , yet an infant , lay asleep , ants crept into his mouth , and with much industry and pain brought thither some corn. these wrought a honey-comb in the mouth of plato . likewise pindar being exposed from his father's house , bees became his nurses , and gave him honey instead of milk. chap. xlvi . of a sign which portended that dionysius should be king. they say that dionysius , son of hermocrates , crossing a river on horse-back , his horse stuck in the mire ; he leaped off , and gained the bank , going away , and giving his horse for lost . but the horse following , and neighing after him , he went back , and as he was laying hold of his main to get up , a swarm of bees setled on his hand . to dionysius consulting what this portended , the * galeotae answered , that this signified monarchy . chap. xlvii . of aristomache wife of dio. dionysius banished dio out of sicily , but his wife aristomache and his son by her he kept in custody : afterwards h●… gave the woman in marriage against he●… will to polycrates one of his guard , i●… whom he most confided . he was by birt●… a syracusian . when dio took syracuse ▪ and dionysius fled to the locrians , aret●… sister of dio saluted him ; but aristomach●… followed aloof off through shame being veiled , and not daring to salute him as her husband , because by constraint she had not kep●… the matrimonial contract : but after aret●… had pleaded for her , and declared the violence used to her by dionysius , dio receive●… his wife and his son , and sent them to hi●… own house . chap. xlviii . of homer's poems . the indians sing the verses of homer translated into their own language ; and not onely they , but the persian kings also , if we may believe those who relate it . chap. xlix . that phocion forgave injuries . phocion , son of phocus , who had been often general , was condemned to die ; and being in prison ready to drink hemlock , when the executioner gave him the cup , his kinsmen asked him if he would say any thing to his son. he answered , i charge him that he bear no ill will to the athenians for this cup which i now drink . he who does not extol and admire the man , is , in my judgement , of little understanding . chap. l. of the lacedemonians not addicting themselves to learning . the lacedemonians were ignorant of learning , they studied onely exercise and arms ; if at any time they needed the help of learning , either in sickness or madness , or some other publick calamity , they sent for foreiners , as physicians ; according to the oracle of apollo , they sent for terpander , and thales , and tyrtaeus , nymphaeus the sidoniate , and alcman , for he was a player on the flute . thucydides implies that they were nothing addicted to learning , in that which he delivers concerning brasidas , for he saith that he was no good orator , as being a lacedemonian ; as if he had said , he was wholly illiterate . chap. li. of the pride of menecrates , and how philip derided him . menecrates the physician grew so extremely proud , that he called himself jupiter . on a time he sent a letter to philip king of the macedonians on this manner ; to philip , menecrates jupiter well to doe : philip writ back , philip to menecrates , health ; i advise you to betake your self to the places about anticyra : hereby implying that the man was mad . on a time philip made a magnificent f●…ast , and invited him to it , and commanded a bed to be prepared apart for him alone ; and when he was laid down , a censer was brought before him , and they burnt incense to him . the rest feasted highly , and the entertainment was magnificent . menecrates held out a while , and rejoyced in the honour : but soon after hunger came upon him , and convinced him that he was a man , and foolish . he arose and went away , saying he was affronted ; philip having most ingeniously discovered his folly . chap. lii . to what kind of persons isocrates compared athens . isocrates the orator said of athens , that it resembled curtezans : all that were taken with their beauty desired to enjoy them , but none would so much undervalue himself as to marry them . so athens was pleasant to travel to , and excelled all the rest of greece , but not secure to live in . he reflected on the many sycophants there , and the danger from those who affected popularity . chap. liii . of several occasions of great wars . i am not ignorant that the greatest wars have sprung from very slight occasions . they say that the persian [ war ] began upon the falling out of maeander the samian with the athenians ; the peloponnesian war from a tablet [ or picture ] of the megareans ; the war which was called sacred , for the exacting the mulcts adjudged by the amphictyones ; the war at chaeronea from the dispute between philip and the athenians , they not willing to accept of the place by way of gift [ but of restitution . ] chap. liv. how aristotle endeavoured to appease alexander's anger . aristotle willing to appease alexander's anger , and to quiet him being much incensed , wrote thus to him ; rage and anger is not towards equals , but towards superiours ; but to you no man is equal . aristotle advising alexander in such things as were fit to be done , did benefit many persons ; by this means he re-edified his own city , which had been razed by philip . chap. lv. of those who among the libyans were slain by elephants , either in hunting or in war. those who were slain by elephants either in hunting or in war , the libyans bury honourably , and sing certain hymns . the subject of the hymns is this ; that they were brave persons that durst oppose such a beast : adding , that an honourable death was a monument to the buried . chap. lvi . what diogenes saïd of the megareans . diogenes the sinopean said many things in the reproof of the ignorance and want of discipline of the megareans , and would rather chuse to be a ram belonging to a megarean , then his son. he implied that the megareans had great care of their flocks , but none of their children . chap. lvii . of the prodigies which appeared to the thebans , when alexander brought his forces against their city . when alexander son of philip brought his forces against thebes , the gods sent them many signs and prodigies , fore-shewing misfortunes greater then ever had happened ; ( but they , thinking that alexander died in illyria , gave out many reproachful speeches against him . ) for the lake in onchestus made a dreadful and continual noise , like the bellowing of a bull. the fountain which floweth by ismenus and the walls thereof , named dirce , which ever until that time had run with clear and sweet water , was then unexpectedly full of bloud . the thebans believed that the gods threatned the macedonians . in the temple of ceres , within the city , a spider made her web over the face of the image , working there as she useth to doe . the image of minerva , surnamed alalcomeneis , was burnt of it self , no fire being put to it : and divers other things . chap. lviii . of dioxippus . dioxippus the athenian , an olympick victor in wrastling , was brought [ * in a chariot ] into athens , according to the custome of wrastlers . the multitude flocked together , and crowded to behold him . amongst these a woman of extraordinary beauty came to see the shew . dioxippus beholding her , was immediately overcome with her beauty , and looked fixedly upon her , and turned his head back , often changing colour , whereby he was plainly detected by the people to be taken extraordinarily with the woman . but diogenes the sinopean did chiefly reprehend his passion thus ; a gold * tablet of corinthian work being set to sale , behold , said he , your great wrastler his neck writhed about by a girl . chap. lix . of truth and beneficence . pythagor as said that these two most excelle●…t things are given by the gods to men ; to speak truth , and to doe good [ to others : ] he added , that each of these resembled the actions of the gods. chap. lx. of dionysius and philip. on a time dionysius the second and philip son of amyntas conversed together . besides many other discourses which ( as is probable ) happened between them , was this ; philip asked dionysius how it came to pass , that having so great a kingdome left him by his father , he did not keep it . he answered not improperly , my father indeed left me all the rest ; but the fortune by which he obtained and kept them , he did not leave me . chap. lxi . of honour given to the wind boreas . dionysius set out a fleet against the thurians , consisting of three hundred ships full of armed men : but boreas blowing contrary , broke the vessels , and destroyed all his sea-forces . hereupon the thurians sacrificed to boreas , and by a publick decree made the wind free of their city , and allotted him an house and estate , and every year performed sacred rites to him . therefore not the athenians onely declared him their patron , but the thurians also registred him their benefactour . pausanias saith that the megalopolites did so likewise . chap. lxii . a persian law concerning those who give the king advice . this was also a persian law ; if any one would give advice to the king in difficult and ambiguous affairs , he stood upon a golden brick ; and if it was conceived that his advice was good , he took the brick in reward of his counsel , but was scourged for contradicting the king. to a free person , in my judgement , the reward did not countervalue the dishonour . chap. lxiii . o●… archedice a curtezan . one fell in love with archedice a curtezan at naucratis ; but she was proud and covetous , and demanded a great price ; which having received , she complied a little with the giver , and then cast him off . the young man who loved her , yet could not obtain her , because he was not very rich , dreamed that he embraced her , and was immediately quit of his affection . chap. lxiv . of alexander dead . alexander , son of philip and olympia , ending his daies at babylon , lay there dead , who had said that he was the son of jupiter . and whilest they who were about him contested for the kingdome , he remained without burial , which the poorest per●…ons enjoy , common nature requiring that the dead should be interred ; but he was left thirty daies unburied , until aristander the telmissian , either through divine instinct , or some other motive , came into th●… midst of the macedonians , and said to them ▪ that alexander was the most fortunat●… king of all ages , both living and dead ▪ and that the gods had told him , that th●… land which should receive the body i●… which his soul first dwelt , should be ab ▪ solutely happy and unvanquishable fo●… ever . hearing this , there arose a grea●… emulation amongst them , every one desirin●… to send this carriage to his own country that he might have this rarity the pledg●… of a firm undeclinable kingdome . bu●… ptolemee , if we may credit report , * stole away the body , and with all speed conveyed it to the city of alexander in aegypt . the rest of the macedonians were quiet , onely perdiccas pursued him ; not so much moved by love of alexander , or pious care of the dead body , as enflamed by the predictions of aristander . as soon as he overtook ptolemee there was a very sharp fight about the dead body , in a manner akin to that which happened concerning the image [ of hellen ] in troy , celebrated by homer , who saith that apollo in defence of aeneas engaged amidst the heroes ; for ptolemee having made an image like to alexander clothed it with the royal robe , and with noble funeral ornaments ; then placing it in one of the persian chariots , adorned the bier magnificently with silver , gold , and ivory ; but the true body of alexander he sent meanly ordered by obscure and private waies . perdiccas seizing the image of the dead man , and the richly-adorned chariot , gave over the pursuit , thinking he had gained the prize . but too late he found that he was couzened , for he had not got ●…hat at which he aimed . the end. aelian's various history . the thirteenth book . chap. i. of atalanta . the arcadian relation concerning atalanta daughter of jasion is this ; her father exposed her as soon as born , for he said he had not need of daughters but sons . but he to whom she was given to be exposed did not kill her , but going into the mountain parthenius laid her down by a spring , where there was a rock with a cave , over which there was a place full of oaks ; thus the infant was destined to death , but not deserted by fortune : for soon after a she-bear robbed by huntsmen of her whelps , her udder swoln and opprest with fulness o●… milk , came by a certain divine providence , taking delight in the child gave it suck ; whereby at once the beast eased her own pain , and nourished the infant : and came again , being opprest with milk ; and being no longer mother of her own , became nurse to one that nothing belonged to her . the same huntsmen who before had taken her whelps watch'd her , and searching every part of the thicket , when the bear according to her custome was gone to the pastures to get food , stole away atalanta , not yet so called ( for they gave her that name afterwards ) and she was bred up amongst them with wild food : and by degrees her stature encreased with her years , and she affected virginity , and shunned the conversation of men , and delighted in the desart , making choice of the highest of the arcadian mountains , where was a valley well furnished with water and tall oaks , as also fresh gales and a thick wood . why should it seem tedious to hear the description of atalanta's cave , more then that of calypso in homer ? in the hollow of the cliff there was a cave very deep fortified at the entrance with a great precipice ; along it crept ivy , and twined about the young trees , upon which it climbed . saffron also grew about the place in a young thick grove , with which also sprung up the hyacinths , and many other flowers of various colours , which not onely feasted the eye , but the odours which they exhaled round about into the air , did afford a banquet also to the smell . likewise there were many laurels , which being ever verdant were very delightful to the sight ; vines also growing thick and full of bunches before the cave , attested the industry of atalanta , springs ever running clear and cool to the touch and tast flowed there abundantly . these contributed much benefit to the trees we speak of , watering them and enlivening them continually . in fine , the place was full of beauty and majesty , such as argued the prudence of the virgin. the skins of beasts were atalanta's bed , their flesh her food , her drink water . she wore a careless vest , such as diana not disdained . for she said that she imitated her as well in this as in determining to live alwaies a virgin. she was exceeding swift of foot , so that not any beast could run away from her , nor any man that layed wait for her , was able ( if she would run away ) to overtake her . she was beloved , not onely of all those who saw her , but also of those who heard the report of her . if therefore it be not tedious we will describe her person . but tedious it cannot be , since hereby we may arrive at some degree of skill in rhetorick . whilest she was yet a child , she exceeded in stature those who were women grown ; for beauty she went beyond all other of the peloponnesian virgins of that time . her look was masculine and fierce , occasioned partly by eating the flesh of wild beasts , ( for she was very couragious ) partly by her exercise on the mountains . she had nothing of an effeminate loose disposition , neither did she come out of the thalamus , [ where virgins are educated . ] nor was one of those who are brought up by mothers or nurses . she was not corpulent ; for by hunting and other exercise she preserved herself in a good constitution . her hair was yellow , not by any womanish art or die , but by nature . her face was of a ruddy complexion , somewhat tanned by the sun. what flower is so beautiful as the countenance of a modest virgin ? she had two admirable properties , an irresistible beauty , and an awfulness . no timid person could fall in love with her , for such durst not look upon her , so much did her splendour dazle the beholders . that which caused her to be admired , besides other things , was her reservedness . for she exposed not her self to view , unless accidentally in following the chase , or defending herself from some man ; in which action she broke forth like lightning , then immediately hid herself in the thickest of the wood . on a time it happened that two bold young-men of the neighbouring country , centaurs , hyleus and rhecus , in love with her , came in a frolick to her . they had no players on the flute in this frolick , nor such things as the young men use in cities upon the like occasion , but took with them lighted torches , the sight whereof might have frighted a multitude , much more a lone maiden . then breaking boughs from the pine trees , they twined them about them , and made themselves garlands of them , and with continual clashing of weapons as they went along the mountains , set fire on the trees in their way to her , presenting her with injuries instead of nuptial gifts . she was aware of their plot , for she beheld the fire from her cave , and knowing who those revellers were , was nothing terrified with the sight : but drawing her bow , and letting fly an arrow , chanced to kill the first , who falling down , the other assaulted her , not in mirth , but as an enemy to revenge his friend and satisfie his passion . but he met with another vindictive arrow from her hand . thus much of atalanta daughter of jasion . chap. ii. how macareus was punished for cruelty . a mitylenaean , by name macareus , priest of bacchus , was of a mild and good look , but the most impious of all men . a stranger coming to him , & giving him a great summe of money to lay up , in the inner part of the temple ; macareus digging a hole , hid the gold in the ground . afterwards the stranger returning , demanded his money ; he le●…ding him in as if he meant to restore it murdered him , digging up the gold buried the man in the place , thinking that what he did was hid as well from god as from men ; but it proved otherwise , for not long after ; within a few daies came the triennial solemnity . whilest he was busied in celebrating the rites of bacchus in much state , his two sons that were left at home , imitating their father's sacrificing , went to his altar , where the brands were yet burning . the younger held out his neck , the elder finding a knife left there by accident , slew his brother as a victim . they of the family seeing this cried out . the mother hearing the cry , rushed forth , and seeing on●… of her sons slain , the other standing by with a bloudy sword , snatched a brand from the altar , and kill'd her surviving son. the news was brought to macareus , who giving over sacrifice , with all speed and eagerness ran to his own house , and with the thyrsus which he had in his hand , kill'd his wife . this wickedness was publickly known : macareus was taken , and being tortured , confessed what he had perpetrated in the temple . in the midst of thefe tortures he gave up the ghost . but the other who was murdered unjustly , had publick honour , and was interred by the appointment of god. thus macareus suffered due revenge , as the poet saith , with his own head , and his wives , and his childrens . chap. iii. of the monument of bel●…s , and the unfortunate sign which happened to xerxes there . xerxes son of darius , breaking up the monument of ancient belus , found an urn of glass in which his dead body lay in oil ; but the urn was not full , it wanted a hand-breadth of the top : next the urn there was a little pillar , on which it was written , that whosoever should open the sepulchre , and not fill up the urn , should have ill fortune . which xerxes reading , grew afraid , and commanded that they should pour oil into it with all speed ; notwithstanding , it was not filled : then he commanded to pour into it the second time , but neither did it increase at all thereby ; so that at last failing of success , he gave over ; and shutting up the monument departed very sad . nor did the event foretold by the pillar deceive him ; for he had an army of fifty myriads against greece , where he received a great defeat , and returning home , died miserably , being murthered in his bed by his own son , in the night time . chap. iv. of euripides drunk at a feast . king archelaus made a great entertainment for his friends . and when they fell to drink , euripides took off unmixt wine so freely , that by degrees he became drunk . then embracing agathon the tragick poet , who lay on the couch next him , he kissed him , who was at that time fourty years of age . archelaus asking him whether he seemed amiable at those years , yes , said he , of the beautiful not the spring onely , but even the autumn also is fair . chap. v. of laius . they say that laius fell in love with chrysippus son of pelops . ** chap. vi. the properties of arcadian , thatian , and achaean wines . at heraea in arcadia , i am informed there are vines from which is made wine , which bereaveth men of the use of reason , and maketh the arcadians mad , but causeth fruitfulness in the women . it is said that in thasus there are two sorts of wines ; one being drunk procureth sleep , profound , and consequently sweet ; the other is an enemy to life , and causet●… wakefulness and disturbance . in achaea about ceraunia there is a kind of wine , which causeth women to miscarry . chap. vii . of the taking of thebes by alexander , and of pindar . when alexander took thebes , he sold ●…ll the free-men except priests . and those who had formerly entertained his father as their guest , he set at liberty ( for philip , when a child lived there in hostage ) and such as were a-kin to them . he also respected those who were descended from pindar , and permitted his house onely to stand . he slew of the thebans ninety thousand , the captives were thirty thousand . chap. viii . of lysander . they say that lysander the lacedemonian living in ionia , and rejecting the laws of lycurgus as burthensome , led a luxufious life . chap. ix . of lamia . lamia the attick curtezan said , th●… lions of greece coming to ephesus be come foxes . chap. x. of dionysius marrying two wives i●… one day . in one day dionysius married two wives , doris the locrian , and aristaeneta daughter●… of hipparinus , sister of dio , and bedde●… them by turns : one accompanied him i●… the army , the other entertained him when he came home . chap. xi . of the conquest over the persians , and of isocrates . it was related to me that isocrates the oratour was occasion of the conquest of the ●…ersians , whom the macedonians subdued . for the fame of the panegyrick oration which isocrates made to the grecians , coming to macedonia , first excited philip ●…gainst asia . and he dying , it also instigated alexander his son and heir to prosecute the design of his father . chap. xii . how meton freed himself from an expedition ; and of the madness of ulysses . meton the astronomer , when the athe●…ian souldiers were upon an expedition ●…gainst sicily , was registred amongst them 〈◊〉 the catalogue . but clearly foreseeing ●…he future disasters , he through fear shun●…ed the voyage , endeavouring to be quit of the expedition . but when that nothing ●…vailed , he counterfeited madness , and a●…ongst other things , to procure a belief of ●…is infirmity , fired his own house which was next the poecile . hereupon the ar●…hons dismissed him , and in my opinion , meton much better counterfeited madness then ulysses the ithacian ; for palamedes discovered him , but none of the atheni●…ns meton . chap. xiii . of the munificence of ptolemee . they say that ptolemee son of lagus●…ook ●…ook greatest delight in making his friends rich ; for he said , 't is better to enrich others , then be rich our selves . chap. xiv . of the verses and poetry of homer . the ancients sung the verses of homer , divided into several parts , to which they gave particular names ; as the fight at the ships , and the dolonia , and the victory of agamemnon , and the catalogue of the ships . moreover the patroclea , and the lytra , [ or redemption of hector's body ] and the games instituted for patroclus , and the breach of vows . thus much of the iliads . as concerning the other , [ the odysseis ] the actions at pytus , and the actions at lacedemon , and the cave of calypso , and the boat , the discourses of alcinous , the cyclopias , the necuia and the washings of circe , the death of the woers , the actions in the field , and concerning laertes . but long after lycurgus the lacedemonian brought all homer's poetry first into greece from ionia whether he travelled . last of all pisistratus compiling them , formed the iliads and odysseis . chap. xv. of some persons extraordinary foolish . the comick poets say that one polydorus , had a very gross understanding , and a skin scarce penetrable : also that there was another by name caecylian , who , through excessive folly endeavoured to number the waves . there is a report that there was one sannyrion like these , who sought ladder-rounds in a glass . they say also that coroebus and melitides were very blockish . chap. xvi . of the apolloniats and of their country , and of epidamnum . the apolloniats inhabit a city next epidamnum in the ionian gulf : in the places next them , there is a vein of brimstone , which springeth out of the ground as fountains cast up water . not farre off there is shewed a continual fire . the hill which burneth is but little , reacheth not farre , and hath but a small circumference , but smelleth of sulphur and alum . about it there are many trees green and flourishing , nothing injured by the neighbouring fire , either as to the shooting out young ones , or to their own growth . the fire burns night and day , and never intermitted , as the apolloniats affirm , until the war which they waged with the illyrians the apolloniats according to the lacedemonian law prohibited foreiners . but the epidamnians allowed any one that would to come and live amongst them . chap. xvii . a proverb , and of phrynichus . phrynichus feareth a swarm of wasps like a cock. it is proverbially said of persons that are worsted ; for phrynichus the tragick poet acting the taking of miletus , the athenians with weeping made him quit the stage , afraid and daunted . chap. xviii . of dionysius . dionysius tyrant of sicily , affected and commended tragedy , and made tragedies : but he was averse from comedy , for he loved not laughter . chap. xix . what cleomenes said of homer and hesiod . cleomenes said laconically according to the manner of his count●…y , that homer was the poet of the lacedemonians , declaring how men should fight ; but hesiod of the slaves , declaring how men should till ground . chap. xx. of one who died chearfully through willingness to ●…ee some of the dead . a megalipolite of arcadia , named cer●…idas , dying , said to his friends that he parted with his life willingly ; for that he hoped to converse with pythagoras of the wise ; with hecataeus of the historians ; with olympus of the musicians ; and with homer of the poets , and as soon as he had said this , died . chap. xxi . of phrygian harmony . if at celene any one play on the flute before the skin of the phrygian [ marsga , ] the skin moves , but if any tune or hymne of apollo , it stirs not . chap. xxii . of the temple and statue of homer . ptolemaeus philopator having built a temple to homer , erected a fair . image of him , and placed about the image those cities which contended for homer . galaton the painter drew homer vomiting , and the rest of the poets gathering it up . chap. xxiii . of lycurgus the lacedemonian . lycurgus the la●…edomonian , son of eunomus , willing to teach the lacedemonians justice , was not duly requited . for one o●… his eyes were put out by alcander , as fome think by a stone cast from an ambushment , or as others , by a blow with a stick . this is said to those who aim at one thing and receive another . ephorus saith that he died of hunger in banishment . chap. xxiv . of some who have been harmed by laws , which they themselves made . lycurgus the oratour made a law , that women should not goe in chariots at the festival solemnities call'd the mysteries , and that she who did so should be fined at his pleasure . the first that transgressed this law was his own wife , who being convicted , payed the fine . pericles also made a law , that none should be a free athenian , but he whose parents were both athenians . afterwards pericles , losing his legitimate children , had onely one natural son left him . it is manifest that he designed one thing , and that the ●…ontrary befell him . clisthenes the athenian first brought in way of banishment by ostracism , and first felt the punishment of it . zaleucus , the law-giver of the locrians ordained , that whosoever was taken in adultery should lose both his eyes . it fell out contrary to his expectation , for his son being surprized in adultery , was to suffer the punishment decreed by his father . hereupon , lest what was confirmed by general votes should be violated , he suffered one of his own eyes to be put out , and one of his sons , that the young man might not be quite blind . chap. xxv . of pindar in a contest worsted by corinna . pindar the poet contending at thebs , lighting upon ignorant auditors , was worsted by corinna five times . *** chap. xxvi . how diogenes in extreme indigence comforted himself . diogenes the sinopean was left alone deserted by all men , not being able by reason of his indigence to entertain any man , nor would any one entertain him , all avoiding him because of his sower way of reprehension , and because he was morose in all his actions and sayings . hereupon he became troubled , and did feed on the tops of leaves ; for this food was ready for him . but a mouse coming thither , fed upon some crums of bread which she found scattered there ; which diogenes diligently observing , smiled , and becoming more chearful and pleasant to himself said ; this mouse requires not the plentiful diet of the athenians , and art thou diogenes troubled that thou dost not feast with them ? by this means he acquired tranquillity to himself . chap. xxvii . of socrates . it is reported that socrates was very temperate and continent , insomuch that when the athenians part died , the rest were sick almost to death , socrates alone escaped the disease . now he whose body was so well tempered , what an excellent soul must he have ! chap. xxviii . of the servant of drogenes torn in pieces by dogs . when diogenes left his country , one of his servants followed him ; who not brooking his conversation run away . some persuading diogenes to make enquiry after him , he said , is it not a shame that manes should not need diogenes , and that diogenes should need manes ? but this servant wandring to delphos , was torn in pieces by dogs , paying to his masters name [ cynick ] the punishment of his running away . chap. xxix . of hope . plato said , that hope is the dream of men that are awake . chap. xxx . of olympias grieving for alexander's death , and want of burial . olympias , mother of alexander , understanding that her son lay long unburied , grieving and lamenting exceedingly , said , o son , thou wouldest have had a share in heaven , and d●…dst endeavour it eagerly ; now thou canst not enjoy that which is equally common to all men , earth and burial . thus she , bewailing her own misfortune , and reproving the pride of her son. chap. xxxi . that xenocrates was compassionate . xenocrates the chalcedonian was not onely kind to men , but often to irrational creatures also . o●… a time a sparrow , pursued b●… a hawk , flew to his bosome , he took it , much pleased , and hid it till the enemy was out of sight ; and ●…when he thought it was out of fear and danger , opening his bosome , he let it goe , saying , that he had not betrayed a suppliant . chap. xxxii . how socrates refelled the boasting of a curtizan . xenophon relates that socrates disputed with theodota a curtizau , a woman of extraordinary beauty . he also argued with calisto , who said , i ( ô son of sophroniseus ) exccel you , for you cannot draw away any of my followers , but i can whensoever i please draw away all yours . he answered , very likely , for you draw them down a precipice , but i drive them to vertue , which is a steep and difficult ascent . chap. xxxiii . of the fortune of rhodopis a curtizan . the egyptians relations affirm that rhodopis was a most beautiful curtizan ; and that on a time as she was bathing her self , fortune , who loveth to doe extravagant and unexp●…cted things , gave her a reward sutable , not to her mind , but her beauty . for whilest she was washing , and her maids look'd to her clothes , an eagle stooping down , snatched up one of her shoes , and carried it away to memphis , where psammetichus was sitting in judgement , and let the shoe fall into his lap . psammetichus wondring at the shape of the shoe , and neatness of the work , and the action of the bird , sent throughout aegypt to find out the woman to whom the shoe belonged ; and having found her out , married her . chap. xxxiv . of dionysius . dionysius having given order that leon should be put to death , did three times bid the officers carry him away , and three times changed his mind . every time that he sent for him back he kissed him , weeping , and execrating himself for that when he took the sword to put him to death , he was overcome with fear . at last he commanded him to be slain , saying , ' ' leon , you must not live . chap. xxxv . what natural remedies the hart , being not well , useth . naturalists affirm that the hart , when he would purge himself , eateth the herb seselis : . and being bitten by phalangies he eats crabs . chap. xxxvi . of the death of eurydice , daughter of philip. olympias to eurydice , daughter of philip by an illyrian wife , sent hemlock , a rope and a sword ; but she made choice of the rope . chap. xxxvii . of gelo , and those who conspired against him . gelo tyrant of the syracusians , behaved himself in the government very mildly , yet some seditious persons conspired against him ; which gelo understanding , convocated all the syracusians , and coming amongst them armed , declared what good things he had done for them , and revealed the conspiracy . then putting off his armour , he said to th●…m all , behold me now in my coat , i stand unarmed before you , and give my self up to be disposed as you will. the syracusians admiring his courage , delivered the conspirators into his hands , and gave the regal power again to him . but gelo remitted them to the people to be punished . hereupon the syracusians erected his statue in a coat ungirt , [ unarmed ] in memory of his oration to the people , and for the instruction of those should reign after him . chap. xxxviii . of alcibiades . alcibiades admired homer exceedingly . on a time coming to a school of boyes , he asked for the rhapsody of the iliads . the schoolmaster answering , that he had nothing of homer , he gave him a sound boxe on the ear , and went away , shewing that he was ignorant himself , and made his scholars such . the same person being sent for by the athenians out of sicily to answer a capital inditement , refused to appear , saying , it is a foolish thing for a man that is accused , if he can escape , to goe to a place whence he cannot escape . one saying to him , will you not t●…ust your cause to your own country ? no , saith he , not to my own master ; for i should fear lest through ignorance or mistake of the truth , he should cast in a black stone instead of a white . hearing then that he was sentenced to death by the citizens but we will shew , said he , that we are alive : and going speedily to the lacedim●…nians , he set on foot the docilian war against the athenians . he said , that it was nothing strange the lacedemonians died fearless in war ; for so they escaped the severity of their laws , and chearfully exchanged labours for death . he used to say of his own actions , that he led the life of the dioscuri , dying one day and reviving the next : ●…or whilest he was favoured of the people , he was thought equal to the gods , but losing their favour , he differed nothing from the dead . chap. xxxix . of ephialtes . ephialtes , a certain 〈◊〉 reproching him for poverty , said , why doe you not adde thae other thing , that i am just. chap. xl. of themistocles . a golden persian chain lying by chance on the ground , themistocles standing by , said to a servant , boy , why dost thou not take up this foundling , pointing to the chain ; for thou art not themistocles . the athenians having on a time dishonoured him ▪ afterwards invited him to the generalship . but he said , i commend not those men who make use of the same vessel for the meanest , & for the best offices . to eurybiades he had said something unpleasing , who thereupon held up his staff . but he , strike so you hear ; for he knew what he was about to say was advantageous for the commonwealth . chap. xli . of phocion . they who are to die with phocion making lamentation ; phocion said , ' ' then you are not proud , ô thudippus , of dying ' ' with phocion chap. xlii . of epaminondas . epaminondas returning from lacedemonia , was arraigned for a capital offence , for having continued the office of boeotarch four months longer then the law allowed . he bad his partners lay the blame on him , as if they had been compelled thereto against their wills . then coming into the court , he said that he had not any arguments better then his actions , which if they approved not , he required that they would put him to death . but withall , that they should write upon a pillar , that epaminondas had forced the thebans against their wills to lay laconia wast , what had continued five hundred years unviolated by enemies . and to restore messenia , which had been three hundred and thirty years possessed by the spartans . and that he had made the arcadians their allies , and restored to the greeks their liberty . the judges reverencing him for these things , acquitted him . at his going out of the court , a little melitean dogge fawned upon him ; whereupon he said to the standers-by , this thanks me gratefully for the good i have done it , but the thebans , to whom i have often done good , arraigned me for my life . chap. xliii . of timotheus . 〈◊〉 general of the athenians , is reported to have been very successful ; he said that fortune was the cause of all these , but timotheus of none . hereupon the painters , abusing him , drew him sleeping in a tent , and over his head stood fortune drawing cities into a net. themistocles being asked , with what in his whole life he was most pleased , answered , ' 'to see the whole theatre at the olympick games turn their eyes upon me as i pass'd into the stadium . chap. xliv . of the emulation betwixt themistocles and aristides . themist●…cles , and aristides son of ly●…achus , had the same governours , they were thus brought up together , and taugh●… by one master , but whilest yet boyes , they we●…e alwaies at variance ; and this emulation continued ●…rom their childhood , ●…o ex●…reme old age . chap. xlv . of the cruelty of dionysius . dionysius [ the younger ] put his mother to death by poison . his brother leptines , whom in a sea-fight he might have saved , he suffered to be slain . chap. xlvi . of the gratitude of a dragon . patrae is a city in achaia . a boy there had bought a young dragon , and brought it up with care , and when it was grown bigger , used to talk to it as to one that unde●…stood him , and played , and slept with it . at last the dragon growing to an extraordinary bigness , the citizens turned it loose into the wilderness . afterwards the boy being grown a youth , returning from some show with other youths his companions , fell amongst theeves , and crying out , behold , the dragon came and slew them ; which stung some , slew others , bu●… pre●…erved him . the end. aelian's various history . the fourteenth book . chap. i. how aristotle stood affected as to love of glory . aristotle son of nicomachus , a person that really was , as well as esteemed wise . when one took away from him the honours decreed to him at delphi ; writing hereupon to antipater , said , as to those things that were decreed for me at delphi , and of which i am now deprived , i am so affected , as that i neither much care for them , nor care nothing for them . this he said , not through love of glory ; neither can i accuse aristotle ( who was so great a person ) thereof . but he wisely considered that there was a great deal of difference betwixt not receiving an honour , and after having received it , to be deprived of it . for it is no great trouble no●… to obtain it , but a great vexation having obtained it , afterwards to be bereaved of it . chap. ii. of agesilaus , and the barbarians breaking their oaths . agesilaus used to commend the barbarians who broke their oaths , because , by perjury they made the gods their enemies , but friends and assistants to him . chap. iii. of prodigality . timotheus inveighing bitterly against aristophontes for being prodigal , said , ' 'to whom nothing is sufficient , nothing is dishonest . chap. iv. of aristides dying of the biting of a weezel . aristides the locrian being bit b●… a tartesian weezel , and dying , said , that it would have pleased him much better to have died by the biting of a lion or leopard , ( since he must have died by something ) then by such a beast . he brooked in my opinion the ignomy of the biting much worse then the death it self . chap. v. what persons the athenians chose for government : the athenians conferred offices civil and military , not onely on native citizens , but also often preferred strangers before citizens , and put them in authority over the commonwealth , if they knew them to be truly good and honest men , and proper for such things . they often created apollodorus the cyzicene their general , though a stranger , so likewise heraclides the clazomenian ; for having behaved themselves worthily , they were esteemed not unworthy to govern the athenians . and for this thing the city is to be commended , which betrayed not truth to gratifie the citizens ; but not seldome bestowed the chief dignity even on those who were nothing allied to them , yet in regard of their vertue most worthy of honour . chap. vi. aristippus his opinon concerning chearfulness . aristippus by strong arguments advised that we should not be sollicitous about things past or future ; arguing , that not to be troubled at such things , is a sign of a constant clear spirit . he also advised to take care onely for the present day , and in that day , onely of the present part thereof , wherein something was done or thought ; for he said , the present only is in our power , not the past or future ; the one being gone , the other uncertain whether ever it will come . chap. vii . a lacedemonian law concerning the complexion and constitution of the body , and such as are too fat. there is a lacedemonian law which saith thus ; that no lacedemonian shall be of an unmanly complexion , or of greater weight then is fit ▪ for the exercises ; for this seemeth to argue laziness , that , effeminacy . it was likewise ordered by law , that every tenth day the young men should shew themselves naked before the ephori ; if they were of a solid strong constitution , and molded as it were for exercise , they were commended ; but if any limb were found to be soft and tender by reason of fatness accrued by idleness , they were beaten and punished . moreover the ephori took particular care every day that their garments should be looked into , that they should be no otherwise then exact and fit to the body . the cooks at lacedemon might not dress any thing but flesh . he who was skilled in any other kind of cookery was cast out of sparta . nauclidas son of polybiades , for being grown too fat and heavy through luxury and idleness , they took out of the publick assembly , and threatned to punish him by banishment , unless he alter that blameable and rather ionick then laconick course of life : for his shape and habit of body was a shame to lacedemon and our laws . chap. viii . how polycletus and hippomachus argued the common people of ignorance . polycletus made two images at the same time ; one at the pleasure of the people , the other according to the rule of art. he gratified the common people in this manner ; as often as any one came in , he altered the picture as he would have it , following his direction . he exposed them both together to publick view , one was admired by all , the other laughed at . hereupon polycletus said , yet this which you find fault with , you your selves made , this which you admire , i. hippomachus a player on the flute , when one of his scholars missed in playing , yet was nevertheless commended by the standers by , struck him with a stick , saying , you played false , otherwise these would not have commended you . chap. ix . of the patience of xenocrates . xenocrates the chalcedonian , being reproved by plato for his want of gratefulness , was nothing angry thereat , as is reported , but prudently silenced one who pressed him to answer plato , saying , this benefits me . chap. x. how phocion retorted upon demades . the athenians preferred demades to be their general before phocion ; who being thus advanced grew high in his own esteem , and coming to phocion , lend me , said he , that sordid cloak which you used to wear in your generalship . he answered , you will never want any thing that is sordid , whilest you continue what you are . chap. xi . how a king ought to behave himself towards his subjects . philiscus on a time said to alexander , study glory , yet be not a pestilence or great sickness , but peace and health : affirming that to govern tyrannically and severely , and to take cities and depopulate countries is a pestilence ; but to consult the preservation of subjects , is health ; these are the benefits of peace . chap. xii . how the persian king employed himself whilest he travelled . the persian king whilest he travelled had ( to divert the tediousness of his journey ) a little stick , which they call philyrium , and a knife to cut it . thus were the kings hands employed . they never had any books , wherein they might read of something great , memorable , and worthy of discourse . chap. xiii . of the tragedies of agatho . agatho used many antitheses . whereupon a person that would have corrected his writings , told him , that all those should be put out of his play. he answered , but you observed not , excellent sir , that by this means you blot agatho quite out of agatho . so much was he pleased with these , and thought these tragedies upheld by them . chap. xiv . of stratonicus a lutenist . a certain person received stratonicus the lutenist very civilly . he was much pleased with the invitation ; for he had not any friend to entertain him , being come into a strange countrey . hereupon he returned great thanks to the man , who so readily had received him under his roof . but when he saw another come in , and after him another , and perceived that he had made his house free for all that would come ; let us get away , boy , saith he to his servant , for we have got a wood-pigeon instead of a dove , we have not lighted upon a friends house , but upon an inne . chap. xv. of the discourses of socrates . it is a saying that the discourses of socrates are like the pictures of pauson . for pauson the painter being desired to make the picture of a horse tumbling on his back , drew him running . and when he who had bespoke the picture , was angry that he had not drawn it according to his directions , the painter said , turn it the other way , and the horse which now runneth , will then roll upon his back . so socrates did not discourse downright , but if his discourses were turned , they appeared very right . for he was unwilling to gain the hatred of those to whom he discoursed , and for that reason delivered things enigmatically and obliquely . chap. xvi . of the ambition of hipponicus . hipponicus son of callias would erect a statue as a gift to his countrey . one advised him that the statue should be made by polycletus . he answered , i will not have such a statue , the glory whereof will redound not to the giver , but to the carver . for it is certain that all who see the art , will admire polycletus and not me . chap. xvii . of archelaus , and of the pictures of zeuxis . socrates said that archelaus had bestowed fourty minae upon his house , having hired zeuxis the heracleote to adorn it with pictures , but upon himself nothing . for what cause many came from farre out of curiosity to see the house , but none came to macedonia for the sake of archelaus himself , unless he allured and invited any by money , with which a vertuous person is not taken . chap. xviii . how one that was angry threatned to punish his servant . a chian being angry with his servant , i , saith he , will not put you into the mill , but will carry you to olympia . he thought , it seems , that it was a farre greater punishment to be spectator of the olympick game , in the excessive heat of the sun , then to be put to work in a mill. chap. xix . of the modesty of archytas in speaking . archytas was very modest , as in all other things , so in speech , avoiding all obscenity of language . there happened a necessity of speaking something unseemly , he held his peace , and wrote it on a wall ; shewing that what he was forced to speak , though forced , he would not speak . chap. xx. of a ridiculous story . a sybarite a pedagogue ( which kind of people were addicted to luxury as well as the rest of the sybarites , ) when a boy that went along with him found a fig by the way , and took it up , chid him for so doing ; but most ridiculously took it away from the boy , and eat it himself . when i read this in the sybaritick histories , i laughed , and committed it to memory , not envying others the pleasure of laughing at it too . chap. xxi . of the poet syagrus . there was a poet named syagrus , after orpheus and musaeus , who is said first to have sung the trojan war , daring to undertake this which was the greatest subject . chap. xxii . of a tyrant forbidding his subjects to talk together . tryzus a tyrant , that he might prevent conspiracies and treasons against him , commanded the inhabitants that they shoul●… not speak together , either in publick o●… private ; which thing was most grievou●… and intolerable . hereupon they eluded th●… tyrant's command , and signified thei●… minds to one another by actions of the eyes of the hand , and of the head . sometime●… they beheld one another with a melancholly brow , sometimes with a serene and chearful ▪ but from the looks of every one it was evident , that they brooked ill their oppresse●… intolerable condition . and this also troubled the tyrant who conceived that even their silence , by various gestures and looks , contrived some ill against him . wherefore he prohibited even this likewise by law. hereupon one of them , much troubled at this disconsolate manner of life , and instigated with a desire of dissolving the tranny , went into the market-place , where standing he wept bitterly ; the people came and stood all round about him , bursting also into tears . the news hereof was brought to the tyrant , that they used not any signs , but wept grievously ; who making hast to prohibit this also , and not onely to enslave their tongues and gestures , but even to debarre their eyes of natural freedome , he went on foot with his guard to prohibit their weeping . but as soon as ever they saw him , they snatched weapons out of the hands of his guard , and killed the tyrant . chap. xxiii . of clinias and of achilles , who used to repress anger by musick . clinias was a vertuous person ; as to his opinion , a pythagorean . he whensoever he grew angry , and perceived his mind ready to be transported with passion , immediately before anger took absolute possession of him , tuned his lute and played upon it . to those who asked him the reason , he answered , it allayeth my anger . achilles also in the ilias , singing to the lute , and commemorating in song the glories of former persons , seems to me to have thereby asswaged his indignation ; and being musically given , the first thing of the spoils which he seized , was a lute . chap. xxiv . of some persons who have nothing valued money in regard of their countrymen . and of some who slew their creditors . of those who despised money , and declared their own greatness of mind , seeing that whilest they themselves abounded with wealth , their countrymen were oppress'd with extreme poverty were , at corinth theocles and thrasonides ; at mitylene , praxis . these also advised others to relieve such as lay under great want . but the rest refusing , they released such debts as were due to themselves , and thereby received great advantage , not as to wealth but the mind . for they whose debts were not forgiven rose up in arms against their creditours . and excited by rage , invincible poverty , and necessity , slew them . chap. xxv . how one persuaded a state to concord . on a time the chians were exceedingly at variance among themselves , and generally infected with that disease . hereupon , one amongst them , who was naturally a lover of his country , said to those of his friends , who would that all of the adverse party should be cast out of the city , by no means , said he , but when we have obtained the victory , let us leave some of them , lest hereafter wanting adversaries , we should war with one another . by which words he appeased them , it seeming to all that he spoke discreetly . chap. xxvi . of antagoras railing at arcesilaus . antagoras the poet meeting arcesilaus the philosopher in the forum , railed at him . but he with an unmoved courage went to that place where he saw there were most men , and discoursed with them , that the railer might make a publick discovery of his folly . they hearing antagoras , turned away from him , blaming him as mad . chap. xxvii . of agesilaus . i commend those above all who suppre●…s rising ills , and cut them off before they grow to a head . agesilaus advised that they should be arraigned and put to death , who had made a conspiracy privately by night to assault the thebans . chap. xxviii . of pytheas an oratour . one reproched pytheas an oratour that he was wicked ; he denied it not , being convinced by his conscience ; but answered , he had been wicked the shortest time of any that ever had an interest in the athenian government . it seems he pleased himself , in that he had not alwaies been bad , and thought it no disparagement to him , so that he were not reckoned amongst the worst . but this of pytheas was foolish ; for not onely he who doth wrong is wicked , but he also in my opinion that hath an intention to doe wrong . chap. xxix . that lysander brought wealth into sparta . lysander brought wealth into lacedemon , and taught the lacedemonians to transgress the law of god , who charged that sparta should have no way accessible for gold or silver . hereupon some wise persons , who still retained the laconick integrity : worthy lycurgus and pythius opposed him , others who gave way were branded with infamy . and their vertue , which had flourished from the beginning until then , perished . chap. xxx . how hanno would have deified himself . hanno the carthaginian through pride would not be contained within the bounds of mankind , but designed to spread a fame of himself transcending that nature which was allotted to him . for having bought many singing birds , he brought them up in the dark , teaching them one song , hanno is a god. they hearing no other sound , learned this perfectly , and then he let them loose several waies , conceiving that they would disperse this song concerning him . but flying abroad , and enjoying their liber●…y , and returning to their accustomed diet , they sung the notes proper to their kinds , bidding a long farewel to hanno , and to the song which he had taught them when they were kept up prisoners . chap. xxxi . of prolemee surnamed trypho●… . ptolemee tryphon , ( for so he was called from his manner of living ) when a beautisul woman came to speak with him , said , my sister advised me not to admit discourse with a fair woman . she confidently and readily replied , you may receive it then from a fair man ; which he hearing commended her . chap. xxxii . of pimandridas , who praised not his son for gathering together riches . a lacedemonian named pimandridas , being to take a journey , committed the management of his estate to his son. at his return finding his means encreased much beyond what he had left , he told his son that he had wronged the gods , and those of his family and guests : for whatsoever abounds in our estates , should by such as are free persons be bestowed upon them . but to seem whilest we live , indigent , and being dead , to be found to have been rich , is the most dishonourable thing amongst men . chap. xxxiii . of plato and diogenes . diogenes being present at a discourse of plato's , would not mind it , whereat plato angry said , thou dog , why mindest thou not ? diogenes unmoved , answered , yet i never return to the place where i was sold , as dogs doe ; alluding to plato's voyage to sicily . it is reported that plato used to say of diogenes , this man is socrates mad . chap. xxxiv . of whom the aegyptians learned laws , and of their judges . the aegyptians affirm that they learnt their law of hermes . thus all people magnifie what belongs to themselves . the judges amongst the aegyptians were of old the same with their priests . of these the eldest was the chief , and judged all ; he must be the most just , and upright of men . he had a sculpture about his neck of saphire , which sculpture was named truth : but , as i conceive , a judge should wear truth not engraved in a stone , but in his mind . chap. xxxv . of lais. lais was called also axine [ an axe ; ] which name implies the cruelty of her disposition , and that she extorted much , especially of strangers , who were to depart suddenly . chap. xxxvi . that they are ridiculous who think highly of themselves because of their parents . they are to be laughed at who think highly of themselves because of their parents and ancestors ; for we know not the father of marius , but admire him for his own actions . as likewise cato , servilius , hostilius , and romulus . chap. xxxvii . of statues and images . statues which the art of carving affords us , and images i use to look upon not carelesly ; for there is much wisedome observable in this art : which may be argued , be●…ides many other things , from this , that no carver or painter did ever represent to us the muses , in shape feigned , or misbecoming the daughters of jupiter : neither was there ever any artist so mad as to represent them in armour . which demonstrateth , that the life of those who are addicted to the muses , ought to be peaceful , quiet , and worthy of them . chap. xxxviii . of epaminondas and pelopidas . i have been told many excellent sayings of epaminondas the theban , amongst the rest this ; he said to pelopidas that he never went out of the form every day , until he had gained a new friend to adde to the number of his old . chap. xxxix . how antalcidas found fault with a present perfumed with unguent . a king of persia , ( for i will relate to you somthing pleasant ) dipping a garland which was woven of roses , in sweet unguents , sent it to antalcidas who came to him on an embassy for peace . but he , i receive saith he , the gift , and commend the civility ; but you have spoiled the native odour of the roses with the adulteration of art. chap. xl. of the cruelty of alexander tyrant of the pheraeans . alexander tyrant of the pheraeans was thought to be extremely cruel . but when theodorus the tragick poet did with much passion act the tragedy aërope , he burst forth into tears , and rising up went out of the theater : he made an apology to theodorus , that he went not away through any slighting or disrespect of him , but that he was ashamed to discover compassion at a play , not shewing any to his subjects . chap. xli . of apollodorus his madness in wine . apollodorus drinking wine more then any man , did not conceal his vice , or endeavour to hide his drunkenness , and the ill consequence thereof , but being enflamed and enraged with wine , shewed himself more bloudy , increasing the cruelty of his nature by this corporeal vice . chap. xlii . a sentence of xenocrates . xenocrates friend of plato used to say , that it is all one whether we put our feet or our eyes in the house of another man : for he sins as much who looks upon those places which he ought not , as he who enters upon them . chap. xliii . of ptolemee and berenice . they say that ptolemee used to pass his time at dice . in the mean time one standing by , read the names of condemned persons , and the crimes for which they were condemned , that he might decree who of them should be put to death . berenice his wife taking the book from the servant , would not suffer him to reade any fa●…ther , saying , that when the lives of men were in question , it should not be so slightly considered , but seriously and not at play : for there is no comparison betwixt dice and men. ptolemee ▪ was pleased herewith , and would never after hear judicial affairs whilest he was pl●…ying at dice . chap. xliv . a lacedemonian law concerning covetousness . a young man a lacedemonian having bought land at an u●…der-rate , was cited before the magistrates and fined . the reason why he was thought worthy punishment , was this ; that being a young-man , he was eagerly bent upon gain . amongst other things of the lacedemonians this was very manly , to oppose not onely enemies but covetousness . chap. xlv . of certain women worthy praise . we extol of the grecian women ; penelope , alcestis , and the wife of protesilaus : of romane , cornelia , porcia , and cestilia . i could reckon many more , but i will not , having alledged so few of the grecians , overwhelm them with romane names , lest any one should think i gratifie my own countrey . chap. xlvi . of the battel of the magnetes against the ephesians . the magnetes who border upon maeander warring against the ephesians , every horseman took along with him a hound , and a servant that served as an archer . as soon as they came near , the dogs falling fiercely upon the enemy , disordered them , and the servants advancing before their masters , shot . the dogs first routed them , then the servants did them much harm ; and lastly , they themselves fell upon them . chap. xlvii . of zeuxis his picture of helen , and of nicostratus a painter . when zeuxis the heracleote had drawn helen , nicostratus a painter was astonished at the sight of the picture . one coming to him , asked what was the reason he so much admired the workmanship ; he answered , if you had my eyes you would not ask me . i may say the same of an oration , if a man hath not learned ears , as an artist skilful eyes . chap. xlviii . persons of whom alexander was jealous . alexander was jealous of ptolemee's good fortune , of arrhius his turbulency , and of pytho's study of innovation . chap. xlix . why philip made the sons of the noblest persons wait on him . philip taking the sons of the noblest in macedonia , made them wait upon his person , not in contempt of them , or to affront them , but that he might make them ready and expedite for action . to such of them as were addicted to luxury , or performed his commands remissly , he is said to have been very severe . thus he did beat aphthonetus , because upon a march , being thirsty , he left his rank , and went out of the way to an inne . archedamus he put to death for putting off his arms , when he had commanded him to keep them on . the end. the arguments of the chapters . the first book . chap. 1 of the polypus . 2 of spiders . 3 of the aegyptian frogs . 4 of the aegyptian dog. 5 of the sea-fox . 6 of sea-tortoises . 7 of wild swine . 8 of the phalangium . 9 of the lion , sick . 10 how the cretan goats cure themselves when shot . 11 that mice have praescience . 12 of pismires . 13 of gelo. 14 of the swan . 15 of pigeons 16 of socrates drinking hemlock . 17 of a very little chariot , and an elegiack distich . 18 of women vain in apparel . 19 the luxury of the sybarites , colophonians and corinthians . 20 of dionysius his sacrilege . 21 how ismenias without dishonour adored the king of persia. 22 the gifts which the kings of persia used to bestow upon embassadours . 23 of gorgias and protagoras . 24 of the contest betwixt hercules and lepreas . 25 of alexanders magnificence to phocion , and his to alexander . 26 of aglais a great eater . 27 other great eaters . 28 diet of fish much esteemed by the rhodians . 29 of an ewe which eaned a lion. 30 that galetes was beloved of ptolemee not more for his beauty then his prudence . 31 the persian custome of presenting gifts to the king. 32 of water presented as a gift to the king of persia. 33 of an extraordinary great pomegranate presented to the same king. 34 of a father who accused his son of a capital crime . the second book . 1 how socrates taught alcibiades confidence not to be daunted at the people . 2 of pictures praised amiss . 3 of alexander not giving due commendations of a picture . 4 of the friendship betwixt chariton and menippus , and the tyrants mercy towards them . 5 of well husbanding time ; and that among the lacedemonians walking was not permitted . 6 an instance that we ought not to please the vulgar . 7 that the thebans expose not children . 8 of xenocles and euripides contending at the olympick games . 9 decrees of the athenians against some revolters . 10 timotheus having heard plato discourse , judged himself to be less happy . 11 what socrates said of those that were put to death by the thirty tyrants . 12 of themistocles giving over prodigality . 13 of socrates abused in a comedy by aristophanes . 14 of a plane-tree beloved of xerxes . 15 of those who besmeared the seats of the lacedemonian ephori with soot . 16 of phocion . 17 of the wisedome of the persian magi , and of ochus . 18 of magnificent suppers . 19 of alexander who would be called a god. 20 of the meekness of king antigonus . 21 of pausanias his friendship with agatho the poet. 22 that the mantineans were just law-makers . 23 that nicodorus the wrastler became a law-giver . 24 that milo was strong in body , but not in mind . 25 that the sixth of the moneth thargelion was fortunate to the greeks . 26 of hyperborean apollo , and certain wonders concerning pythagoras . 27 that anniceris was a good charioteer , & that he who bestows much pains upon little things , neglects the greater . 28 upon what occasion cock-fighiing was first instituted . 29 how pittacus made an embleme of fortune . 30 of plato . 31 that no barbarian is impious . 32 how hercules his name was changed , and of the oracle of apollo concerning it . 33 of the images of rivers . 34 of old age . 35 that sleep is the brother of death , and of the decease of gorgias . 36 of socrates falling sick in his old age . 37 of a law which prohibited the sick to drink wine . 38 a law of the romans and other people not allowing wine to all persons , nor of all ages . 39 the law of the cretans concerning learning . 40 that beasts love not wine , and of some beasts that will be drunk . 41 of some who were lovers of drink , and great drinkers . 42 of plato's renown , and of his laws for equal distribution . 43 certain eminent persons among the grecians very poor . 44 a description of a picture made by theon a painter . the third book . 1 thessalian tempe described . 2 of anaxagoras bearing the death of his children with courage . 3 of xenophon bearing the death of his son unmovedly . 4 that dio was not troubled at the loss of his son. 5 antigonus seeing his son dead , was nothing troubled . 6 of the magnanimity of crates . 7 of the calumny of the vulgar . 8 that phrynichus was chosen general for a certain poem . 9 of love. 10 of lacedemonian friendship . 11 of the soul. 12 of friendship amongst the lacedemonians . 13 of the drunkenness of the papyrians . 14 of the drunkenness of the byzantines . 15 of the drunkenness of the argives , corinthians , thracians and illyrians . 16 a comparison betwixt two generals , demetrius and timotheus . 17 that philosopy is not inconsistent with political government , and that some philosophers have governed common-wealths . 18 of the discourse betwixt midas the phrygian and silenus ; and the incredible relations of midas . 19 of the dissention betwixt aristotle and plato . 20 of lysander , and some gifts presented to him . 21 of the magnanimity of themistocles . 22 of the piety of aeneas , and compassion of the greeks to the persians . 23 of alexander . 24 how much xenophon was delighted with bravery . 25 of leonides , and three hundred more who gave themselves up to death voluntarily , for the preservation of greece . 26 of pindarus the tyrant . 27 of plato's poverty , and how he betook himself to philosophy . 28 how socrates reformed the pride of alcibiades . 29 of the poverty and pride of diogenes . 30 of certain persons extremely modest . 31 of the diligence of nicias in his art. 32 of alexander and hercules learning to play on the flute . 33 of satyrus a player on the flute . 34 a law common to the romans and lacedemonians . 35 that it was not permitted to laugh in the academy . 36 why aristotle left athens . 37 a law of the ceans concerning old men. 38 some things first found out at athens . 39 what things some of old did eat . 40 of satyrs , tityri , and silenes . 41 many surnames of bacchus . 42 of certain women that fell mad . 43 of a lutenist murthered by the sybarites . 44 of one who might have assisted his companion but would not : and of another that did assist , but unfortunately . 45 an oracle given to philip. 46 a law of the stagirites . 47 of timotheus and others , whom their vertues availed nothing . the fourth book . 1 several customes of nations and people . 2 of the differences betwixt nicostratus , who played upon the lute onely , and laodacus , who both played and sung to the lute . 3 of polygnotus & dionysius , painters . 4 a theban law concerning artificers and painters . 5 persons that were mindful of benefits . 6 an oracle concerning the athenians . 7 that sometimes the dead rest not even after death ; and of pausanias . 8 of the vicissitude of fortune . 9 of the humility of plato , and ingratitude of aristotle . 10 what respect pericles had for the athenian people . 11 of the luxury of socrates . 12 of the picture of helena drawn by xeuxis . 13 the saying and happiness of epicurus . 14 of sparing and keeping riches . 15 of some who in sickness learned musick and other sciences , in which recovering they became eminent . 16 qualities of some of the ancients . 17 wonders , and opinions of pythagoras . 18 of the respect and honour , which dionysius gave to plato . 19 that philip honoured learning , and of aristotle . 20 of democritus , and of the renown of him , theophrastus , hippocrates and others . 21 of those who were beloved of socrates and plato . 22 of the luxury of the athenians . 23 of certain prodigal persons . 24 how friendship may be best preserved . 25 of the strange madness of thrasyllus . 26 of electra . 27 of the gift of pamphaes and diotimus . 28 that pherecydes fell into a phthiriasis because of his atheism . 29 that alexander ridiculously believed there are infinite worlds . the fifth book . 1 that tachos died upon using more delicate diet. 2 pherecydes how he died . 3 of hercules his pillars . 4 of some trees growing in delus . 5 of epominandas his indigence and magnanimity . 6 of the voluntary death of calanus . 7 of anacharsis . 8 how some have born scoffs . 9 of aristotle . 10 the number of some ships and arms , which the athenians lost . 11 the cruelty of a king of thrace towards his children . 12 that demades was fined for making a decree , that alexander should be accounted a god. 13 that the athenians were inclined to novelties . 14 an attick law concerning the interrment of bodies , and killing of oxen. 15 places of judicature in athens for murthers . 16 that a little boy was condemned for sacrilege . 17 of the superstition of the athenians . 18 of a woman with child condemned to death . 19 how aeschylus condemned for impiety was preserved . 20 of the fasting of the tarentines and rhegians . 21 that medea did not kill her own children . the sixth book . 1 of the wrath , inhumanity , contempt , injustice , and violence of some towards others . 2 of the valour of the son of harmatidias . 3 of isadas a boy . 4 of him that was betrothed to the daughter of lysander . 5 of the athenian embassadours . 6 laconick laws . 7 of the earthquake which happened at sparta . 8 of the murther of artaxerxes . 9 of a treasure sought by the delphians in the pythian temple . 10 a law concerning citizens made by pericles . 11 of gelo offering to resign the government . 12 of the happiness of dionysius , and what end it had . 13 of tyrannical governments in greece , which have continued in posterities . 14 of a conspiracy against darius . the seventh book . 1 of semiramis , and how she obtained the assyrian empire . 2 of the luxury of strato and nicocles . 3 a consolatory saying of aristippus . 4 of the praise of a mill. 5 of the hand-labour of ulysses and achilles in many things . 6 the answer of a scythian concerning cold. 7 of demosthenes his watchfulness . 8 of alexander's grief at hephaestion's death . 9 of a modest woman . 10 of the wife of socrates . 11 of the shoes of the roman women . 12 an apophthegm of lysander or philip concerning perjury . 13 of the tolerance of agesilaus . 14 of philosophers that went to war , and administred civil government . 15 how the mitylenaeans revenged themselves upon their revolted confederates . 16 of rome , remus , romulus , and servia . 17 of eudoxus coming to sicily . 18 that the aegyptians are courageous in torments ; and of the indian women . 19 of solon's stratagem against the megareans , and how afterwards he overcame them by argument . 20 of an old man , a cean , that died his hair. 21 of the sedulity and care of caesar and pompey , to learn such things which are requisite to govern rightly . the eighth book . 1 of socrates his daemon . 2 of hipparchus his wisedome , his care of learned men ; and of homer's poems . 3 the athenian custome of killing an oxe , and of the diipolian and buphonian festival . 4 of the luxury of polyarchus . 5 of neleus and medon , and the twelve ionian cities . 6 of the ignorance of learning and institution amongst the barbarians . 7 of the marriages solemnized by alexander , after his victory over darius . 8 of the art of painting . 9 of a tyrant killed by his friend . 10 of solon , and the laws written by him and draco . 11 of the decay and dissolution of things , and of the world it self . 12 of demosthenes , aeschines , theophrastus , and demochares . 13 of some who never laughed . 14 of the death of diogenes . 15 of the moderation of philip upon a victory ; and of what he would be minded continually . 16 of solon and pisistratus . 17 of oenycimus monarch of the zanclaeans . 18 of euthymus and the hero in temese , and a proverb . 19 the epitaph of anaxagoras , and his altar . the ninth book . 1 that hiero loved learning , and was liberal , and lived friendly with his brothers . 2 of the victory of taurosthenes . 3 of the luxury and pride of alexander and some others . 4 of the diligence of polycrates in hearing anacreon , and of his jealousie . 5 of hiero and themistocles . 6 of pericles and his sons dying of the pestilence . 7 o●… socrates his equanimity in all things . 8 of dionysius his incontinence . 9 that demetrius also was incontinent . 10 of plato's little valuing life . 11 of parrhasius the painter . 12 of the epicureans banished by the romans . 13 of the gluttony and excessive fatness 14 of the extraordinary leanness of philetas . 15 of homer . 16 of italy , and of mares both man and horse . 17 of demosthenes his pride . 18 of themistocles . 19 that demosthenes refused , being called by diogenes to goe into a cook 's shop . 20 of aristippus . 21 of theramenes . 22 of some that studied medicine . 23 of aristotle being sick . 24 of the luxury of smynderides . 25 how pisistratus behaved himself towards his citizens . 26 of zeno and antigonus . 27 ingenuity of manners . 28 of diogenes . 29 that socrates was fearless , and despised gifts . 30 of the providence of anaxarchus . 31 of a wrastler who , having gained the victory , died before he was crowned . 32 of the statues of phryne a curtizan , and the mares of cimon . 33 the answer of a young man to his father , demanding what he had learned . 34 of persons richly clad . 35 of antisthenes taking pride in a torn cloak . 36 of antigonus and a lutenist . 37 how anaxarchus derided alexander , who would be esteemed a god. 38 of alexander , and the harp of paris . 39 of ridiculous and extravagant affections . 40 of the pilots of the carthaginian ships . 41 of pausanias and simonides . 42 of artaxerxes and darius . the tenth book . 1 of pherenice admitted to behold the olympick games . 2 of the continency of eubatas . 3 properties of some creatures . 4 of alexander's quickness in action . 5 of tyrants , out of aesop's writing . 6 of little men . 7 of some astronom●…rs , and of the great year . 8 of benefits . 9 that philoxenus was a glutton . 10 of the ancient painters . 11 of diogenes having a pain in his shoulder . 12 an apophthegm of archytas concerning men. 13 that antilochus defamed himself . 14 of idleness . 15 of those who were betrothed to the daughters of aristides and lysander . 16 of antisthenes and diogenes . 17 of those who grew rich by publick imployments . 18 of syracusian daphnis , and of bucolick verses . 19 of eurydamus . 20 of agesilaus . 21 of plato . 22 of dioxippus . the eleventh book . 1 of oricadmus , and the art of wrastling . 2 of the verses of oroebantius , dares and melisander . 3 of icchus , and wrastling . 4 of the baldness of agathocles . 5 of some persons unjustly condemned for sacrilege . 6 of an adulterer . 7 of lysander and alcibiades . 8 of the death of hipparchus . 9 of certain excellent persons , indigent , yet would not accept gifts . 10 of zoilus . 11 of dionysius the sicilian . 12 of a marchpane sent by alcibiades to socrates . 13 of one in sicily very sharp-sighted . the twelfth book . 1 of aspasia . 2 of the muses . 3 of epaminondas , and diaphantus , and iolidas . 4 of sesostris . 5 of lais. 6 of the parents of marius and cato . 7 of alexander and hephaestion . 8 of the treachery of cleomenes to archonides . 9 how timesias forsook his country voluntarily . 10 that the aeginetae first coyned money . 11 of the pallantian hill , and of the temple & altar dedicated to feaver . 12 of an adulterer apprehended in crete . 13 how gnathaena the curtizan silenced a great talker . 14 of persons excellent in beauty . 15 of certain excellent persons who delighted to play with children . 16 persons whom alexander hated for their vertue . 17 of demetrius going to the house of a curtizan . 18 that phaon was beautiful . 19 of sappho . 20 of the nightingale and swallow . 21 of the lacedemonian women . 22 of the strength of titormus and milo , and of a certain proverb . 23 of the boldness of the celtae . 24 of the luxurious diet and gluttony of smynderides . 25 many who improv'd and benefitted the most excellent persons . 26 of some persons addicted to wine . 27 that hercules was mild towards his adversaries . 28 of the leocorium at athens . 29 what plato said of the excess of the agrigentines . 30 of the drunkenness of the tarentines , and the luxury of the cyrenaeans . 31 of several kinds of greek wines . 32 of the vests and shoes of pythagoras , empedocles , hippias , and gorgias . 33 that the romans would not allow the treachery of pyrrhus his physician . 34 of the loves of pausanias , and of apelles . 35 of the perianders , miltiades , sibylls , and the bacides . 36 of the number of the children of niobe . 37 of the want of victual to which alexander was reduced ; and that some towns were taken by smoke . 38 of the horses , and some customes of the sacae . 39 of the boldness of perdiccas , and of the lioness . 40 of the provisions which followed xerxes . 41 of protogenes the painter . 42 of certain men who were suckled by beasts . 43 certain persons who of obscure became very eminent . 44 of those who lived a long time in the quarries of sicily . 45 of midas , plato , and pindar , their infancy . 46 of a sign which portended that dionysius should be king. 47 of aristomache wife of dio. 48 of homer's poems . 49 that phocion forgave injuries . 50 of the lacedemonians not addicting themselves to learning . 51 of the pride of menecrates , and how philip derided him . 52 to what kind of persons isocrates compared athens . 53 of several occasions of great wars . 54 how aristotle endeavoured to appease alexander's anger . 55 of those who among the libyans were slain by elephants , either in hunting or in war. 56 what diogenes said of the megareans . 57 of the prodigies which appeared to the thebans , when alexander brought his forces against their city . 58 of dioxippus . 59 of truth and beneficence . 60 of dionysius and philip. 61 of honour given to the wind boreas . 62 a persian law concerning those who give the king advice . 63 of archedice a curtezan . 64 of alexander dead . the thirteenth book . 1 of atalanta . 2 how macareus was punished for cruelty . 3 of the monument of belus , and the unfortunate sign which happened to xerxes there . 4 of euripides drunk at a feast . 5 of laius . 6 the properties of arcadian , thatian , and achaean wines . 7 of the taking of thebes by alexander , and of pindar . 8 of lysander . 9 of lamia . 10 of dionysius marrying two wives in one day . 11 of the conquest over the persians , and of isocrates . 12 how meton freed himself from an expedition ; and of the madness of ulyfses . 13 of the munificence of ptolemee . 14 of the verses and poetry of homer . 15 of some persons extraordinary foolish . 16 of the apolloniats and of their country , and of epidamnum . 17 a proverb , and of phrynichus . 18 of dionysius . 19 what cleomenes said of homer and hesiod . 20 of one who died chearfully through willingness to see some of the dead . 21 of phrygian harmony . 22 of the temple and statue of homer . 23 of lycurgus the lacedemonian . 24 of some who have been harmed by laws , which they themselves have made . 25 of pindar in a contest worsted by corinna . 26 how diogenes in extreme indigence comforted himself . 27 of socrates . 28 of the servant of diogenes torn in pieces by dogs . 29 of hope . 30 of olympias grieving for alexander's death , and want of burial . 31 that xenocrates was compassionate . 32 how socrates refelled the boasting of a curtizan . 33 of the fortune of rhodopis a curtizan . 34 of dionysius . 35 what natural remedies the hart , being not well , useth . 36 of the death of eurydice , daughter of philip. 37 of gelo , and those who conspired against him . 38 of alcibiades . 39 of ephialtes . 40 of themistocles . 41 of phocion . 42 of epaminondas . 43 of timotheus . 44 of the emulation betwixt themistocles and aristides . 45 of the cruelty of dionysius . 46 of the gratitude of a drag●…n . the fourteenth book . 1 how aristotle stood affected as to love of glory . 2 of agesilaus , and the barbarians breaking their oaths . 3 of prodigality . 4 of aristides dying of the biting of a weezel . 5 what persons the athenians chose for government . 6 aristippus his opinion concerning chearfulness . 7 a l●…cedemonian law concerning the complexion and constitution of the body , and such as are too fat. 8 how polycletus and hippomachus argued the common people of ignorance . 9 of the patience of xenocrates . 10 how phocion retorted upon demades . 11 how a king ought to behave himself towards his subjects . 12 how the persian king employed himself whilest he travelled . 13 of the tragedies of agatho . 14 of stratonicus a lutenist . 15 of the discourses of socrates . 16 of the ambition of hipponicus . 17 of archelaus , and of the pictures of zeuxis . 18 how one that was angry threatned to punish his servant . 19 of the modesty of archytas in speaking . 20 of a ridiculous story . 21 of the poet syagrus . 22 of a tyrant forbidding his subjects to talk together . 23 of clinias and of achilles , who used to repress anger by musick . 24 of some persons , who have nothing valued money in regard of their countrymen . and of some who slew their creditors . 25 how one persuaded a state concord . 26 of antagoras railing at arcesilaus . 27 of agesilaus . 28 of pytheas an oratour . 29 that lysander brought wealth into sparta . 30 how hanno would have deified himself . 31 of ptolemee surnamed tryphon . 32 of pimandridas , who praised not his son for gathering together riches . 33 of plato and diogenes . 34 of whom the aegyptians learned laws , and of their judges . 35 of lais. 36 that they are ridiculous who think highly of themselves because of their parents . 37 of statu●…s and images . 38 of epaminondas and pelopidas . 39 how antalcidas found fault with a present perfumed with unguent . 40 of the cruelty of alexander tyrant of the pheraeans . 41 of apollodorus his madness in wine . 42 a sentence of xenocrates . 43 of ptolemee and berenice . 44 a lacedemonian law concerning covetousness . 45 of certain women worthy praise . 46 of the battel of the magnetes against the ephesians . 47 of zeuxis his picture of helen , and of nicostratus a painter . 48 persons of whom alexander was jealous . 49 why philip made the sons of the noblest persons wait on him . the end . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a26482-e780 * lib. 3. chap. 1. notes for div a26482-e1920 * a fish so named from having many feet . * minerva . * a kinde spider . * reading 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a cup which they used to drink after meals , after which the tables were taken away . * falling prostrate . * read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . * to demand revenge on h●…s son : so schess●…r . * peck loaves . * nine pints . * so reade ▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as scheffer . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . * castor & poll●… ▪ * ●…e sun , 〈◊〉 deity of the 〈◊〉 . * scheffer , to the mardi●…ns . notes for div a26482-e5800 * reading 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . notes for div a26482-e12170 * furlo●…gs . * slav●…s . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 notes for div a26482-e27130 * a thin sasfroncoloured gown . * a thin fringed or laced gown . hesych . notes for div a26482-e29440 * a dialogue so nam'd in the works of plato . * for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 perhaps should be read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . notes for div a26482-e40060 a gr●…at 〈◊〉 . * sicilian●…oothsayers ●…oothsayers . * plutarch ▪ de curio●… ▪ * representing the triumph . * so freinsh . emblems of rarities: or choyce observations out of worthy histories of many remarkable passages, and renowned actions of divers princes and severall nations with exquisite variety, and speciall collections of the natures of most sorts of creatures: delightfull and profitable to the minde. collected by d.l. lupton, donald, d. 1676. 1636 approx. 376 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 254 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2006-06 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a06471 stc 16942 estc s108945 99844597 99844597 9426 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a06471) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 9426) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1475-1640 ; 847:06) emblems of rarities: or choyce observations out of worthy histories of many remarkable passages, and renowned actions of divers princes and severall nations with exquisite variety, and speciall collections of the natures of most sorts of creatures: delightfull and profitable to the minde. collected by d.l. lupton, donald, d. 1676. [24], 478, [2] p. printed by n. okes, london : 1636. dedication signed: donald lupton. cf. folger catalogue, which gives signatures: a-x¹² . running title reads: emblemes of rarities. reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for 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text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-04 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion emblems of rarities : or choyce observations out of worthy histories of many remarkable passages , and renowned actions of divers princes and severall nations . with exquisite variety , and speciall collections of the natures of most sorts of creatures : delightfull and profitable to the minde . qui mores hominum multorum vidit , & urbes . virgil. collected by d. l. london : printed by n. okes. 1636. to the worshipfull , and truely generous captaines : capt. nicholas crips . capt. james slade . and capt. samvel carleton , all happinesse here , and hereafter . noble commanders , religion , wisedome , and valour , are iewels and ornaments to your heroyicke profession of armes : and i am glad that this kingdome and others by one of you , and this honorable citty by all of you , can iustly maintaine my asseveratio● to be free from flattery . it i● no small honour that god an● this kingdome hath laid upo● your shoulders , in making yo● so eminent in office , worth and wealth , my selfe havin● reall experience of your nobl● dispositions and vertuou● qualifications , have ma●● bold to discharge some part 〈◊〉 my duty by a faire present●●tion of these my labours to you● worthy protections : and i d●● not adventure upon this witho●● some grounds and reasons . first , as vertue is alway● coaspicuous , so it is attractiv● as an adamant . secondly , i have a long time beene amongst ●ur armies abroad , and doe ●ruely honour the professors of armes , and have had expe●ience of both fortunes , both in leaguers and in garrisons : in which places ( to the ho●our of the commanders be it ) found loving and noble re●●ect . thirdly , i stand in●●aged unto your worships , in a ●leepe bond of respect and ser●ice , for your reall expressions ●f kindnesse unto me . fourth●y , i heartily desire that your names may be knowne through 〈◊〉 the corners of this land , to 〈◊〉 as excitements to others of vertuous undertakings , being such lights , it is fit they should shine round about . but not to presume too much , accept i pray your worships , this myte of my service , my disability confin'd my will , i desire to expresse more , but yet i cannot : when time shall lend enablement , my heart shal not want readinesse of expression of it to your worships : thus praying the lord of hosts to blesse you the captaines of his armies , at home & abroad with happinesse , i humbly commend your worships unto his protection , resting your worships bounden donald lupton . to the gentle reader . the outward senses of men chiefly delight in varieties : the eye takes pleasure in sundry and various objects , the eare with severall and changeable sounds : the sence of smel●ing delights in sundry odours : the taste best relishes diversity of cates , the touch affecteth change and variety of matters . herein indeed being lively emblems , expressing the inward qualities of the mindes of men ; for it is truely said , natura hominum novitatis avida : the inward faculties of the soule delighting almost as much in changing varieties , as in their beings : the memory retaines in her closet , severall , sundry , manifold , & almost innumerable passages : the iudgmēt is not tied to one , but determines mani●old cases : the affections proteus like , mutable and variable in the choyse of pleasures or profits : and the will it selfe is as desirous to have new matter to chuse , or refuse , as any of the other weighing therefore with my selfe , what contentment is afforded to the minds of men , by affording them varietie of subjects to contemplate and peruse , i have with great labour , and no lesse faithfulnesse striven to my utmost , to give my loving country-men of this nation , contentment in this poynt , presenting to them this book , as ful of variety of matter as of leaves , every leafe almost bringing to their eyes a new subject : which i hope will afford them as much pleasure and profit in the perusing , as they did my selfe in the collecting : passages there are in it , that are worthy to bee reduced to memory ; and with all diligence to be kept from the darke cell and grave of oblivion ; and indeede i suppose it a supine negligence , and a carelesse respect to the honour of renowned history , to let ●hose worthy and admired passages to be drowned in one age , which are , and may bee usefull & pleasant to posterity for ever . — quis nosset homerum ? ilias aeternum , si latuisset opus ? it is certainely an injury to our predecessors to suffer their memories and labours to perish , who tooke such great paines and travailes for the benefit of us , and succeeding generations : i have therefore in this booke selected many , and those speciall observations , out of authentick authors , famous for their writings , and approoved for truth in all ages , containing the acts of many emperours and princes , the solemnization of their birth-dayes , with the triumphs and pompes that were then used , as also their funeralls , the destrunction of many cities , especially of hierusalem : they containe also many customes , rites , conditions , manners of many strange nations , and describing the properties and natures of sundry creatures , as beasts , birds , fishes , and also of mettalls , and minerals , as gold , silver , lead , quick-silver , iron , and the like ; as also remarkable things of the sybils , and their prophesies , with the orders of knighthood , that are now the most famous through the world : the beginnings and invention of many mysteries and arts , as of printing , and the invention of the great bombards , and such like , which i doubt not but will yeeld satisfaction to all that are addicted to these kinds of studies . now there will not want those that will be readier to accuse , then to encourage my labours in this kinde , objecting that it seemes to be needlesse to read them here , when as they can have them in the proper authours : i answer , though some few may be so well stored with language and bookes , yet there bee thousands that neither are furnished with bookes , nor yet with the languages the authours writ in , and so are altogether deprived of this benefit . howsoever , i have laboured , and i repent mee not ; for this booke will bee beneficiall to all that shall without prejudicate opinions read it , and herein they have the choycest flowers , pickt and cull'd out of many gardens for their benefit , and what more is , they may in lesse time , and little charges obtaine their desires by this , which they cannot by many bookes : for reading with a strict collection , ( considering the difficulty of translation ) is knowne to all men of judgement to be difficult , tedious , and troublesome ; yet i weigh none of these , so that my labours may afford any profit to the perusers of them . the serenity of my intent is a bulwarke sufficient to comfort mee ●gainst the too too usuall darts of a maligne tongue , and if any ●hall cast aspersion upon it , i wish them to be wiser , and not ●o shew their disease in publick , ●ut ( gentle reader ) i doe wish ●●ee as much pleasure in the ●eading of this worke , as i had 〈◊〉 compiling i● , and as for those ●ho dislike it , i think the fault 〈◊〉 not in the dish , but in their ●●rrupted stomacks ; so not fea●●ng their censures , but respect●y love , i leave : thine in hearty friendship , d. l. the table of all the heads that are contained in this booke . of the temple of ephesus . page 3 a relation of marcus curius . p. 6 of the warres and manners of the turkes . 8 how the turkes doe beleeve , and how they worship god. 13 the opinion of the turks upon the world to come . 21 of the miseries that jerusalem suffered , during the siege of vespasianus and titus . 24 how jerusalem was taken and fired . 25 of the fasting and meats of the turkes . 29 of the circumcision of the turks . 32 what execution of iustice the turkes have , what kind of marriages , what manner of apparrel and living . 38 of the nature of gold and silver . 46 of spirits appearing in mines . 49 the signes of the destruction of jerusalem . 50 of the description of ireland . 56 a briefe description of england and scotland . 57 of an i le in spaine named gades 60 a description of seneca , the schoolemaster of nero the emperour . 61 to divers nations in ancient times were obiected divers vices and deformities . 63 sugar groweth in a part of italy . 65 a mountaine alwayes casting forth flames and smoake . 66 the properties of the eagle . 69 a description of a raven . 72 certaine rites and lawes of the old romans . 74 the lively & quicke wit of adrianus , the emperour of sardinia . 79 the making of sugar at palerm● in sicily . 80 of the mountaine called aetna in sicily . 84 the election of the king of gothes . 87 feare and care hindreth mans growth . 88 the rare art and mystery of printing found out amongst the maguntines . 87 the invention of great guns . 92 a notable history of a thing done at a towne in germany called binguam . 96 ●f the bathes called badenses in germany . 98 ● description of a herneshaw . 100 ● monster born nigh unto worms in germany in the yeare 1495. 102 ●ow scrupulous the jewes be to do any thing on their sabbath day . 104 ●●e famine of jerusalem . 106 ● wilde buls in prussia . 111 ●iscription of iseland . 112 ●f the countrey called laponia . 118 ●escription of whales . 119 ●ow a marvellous horrible dragon was destroyed in polonia . 120 ● strange history of a king devowred of mice . 122 ●f the treasure that was found in the temple of jerusalem , by the souldiers of vespasian . 134 lycurgus lawes . 336 the ceremonies of the burialls of of the kings of lacedemonia . 144 lawes of cruell draco . 146 lawes of solon . 147 of dame flora. 151 of the ieat stone . 152 of the burials of the turkes , and of divers observations and customes . 152 how the christians taken of the turkes in war , be handled and tormented , and how they are made free . 159 with what burthen and exactions the christian princes are charged and oppressed , being overcome of the turkes . 269 the besieging of samaria . 176 of king tantalus . 179 of artemisia the wife of mausolus . 181 ●f sardanapalus k. of assyria . 183 ●eople called amazons . 184 ●f harts in cyprus . 187 ●f the date-tree . 190 ●f the dead sea . 191 ●f a sand transforming things into glasse . 193 ● fish called a purple . 193 ●he city of babylon . 195 ●f the phaenix . 197 ●escription of the ram that titus brought before the wals of jerusalem to destroy it . 199 ●f mahomet the false prophet of the saracens , of his original , and perversity . 201 the manner of the assyrians . 217 the manner of the persians . 219 of the panther and tyger . 223 condition and nature of the parthians 227 people of carmania . 230 property of sundry nations . 232 severall waies that the romans put any offendor to death . 233 of the tartarians . 239 sibyls prophesie of the destruction of babell . 247 of the twelve sibyls . 249 of the countrey of india . 260 of the brachmans . 268 of the elephant . 272 garments used by the high-priests of the jewes . 277 of the dragons in india and aethiopia . 279 of the griphin in india . 283 the notes and signes of a good horse . 284 certaine monstrous people in india . 287 of the ants of india . 292 of indian apes . 293 of the diamond-stone . 295 the ten persecutions under the roman emperours . 297 of calechut , the famous mart in india . 300 the end of the jewes answerable to their lives . 309 the 7 wonders of the world. 311 the sixe ages of the world. 317 severall bridges that are in singui . 321 certaine illusions of divels about tangut . 322 of the cockatrice . 324 of the crocadile . 326 the twelve apostles with their martyrdomes . 328 the seven wise-men of greece . 335 young fowles hatched , & brought forth without their dams or females . 335 rites and ceremonies of the aegyptians . 337 the seven saxon kingdoms that england was once divided into . 342 the foure monarchies of the world . 346 how the turneyments and iust●● began first in saxony . 350 the eight parliaments of france 35● of the estridge . 360 of the empire of cathay . 36● the thirteene cantons of swisse● land . 36● the twelve peeres or pairs 〈◊〉 france . 36● the 4 parts of the world. 37● the eight times that rome hat● beene taken . 37● sixe orders of chivalry whic● continue at this day among●● princes . 379 of the cannibals . 394 of the lyon. 399 of the people called the nigrits and other nations . 399 of prefter johns land. 405 of the mice upon the alpes . 409 description of a unicorne . 414 the three severall crownes that the emperours of rome are crowned with . 416 septem-viri , or the seven electors of the emperour of germany . 417 the oath that the seven electors take before the chusing of the emperor . 419 of the birth of alexander , and of the macedonian feasts . 422 ●everall trophies of worthy captaines . 424 ●he birth of mahomet . 430 ●f the inauguration and anoynting of the great duke of muscovia , with the ceremonies at their coronation . 431 the nativity of christ. 441 ●trange ceremonies at the election of the prince of carinthia . 443 the manner of the funerall pompe of the grecians . 349 the great pompe and solemnity at the inauguration of the pope rome . 4●● the funerall pompe of the rom●● emperours . 4●● of the inauguration and coron●●●●on of the kings of persia. 4●● manner and order of the india● in celebrating the nativitie 〈◊〉 their kings . 4●● nativity of k. cyrus and of 〈◊〉 persian feasts , for ioy therof . 4●● the birth of minerva . 4●● the sacred anoynting of 〈◊〉 kings of israel . 4●● funerall pompes of the aegy●●tians . 4●● funerall pompes of the thra●●●ans . 4●● of the solemnity on the birth 〈◊〉 of prince aratus by the ach●●●jans with their feastes and s●●crifices . 4●● of the birth of xerxes and of t●● solemne feast thereof . 4●● emblemes of rarities : or , kqvisite obser●ations delightfvll to the minde . the great creator hath so done his admirable workes , that they ought to be had 〈◊〉 remembrance , saith that ●rthy prophet david : i ther●●●e did confirme my selfe in 〈◊〉 one resolution , to search 〈◊〉 , and revive afresh with 〈◊〉 diligence , and faithfulnesse , many rare and exquisite acts of ancient times , performed in the severall parts of the world , to● many of which have , and do● almost lye buried in oblivio● and so intend the communication of the benefit of them , an● my labours to this iland , where in i received my first breath doing neither wrong to the sacred esteeme of history , nor ye● burthening my owne conscienc● with unjust undertakings , 〈◊〉 carrying my selfe by the balla● of truth , and steering my labo●● by the rule of equity ; i profe●● no other thing , but a briefe 〈◊〉 a true expression , and digesti●● of many special and remarkab●● passages , making the memori● of many of them , and the ben●●fit of my country-men , t●● whole scope and aime of this 〈◊〉 travaile and labour . and because method is the guide of studies , ( for who undertakes any action of consequence without it , builds but without a foundation , or travels in a wood without a way ) not perfectly knowing where he is , or how to get forth , that i may not be unjust or offensive to your memories , or to the worth of the subject , nor shew my owne disability to the world , i doe intend to lay downe the subjects i treate of distinctly , as i have gathered them , both for the readers benefit , and contentment , and first : of the temple of ephesus . in the country called ionia , there is the noble citty of ephesus , which was built in the 32 year of the reign of king david , by androchus the ●on of codr●● king of athens . the amazons did erect in it in the honor 〈◊〉 diana a noble temple , the like whereof was not then in all the world ; and therefore it was accounted amongst the 7 wonders of the world : it was 215 yeares in making , and that of all a●ia , and set in a miry ground , for the avoyding of earth-quakes ; there were 127 pillars in it , made of their kings one by one , which were in height 60 foot ; whereof 36 were carved with marveilous workemanship . the length of the whole church was 425 feete , and the breadth 220. all that tooke this church for sanctuary , had great immunities and priviledges : there were also so many gifts and monuments given to this church from all nations and citties , that none in 〈…〉 world might bee compare 〈…〉 wealth . st. paul preached at ephesus 3 yeeres , and converted many to the faith . st. iohn also the evangelist dyed in this citty . but this sumptuous temple was destroyed , and set on fire in the reigne of galienus the emperour , by one erostratus , who doing many notable feats in warre , and otherwise , when he perceived that he got no reward nor renowne thereby , to leave a continuall remembrance of his flagitious and horrible act , did with great fires and monstrous flames consume this faire church , and brought it to ashes , thinking thereby to be remembred in perpetuity : and yet he was deceived , for there were generall edicts and proclamations made , that no man upon paine of death should presume once to put his name in any writing or chronicle , to the intent that he might have beene buried with everlasting oblivion . m. curius . there was in rome about three hundred yeares before christs time , a strange and horrible gaping of the earth ; even about the middest of the market place , with so vaste 〈◊〉 depth and infinite hollownesse that it might well have beene compared to the gaping of hell mouth , the spectacle continuing thus for a time , made great terror amongst the people , a● the length the southsayers by their interpretations , perswaded that this horrible depth might be stopped , if the most precious thing● in the citty were cast therein ▪ whereupon divers of the matrones of rome , of their owne free will cast in divers goodly jewels , but all was in vaine . wherefore m. curius a knight of rome , comming of a noble house , being decked and adorned with his warlike furni●ure and ornaments , rid head●ong into that horrible depth and hollownesse of the earth , and so immediately it closed together againe and was stopped . some say that he demanded this one thing before he would grant to ride and and leape into that depth , that for a whole yeares space it might bee lawfull for him , every night to lie with what woman hee would chuse , and that then of his owne mind he cast himselfe suddenly down headlong into that denne , and so the earth closed againe . of the warres and manners of the turkes . the turkes have a marvellous celerity in doing , a constancy in dangers , and observation of the empire . they will swimme over very deepe and dangerous waters , they passe over strange hills , and being commanded , they goe through thicke and thinne headlong , having no regard of their lives , but of the empire . most apt and ready to suffer fasting and watching . there is no sedition amongst them , no tumult . they use horrible sounds and not out-cries in war : in their tents in the night-time , there is ●uch diligent silence , that they ●ad rather suffer their prisoners ●o escape , then to move any tumult . the turkes of all kinde of ●eople , are said at these dayes to 〈◊〉 most lawfull fighting , so that 〈◊〉 is no marvel why their com●on-wealth continueth so long , ●nd encreaseth so much , that ●●eir nation is almost invin●●ble , except they be destroyed ●y some plague or pestilence , ●r civill discord . the souldi●rs have an honest kinde of ap●arrell : in their saddles and bri●els there is no curious superflu●y . no man goeth armed but 〈◊〉 the time of war : their wea●ons are brought after them in ●urdens ; they use no banners ●or standerds , but in the tops of ●heir javelins they have certaine ●hreads of divers colours hanging , where one captaine known from another . they use the drumme at the fluite to call and moo●● men to fight . they pray f●● their souldiers in every congr●●gation and solemne meetin● but rather for such as have dye for their countrey , calling the happy and blessed , that they d●●ed not at home in the lamenta●●●on of their wives , and childre● but abroad amongst their en●●mies weapons , and terrible no●ses . they write and describ● the victories of their ancesto● they sing and extoll them bei●● written ; for they thinke the souldiers mindes to bee mu●● encouraged by these meane● they doe so abhorre picture and engraved images , that up●● such causes they call the ch●●●stians idolaters . they have 〈◊〉 bells , nor yet doe suffer the christians abiding amongst ●hem to have bells . they ne●er play for mony , or any other ●●ing , but such as bee found ●laying , be grievously slandred 〈◊〉 every mans mouth . no man ●f what state or degree so ever ●e be , desireth to sit on a bench , ●ut they lye downe and sit on ●●e earth like children , with a ●ery comely folding of their ●●rments under them . the table whereon they feed ●●r the most part , is prepared of ●n oxe hide , or an harts skinne , ●ndressed and rough with haire ●●ill , having the roundnesse of ●oure or five hand breadthes . no man entreth into any house , church , or other place where●n they must sit , unlesse his ●hooes be off ; because it is acounted an unhonest , and undecent point , for any man to 〈◊〉 with his shoes on his feete , an● therfore they use a kind of sho●● that may easily be put on & 〈◊〉 the place were they sit , eith●● at home or in the churches , strewed & covered either wi●● tapestry clothes , or broad clot● or rushes , and sometimes for 〈◊〉 moysture and uncleannesse 〈◊〉 the place , they have bodyes a●● tables . the garments both of m●● and women , are large and lo●● enough , open in the form part . they have great car● emptying the belly , and mak● vrine , that they turne not th● faces towards the south , whi●● way they are alwaies wont looke praying . they take so great heede , lest any 〈◊〉 should see their filthinesse discharging nature . they ●●●taine from wine , as their lawes doe command them ; because ●t is a provoker of all unclean●esse and vice , and yet may ●hey lawfully eat grapes . they ●bstaine also from swines blood ●nd flesh , and from all flesh ●hat dyeth of the murraine . all other meates they doe eate . how the turkes doe beleeve , and how they worship god. the turks confesse one god , which hath none like or equall to him , whose faithfull prophet they account mahomet . five times a day they pray with their faces turned into the south , and before they doe this , they provide that they have a most perfect cleannesse of body in every part : hands , armes , mouth , eares , nostrills , eye●● haires , washing their feete mo●● decently , after carnall copula●●●on , and naturall evacuation , e●●cept they have beene sicke , 〈◊〉 travailing abroad . if they wa●● water to doe this , which is se●●dome seene , because in eve● citty they have baths continu●ally flowing , then they wip●● and rub them otherwise . every yeare they fast a whol● moneth and a weeke mo●● straightly , in the day time nei●ther eating nor drinking any●thing , nor yet having any con●junction with women , but afte● the sunne-set , untill the sun-ri●sing the next day , they fill them selves with meat , and drinke , and venerous pleasure : in the end o● this solemne feast , they celebrate the feast called the pas●h● in remembrance of abraham ramme , which appeared in●tead of his sonne at the sacri●ice , and of a certaine night wherein they suppose the alco●an was given from heaven . their priests doe not much ●iffer from the laity , nor their churches from common hou●es . it is sufficient to know the ●ooke which is called alcoran , ●nd such things as appertaine to ●rayer and observance of the ●aw . they lacke not their rea●ings , and studies of arts and sciences . they have no care ●f churches , nor soules depar●ed : they have no sacraments , ●or observation of reliques , ho●y vessels , nor altars , but they are attent and diligent in looking to their children , their wives , and family , to tillage of the ground , to merchandize , to hunting , and the like exercises , wherewith life is maintained . they be free from servitude and exactions , these priests bee honoured of every body , as men that know the ceremonies of the lawes , have the government of churches , and can instruct others . they have many schooles and places of exercise , wherein such politicke lawes are taught , as have bin made by their princes for the administration of the common-wealth , and defence of the countrey , wherein they that profit , some of them are made rulers in ecclesiasticall matters , and some be secular magistrates , there be also in that sect many and divers religious sorts , wherof some living in woods , and solitude , utterly refuse the company of men , some keeping hospitality in cities , do relieve ●he poore strangers with hospi●ality , if they have not to refresh ●hemselves withall ; for they ●hemselves also live of begging ●nd almes , many of them wan●ring about citties , carry good ●nd alwayes fresh water in cer●aine bottels , of the which they ●ive to every one demanding ●or the same , freely and gladly , ●or the which dutifull good-will ●nd worke of mercy , if any thing ●e given , they take it , they co●et nothing ; they make so great 〈◊〉 shew and ostentation of reli●ion both in their deeds and say●ngs , and also in their manners ●nd gesture , that they rather ●eeme angels then men , such is ●●e deceit in mens eyes . the turkes cease from all la●our on the friday , and keepe 〈◊〉 with as much religion and de●●otion as wee doe the sunday . but the jewes do marvailously observe the satturday . in every city there is one principall church , wherein they meete together after noone every body , and after their prayers solemnly done , they have a sermon . they have large and sumptuous temples , which are called in their tongue me●chit , where in they have no images at all , but it is foun● written every where : there 〈◊〉 no god but one ; and mahomet hi● prophet . one creator , and the prophets equal . and also there is none so strong as god. there bee in their churche● a great number of burni●● lampes with oyle . all th● church is white , the pavemen● is layd with mats and othe● things , and above many clothe● of tapestry , and arras be han●●ed . there is a great turret a●out the church , on the top ●hereof , their minister when ●●rvice time is , standeth , and ●utting his fingers in his eares , ●ith an high voyce in his owne ●ongue hee repeateth these ●ords thrice : one true god. when this cry is heard , the ●obles and the meaner sort ●ommeth to the temple , onely ●ntent to deuotion , and the mi●ister prayeth with them , and ●hat he ought to doe foure times ●etweene day and night by his office , and they which come ●o the prayers , ought to wash ●heir hands , and feete , and secret parts . they must put off their ●hooes , and leave them before ●he church gate , and thus , some enter barefoot into the church , and some with very cleane and faire shooes . the women sit together in a secret place fro● the men , so that the men 〈◊〉 neither see them nor hea● them , albeit they come not 〈◊〉 often to the church . in the prayers they cruciate and afflic● their bodies marvellously wi●● continuall agitations and vo●●●erations , so that often tim● they sowne and faint in min● and strength . they thinke it a horrible thing and most wicke● that a christian man should be present at their ceremonies an● sacrifices ; having this opinio● that their temples are conta●minate and defiled of unclean● and unwashed men , their m●●nister getteth him into the p●●●pit , and there about two hour● he preacheth , and when 〈◊〉 sermon is done , two childre● ascend thither , which sing the●● prayers sweetly , after this thei● ●●ister beginneth with all the ●●ple to sing in a low voyce , 〈◊〉 his body on every side ; 〈◊〉 his words are nothing but 〈◊〉 : there is but one god. they 〈◊〉 thursday also as a festi●●● day , albeit the fryday is 〈◊〉 devoutly , and most religi●●●ly hollowed of them , be●●●se they have an opinion a●●ngst them , that mahomet , 〈◊〉 borne upon the friday . the opinion of the turkes upon the world to come . ●he turkes attribute so 〈◊〉 much to mahomet and his 〈◊〉 , that they assuredly 〈◊〉 everlasting happinesse 〈◊〉 such as keepe their lawes , 〈◊〉 is to say , a paradise of plea●●●● , a garden having most pleasant & sweet waters , set in a pu●● and temperate ayre , where●● they should have whatsoev●●● they would , as all kinde 〈◊〉 dainty dishes for satiety , sil● and purple apparrell , yong an● beautifull maides at their own will and pleasure , with go●● and silver plate , and ange●● serving and ministring un●● them like butlers , bringi●● milke in goulden plates , a●● red wine aboundantly in silv●● cups , contrary wise to tho●● that breake these lawes , the● threaten the danger of 〈◊〉 and everlasting destructio●● this also they beleeve , th●● how great offences soever a man hath committed , if he will beleeve onely in god a●● mahomet , when he dyeth 〈◊〉 shall be safe and happy . some of their religion ha● ●is opinion , that the law pro●eth nothing ; but the grace of ●od whereby a man must be sa●ed , which without merit or ●aw is sufficient to get salvati●n . there be some as it were ●ccessours of the prophets and ●athers , alledging and affirming ●●e traditions of the elders , ●hich teach , that men by merit ●ay be saved without the law ●nd gods grace , so that they ●e earnest in prayers , in watch●●g and meditations . there be others againe that affirme every ●an to be saved in the law that ●s given of god , because those ●awes are equally good to those ●hat keepe them , and one ought ●ot to be preferred before ano●her . so you may see where christ is not , how inconstant ●indes waver in divers errours , ●he which thing also may appeare amongst some christian● as such as seeke for salvation o● any other then of the saviou● onely . of the miseries that hierusalem suffered during the siege thereof by vespasianus and titus . the roman eagle displayed it selfe before the towne , with all other engines and war-like instruments , titus himselfe being then in person , to take view aswell of his own souldiers valour , as of the ground , about the citty to entrench in , as also to try the courage of the enemies : hee set before it with his army in the yeare of the world 4034 , being after the death of christ 72 : and when upon his first approaches he was repulsed by the cittizens , yet taking ●ourage , with the diligence of ●is old souldiers , he had made a firme wall in three dayes space ●ound about the towne , of 39 furlongs compasse , besides 13 forts , every one of them being ●lmost 2 miles in compasse , so ●hat in the space of one yeare ●nd lesse , this populous city by fire , sword , sedition , and famine , was stripped of 11 hundred thousand people : it hath ●eene taken , besieged , and burnt ●7 times , as you may read in the ●escription of canaan . hierusalem taken and fired . this place so remarkeable for strength and multitudes of people , supposed to bee im●regnable , was by the just hand ●f god , and the valour of the romans , taken in the yeare of the world 4034 , and after christ 72 , being the eighth of september , by titus , after chosen emperour : in which action many fearefull passages may be viewed , as the dayly slaughters , rapines , and cruelties , but especially the burning of the whole citty , the temple , in which alone perished 60 thousand of the jewes , also the burning of the councell-house , in which were consumed all the rolles and ancient records of that nation and not lesse then 30 thousand o● men , women , and children . but especially lamentable was the burning of the temple , which in greatnesse , beauty , workemanship , costlinesse , and plenty of all delights , farre exceeded all workes that ever the world had , nay , it strucke pitty and remorse even in the heart of the roman generall who striv'd to hinder it , and desired to have ●eene it in its beauty , nay , hee admired that part which he beheld before the fire had taken it , and confessed he never saw the like : and to adde to the miseries of the iewes , the ray of the fire was not greater , nor more terrible to behold , then was the cryings of the people of all ages slaughtered there , fearefull to heare . but most remarkeable is it , that upon the just revolution of such a prefixed time , upon the same day of the same moneth , that the chaldaeans spoyled it before , i say , upon the same day was this latter temple , which haggaeus rebuilded , utterly burnt downe by the romans , so just is god in sending deserved punishments upon a people in his due and determined time : to shut up this with this one observation , that though it was not builded without the helpe of thousands of labourers , and great expences both of monies and time , yet it was destroyed in a moment of time by one fire-brand , cast out by the hand of one souldier , ( as some have related ) whose name was pisolus , of the fifth roman legion . no place nor person , though never so great or beautifull , can be priviledged from punishment , if they be full of sinne and impiety . of the fasting and meats of the turkes the turkes are wont to fast one moneth and one weeke every yeare , but they doe not allwaies keepe one prefixed time ; for if this yeare they fast in ianuary , the next yeare they will doe it in february , the third in march , and so orderly of the rest , and when they doe fast , they taste and eate nothing all the whole day , not so much as bread or water , but when stars appeare , it is lawfull for them to eate all things , saving things which are suffocate , and swines flesh . they have vineyards , the fruit and commodity whereof they use diversly . the christians make wine , and the turkes doe so prepare hony and raysons , that they appeare alwaies fresh , both in taste and sight ; they have three manner of drinkes , the first of sugar or hony mixt with water . the second of raysons sod in water , the stones cast away , and then rose-water is added unto them , and a little of the best hony. the third is made of wine well sodden , and representeth a kinde of hony both in taste and sight , this is tempered with water , and given to servants to drinke . when they should eate any thing , they strew their floores and grounds with mats and other things , then they lay carpets and tapestry worke or cushens , and some sit downe upon the naked earth ; their table is of some skinne , ( as i said before ) it is drawne at large , and shut together againe as a purse , they sit not downe after our manner , nor yet as the people of old were wont to doe , leaning on their elbows , but with their feet folded together in the forms of this letter x. like to the manner of botchers ; & before they take any meat they have their prayers or thanks-giving . they eate greedily and hastily with great silence ; but all their wives keepe themselves in secret . those which are captive women never goe abroad , nor can get licence , but with othe turkish women , when they goe to wash in bathes , or in any other place out of the citty for recreation sake , into gardens or vineyards , but alwaies keepe home at their worke , and it is not lawfull for other women to bee conversant with their captives . of the circumcision of the turkes . the turkes use circumcision not in the eight day after the manner of of the iewes , but as soone as the child is past seven or eight years , and can speake the tongue well , the which thing is a mystery with them , for the words of confession which are required before circumcision , and the child for this is not brought into the temple , but is circumcised at home in his parents house . there bee assembled at this notable feast all their friends , and commonly amongst the richer sort , they kill an oxe , and therein they include and put in a sheep exenterate and ready dressed , in the which sheep there is a hen , in the which hen there is an egge , which are all rosted together for the solemnity of that day ; then at supper time in their banquet the childe which must bee circumcised is brought in , whose yeard and privy member the physitian openeth , and apprehendeth the folded skinne with a fine paire of pinsons , then to take all feare away from the childe , he saith that hee will make the circumcision the next day , and whilst he useth those words , he suddenly cutteth the prepuce , which is the skin that covereth the head of the yeard , laying a little salt on the wound . they do not give names to their children in the day of circumcision , but in the day of their nativity : after 3 daies space he that is circumcised , is led with great pompe unto the bath , when hee commeth home againe , he is led throughout all the gests , which offer unto him their prepared gifts , some give silke garments , some silver cups , ohers present him mony or horses . if any christian man of his owne accord confessing mahomet , will suffer himselfe to be circumcised , which thing chanceth very often times , for the grievous exaction and burthen of tribute , such one is led throughout all the streets and lanes of the citty , with great honour and triumph of the people , for joy playing on the drums , and to him many gifts are presented , and afterward hee is made free from their payment and tribute . yet the turkes compell no man to the deniall of his religion , although they bee commanded in ●he booke of alcoran , to ex●ulse the adversaries and gaine●ayers : whereof it commeth to passe , that so many and divers ●ects of people are found amongst the turkes , all which doe reverence and honour god after their peculiar rites and customes . their priests doe little differ from the laity , and there is no great learning to bee required in them , it is enough if they can reade the booke of alcoran , but those that can interprete the same booke according to the text , are esteemed as most cunning , because mahomet gave his precepts not in the vulgar turkish tongue , but in the arabicall tongue ; and they thinke it a wicked and unlawfull thing to have them interpreted or set forth in the vulgar tongue : these ministers have their stipend and reward o● the prince for their paines , they have wives and apparrell eve● as secular men : if the stipend b● not sufficient for the multitude and ●umber of their children then may they practise and use all manner of arts , crafts , and trades that other men doe , but yet they are free from exactions and other impositions , and are greatly esteemed of the common sort . they have divers livings solitary like unto monkes , which under the colour of religion , inhabite the woods and desert places , utterly renouncing mens company : and some of them have nothing of their owne , but they goe almost naked , saving that their privy parts bee covered with sheepe-skinnes : they travaile and wander throughout countries , asking almes as well of the christians , as of the turkes . some of them goe seldome abroad , but continue in temples , having in the corners of churches little cottages , their heads uncovered , their feete without shoes , their bodies without garments , bearing about them nothing but one shirt : they fast many dayes , and pray that god would reveale unto them things to come , and the prince of the turkes is wont to aske counsell of them whensoever hee goeth about any warres . what execution of iustice the turkes have , what kind of marriages , what manner of apparrel and living . the turkes doe execute justice most exquisitely , for he that is guilty of slaughter or blood-shed , is alwayes punished with like vexation and torment . hee that is taken with a woman in adultery , is stoned to death without mercy or tarrying . there is also a punishment appointed for those which are taken in fornication : for whosoever is apprehended for it , he must suffer eight hundred lashes with a whip : a theefe for the first and second time , is so many times scourged also , but if hee bee taken the third time , hee loseth his hand , at the ●ourth time his foote . he that ●oth any damage to any body , ●s compelled to make satisfaction according to the estimate of the losse . they admit no witnesses but very meete and allowable persons , and such as may be beleeved without any oath . it is not lawfull for any man that is full of age , to live out of matrimony , they may be married to 4 lawfull wives , and those whomsoever they will chuse , except their mother and sisters , having no respect at all to the propinquity of blood : they may have as many illegitimate and unlawfull wives as they please and be able to keepe : th● children both of lawfull and unlawfull wives , are equally heires in their fathers goods , so that they observe this order , that 2 daughters shall but match and bee e●quall with one son . they keep not two or more wives in on● house , or in one city , fo● fear of often contention and un●quieting , but in every city the● keep one : the husbands have thi● liberty to put them away thre● times , and to take them again● thrice ; those wives which ar● put away , may , if it please them ▪ continue and abide with suc● men as receive them . th● women are very decent and honest in their apparrell , they use on their heads a kinde o● linnen like unto yong damsels ▪ and they have vailes over the same , the folding whereof is so decent , that the top of it hangeth over the left or right side , wherewith if they goe from home , or come into their husbands sight , they may quick●y cover all their face saving the ●yes : the women may never ●e seen in the company of men , ●or to goe to market , nor to buy ●r sell any thing ; in the chur●hes they have their places se●arate from the men , so closely ●hat no man may peepe into ●hem , nor by any meanes enter ●nto them , and yet it is not ●awfull for every woman to en●er in thither , but for noble ●ens wives , and never else but ●n friday at 12 of the clock ●nely , they use their prayers , ●he which is a solemne time with them ; the talking of man ●nd woman openly , is so rare , ●nd against common custome , ●hat if you should tarry a whole ●eare with them , you should ●cantly see it once . it is ●hought a monstrous thing that ● man should openly talke with a woman , or ride in the comp●ny of any . they that are ma●●ried together , doe never use an● wanton toies in the sight of o●thers , they never braule no● chide , because the men doe ne●ver omit their gravity toward women nor wives ; their reve●rence towards their husband● great lords that cannot alwaye be with their wives , have eun●●ches deputed to the custody o● them , which doe so diligent●● observe , marke , and watc● them , that it is unpossible for a●ny other then their husbands 〈◊〉 speake with them , or for the● to do amisse , and otherwise the well . they contract marriag● without any oath , they take 〈◊〉 summes of money with the wives , but are almost ensfor●ced to buy them , contrary 〈◊〉 the romans fashion , where th● ●one in law was wont to bee ●ought , and not the sonnes wife . the wife hath no orna●ent nor decking upon her bo●y , but that shee is driven to get ●f her father . a cause of de●orce with them , is either bar●nesse , or intolerable manners , ●heir judge is privy to these ●hings . the women use most ●●mple apparrell , shewing no ●inde of excesse in the world , ●hey never come with open face ●nto the sight of their husbands ●r other men . the turkes de●est our hose and great bree●hes , with their cod peeces ●ecause they doe too lively ex●resse and shew the privy parts . their heads bee covered with linnen , having a toppe like un●o a turret , and commeth neere ●o a pyramidall forme . they ●se bread not of the worst sort , both blacke and white bread , saving that they cast a certaine kinde of seed upon new bread , which bringeth a great pleasantnesse in eating . they have divers artificious wayes in preparing meates and variety of sauces , a solemne kinde of meate with them , is a kinde of pottage made with rice , so thick , that it can hardly bee divided with hands : from fish they abstaine marvellously , they use all kinde of flesh , saving swines flesh . there be no common taverns , nor innes for guests and strangers , nor common victualing-houses , but in the streets divers kinds of meates are to bee sold , and other things necessary for life . the townesmen cause their ●ields to be tilled by their servants , and they pay tith to thei● emperour and ruler . crafts●men maintaine them with their ●ciences ; they that do love idle●esse , doe perish with famine , ●hey exercise merchandise most ●iligently , they passe and tra●aile into asia the lesse , ara●ia , and aegypt , and they have ●heir peregrinations also to the venetians . if they make water , ●hey wash their yard after it , if ●hey empty their bellies , they make all cleane afterward . in like manner doe the women , whom their servants and bondmen doe follow , bearing vessels full of water , the man-servant following the master , and the maide the mistresse . they have one kinde of judge , as well christians as turkes : and this judge is bound to minister equally right to every body . of gold and silver . gold through heate and fire is resolved , but not consumed or wasted . for of all kind of mettalls it loseth nothing of his magnitude and substance , but the more often and longer that it burneth with heate , or is altered with fire , the better , and more pure , and excellent it is made . and therefore hath it alwayes bin accounted the most precious kinde of mettall : the weight of it neither is diminished , or eaten away by any sharpe things , as salt , vinegar , nitrum , and the juyce of unripe grapes : it is not deformed , nor made worse by rust , nor in handling of it , or hands doe gather any filth or ●ncleannesse as in other kindes of mettalls ; the which things may easily proove gold far to ●urmount all other mettalls . ●t is more flexible and soft ●hen silver , whereby it is lesse ●raile , and not so soone broken : being beaten with a mallet , it may be driven so thinne , and so much dilated , that of every denary of it may be made fifty , or more thinne leaves or rayes of gold. it may be framed and wrought as small as thred , as it appeareth in gold wyre and gold twist . and sometimes it is woven and wrought with silke , wooll , and sometimes without . of it many and goodly ornaments bee made , and for many uses , as rings , bracelets , chaines , crownes , tablets , jewels , and divers kindes and fashions of plates , and such like , yea ( that which is scantly honest to be spoken ) of gold some have made vessels to receive the superfluous burden of the belly , the which thing heliogabalus the emperour , being a monster and spectacle of all beastlinesse , is reported of divers authors to have used . silver will melt and be resolved with fire , but if it remaineth any long time therein , it loseth some thing of his substance . sharpe things also have power to waste and eat it , and therefore it is not so pretious as gold : but yet it is of an harder substance then gold. and that kinde of silver which is more flexible and soft , is the better , because it is not so easie to be divided , and to bee broken , it is lesse ponderous then gold , and cannot so well bee dilated . gold of all other mettals is the most weightie ; then silver , and the next quick-silver , then brasse and copper , then lead , and last of all tinne . of spirits appearing in mines . it is not unknowne to such as have beene occupied in deep diggings of mines , that a kinde of sprites doth frequent and haunt in many mines , whereof some do no harme nor damage to the labourers in mines , but wander in the dungeons , and wherereas they doe nothing indeede , yet they seeme to exercise themselves in working , somtimes in razing and digging the mine , sometimes in gathering together that which is digged up , and many times they seeme to turne the instruments which draw up the mettall from the mine , and divers times a man would thinke they did urge and excite the labourers , and drive them to worke . and this doe they especially in such quarries and mines wherin much silver is found , or else where some good hope is of finding it . there be some of these spirits very hurtfull , as that which in the mine at anneberg , was so noysome , that it destroyed a dozen labourers ▪ wherefore the said mine was utterly forsaken and left , notwithstanding the wealth of it . the signes of the destruction of hierusalem . some men cannot prevent destiny , though they fore-see it ▪ it happened in the yeare 4034 , that almighty god gave his ancient people the iewes , signes & ●okens to beware of the destruction of their citty , but they were a stiffe-necked people . the first signe or prodigy was a blazen comet , like unto a sword , which they interpreted to be good for them . the second was , that a bright ●ight shined at mid-night about ●he altar and the temple , which they that were ignorant , conceived to be convenient , because they were in darknesse . the third prodigy was a hei●er , that was brought for victime or sacrifice , being at a festivall or full moone , and being ●t the altar ready to be kill'd , ●rought forth a lambe in the middest of the temple , before ●he peoples face . the fourth was , which is worth noting , that at midnight , when all the whole citty was at rest , the east-end having a gate made all of massie brasse , and was usually to have twenty men to shut or close the gates together , and then being locked and bolted , besides other barres of iron which went a crosse , about the first houre of the morning , or just after 12 of the clocke , the said gate flew open of its owne accord , which the magistrates hearing of , went presently to see , and all of them with their greatest power could hardly shut them againe : the vulgar interpreted it , and affirmed that god opene● unto them the gate of his blessings . the fifth , chariots and armed men seene in the ayre , shooting as it were one against another with arrowes and darts , all of them just over the citty . the sixt was at the celebration of the full moone , at the day called pentecost , when the priests all in their vestments , adorned for their wonted sacrifice , at first felt the ground to quiver or shake under them , and then a voyce which said , let us depart hence . the seventh , which is most wonderfull , being one of their owne countrey men , but a devout man , and having a great desire to celebrate the feast , which they call the feast of tabernacles , and being present among the assembly , on a sudden tryed out a voice from the east , ● voice from the west , a voyce from the foure windes , a voyce ●gainst the temple & ierusalem : ●nd thus crying against al men & women , and all manner of people of what degree soever , continually cryed thus night and day in the streets of jerusalem : which some of the nobility heard , disdaining any misfortune whatsoever , seized upon him by their command , and their servants holding him with chaines and cords , till other magistrates that were then in office , did pronounce some punishment upon him , for his foretelling them of the destruction of their famous citty and temple , they stripped him , and beat him very sorely , yet hee persevered in his crying : o ierusalem , woe , woe , unto thee , albinus then being his judge , which pronounced his former punishment , was in amazement at his words , which continually spake , for that the stripes were layd and afflicted on him still ; and thus they suffered him to cry for the space of 7 yeares , and almost 6 months ( and none tooke it to heart ) his voyce neither waxing hoarse nor weary , till the time of the siedge , still saying , woe , woe to this faire city : and at last presaging his own death , cryed out , woe to my own selfe : and as some report , a stone being conveyed from an engine , smote him on the fore-head ; but some relate that it was a dart flung from an envious hand , which had often heard him cry with teares , and say , o ierusalem , woe , woe . this albinus , as it is reported , was one of the first that was taken prisoner , and after put to death by titus , some sixe dayes after the east end of the temple was fired . of ireland . the earth in ireland is so fruitfull , and so good of pasture , that their cattell , except they bee restrayned sometimes from pasture in summer , are like to be in danger through satiety . there is no hurtfull thing nor noysome beast : no spider , no toade , nor such like , either breedeth there , or else being brought from other countries thither , continueth or liveth there . the earth of this countrey cast in powder upon any dangerous beast or venemous serpent of any other countrey , destroyeth and kill them . there bee no bees in this countrey , the temperatenesse of the ayre is marvellous , the fertility and fruitfulnesse of the countrey is notable : the people of the countrey bee voide of hospitality , they are uncivill and cruell , and therefore not unapt for warlike affaires ; they attribute great honour to martiall acts , and knightly prowesse . the sea betwixt ireland and england , doth rage almost continually , so that there is no safe passage but at certaine times . of england and scotland . in england there be no wolvs and it any be brought thither , they doe not continue , and therefore their heards of cattell keepe well together , without any great attendance of men . the sheepe have hornes contrary to those of other countries . in scotland there be certaine trees which bring forth a fruit folded and wrapped up in the leaves , and that fruite when in convenient time it falleth into the water running by the tree , it reviveth and taketh life , and is transformed into a living fowle , which some call a goose of the tree , or a barnacle . this tree also groweth in the isle of pomenia , which is not far from scotland , towards the north. the ancient cosmographers , and especially saxo the grammarian , maketh mention of this tree likewise , and therefore it is not like to bee any feigned or devised thing of late writers . aeneas syluius writeth of this tree in this manner . we heard say there was a tree in scotland , which growing upon a banke , & by the waters side , bringeth forth fruit much like in forme to ducks , and the fruit of that tree when it is ripe , doth fall of it selfe , some upon the land , and some into the water , and those that fal upon the earth , do putrifie and rot , but those th●t fall into the water , straight waies with life to swim out of the water , and to fly in the aire with feathers and wings : of the which thing when we made more diligent search , being in scotland with king iames , a wise , sad , and grave man , wee learned to flye from wondring & making such things miracles as were common , and that this famous tree was not onely to bee found in scotland , but also in the isle called the orchades . of an isle in spaine , named gades . there is a little isle in spaine called gades erythraea , the the pastures whereof doe feede cattell so well , that they cannot draw or sever any whay from milke , but they must needs powre water , when they will have their milke to curd . their cattell also be like to dye at every thirty daies end , except they be let blood , and so lose some quantity of their blood . the grasse whereon their sheep feed , is somewhat dry , but yet it encreaseth a marvellous fatnesse both in their flesh , and also in their milke . seneca the schoole-master of nero the emperour . saint hierom saith , that hee was a man of most continent ●ife , and therefore hee accoun●eth him in the number of holy men , but especially for the often letters that he wrote to saint paul , and saint paul to him . this seneca being the schoole-master of nero , was of great power and authority , hee wished himselfe to bee in the like degree with his country-men , that paul had amongst ●he christians . among divers of his excellent gifts and properties , hee had so singu●ar and notable a memory , that he could rehearse two thousand mens names in the same order that they were told him , and also hee was able to rehearse 2 hundreth verses , being said of 2 hundred schollers , from the first to the last most perfectly . it is written that nero his cruell and cursed scholler , in recompence of his paines and teaching , put him to death two yeares before the martyrdome of peter and paul. when seneca waxed old , nero calling to remembrance the punishment of the rod , wherewith seneca corrected him in his childhood , admonished and commanded him to chuse what kind of death he would dye , whereby seneca understanding the emperours will and pleasure , desired that he might bee set in warme water , and that his veines might bee cut and opened in it , and so they were , and he bled untill all his vitall spirits issued out of his body , and thus he desired to finish his life , because he thought it an easie kinde of death , to lose his life in cutting of his veines . to divers nations in ancient times were obiected divers vices and deformities . envy to the iewes , disloyalty and unfaithfulnesse to the persians , craftinesse to the aegyptians : deceitfulnesse to the grecians : cruelty to the saracens : levity and lightnesse to the caldeans : variety and changeablenesse to the affricans : gluttony to the french men : vaine glory to the lombards : unmercifull severity of the hungarians : the uncleannesse and and filthinesse of the s●evians : the foolishnesse of the saxons : the hardinesse of the picts : the luxury of the scots : the drunkennesse and vinolency of the spaniards : the anger of the britains : the rapacity and greedinesse of the normans . and as those vices were noted in these kindes of nations severally , so divers vertues and honest properties were attributed to them severally : as prudence to the hebricians : stedfastnesse to the persians : subtilty and wittinesse to the egyptians : wisedome to the grecians : gravity to the romans : sagacity to the caldeans : wit to the assyrians : strength and fortitude to the french-men : faithfulnesse to the scots : subtile sophistry to the spaniards : hospitality to the britaines : mutuall partici●ation to the normans . these properties were of an●●ent writers ascribed to divers nations in old time , the which ●ow in these our dayes seeme to ●e much changed , and to have ●ad great alteration . sugar groweth in a part of italy . in calabria , which is a part of italy , there groweth sugar , which is a kinde of hony gathe●ed out of great canes , or reeds . ●irst of al it is like unto a kind of narrow resolved into liquour which some call white gum , a ●hing easie to bee separated and ●ivided , and afterward this li●uor being boyled and sodden ●fter the manner of salt , is re●olved into a spume of froth , ●ntill at the length that which 〈◊〉 good , falleth to the bottome , and then the corruption and dregs may be cleane taken away by the froth . a mountaine alwayes casting forth flames and smoke . the mountaine called ves●vius mons , being nigh unto the great water sarnum , not far from naples , sendeth forth continually flames of fire and smoke like unto aetna in sicily . this hill in the reigne of titus the emperour , being broken in the very top , did cast forth so great flames , that it set the countries adjoyning on fire . the writers of histories say , such abundance of ashes and hot imbers to have beene throwne out of this hill , that the fields round about have beene filled with the said ashes , even to the tops of the trees . it is also found in ancient writings , that pliny the second , being a very grave and wise man , in the reigne of traianus the emperour , was suffocate and destroyed with the flames and ashes of this hill , when that for the desire he had to see and note the nature and motion of it , hee presumed to goe too neare . this mountaine also burned with flames of fire , when t. vespasian and f. domitian were consuls , and breaking out in the top , first it cast forth stones aloft , after that so great flames of fire followed , that through the fervent heate thereof two townes were consumed with fire : the smoke thereof was so thicke , that it tooke away the light of the sunne , and in the day time made the darknesse of the night , casting forth pumice stones , and divers other kinde of black stones . last of all , ashes sprang out so thicke , and such a multitude , that the countries hard by were covered therewith , as it were with snow , and these ashes were driven by the force of the windes , partly into affricke , and partly into aegypt and syria . the which outragious burning , as the elder pliny did contemplate and behold , the smoke did so obstruct and stop his winde-pipe , that in the restraint of respiration , he was suffocate and strangled . the properties of the eagle . in italy there bee many eagles , this fowle is a rapacious , cruell , and a devourer of flesh , she is so much given to greedinesse , and to her prey , that she doth not onely seeke for preys in necessity of food , but also when shee hath enough , shee seeketh for superfluities : shee doth greedily invade and set upon hares , harts , geese , and cranes : the eyes of the eagle be so sharpe and quicke of sight , that being in the very highest part of the ayre , shee can easily see what falleth on the land . amongst all fowles onely , the eagle can move her selfe streight upward and downward , perpendicularly with her flying without any collaterall declining . the egle is commended for his faithfulnesse towards other birds , when he hath gotten meat or feeding ; for hee doth familiarly communicate the same unto such fowles as do accompany him , and when hee hath no more to make distribution of , then he attacheth his guest , and dismembreth and devoureth him . all fowle tremble when they see the eagle , having as it were some understanding of his tyranny against them . hee loveth his yong with great affection , so that the eagle putteth his owne body in danger for them , bearing his yong on his back , when hee perceiveth them to be assaulted with arrowes . when he laboureth to drive the hart headlong to ruine , hee gathe●eth much dust as hee flyeth , ●nd sitting upon the harts ●ornes , hee shaketh the dust ●●to his eyes , and with his ●ings beateth him about the ●outh , untill he bringeth him to all downe headlong . hee hath great conflicts with the dragon : and the dragon most greedily coveteth ●he egles egges , and for this ●ause they fight wheresoever ●hey mee●e . it is said that ●he eagle of all kinde of fowles ●an keepe the sharpnesse of his ●ight , and his eyes steadfast against the sunne beames , and ●hat hee is never hurt by light●ing . a description of the raven . the raven is a fowle give to rapacity and devo●●ring of flesh , great of body slow in flight , sharpe in sight , and frequenteth much in italy , in the alpes , in spaine and in egypt and this is to be understood o● the great kinde of ravens . th● skinne of the raven is prepare● and dressed artificially of th● white tawyers , with the feathe● remaining upon it , and that 〈◊〉 laid to a stomacke not well 〈◊〉 sickly , doth marvellously help● digestion . this fowle do●● greatly above all other cov●● mens carcases , and by a singula● wit and naturall gift , it under●standeth of mans death , pres●●ging it few dayes before . with his sharpe eye-sight also it perceiveth a farre off his most desired foode . there bee some that writeth marvellous things of this fowle , that in the time of warre , seven dayes before hand , it smelleth and perceiveth by scent , the place where the battaile shall bee , and common●y doth associate it selfe to that part which it perceiveth shall perish with the sword . and therfore in ancient times princes had their south-sayers , and beholders of birds , that did most diligently behold the eyes of the ravens , and marke to what part they turned their eyes , and which side they did presage to perish in battaile ▪ s. ambrose writeth , that a raven conceiueth without the seede of the male , ●nd to have generation without conjunction of males & femals , and that they live exceeding long , so that their age is full compleat with an hundred yeares , and when they come to extreame old age , that then the upper part of their bills doth so over grow the lower part , so that it hindreth and restraineth it , that they cannot open their bills to take foode , and therefore are compelled to dye by famine , for hee doth not sharpen this bill against a stone , as the eagle is wont to doe . certaine rites and lawes of the old romans . romulus made a law that the wife should bee equall fellow with her husband , in mony and other things , in holinesse and sacrifices , and that shee should live according to the manner of her husband , and as hee was lord of the house , so should she be lady of the family , that she should succeede her husband dying without issue , and that with her children shee should have her equall portion . if the wife were convict of adultry , that then her husband & kinsfolke might punish her with what kind of death they would . it was not lawfull for the women of rome to drinke wine , and this was observed many yeares , whereof was invented an instrument of dower , in the which the husband promised the father of the wife , as often as she brought forth children , that hee should give her as much wine to drinke the first 8 dayes , as were decent and covenient , and also so long as shee was sicke , that shee should have wine by the councell of the physitian , and that upon every solemne feastivall day , she might lawfully recreat her selfe with one draught of wine . cato the censor made a decree , that they which were of propinquity to the wife , might kisse her , whereby they might learne if shee savoured of wine , and that seemed to be done by the example of egnatius metentinus , of whom it is said that hee slew his wife with a clubbe , because she drunke wine from the barrell , and that romulus pardoned him of her death : and this grew to such a custome amongst them , that whensoever the husband returned home , he would kisse his wife & his daughters , marking by the odour and scent of their breath , if they had drunke wine or not . they were very severe against women surcharged with wine , because they did perceive that drunkennesse was the original cause of corporal corruption . romulus permitted and gave to the parents all power over their children , that by their owne judgement they might compell them to any kind of duty , whether they would restrain , beat , or keep them bound to rusticall works , or sell them , or kill them : numa made a law that prohibited any lamentations or mournings to be made , for a childe if that hee died within 3 years of age , but if he were past 3 years of age , that then hee should bee lamented as many moneths as hee had lived yeares , and many other strange orders they had , the which be at large set forth by other authors . the lively and quicke wit of adrianus the emperour . adrianus was the fifteenth emperour of rome , of whom it is said , that he would at one time both write and declare his minde , and heare others , and talke with his friends . sardinia . in the countrey of sardinia , there is a certaine beast which they call muflo , the like whereof is not in all europe beside . it hath the skinne and haires like unto a deere or hart , hornes like unto a ramme , not long but crooked and bending backward about the eares , in bignesse he may be compared to a bucke , it feedeth upon grasse onely and herbes , and keepeth most about mountaines , very swift in running , and his flesh is good to be eaten . there be no wolves in this countrey , nor no hurtfull kind of vermine , fowle , or beast , beside the foxe ; which of all foure-footed beasts there , is most hurtfull , being of like bignesse to other foxes in italy . in sardinia a foxe will kill a very strong weather or ramme , a goate and a calfe . some write that in this countrey there is no serpent or any venemous thing , but pestilent ayre , which commeth through corrupt puddles and waters . also there is found in this countrey a certaine herbe like unto a baulme gentle , whereof if any man shall eate much , he shall perish , and dye laughing . some say that there is a fountaine and spring in sardinia , whose waters doe reprove theeves and robbers after this sort . if a theefe sweareth that he hath not committed the theft , and washeth his hands or eyes with the water of that fountaine , by and by he is made blinde , and so he may be knowne ; but if he hath not done the felony , his eyes are made more bright and clearer then they were before : the notice of this famous spring is growne out of memory in this our age . the making of sugar at palermo in sicily . in the fields about the city of palermo , groweth great plenty of sweete reeds , of whose juyce being well boyled , sugar is made . first , they dung well their fields , being not much distant from the sea , and then doe they make furrows and ranges somewhat high and eminent : afterward in the moneth of march they take the highest knots of the sweete reeds , made bare and voide of leaves and rindes , the which they doe set and plant , that they pierce through the sides of the ranges with three or foure , having double knots even at one dinte , and so doe they fill all the ranges of the field : the earth is watered in summer , and is kept from ranknesse dayly , about the winter solstice , onely the roots left for another planting ( for it lasteth the space of two yeares ) the reeds are broken and taken away , of whose ripe and sweete joynts and knots divided and knit into small parts , by the same artificious meanes that oile is made , the juyce that commeth thereof is purged and purified in one caldron of three which are set in a stew , and afterward is strayned through a course cloth , then they take a part of the juyce so strained , and put it in another caldron ( for so they make it boyle againe ) and out of this streight wayes they powre it againe into the third caldron , and they beate it , and stirre it boyling , whereof a kind of sugar somewhat black is drawne and made thereof , the same being sodden againe three times more , and after that once againe boyled , will be most fine and white sugar . the other harvest which commeth of the roots of the reeds , except the field bee dunged in may month , will hardly come up to any profit . this kinde of reed is full of knots in the stalk , as our common reeds be , but yet not so empty within as they are , for it is full of spungeous matter like unto a bulrush , it hath a thinne barke and is full of sweet juyce , which is pressed out in this manner . they cut the body and stocke of it into many smal parts , and then put it in the presse , and the juyce that is pressed thereout , they powre into a very cleane caldron , and set it up in earthen pots , and so when it is waxen cold , it is congealed into a very commendable sugar . the mountaine called aetna in sicily . aetna is a marvellous hill for continuall burning with flames of fire , because it is full of brimstone matter . it hath beene often times set on fire with terrible flames , as munster maketh mention : the flames of it are in the night time horrible to be seene , because it shineth not as other fires doe . in the day time it burneth obscurely much like to the flame of brimstone , whereof the hill hath great store . the ancient writers have uttered many strange things of this , and especially strabo , who saith , that hee was in the top of the hill , and there marked all things diligently . in the very top they ●ffirme to be marvellous muta●●ons and changes , for sometime 〈◊〉 casteth forth great store of 〈◊〉 , and sometimes great flames ●nd obscure smoke . and it is to ●e wondred at the heate of the 〈◊〉 , because it cannot bee tem●ered with any cold , nor could ●e dissolved through that heat . the higher part of the moun●aine is full of ashes , which in winter are covered with snow : ●he very top of the hill is plaine , ●nd is in compasse about 20 fur●ongs . in the night time fire may plainly bee seene in the ●ill top , and in the day time a certaine obscure smoke riseth up : many times continuall thundring is heard , being a terrour to ●he people , and black and burnt ashes are dispersed into divers places , & the aire is made noysome with a most terrible smok . the philosophers assigne a reason hereof , because this isle is in his inferiour parts full of caverns and brimstone , of allum , fire and water , and such like , that are able to feede and nourish fire . and fire cannot be without some vent or respiracle , but it will lift up it selfe , and therefore many hot bathes be found in sicily . the ayre also entring into the pores and caverns of the earth , stirreth up a flame , which seeking for issue and eruption , vomiteth and casteth forth smoke and fire , and in many places searcheth for venting holes and respiracles . sometimes in the inward parts of the earth , such i● the violence of the fire , that it expelleth and casteth forth with flames , burnt stones , and sand , and the heate which is in●luded doth marvellously shake ●nd move every side of the pri●y holes and caverns . election of a king. there bee , that writeth the gothes to have made this decree and caution : that none ●hould bee chosen a king amongst them , except he were grosse and fat of body . contrariwise the saracens would not chuse any to be their king , except he were of a tall and leane body . the carthaginians alwayes in the election of their king , did attend onely his vertue and magnanimity , and not his nobility nor propernesse of body . feare and care hindereth the growth . for to be voide of feare and care , it is a great helpe to maintaine the stature , it doth corroborate the strength , and confirmeth the sinews : for feare and unquietnesse of minde in youth , doth much enervate and weaken the strength of the body , and a sad and heavy spirit dryeth the bones too much ▪ so that such a body cannot take his just encrease . the rare art and mystery of printing , first found out amongst the maguntines . first this noble art to print with letters of tinne , lead , ●nd other mixt mettall , was in●ented and found out almost in ●ur age , not above 200 yeares ●gone : a divine and heavenly in●ention truely , and a thing me●orable and worthy to bee re●embred , and no lesse worthy ●f grat admiration : but truely it ●ould have beene a great deale ●ore marvellous , if it had not ●hanced to be so common . it 〈◊〉 strange and scarcely credible 〈◊〉 be spoken , but yet more true ●●en truth it selfe , that one prin●er may print so many letters in ●ne day , that the swiftest scri●ener or writer is not able to ●oe so much in two yeares . this is an almaine invention , which was at the beginning in ●reat admiration , and of no lesse ●cre and profit . the inventor ●nd first deviser of this , was iohn ●utenbergius , a man of worship , equall with a knight , and at magunce . the thing was first taken in hand with more boldnesse and confidence then hope ▪ about 16 yeares before it began to bee common in italy . the first beginning was at magunce , the germans being the authors , with small and little principles and foundations , but shortly by the industry of mans wit , it grew to that perfection , that now in our time it hath . truely it had gone ill with all good discipline in these latter dayes , ( if it were now to have his beginning ) seeing that all are given to their bellies almost , and to unsatiable covetousnesse , for now they will scantly take up very good bookes in the high-wayes , which in times past they could scantly buy for great summes of money . and of a truth , before the invention of this art , when they beganne to abject and neglect good authours , all good discipline might have perished with the authours thereof , if this art had not beene found out in convenient and happy time . by this all kinde of learning hath encreas'd , and the noble acts of all nations are manifest to all the world : in like manner the memory and remembrance of ancient antiquity is restored hereby , and the divine wisedome of the philosophers , and whatsoever hath laine hidden in few written copies these many ages in a few places , is now by this set forth to all immortality . the inventor of great gunnes . the great gunnes came first in use in the yeare of our lord 354 , and the first authour and inventor thereof was one bertholdus schwartus a monke . surely this man found out a marvellous worke , and that so many sharpe wits could not finde out before in so many hundred yeares : the which divine and necessary invention , many have thought , and judged it to be a devillish and most pernicious device : the arguments on both sides be these : it is evident that for covetousnesse , malice , and want of charity , in the end of the world , the evill people cānot be kept down by lawes , nor that a man may safely travaile whithout some danger of injurious people : for before the invention of guns , the seditious tumults and factions of wicked and mischievous men , did spoyle and destroy the labours of good men in many places , and no man was able to assault and batter the forts and holds of such rebells & robbers where they did inclose ●hemselves , without the help of such guns and great ordnance : ●herefore they doe not wel that condemne the inventer of these gunnes , without the which nei●her good could live in safe●ard , nor yet citties could bee ●f any force , and keepe their ri●hes , nor merchants could ex●rcise their merchandize and s●afick , who are indeed the spe●●all parts of mighty and ●●eat cittyes . wherefore let the enemies of bombards and great gunnes , cease to contemne the gifts of god , except a man will imagine the gaping mouth of a dog , and his teeth made for to bite , and so to be condemned ; and the hornes in a bull , or an oxe , not to be the good worke of the creator . but no wise man will condemne these parts of nature given in the stead of weapons : let them reject the abuse as in an oxe and a mad dog , it is better to lacke both hornes and teeth . for there is no kinde of creature the which evill men will not abuse . some detest this as a plaine devilish devise , and that nothing could be more wickedly devise● under heaven , because all flagiti●ous and wicked nations , as th● turks & tartarians , being the cō●mon plagues & scourges of the world , doe occupy them for the destruction and consuming of good men : in this case no manhood , no fortitude , nor strength of body , no warlike policy , no weapons nor instruments , no strong holds , nor towers of stone , can profit or doe good . for these torments which shoote stones and iron peeces , and great flames of fire , doe waste , destroy , and overthrow all things , and bring them to nothing . one shot destroyeth an hundreth , or two hundreth men in an army , be they never so well harnessed . the●e be many kindes of bombards and great gunnes , which are to ●ee learned nominately of them ●hat for warlike have employed great paines in the use and ●nd experience of such things . a notable history of a thing done at a town in germany called bingium . nigh unto the towne of bingium , almost in the middle of the water of rhene , is a certain turret called the tower of mice , the name whereof was attributed to it upon this event . in the yeare of our lord 914 ▪ when otto the great had the empire and rule , there was a certaine bishop of magunce , named hatto , who was the abbot of fulde● before , in whose time there was great famine in that countrey : this bishop when hee perceived the poore to bee oppressed with great famine , did congregate and gather together , a great number of the poore into one great barne , and set the barn on fire , and so burnt them : for he said that they did not differ from mice , which consume and waste corne , being profitable for nothing : but god suffred not so great tyrany unrevenged , for he commanded the mice by great flocks , and with a multitude to invade this bishop without pitty , and to afflict and vexe him both day and night , and to devoure him quick . but this bishop flying into this tower ( that i spake of before ) for refuge , thinking himselfe to be safe in the middest of the water of rhene , and free from all gnawing and bi●ings of mice , was much decei●ed , for all this profited him no●●ing , because the mice came without number over the water ●hen , swimming & ready to execute the just judgement of god. the which thing the miserable bishop perceiving , at the length yelded and gave up his life amongst the mice . there be● some that write moreover o● him , that the mice did gnaw and eate out and utterly extinguis● his name from the walls and hangings . the like and mor● horrible history , you shall find in polonia , where the king and the queeene and their childre● were consumed of mice . the bathes called badenses in germany . the waters of the bathes baden , have this property that feathers of fowles bei●● boyled in this water , may 〈◊〉 cleane taken away from t●● skinne , and swines haires fro● their skinnes , whether they bee cast living into this water , or chafed with it being dead . these waters have the property of alum , salt , and brimstone : therefore they be good for such as have hard fetching of their breath , and stopping of the breast , which things rise of cold fluxes of the braine ; they bee medicinable for moist eyes , and hizzing and ringing of the eares , for trembling parts and astonied , for the crampe , and other diseases touching the sinewes , which come of cold humidities : they be good for such as have a cold stomacke , moyst and ill of digestion , and those that suffer griefe of the liver and splene through cold . also for such as are troubled with the dropsie , or have any griping in the guts , they helpe such as bee troubled with the stone , and women barren and unfruitfull , they take away the griefe of the mother , and doe represse the evills of the wombe , and the inflation of the thighes , they heale scabs , wheals , and scars , and have a very good property in helping the gout . see the third booke of munsters cosmography , for the nature , vertue , and wholsome properties of the bathes in valesia . the hernesewe . the hernesewe is a fowle that liveth of the water , and yet shee doth abhorre raine and tempests , in so much that shee seeketh to avoid them by flying on high . she hath her nest in very high trees , and sheweth as it were a naturall hatred against the gossehauk and other kind of hauks , as the hauk contrariwise seeketh her destruction continually : when they fight above in the ayre , they labour both especially for this one thing , that the one might ascend and be above the other , if the hauk getteth the upper place , hee overthroweth and vanquisheth the hernesewe with a marvellows earnest flight , but if the hernesewe getteth above the hauk , then with his dung he defileth the hauk , and so destroyeth him , for his dung is a poyson to the hauke , and his feathers doe putrifie and rot after it . a monster borne nigh unto worms in germany , in the yeare 1495. a woman was delivered of two female children , whole and perfect in bodies , but in the top of the forehead they were joyned , and grew together unseparably , so that they must needes behold one the other . they were compelled by force of this naturall conjunction to goe both together , to sleepe and rise together , and when one went forward , the other went backward : their noses did almost touch together , their eyes did not looke streight and forward , but onely side-wayes , because a little above their eyes their foreheads cleaved , and did sticke fast together ; they lived untill they were tenne yeares of age , and then when the one of them dyed , and that was cut away from the other living , shee that lived , died also within alittle after , of a wound that 〈◊〉 tooke in the head , by cutting away of her fellow , or rather by a corruption in the braine , which came of the stinke of the wound and putrefaction . the occasion of this monster was thought to be this . two women talked together , where of the one was with child , the third woman comming suddenly upon them , & unlooked for , thrust the heads of those two which were talking together , so that they dashed and touched each other , whereof the woman that had conceived already , being made affraide through strong imagination , gave , and printed the signe of the rushing of their heads in her two children . how scrupulous the iewes be to doe any thing on their sabbath day . it chanced that at magdeburg in germany , about the yeare of our lord 1270 , a certaine iew upon the saturday fell into a jakes , out of the which hee could by no meanes deliver himselfe : hee cryed therefore pittifully for the helpe of his fellows , at the length some of his companions came , and they with lamentable voyces shewed that it was their sabbath day , and therefore not to bee lawfull for them to use or exercise the labour of the hands . whereupon they exhorted him patiently to beare the thing untill the next day , that it might bee lawful for them to travaile in the helping of him out . this matter at the last came unto the eares of the bishop of that place , who was nothing favourable to the iews . the bishop understanding that the stubborn iews for the scrupulous observation of their sabbath day , would not helpe their brother out of the jakes , commanded upon paine of death , that they which did so curiously observe their owne sabbath day , should in like manner as religiously observe and keepe with the like solemnity the next day after , being the christians sabbath day . this was an hard case ; what should they now do ? upon paine of death they must obey . in the meane time the miserable iew in the jakes was enforced to abide two dayes and two nights in great filth and stinke , and danger of his life . the like history you shall finde in fabians chronicle . the famine of ierusalem . svch was the famine that this famous citty and her people did endure in the 72 yeare after christs time , that an infinite multitude perished within the walls through famine ; & so many perished for food , that they were not to be numbred : for in every place where any corne , or other victualls was heard , they presently resorted thither , and by force of armes assaulted their deerest kindred and friends , and fought with them , to take the food even from little infants , even like madde dogs greedy of meate , and in that insatiate manner , that they gathered together such things to eate , as the most filthiest living creatures in the world would have loathed : they did eatte he hides of horses boyled in a little water , to make the skinne a little tender ; their shooe soles they did eate , and their belts and girdles from their loynes they tooke , and likewise the skinnes that covered their targets or shields , did they mince and cut to satisfie their greedy stomacks : a little bottle of hay was sold , weghing twelve pound , at foure pieces of silver : but great and fearfull is it to relate , of one mary dwelling beyond iordan , the daugter o eleazer , of the town or village of vitezotia , and by interpretation the house of hysop , descended of noble and rich stocke , flying with her friends into ierusalem , for feare of the enemy titus , who besieged the city : and in length of time shee wanting her naturall food , was compelled to do that which nature abhorred , and then through extreame want , tooke her son , whom she loved dearly , which lay smiling on the bed , & with teares in his eyes like diamonds , glittering to see his mother , which he no way could relieve , bewayling her hard f●●tune , said , my deare , but oh miserable child in this war , famine , and sedition , for which of these shal i reserve or keepe thee ? for if the romans overcome us , thou then art a slave , yet famine will prevent bondage , or else sedition ; worse then them both : she being then resolved , tooke a faulchion , and strucke off her sonnes head , and said , be thou food for mee , which have formerly fed thee in my wombe , therefore now thou shalt be meat for me : a terrour unto the seditious , a tragicall story to bee related of by posterity , and that which is onely yet unheard of amongst the calamities of the iews : and after these words she cleav'd his body in twaine , and did seeth or boyle the one halfe of him , and did eate of it ; the other part she reserved in obscurity . the souldiers smelling the sent of that execrable meate , came to her house , and threatned her with death , unlesse shee would relieve them as shee had done her selfe , or shew them the way or meanes how they might come by some victualls to satisfie their hunger , shee presently & in a trembling manner , told them , shee had kept a good portion thereof for them , and on a sudden uncovered the other part of her sonnes dead body which she had uneaten , at which sight they were strucken with amazement and horrour : but the woman said , this is truely my son , and mine owne act or doing ; taste of it , for i my selfe have eaten sufficiently thereof : be not more effeminate and childish then a woman , not more mercifull then a mother : and if religion or your conscience cause you to refuse this my sacrifice , i have with a good appetite eaten of it already , and will eate the rest . then the seditious souldiers departed from her , and bruted abroad in the citty this hainous crime , and every man having before his eyes this execrable fact , ●rembled , as though himselfe had done the deed : and now all that were vexed with this scar●ity and famine , hastened their owne deaths , and cast lots dayly who should be the next to be sacrificed , accounting himselfe most happy , that dyed before he felt this famine . of wilde bulls in prussia . there be wilde bulls in the woods of prussia , like unto the common sort of bulls , saving that they have shorter homes , and a long beard under the chinne . they be cruell , and spare neither man nor beast , and when any snares , or deceit is prepared to take them , or they be wounded with arrows in the woods , they labour most vehemently to revenge their wounds upon them that gave them , the which thing if they cannot doe , rushing and stumbling on trees , they kill themselves . they be of such bignes , that 2 men may sit betwixt their hornes . of iseland . in this countrey from the 10 of june , for a moneth space or more , they have no night at all , and about the tenth of december they have no day at all . the people live in dens and hollow places in hills sides ▪ with them mountaines and hills are insteed of townes , and spring waters for delicate drinks . an happy nation whose poor estate none doth envy , and so much the more that it hath receiued christianity . the merchants of england and denmark , doe not suffer them to be content with their owne but , by ●eason of the great fishing there , ●hey repaire thither oftentimes , ●nd with their merchandize ●hey carry thither their vices and enormities . they have learned now of ●ate to brew with malt , and have ●eft the drinking of plaine wa●er . they have also gold , and silver in admiration , as well as other nations . the king of denmark , that ruleth also norway , maketh a ruler among them yearly , all things be common amongst them saving their wives : they esteem their yong cattel as much as their children , & of the poorer sort you may sooner ob●aine their childe then their cattell . they honour their bishop as a king , to whose will ●nd pleasure all the people hath great respect , whatsoever he determineth by law , scripture , or by custome of other nations , that they doe curiously observe : and yet now the king hath compelled them to take a ruler . they have so great store of fish in this isle , that they make their sales of them in piles as high as houses : they live most commonly there by fish ; for the great penury of wheat and corne , which is brought unto them from nations , that with great lucre and and gaines , carry away fish for it . there is a notable hill or mountaine called hecla , not farre from which he mines of brimstone , the singlar merchandize of that country : for divers merchants loade their ships with it : when this hil doth rage , it thundreth terrible noyses , i● easteth out stones , it belcheth out brimstone , it covereth the earth so farre round about with the ashes cast forth , that unto the twentieth stone it is unhabited : they that desire to contemplate the nature of so great flames , and therefore adventure more nigh unto the hill , are suddenly swallowed and consumed with some inorable gulfe or vorage , for there be many such blasts so covered and hidden with ashes , that none can sufficiently beware or take heede of them , and there commeth out such a fire from that hill that consumeth water ; but stubble or st●aw it doth not burne . this place is thought of some to be the prison of ununclean soules : for the ice being divided and broken into many parts , swimmeth about the isle almost eight moneths , and being broken and bruised with rushing upon the banks , with the beatings and noise of the cracking against the banks and rocks , giveth so horrible a sound , almost representing the miserable lamentation of humane voyce and weeping , that it maketh the ●uder sort , the more simple and unwife , to beleeve that mens soules bee tormented there in cold . the inhabitants use instead of bread ( whereof they lacke store ) fish dryed , made hard , and ground to meale : and yet out of divers countries wheate is brought unto them , but not so much as may suffice . there bee spirits commonly seene , shewing themselves manifestly in doing such things as belong to men , but especially they appeare in the formes of such as have beene drowned or ●estroyed by some other vio●ent chance , and thus doe they ●ppeare commonly in the com●any of such men as have had fa●iliar acquaintance with the de●arted , and doe use them so in ●ll points , that they be taken many times for the living per●ons in deed , of such as be igno●ant of their deaths , offering ●heir right hands for acquain●ance : and this falsehood and ●rroneous sight cannot bee per●eived , before the spirit it selfe ●anisheth out of sight , and con●umeth away : being required of ●heir familiars to come home , ●nd to see their friends againe , with great sighes and weeping ●hey answer , that they must go ●o hecla the mountaine , and so ●uddenly they vanish out of ●ight . of the countrey called laponia . in laponia the people be of a meane stature , but they be of such agility of body , that being girded and prepared with a sheafe of arrowes and bow , they will suddenly passe through 〈◊〉 hoope or circle , whose diameter is but halfe a yard . they bee taught the art of shooting from their childhood and a boy there shall have no meate before hee can touch his marke with his arrow . when the sun goeth downe after the equinox in september , they have one continuall night for three moneths , almost all which time they have no other light , but as it were a twiter light , and when the sunne commeth to them before the equinox in march , they celebrate that day as a festivall day with much solemnity . of whales . there bee great whales as bigge as hills almost , nigh unto iseland , which are sometimes openly seene , and those will drowne and overthrow shippes , except they be made afeard with the sound of trumpets and drummes , or except some round and empty vessels be cast unto them , wherewith they may play and sport them , because they are delighted in playing with such things . sometimes many cast their anchors upon whales backes , thinking them to be some isles , and so become in great danger . many in iseland of the bones and ribs of such monstrous whales , make posts and sparres for the building of their houses . munster saith this is a good remedy against such dangerous whales , to take that which the apothecaries call castoreum and temper it with water , and cast it into the sea , for by this as by a poyson they are utterly driven and banished to the bottome of the sea. how a marvellous horrible dragon was destroyed in polonia . in graccovia a citty of polonia , there was a marvellous horrible and huge dragon , which consumed and devoured all things , and was the cause of great damages , for when hee came out of his denne under the mountaine , hee did rape and snatch all kind of cattel , and men wandring uncircumspectly , devouring them with his horrible jawes . gracchus being very sad and lamenting this matter , commanded three severall bodies to be cast unto him every day : for being contented with those , he would looke for no more . the which thing although it was grievous , yet hee perswaded , that three , either of sheepe , or of some other cattell should be offered him every day , wherein brimstone and some fiery powder , or device of flame , should be included , hidden , and mingled with waxe , and pitch privily , for so that beast and dragon being provoked with naturall greedinesse , or with a rapacious famine and hunger devouring without respect or choise the offered prey , by little and little was weakned and extinguished . the like example is read in daniel the prophet . a strange history of a king devoured of mice . there was in polonia a king named pompilius , who was wont in all his execrations and and curses to say , i pray god the mice may devoure me . tr●ly with evill luck and forespeaking evill to himselfe and to his for the mice devoured his sonne , who was also called pompilius after his father this sonne after the death of his father , being left in his childhood , his uncles administred and governed the kingdome , untill hee came to mans years , and was married , then suddenly as he was in the middest of his ●easts overcharged with wine , being adorned with coronates and garlands , dawbed with his ●yntments , oppressed with luxury and surfeiting , a great number of mice comming from the carcases of his uncles , did invade him , the which hee and his wife ●he queen did destroy : but they came forth so fast , and in such a multitude , assaulted and set upon this tyrant in his banquets , and his wife and his children with most cruell gnawings , ●nd bitings , so that a great ●and of souldiers and harnissed men could not drive them away , because mans helpe being defatigated and made weary ; yet the mice remained strong without any wearinesse both day and night . there was therefore devised and built burning and hot furnaces and ovens , and in the middest of them this pompilius was placed with his wife and children , but the mice came thither , also passing through flames of fire , not ceasing to gnaw and consume this paricid . at the length was devised another meanes , by another element . this pompilius a murderer of his owne uncles , was conveighed in ships , with his children and his family into the middest of a deepe water , and yet the mice most earnestly without ceasing followed him , and did gnaw and byte both those that were carried away , and their ships , in so much that the water entring in at the holes gnawne by the mice , did threaten and signifie danger of drowning , and therefore the shipmen fearing suffocation in the water and drowning , brought the ship to the banke on the land , where another great of mice meeting with the other , did more vehemently vexe him then the first : these things being openly seene and knowne , they that a●ore were defenders of him and his children , perceiving this to bee gods punishment and revengeing fled away now pompilius being without al such as may comfort and helpe him , went into an high tower in crusnicza , where the mice clyming up with most swift course , did consume and devoure his two sonnes , his wife , and the flagitious body of pompilius . behold and marke , there is no counsell or power can take place against god the lord of all : little small vermin , weake and timerous mice did miserably destroy pompilius , as lice being a very little and smal vermine , and of lesser force then mice , did bring to ruine and destruction arnolphus the emperour , eating and wasting his flesh , his marrow and guts , so that the physitians could doe no good at all , the whole substance of the body being so eaten , that there was nothing but gristles , and onely bones left . a beare seeking for honey , was the cause of delivering a man out of an hollow tree . in muscovia there is found great store of honey in hollow trees , and that which is old honey , is left and forsaken of the bees , so that in the stockes of marvellous great trees , the dilligent searchers may finde wonderfull plenty of honey-combes . demetrius sent as embassadour to rome , declared there before a company of learned men , that a yeare or two before hee came out of the country to rome , a poore countrey-man being a farmer in the next village by him , searched the woods and trees for the gaine and profit of honey , and espying at the length a very great hollow tree , climed up into the top of it , and lept down into the hollownesse , so that he sunke , and did stick fast in a great heape of honey , even to the breast and throat almost , and so remained fast in that sweet poyson , that all hope of any deliverance was cleane gone , when hee had continued two dayes , and fed and maintained his life onely by honey , considering that with himselfe that hee was now so restrained from the liberty and helpe of his hands and feet , that with them he could make no shift to get out , and if he should cry out with open mouth and full voyce , that this could nothing prevaile in such a solitude and v●st place of wood and trees , because it was not possible that the sound of his voyce and cry , could goe far out of the hollow tree , so that it might come to the eares of travailers and passers by : all these things when hee had deliberated in his minde , now destitute of all help and consolation , hee beganne utterly to despaire : and yet by a marvellous and incredible chance hee escaped , being delivered and drawne out by the benefit of a great beare , when that by chance this beare very desirous and searching for honey , most hastily scaled that tree , and let her selfe downe into the hollownesse thereof , with her hinder feet first downward , aftermans fashion , about the raines and loynes of the which beast , the man clasping and taking fast hold , mooved and stirred the said beare to leape out , and violently to enforce her selfe out of the tree , being driven so to doe for very suddain fear , and for the strange handling and holding about her , and also through the great outcryes and noyses that he made . and thus the beare by violence delivered her selfe , and the man also from the hollow tree , and from great feare . of beares . in the countrey of muscovia there is great plenty of bears , seeking & preying every where for hony and bees , not altogether for the filling of their bellies , but also for the helping of their eye-sight , for their eyes waxe dimme and ill oftentimes , for the which cause they doe especially desire the honey-combes , and that their mouthes stung and wounded of bees , might ease the heavinesse of their heads in bleeding . the head in beares is very weake , the which in lyons contrarywise is most strong . and therfore when necessity urgeth that they must needs tumble from some high rocke , they tumble and role downe with their head covered betweene their clawes , and oftentimes by dousts and knocks in gravell and sand , they are almost exanimate and without life . they scale trees backward : they molest and vexe bulles , with their clawes hanging about their mouthes and hornes . a beare bringeth forth her yong according to pliny , after thirty dayes past , and that commonly five . the yong beare at the first comming forth as it were a white piece of flesh , without forme or shape , somewhat bigger then a mouse ; it is without eyes or eares , onely nayles and clawes doe appeare outward . but the shee beare never leaveth licking this rude and deformed yong flesh , untill by little and little , shee bringeth it to some forme and shape : when she goeth to the den that shee hath closen for her , shee commeth creeping with her belly upward , least the place might bee espyed through her steps , and there she being with young , remaineth foureteene dayes without any motion , as aristotle faith . but without mea●e shee continueth 40 daies , onely being sustained with the licking of her left foote , then after this when shee chance● upon any meate or foode , shee is filled beyond measure , and this satiety is helped by vomiting with eating of ants , the yong for fourteene dayes space daies space is oppressed with such heavines or sleep , that they cannot bee awaked or stirred up from their drowsie heavinesse , neither with pricking , nor with wounding ; and in this meane space of sleeping they waxe fat maruellously . after 14 dayes space they awake from sleepe , and begin to licke their former pawes , and so live they for a time : and it is not manifest with what kind of meate they should live untill the spring time , but then they begin to run abroad , and feede of the yong springs and trees , and soft tender herbs , meet for their mouthes . in this countrie of muscovia , there is great store of the best furres and skinnes , and that this is their chiefest merchandize in that countrey . the treasure that was found in the temple of jerusalem by the souldiers . the temple being consumed with fire , the souldiers put all the iewes that they found about it to death , and carryed away all they could finde , sparing neither old nor young , infant , or priest , magistrate or senate whatsoever● and afterwards the roman souldiers thrusting forwards one another , being greedy of gaine , sought where to get into the temple , where the fire was aslaked , entered the treasure-house where the sacred money was kept , by which meanes a great part thereof was stolne away by the souldiers , and sabinus by name , to all mens knowledge which stood by , carryed away 400 talents . the souldiers beholding the gates of the temple , and of the treasure-house to be of massie gold , were confident that there was nothing else but gold , and in great plenty , which they possessed without any deniall , and bore , and carried away upon their shoulders an infinite treasure of money which we cannot value : and great was the losse and spoile of their cups and challices , being all of gold , which were broken and defaced , which the priests did offer their coine to their gods in , beside the table which was of 2 cubits high , and 4 cubits in length , all of gold ; likewise the covering , and rich habits and vestments , and the two silver trumpets which the priests wore at the time of their sacrifices , were all consumed by the fire ; thus by their enemy and their owne incrudulity was their temple burnt , their city defaced , and their treasure consumed , which was the glory and renown of the whole world . lycurgus . lycurgus was a noble philosopher of sparta in greece , who erected a civill estate of the citty with his noble institutes and lawes , whereas before times of all the grecians , the lacedemonians were worst nurtered . lycurgus taking the matter boldly in hand , did ●brogate all their lawes , insti●utes , and old rites of living , and ●id erect a great deale more ci●ill ordinances & more cōmen●able . first , there were 28 seg●iors elected , which should pro●ide that the popular estate ●hould not grow out of frame ●ltogether , and also that they which had the rule , should not ●oe about any tyranny . hee ●ooke away utterly all use of gold and silver , and brought ●n money of iron , and then was ●ll occasion of felony taken away . the iron whereof he made his money , being as red ●s fire , he put out in vinegar , ●hat it might be meete for no●hing afterward through his ●oftnesse . hee cast out of the citty all arts as unprofitable or that purpose , and yet most part of artificers , when the use of gold was taken away departed from thence of the● owne accords , seeing that 〈◊〉 mony was not in use among●● other nations . then that 〈◊〉 might the better take away 〈◊〉 luxury and rioting out of the city , he appoynted commo● meetings at banquets and feast● that poore and rich indifferently might meete together 〈◊〉 their feasts , and feede all upon the same kinde of banquet ▪ hereby there was in●lame great anger of those that wer● wealthy and mighty , and they falling upon licurgus with gre●● force , caused him to lose one 〈◊〉 his eies with the blow of a 〈◊〉 wherefore a law was made that the lacedemonians should no more enter into their feasts with a staffe . every one gave yearely to this feast one b●●shell of flower , eight gallons of wine , five pound of cheese , five pound and a halfe of figges . children did frequent this as a schoole , or exercise of all temperancy and civill discipline ; ●here they did learne to accustome themselves in ciuill talks , and to use honest pastimes , and to jest and bee merry without knavery . their virgines were exercised with running , wrastling , barriers comely mooving , and gesture with quaiting , casting of the bowle , hammer , or such like ; so that idlenesse and effeminate delicatnesse taken away , they waxed the stronger to tolerate and suffer the paine of childe-bearing . children after they were seven yeares of age , had their exercises with their equalls , and of necessity did learn letters ; they were noted and shorne to the very skinne , they went bare-foot ●● 12 yeares of age , they might put on one coat after the countrey fashion , they neither knew bathes nor fomentations , they tooke their rest in beds made with reeds , they might goe to the feasts of their elders and betters , and there if they did steale any thing , and were taken with the theft , they were corrected with whips , not because it was unlawfull to steale , but because they did it not privily enough with craft and subtilty . lycurgus removing all superstion , permitted the dead bodies to be buried in the citty , and also to have their monuments about the temples . it was not lawfull to ingrave or write the name of the man or woman upon any grave , but ●uch as dyed manfully in warre . the time of lamentation for the ●ead was prescribed about 11 dayes . it was not lawfull for cittizens to make peregrinations , for feare they should bring ●n strange manners into the citty . but those which came from strange countries thither , except they were profitable and meete for the cōmon-wealth , were excluded the citty , lest that forraine nations might taste of the lacedemonian discipline . lycurgus would not suffer young men to use one vesture all the whole yeare , nor any to be more deeked then another , nor to have more delicate banquets then others . hee commanded all things to be bought not for money , but for exchange and recompense of wares . he commanded also children toward 18 yeares of age , to be brought into the field , and not into the market-place , or judgement-hall , that they might passe over the first yeares , not in luxury , but in all kinde of labour and paines , they must not lay any thing under them for to sleepe the easier : and their lives they were driven to passe without ease , and not to come into the citty before they were men in deed . maides he would have to be married without any dower , or rewards given by their parents . that wives might not be chosen for money sake , and that the husbands should keepe their wives more streightly , because they should receive nothing in marriage with them . he would have the greatest honour and reverence to be given ●o old aged men , and not to rich ●nd noble men : he granted unto kings the power of the warres , ●o magistrates judgements and yearely succession , to the senate the custody of the lawes : ●o the people the election of the senate , or to create what officers they would . these lawes and new institutes because they seemed hard and streight , in comparison of their loose customes and lawes before used , he fained apollo of delphos to be the authour of them , and that he had them from thence . at the last , to give eternity and perpetuity to his lawes , he bound the whole citty with an oath , that they should change none of those things which hee had enacted and prescribed , before that he did returne againe , saying , that he would goe to the oracle at delphos , to aske counsell what might be changed or added to his lawes . hee tooke his journey to the isle of crete , and there lived i● banishment . he commanded also dying , that his bones should be cast into the sea , left that the lacedemonians if they were brought to sparta , should think themselves absolved and discharged of their oath that they made , for the not changing of his lawes . the ceremonies of the burials of the kings of lacedemonia . the kings of sparta when they be dead , knights and pursevants declare the death 〈◊〉 the prince throughout all the whole countrey , the women going round about the citty , doe beate and ring upon basons and pots . and when this chanceth , it is meete that out of every house , two which are free , the male one , the female the other , should make a shew of lamentation and mourning , and for the not doing thereof great punishment is appointed , and the lamenting & crying out with miserable out-cries , say that the last king ever was the best : whatso●ver king perisheth in war , when they have set forth his picture & ●mage , they bring it into a bed very faire and well made , and they consume ten dayes in the funerals of him : and there is no meeting nor assembly of magistrates , but continuall weeping and lamentation ; and in this ●hey agree with the persians , ●hat when the king is dead , he that succedeth , dischargeth from all debts , whosoever oweth any thing to the king or the common-wealth . among the persians hee that was created king , did remit to every citty the tribute which was due . the lawes of draco . al the lawes which dra●● made , appointed death almost for a punishment to every offence . hee made a law tha● they which were convict of idlenesse and slothfulnesse , should lose their lives . in like manne● that they which stole herbes o● fruit out of other mens grounds that they should dye for it . th●● same law of paracides : whereupon demades was wont to say that the lawes of draco we●● written with blood and not wi●● 〈◊〉 the lawes of solon . solon made a law , that those which were condemned of paracide , and of affected tyranny , should never be received into any office , and not onely these hee excluded from all kinde of dignity , but such also as would follow neither part when any tumult or sedition were in the city , thinking it ●o be the part of an ill cittizen when he had provided well for his owne safety , to have care or ●espect of common affaires : this ●lso was a strange decree of his making , that such women as had husbands nothing meet for ve●erous acts , should take one whom they would choose , of ●heir husbands kinsfolkes without danger . he forbad lamentation & mourning in anothers funerall , and that the sonne should not give any helpe or refreshing to his father , if so bee that hee caused him not to bee brought up in some art necessary for the use of life , and that there should be no care betwixt the parents & them that were born bastards and in unlawfull matrimony . for hee that doth not keepe himselfe chaste from the company of harlots , doth plainly declare that he hath no care of the procreation of children , but of libidinous pleasures , & doth deprive himselfe of his just reward . he would have a common adulterer taken in adultery to be slaine scot free without any danger . whosoever did violently misuse any maids or virgines , he would have them mulcted o● amerced with ten grotes , the which was a great sum of mony in his coyne . whosoever had brought a wolfe by him overcome , should have five groats to be gathered of the communalty , and if it were a she wolfe , he should have but one groat . it was a custome among the athenians , to persecute that beast which was as well hurtfull to their cattell as to their fields . hee commanded that the children of those which perished in war , should be brought up and taught of the common charge , wherwith many being encouraged , did stoutly fight in battaile : and whosoever lost his eyes in battaile , should be kept of common charges . he made a law also , that he should not have the wardship of the childe , to whom the inheritance might come after the death of the child . and that whosoever thrust out another mans eye , that hee should lose both his for it . another law of his was , that no man should take away that which he laid not there , and if any did the contrary , it should be judged a capitall offence . if the prince were taken or found drunken , that he should dye for it . hee permitted honey and waxe to bee carryed into other countries . he thought no man meete to be free of a citty , but the crafts-man which came with his whole family to athens , or else was banished from his owne countrey . of dame flora. the lady which the poets call dame flora , was a notable and common harlot , who when shee had gotten great riches by common ribaudry , made the people of rome her heire , and left a certaine summe of money , with the yearely use , whereof the day of her nativity should bee celebrated in the setting forth of goodly playes , the which thing because it seemed detestable to attribute a certaine solemne dignity to a dishonest thing , they feigned and surmised her to bee a goddesse , that had the rule and government of flowers , and that it was meete shee should be reconciled with ceremonies , that through her helpe fruites and trees might florish and prosper . of the ieat stone . in some part of england and scotland , there is great store of the best ieat-stone . if any body drinketh the pouder of this stone in water , if the same body be contaminate with libidinous acts , the same body out of hand shall be enforced to make urine , and shall have no ability to keepe it back . but if a virgine drinketh of it , there is no power to make urine follow . of the burialls of the turke , and of divers observations and customes . when any dyeth amongst the turkes , they wash his carcasse and cover it in very faire linnen clothes . afterward they carry the body out of the citty into some place ; for they thinke it an hainous thing to bury one in the temple . their monkes go before the herse with candles , the priests follow singing untill they come unto his sepulcher or grave : if it be for a poore man that is dead , they gather mony in every street for the labour and paines of the religious , and that they offer unto him . the friends of the dead commeth oftentimes to the grave weeping and bewailing , and they set the sacrifice of their meats for the dead upon the monument ; as bread , flesh , cheese , egges , milke , and the feast is of nine dayes space after the manner of the ethnicks , and all this is eaten for the soule of the dead , of the poore , or else of the fowles of the ayre , or ants ; for they say it is as acceptable unto god , to give and offer almes to bruit beastes and fowles needing it , as unto men , when it is offered for the love of god. there bee some that set birds at liberty to fly , which were restrained and shut up , giving money according to to the value of the birds . some cast bread to fish in the water for gods sake , saying , that they shall get of god a noble reward for such bounty and pitty towards those that need it . the turkes have also three divers manners of washing them , the first is a sprinkling of all the whole body with water , and that this should not be in vaine nor frustrate , they shave the haires from every part of their body , saving onely the beards in men , and the haires upon womens heads . and yet they wash them very curiously and kembe them often , therefore in the more famous cities there be bathes which they use continually . where there bee no such , they have some secret place prepared to wash them in houses , that they may bee well clarified with water before they go out of the house . they have another kinde of washing nothing necessary , as when they ease nature of superfluities . for then in some secret place they wash their secret parts , there is none seene standing or upright when hee delivereth nature of superfluous burdens . the third kinde of washing is to purifie the instruments of sences wherein they wash both hands and arms , even to the elbowes , then their mouth , their nostrills , and all their face . both men and women doe make a scraping of filthy places every moneth twice or thrice , but especially when they frequent the temples , otherwise they should be burnt as violaters & prophaners of a sacred place . they use such severity in warre , that no souldier dare take away any thing unjustly , for if he doth , he shall be punished without mercy : as you shall read in this discourse of the 3 severall deaths that the romans and the iewes punished their offenders withal . they have ordinary keepers and defenders of those things as be in souldiers waies , the which are bound to maintaine the orchards and gardens , with their fruits , about high waies , so that they dare not take an apple or such like , without the licence of the owner . for if they did , they should suffer death for it . of this writeth one bartholomew giurgevitus , that was captive thirteene yeares in turkie , after this sort . when i was in the turkes army in his expedition against the persians , i did see a certain horseman headed , with his horse and servant also , because his horse being loose entred into the fields of another man. none of the princes or dukes possesseth any prouince or citty , as rightfull inheritance , nor they they cannot leave any such thing after their death to their children or successors , without the cōsent of the king & supream governour . but if any duke desireth to have any certaine possessions , it is granted to him upon this condition , there is a certaine note of the price , and of the rents , and revenues of those possessions . the turke knoweth also how many souldiers may be kept with that yearely revenue , and so many souldiers hee enjoyneth him to keepe , the which ought alwayes to be in a readinesse at every commandement , other the lord shall lose his head , if he did not answere his duty and office . how the christians taken of the turkes in warre be handled , and tormented , and how they are made free . the emperour of the turks , when he maketh is expedition against the christians , he hath alwayes wayting upon him a company of butchers , and sellers of boyes to abhominable uses , who carry with them a great number of long chaines , in hope of bondmen and captives , wherein they linke and binde 50 or 60 easily by order . the same men do buy also of such as have booties or preys , as many as have not perished with sword , the which thing is permitted them upon this condition , if they give unto the prince the tenth or tithe of their bondmen , prisoners , and captives . the other it is lawfull for them to keepe to their owne use and merchandize , and there is no better nor more plenteous a mart amongst them , then of bond-men . the emperour doth so separate the old men and the youth of both kinds which commeth to him in the name of the tenth or tithes , that he selleth them of ripe age for the plough and husbandry : young maides and young men he sendeth away to a certaine place , to be instructed in certaine arts , that he might use them afterward more commodiously : and first they goe about this to make them deny their christian faith , and then to have them circumcised , and when they are once entred into their ceremonies , according to every mans disposition and wit , he is appointed either to study the lawes of their nation , or else to practise feats of warre , if more strength appeareth in the body , than in his wit : they are so instructed in the principles of warlike affaires , that for the weaknesse of their strength , first they use an easie bow , afterward as their strength encreaseth , and they have more exquisite knowledge , they have a more strong bow , untill they be meete for warre . there is a master which calleth severely upon dayly exercise , as often as they swarve from the marke , so oftentimes are they whipped . others are made meet & cunning to fight with staves . but they in whom there is a greater grace of beautifull forme are so mangled , that no manlinesse appeareth in their bodies , they have beene so abused with great danger of life , and if they do escape , they bee meete for nothing else but for ministers of most flagitious voluptuousnesse : and when their beauty waxeth old , they are deputed into the office of eunuches , to observe and keepe matrons , or else they are addicted to the custody of horses or mules , or to kitching drudgery . maydens that are very comely and beautifull , are chosen to bee their concubines , those of the meaner sort are given to matrons to waite upon them , where they have such filthy fervices and functions , that they cannot bee named with honesty , for they are compelled to follow them with a vessell of water when they goe to discharge the belly , and those parts . other be kept at maidens worke , as spinning and baking . when the turkes have gotten any yong prisoners , they urge them with threatnings , promises , and flatterings , that their new bondmen would bee circumcised , and when any hath admitted that , he is used with a little more humanity , but all hope of return●ng againe into his countrey is utterly taken away , and if he once goeth about it , he is in danger of burning . these because they are thought more stedfast , and lesse given to runne away , they are preferred of their lords to warlike affaires , their liberty is then due unto them , when they being unprofitable for yeares , bee rather rejected of their lords , than dismissed , or else where their lord hath given them liberty in war for the danger of death that he hath escaped by them . matrimony is permitted unto them , but their children are taken from them at the lords wil , the which causeth the wiser sort to abstaine from marriages ; they use other extreamely , that refuse circumcision . they have a very hard life , that have not learned any art or craft : for such are in great estimation , as are cunning craftsmen . wherefore the noblemen , the priests , and the learned sort , which passe over their lives in quietnesse and idlenesse , whensoever they chance into their hands , they are thought most miserable of all , for the merchant seller of them , cannot abide when he seeth no profit to come of them , nor any good sale to be made . these goe with their feet and head uncovered , and for the most part with naked bodies through the snow , and upon the stones ; both winter and summer they are enforced to travaile , and there is no end of these miseries , before that either they dye , or else they finde a foolish lord in the buying of ill merchandize . no man is so happy , of what condition soever he be , or of what age , beauty or art he be , that they will lay him , being sicke in his journey , at any inne or lodging-house : for first he is compelled to goe with stripes , and if he cannot so doe , he is set upon some yong beast , and if he cannot sit , hee is bound with his body flat , even like unto a packe or a burden , if he dyeth , they take away his clothes , and cast him into the next ditch or valley for dogges and ravens . they keepe their captives not onely in chaines , but also with gyves upon their hands ; as they lead them , the distance betweene them is about a yard , lest they should once spurne and hurt another , and this doe they for feare their bondmen hurle stones at them . for where as every one that is a common merchant and seller of men , leadeth a great number of bondmen , so that ten of them oftentimes have five hundred in chaines , they feare the force of such a great multitude , if their hands should bee at liberty to throw or cast any thing . in the night-time they make their feet sure with chaines and irons , and lay them upon their backs , open to the injury of the ayre : the women are used with more humanity , they that are able , do goe upon their feete , and they that are lesse able , be carryed upon young cattell , and those that are so weake , that they may not suffer the shaking of the horses , or asses , or such like , are carryed in hampers and panniers , like unto geese and swans . the night is more heavy unto them , for then either they are shut up in strong holds , or else are compelled to suffer the filthy lust of those that have bought them , and great lamentation is heard both of young men and young women , suffering much violence , so that they spare not them of sixe or seven yeares of age in this misery , such is the cruelnesse of that filthy nation , against nature in the rage of voluptuousnesse . when the day commeth , they are brought forth into the market as sheepe and goates to bee sold , when they that would buy them come , the price is made , if the captive pleaseth him , all his apparrell is cast off , that hee might bee seene of his master that shall bee : all his parts and members are viewed , touched , searched , and tryed , if there be any fault in his joynts or not , if he pleaseth not the buyer , he is rejected againe to the seller ; and this is as often done as any doth cheapen or goe about to buy : if the buyer liketh the bond-man ; hee is carried away to a most grievous servitude , as to be either plow-man or sheepheard , that he might not remember the more grievous sciences . if any be taken with his wife and children , noble men will buy him gladly , and make him ruler of his villages , and him charge of his grounds , vineyards , and pastures , but his children must bee bondmen , if they persevere and continue in christian faith : they have a determinate time to serve , the which being past , they are made free , and yet their children except they be redeemed , continue in servitude and bondage at the will and pleasure of the lord. with what burden and exactions the christian princes are charged and oppressed being overcome of the turkes . when the turke hath taken any christian prince , he taketh all their goods , as well moveable as unmoveable as a prey and booty , he putteth away nobility cleane , especially of the kings stock : the clerkes and clergy he killeth not , he spoileth them of all wealth and dignity , and maketh them very mocking stocks in beggery . the turkes take also out of the christian churches al bells , organs , and other instruments of musick : and after they have prophaned the churches , they consecrate them to mahomet . they leave poore and small chapples to the christians , where they may doe their holy service , not openly but in silence , the which if they fall by any earth-quake , or bee ruinous by any suddaine fire , it is not lawfull to repaire them againe , 〈◊〉 through great summes of mony given . they are forbidden to preach or teach the gospell ▪ and it is not lawfull for any christian man , to beare any rule in the common-wealth , or to beare weapons , or use like vesture with the turkes . if any contumelious words bee spoken of the christians , or of christ , he must suffer ●t , and hold his peace , but if the christian speaketh any thing un●everently of their religion , he ●hall bee circumcised against his will , but if any whisper any ●hing against mahomet , hee shall ●e burnt : the christians give ●he fourth part of all their fruit , ●nd commodity , both of the ●rofit of their fields and cat●●ll , and also of the gaines of ●heir arts , and crafts : there is ●nother charge also , where they ●ay for every one in their fa●ily a ducate , and if the parents be not able to pay , they are cōpelled to sell their children to servile offices : other bound in chaines , doe beg from doore to doore , to get their fees to discharge the exaction , and if they cannot by these meanes pay it , they must bee content to suffer perpetuall imprisonment . those captives that goe about to fly away , if they go into europe , they have the easier flight , seeing that nothing can hinder their passage● but certaine waters which are passed over easily : and this do● they most attempt in harvest time , because then they 〈◊〉 hide them in the corne , and liv● thereby : in the night-time the● take their flight , and in the da● time they hide themselves ● woods and puddles , or in th● corne , and had rather be 〈◊〉 of wolves , and other beast then to be sent againe to their old masters . but they which into asia take their flight , goe first to hellespont , betwixt callipolis and the two towers which were of old called seston and abydon , but now they are named bogazassar , the castles of the sea-mouth , and with them they carry both an axe and ropes to cut downe wood , and to binde them together , whereof they make boats or little ships to passe over the sea , carrying nothing but salt with them , and in the night-time they convey themselves into the shippe in the water . if the winde and the ocean bee milde and favourable unto them , they passe over in three or foure houres , but if the troublesome sea bee against them , either they perish in the violent water , or else bee cast againe to the coast of asia . when they are gotten over the sea , th●y seeke unto the mountaines , and beholding the pole , they take their journey towards the north. in their hunger they refresh themselves with salted herbs . if many run away together , in the night time they invade shepheards and slay them , and take away all such meate and drinke as they finde : but yet many times they themselves bee slaine of the shepheards , or else taken of them , and so delivered to their old masters , to all kinde of servitude : and the greater number is consumed with dangers , for few escape free and safe , because they perish either by shipwrack , or by devouring of beasts , or by their enemies weapons , or else by famine , when as it chanceth , that they after their running away make any long abode in the woods . many kinds of punishments are prepared , devised , and appointed for fugitives , and such as run away : for some being hanged by the feet , are most cruelly tormented with whips , and they that commit homicide or murther , have the soles of their feet cut with a sharpe knife in many slices and cuttings , and after they are so cut , the wounds be rubbed and sprinkled with salt : and some have a great iron coller with a gallows of iron , which they must beare for a long time both dayes and nights . the besieging of samaria . samaria was a goodly citty , and abounded in all things whatsoever , in a great length & breadth : it was besieged by king adad , in the yeare 3050 before christ : at that time king ioram fled into samaria for succour , being over-matched by the syrian army , trusting and putting his confidence in the fortification and strength of the walls thereof . but ioram in length of time being destitute of convenient foode , and all other necessaries , that an asses head was sold in samaria for 80 peeces of silver , and a measure of pigeons dong at five peeces of silver , which they used insteede of salt : the famine increased so much , and the cruelty of the enemy in detayning those that would have gone out , in policy to make the famine the greater , and the sieged sooner to mutiny ; which fell out too true . and it happend that a certaine woman cryed out to the king , spying him upon the walls of the citty , saying , have mercy one mee o my soveraigne : he encreased with wrath , and supposing that shee had asked him for some reliefe or sustinance , beganne to threaten her , and to tell her , that hee had neither graunge nor presse whereby hee might supply her necessity : the woman told the king that shee had no need of meat , but that she came onely to require justice , and to determine a debate betwixt her and another of her neighbours ; the king gave her audience , and bad her speake : hereupon she said , that shee had made a condition with another woman her friend , that sith the famine was so encreased , that they should kill their children ; ( for each one had a son ) and in this sort should nourish one another every day : and i have strangled mine yesterday , and she hath eaten with me , and now this day denies me hers , and breaketh the accord betwixt us . whereby may be seen the great extremity that this city was brought unto by war : but after the siege , samaria was taken by salmanasar king of the a●●yrians , and made entrance into the citty , and it was taken by force , in the 7 yeare of his reigne , and before christs birth 746. of tantalus . tantalus was a king of phrygia exceeding covetous , whom the poets feigne to have bid the gods to a banquet , and he being desirous to make a triall of their deity , when they appeared at his house in mens likenesse , did slay his owne son pelops , and set him before them to bee eaten as meate , giving the flesh another name unto them , who understanding his horrible act , did not onely abstaine from eating thereof , but also gathering the parts of the childe together , brought him to life againe . for this offence iupiter cast him into hell , and enjoyned him this punishment : that hee should continue in most cleare water , and stand up in it even to his neather lip , and that most goodly apple-trees bearing most sweet and redolent fruit , should hang over him , and touch his mouth almost , the which things assoone as he should goe about to taste of , they should fly from him , and so they did ; that betweene the apples and the water , hee consumed with famine and thirst , and was tormented with great penury even in present plenty . whereof a proverb hath sprung , to call it tantalus punishment , when as they which have goods enough , cannot use them . of artemista the wife of mausolus . in the citty called ha●icarnassus , artemisia the queen erected a sumptuous tombe in the honour of her husband mausolus , which was done with such a pompe and magnificency , that it was numbred as one of the seaven wonders of the world . this woman marvellously lamenting the death of her husband , and enflamed with incredible desire and affection towards him , tooke his bones and ashes and mingled them together , and beate them to pouder with sweet spices , and put it in water , and drunke it off , and many other strange signes of incredible love are said to have beene in her : after this , for the perpetuall remembrance of her husband , she caused to be made a sepulcher of marvellous workmanship in stone , which 〈◊〉 beene famous , and much spoken of all men till our daies , and this was in height 25 cubits , and compassed with 36 goodly pillars . this vaine comfort could not take away out of the queens breast , the conceived griefe and sorrow of her husband , but that shortly after she her selfe yeelded her soule and life , as unmeete to tarrie after hee had ended his dayes . sardanapalus . sardanapalus was king of the assirians , whose epitaph had these words in the assirian tongue : sardanapalus , the sonne of anecendarassis , erected in one day anchiala and tarsus , a goodly cities , eate , drinke and play . these words as cicero saith , might have beene written upon the sepulchre of an oxe , and not of a king. he was a most effeminate man , given to all kinde of luxury , and was not ashamed to spin amongst common harlots , and in womens vesture and attire , to excell all others in lasciviousnesse . wherefore the assyrians disdaining to obey , and subject themselves to such a feminine prince , rebelled , and made warre against him , who being overcome , went into his palace , and there making a great fire , cast himselfe and all his riches into the fire , and so ended his life . the people called amazones . penthisilea , the queen of the amazones , which were women abho●ring men , and practising all warlike affaires , did noble deeds of manly prowesse at the destruction of troy. some say , that they had their beginning of the scythians after this sort . certaine scythians being driven from their countrey with their wives , and remaining in the coasts of cappadocia , using to rob and spoile the borderers , were destroyed at the length by conspiracy and deceit . the wives that followed their husbands ; and seeing that they were left alone , tooke weapons and defended their borders , and also moved war against their neighbours , they had no minde at all to marry with their neighbours , calling it a servitude and not matrimony : a singular example to all ages , they encreased their common-wealth without husbands , and that one might not seeme more happy then another , they slue such husbands as remained at home . at the length when they had gotten peace by force of armes , they used the society of men in the countries by them , lest their whole nation should perish for lacke of procreation , and if any men-children were borne , they destroyed them , and their yong women and maides did not use spinning and carding , but hunting and handling their weapons , so that every female childs breast was seered and burnt away , lest they might bee hindred thereby in shooting , whereof they tooke that name and were called amazons . they conquered a great of europe , and did occupy many citties in asia : they had two queene , marthesia and lamped● , which dividing their army into two parts , kept their battailes with great wealth and strength , defending their borders stoutly . they did build ephesus and smyrna in asia the lesse , and did inhabite the chiefe citty in cappadocia . some say that in some places amongst them , they had husbands , and that the women did beare all the rule and did all common businesse and that the men did keepe charge at home like women , obeying the women in all things . of harts in cyprus . in the isle of cyprus harts are commonly seene to swimme in flockes over the sea in a straight order , laying their heads upon the buttockes of those that go before , and thus they goe by course . they see no land , but yet they swimme in the savour of it ; the males have hornes , and of all kinde of beasts every yeare at an accustomed time in the spring they lose them : therefore that day that they lose them , they go into desert places and hide themselves , as things that have lost their weapons in eight moneths the females bring forth yong , they exercise their yong with running , and teach them to thinke upon flying away . they lead them to hard and unaccessible places , and shew them how to scip and leape : but yet it is a simple beast , and astonied at the marvelling at every thing , so that when a horse or a st●●●e commeth neere , they doe not marke the man that is hunting at hand , or else if they perceive a man , they wonder at is bow and arrowes . they beare signes of their age in their hornes , and for every yeare they have the encrease of a branch in their hornes , untill they be sixe years of age , and after that time the like doth spring up againe . and after this their age cannot bee discerned , but old age is known by their teeth . the hornes doe not fall away from such as are gelded , nor doe not spring again if they be gone . the harts have a naturall conflict with the serpent , they search their caverns , and with the breath of their nostrils draw them out against their wills . and therefore the savour of harts horne burnt , is good to drive away serpents , and against their bitings a singular remedy is made of the ruine of the hinde slaine in the belly . the harts live along time , as an hundred yeares and more ; the end of the harts taile hath poison in it , and therefore it is throwne a-away ; powder scraped off the harts horne and drunke , killeth the wormes in the stomack , it is good also against the jaunders . of the date-tree . there is no countrey that bringeth forth more fruitefull date-trees then the h●lyland : there be date-trees in italy , but they are barren : about the sea-coast of spaine there be fruitfull trees , but it is an unpleasant date : in affrica there is a sweet kinde of date , but it lasteth not : in the east part of the world they make wines of them , and some use them as bread , and some give them as meate to their cattell . here of be the dry dates most plentifull in juyce and meate , and of them wines are made very hurtfull for the head : and as there is plenty of them in the east , so are they a great deale better in iury , and especially in ierico . it groweth in a light and sandy ground , it is bushy altogether in the top , and hath not ●he fruit as other trees amongst the leaves , but amongst his branches . the dilligent searchers of nature say , that there is both male and female , the male hath flowers , the female springeth without flowers , much like unto a thorne . of the dead sea. the dead sea which is nigh unto the water of iordan , is so called , because nothing can live in it ; the lake of it selfe is smoky , and the ayre causeth rustinesse to brasse and silver , and all bright things . this lake receiveth not the body of any living thing . bulls and cammels swim in it , and men that have no knowledge of swimming , if they goe into 〈◊〉 unto the navell , they are li●● up . there is no ship can sail● into it . if you put any living thing into it , it leapeth out . a candell burning will swimme above , the light being put out , it will be drowned , the water of this lake is alwaies standing still , and is not stirred with the winde , it is marvellous dangerous , and hard comming to it for strangers , both for wilde beasts and serpents , and also for a barbarous nation that keepeth there about , and troubleth the places thereby with often robberies . of sand transforming things into glasse . in sydon there is a water that hath sand of easie alteration into glasse . this sand whatsoever mettall it taketh , it changeth into into glasse , and that which is made glasse , if it be cast into the sand , returnes againe to sand. and this is a strange thing at sydon . of the fish called a purple . there bee that write , the purple to have her colour by reason of the propinqui●y of the sunne ▪ wherefore in affrica they have as it were a violet colour , and at tyrus a red colour . this purple is a fish of the kinde of a shell-fish , whereof a juyce is gathered most necessary for the dying of garments . this fish hath this juyce to colour and dye garments , in the middest of her mouth and jawes : it is gotten and gathered in the spring time , for at other times shee is bar●e● , & lacketh this juyce . she loseth her life with the losse of this juyce , for she liveth no longer then she hath any of this juyce , and therefore it is good to ta●● them alive . she is a great devourer of little shell-fish , out o● the which the liqour is taken wherewith silke is dyed purple . shee hath a long tongue a●● i● were the length of a finger , 〈◊〉 which shee is alwaies mooving by her tongue shee gotteth 〈◊〉 prey that she desireth●● in 〈◊〉 they discerne true purple 〈◊〉 counterfeit , by powring oyle upon silke , for if it leaveth any spots it is counterfeit , but if the silke garment hath no fault after the oyle , is is good and allowable purple . the city of babylon . semyramis a noble woman , and of great prowesse , erected and built the pompous city of babylon , the walls wherof were made of brick , sand , pitch , and plaister , of a marvellous length and grossenesse . the walls were in compasse three hundred and threescore furlongs , with many and great towers beautified . the breadth of the wall was such , that sixe carts might goe together thereon . the height was thirty and two foote , the turrets in number were two hundred and fifty . the breadth and length thereof was equall with the walls . shee made a bridge also of five furlongs in length , with pillars in the depth by marvellous art of stone , iron , and lead , joyned together . when ninus her husband was dead , shee tooke the administration of the kingdome , and reigned 24 yeares . for although shee had a sonne called also ninus ; yet shee considering his yong yeares unmeet for to rule , feigned her selfe to bee king ninus sonne , the which was easily credited , for the great likenesse of nature that was in them . this woman was of so noble courage , that she had a singular emulation to excell her husband in glory : of whom it needeth not now to speak any more , because divers authors have so largely renowned and set forth her noble acts. of the phoenix . the phoenix is a noble bird , and is but one in the world which is not much seene . coruelius saith , that the phoenix did flye into egypt , when as plaucius and paupinius were consuls . it is said that she is as big as an eagle , having a glittring brightnesse like as gold about her neck , in other parts purple , an● azured taile with rose colours : her head with a plume and top of feathers : manilius saith , that no man hath seene her feeding . shee liveth sixe hundred and threescore yeares : when she waxeth old , she maketh her nest of cassia , and branches of a frankinsence-tree , to fill it with odours , and so dyeth upon it : then of her bones and marrow , thereof there springeth first a little worme , which afterward is a young phenix . this bird , as pliny saith , is commonly in arabia , where are found goodly pearls , and of great estimation . cleopatra gave for one pearle that was brought out of this countrey , two hundred and fifty thousand crowns . the goodnesse of pearles is judged by the whitenesse , greatnesse , roundnesse , plainenesse , orient brightnesse , and waight . the description of the forme of the ramme that titus brought before the walles of ierusalem . a ramme is a huge beame like the maine mast of a ship , whose end is armed with a strong massie iron , made in the forme of a rammes head , whereupon it taketh its name , because it butteth with his head : it hangeth on another beame with ropes , like the beame of a paire of ballances : the beame it hangeth on , lying a crosse , is held up with two props , which being drawne back by force of many men , and then joyntly with all their forces shooved forwards , it striketh the wall with the head of iron : and there is no wall nor tower so strong , but though it abide the first stroke of the engine , yet cannot it abide or hold out long . the generall of the romans thought good to use this engine to take the citty by force , and when they saw that none of the iews durst come upon the wall , they then applyed the ramme unto them , which ▪ so shooke the walles beyond thought , that the iews cryed out , as though the citty had beene already taken : they to prevent the force of the ramm● let downe sacks of wooll and chaffe , to hinder the powerfull beating of the ramme , for it was of that force and strength in the running , that is past beleefe ▪ yet this policy and invention did helpe for a while , and did preserve the wall whole and sound . for where this policy was not used to prevent the force of the engine , it did overthrow and batter downe the walls suddenly and furiously : yet though it was of that force and strength in those times , it is now quite out of use , and almost of knowledge , but onely for the name . of mahomet the false prophet of the saracens , of his originall and perversity . mahomet was the prince of all impiety and superstition . wherefore it is not to bee marvelled , if hee hath set the feeds of all evill , and such as will not be rooted out . some say , that hee was a cyrenaic in nation , some that hee was an arabian , others that he was a persian . he was borne in the yeare of our lord 597 : a man of an obscure family , and of no great wealth , nor strength , nor manhood : some say that his father was a worshipper of devils ▪ and that ismaelita his mother ▪ was not ignorant of the lawes of the hebrewes . wherefore the childe being distract and made doubtfull , because whilst that his father teached him one kinde of religion , his mother suggested another , so that hee followed none of them throughly . and thus being trained up in two severall manners , hee received and kept none of them at his ful age : but he being brought up amongst the good christians , being of a subtile and crafty wit , invented and devised of both lawes a most pernicious and detestable sect for mankinde . after the death of his parents he was taken of the sarracens , which were accounted notable amongst the arabians in theft and robberies , and was sold to a merchant of the ismael kinde . hee being a crafty fellow , rapacious , dishonest , subject to all vice , a notable dissembler , and deceiver ; was at the length made the ruler of their merchandize and wares . he did drive camells throughout egypt , syria , palestine , and other strange places , with the often travaile in which places , hee using the company aswell of the jewes as of the christians , many times studied , and went about not to learn , but to deprave the old and new testament , being taught divers sects of his parents : to this he added the gaines that came by theft , and dayly imagined how to deceive his master . wherefore being suspected of his master , and hated of others , of an obscure servant and slave , hee became a notorious theefe and robber . and being made more famous with his continuall theft and robberies , hee got dayly a great number of companions of his unthrifty doings . these things were also a great helpe unto him , his strange and horrible countenance , his terrible voice , and his desperate ruffenly boldnesse , greatly to bee feared . thus comming by little and little in admiration of a barbarous nation ▪ hee got unto him no small authority , so that that his master being dead without children , hee married and tooke to wife his mistresse , being a widdow of the ismael stock , and fifty yeares of age , having great wealth and riches , who also brought him up . this pestilent man being puft up with his wives riches , applyed his minde to all kinde of detestable acts , through his corrupt and depraved wit , being of himselfe otherwise prompt and given to all kinde of presumptuous boldnes , his temerity and malapertnesse was also encreased by the unconstancy and unfaithfulnesse of one sergius a pestilent monke , so that in a short space hee came to such estimation amongst the arabians , that he was called and beleeved to be the great messenger of god and the great prophet , and this in every mans mouth . this sergius being a nestorian arch-heretick banished from constantinople , fled into araby , and associating himselfe unto mahomets familiarity , an ill master and governour with a most filthy and abhominable scholler was soone united together : hee was a prater , and full of words , bold , rash , impudent , subtil , crafty , and in all things agreeing with mahomet , who now was waxed mighty , and could helpe at a pinch ; and whose name began to be famous , and so at the length the runnagate found a filthy privy and dungeon of all wickednesse . whom his unhappy master taught nestorians madnesse , and perswaded him to expulse and remoue the christians , and their priests from damascus , syria , and arabia , and so to corrupt the iudaicall law , and to deprave the christian faith : it cannot well be rehearsed , by how many crafty and subtill meanes this most unfaithfull apostata , and runnagate hath deceived and seduced the people . now mahomet being taught all kinde of ungraciousnesse of his detestable master , through intemperate living and continuall drunkennesse , fell at the length into the falling-sicknesse , the which his wife could not well suffer for the often comming thereof . wherefore the old dissembling knave , to deliver himselfe from that infamy , doth hide and cloake his disease : saying it to be the marvellous brightnesse of gabriel , the angell and messenger of god , of whom hee being put in that trance , did receive and learne most secret and strange things , and that he was not able to abide the presence of him with a manifest lye he affirmed it . o my deare and wel-beloved wife he saith , marvaile no● that this commeth to me , when i conceive the spirit of god himselfe , who suggesteth in mee things to come , and to make mee privy of many matters , he commeth often to me . the ●ame hereof was spread abroad immediately , and hee was openly called the prophet of god , the which opinion be encreased with a new art and craft by the instruction of his master sergius . for hee accustomed and taught a dove to be fed , and fetch meate at his eares , the which dove his most subtill and crafty master called the holy ghost . hee preached openly , and made his bragges ●ike a most lying villaine , that his dove did shew unto him the most secret counsell of god ; ●s often as the simple fowle did ●y unto his eares for nourishment . his wife being now ●ead , left him her heire , and ●ll that shee had , so that he en●reased in wealth and authority ●ayly , and beganne to make 〈◊〉 new law by the helpe of ●is master sergius , and cer●aine iews that were his compa●ions , borrowing some things ●f the hebrews , and some things ●f the christians discipline : he ●id write in a certaine volumne ●ll the lawes of his new sect , ●he which bookes name is al●oran : that booke not many ●eares agoe hath come into print : and that hee might the more craftily deceive his people and nation , given wholly to the belly and to sleepe , hee brought up and fed a certaine bull , which was used onely to take food from the hands of mahomet , he bound a book● betwixt his hornes , and the simple people looking about ▪ with an high voyce hee called the bull out of a secret place , and when hee with his babling tongue had utred many thing● concerning his lawes , sudden●ly the bull started forth , and o●verthrowing many in his com●ming , he layeth down the boo● in the hands of mahomet , as 〈◊〉 had beene a gift sent from hea●ven . the which hee receiving with much honour , did immediatly interprete many thing● out of it to the people , and with his forged and subtile device , hee named himselfe a prince , and serius a prophet . for the dove brought ● paper about her necke written with golden letters , in this manner . whosoever shall put ●he yoake on the bulls necke , ●et him be king. sergius brought ●he yoke and gave it to ma●omet , who did easily put it on the bull , and by and by ●ee was called king of the simple people , thinking these ●hings to be done by gods providence , and that hee tooke the booke no otherwise . in this booke they are commanded to be circumcised , not for any religion , but for meere superstition : or else as some say , that no filth should remaine under the skinne of the yard when they did wash and bath them . there was also commanded abstinence of wine and flesh , that hee might the more easily cloake his disease , who felt himselfe oppressed with wine of late , for wine taken more excessively and intemperately in stopping the passages of the braine , that no respiration might be had , doth breed and nourish the falling sicknesse , and swi●● flesh maketh grosse humour● wherewith obstruction of the braine commeth quickly , and many other diseases springe●● thereof . the booke of alcor●● commandeth also the fasting of one moneth , wherein a ma● may eat all the night long , so that dayly abstinence is recompensed with night 4urfeiting ▪ mahomet appoynted also , because he would have his law disagred from christians and hebrewes , that the friday should bee consecrated as holy-day , because hee was made king upon that day , and also would not agree with any other ●ect . for the same cause doe ●he turkes also turne them into ●he south at their prayers , a●ainst the manners of other nations . he hath also granted ●o every man foure wives of his ●wne kinred : but concubines & ●ond-women bought , it is law●ull for every man to have as many as he can keepe , so that ●hey may forsake them , and make a devorce as often as they ●ist : and this was done , to draw ●he common sort and rude mul●itude unto him more easily . he ●aught also that the pleasures of ●he body did not hinder the hap●y life to come , and he promised to the observers of his law , a paradise , and garden of all pleasures , wherein they should use their most desired joyes , and all kinde of pleasures , as maidens most beautifull adorned , and the embracings of angels , and all other kinde of pleasures that any man would desire , with the which subtill craftinesse ; hee led the people flexible of their owne nature whither he would , because he promised all kinde of libidino●● pleasures . he reprehended the iews , for that they denied christ to bee borne of the virgin , seeing that the prophet through divine inspiration did prophesie the same . he reproved the christians of foolishnesse , because they did beleeve jesus to be borne of the virgin , and to have suffered all contumely and punishment of the iews patiently : for as much as that body conceived by gods inspiration , was made unpassible , and also seeing that christ did ascend into the heavens , and iudas was crucified in his place . the turks admit onely three prophets , mahomet their law-giver , moses the prophet of the hebrews , and christ whom they deny to bee god. mahomet made a cursed law , that if any man should dispute against his mysteries , that he should suffer death for it : in the which law he hath manifestly taught , that there is no sincere or good thing in alcoran , the which he goeth about to defend by the sword onely . thus with sergius hee made his booke full of wickednesse , and corrupted the true scriptures with counterfeit interpretations , and that he might be accounted the prophet and conservatour of both the manner of the assyrians . the assyrians feed upon dates , whereof they make both wine and honey . they keep their haire long , and binde it up with haire laces and fillets . they anoynt themselves with fine ointments before they goe abroad . of their lawes that they used , this one is memorable , that ●heir maydens and virgines be●ng ripe for men , were brought ●nto some open place , and there were set to bee sold yeare●y for them that would marry ●ny wives , and first of all the most beautifull were set to sale : ●hey which had not so comely ●eauty , that no man would buy ●hem , nor scantly take them freely , were bestowed in matrimony with that sum of mony which was gathered of selling the faire maids . they had no use of physitians , but there was a law among them , that if any did fall sick , h● should ask counsaile of those that had beene visited and troubled with the same sicknesse . some say that their sick folkes were carried abroad , and that by the law , they which had beene sick at any time , should visit such as were now sicke , and teach them by what meanes and remedie especially they were delivered from their sicknesse . they had for their priests , men of great knowledge in astronomy , who could faithfully interprete dreames , and monstrous things , and these were not taught nor learned abroad , but the children tooke their discipline and learning , as inheritance from their parents . with long and ancient observation of the stars ; they did prognosticate to mortall men many things to come ; they did attribute great strength to the planets , but others especially to saturne . they therefore told many things to princes , as to alexander his victory , which he had against darius , and to divers other in like manner . the manner of the persians . the persians would not wash them in any river , nor never make urine in the water , nor cast any carcasse therein , nor so much as spit in it , for they did most religiously reverent the water . their kings they alwaies created of one family , and hee that did not obey the king lost his head , and his armes , and was cast away unburied : they had many wives for the increase of their stock , and many concubines also , they gave great rewards to them that had gotten many children in one yeare : the children after the were borne , came not into their fathers sight for five years space , but were kept amongst , women : for this cause , if any dyed in the bringing up , that the father should take no griefe of the losse : their marriages were solemnized about the tenth day of march. from five yeares of age , untill they were twenty foure , they learned to ride , to cast the dart , to shoote , and especially to speake well . they did practise to passe over brooks and waters , to suffer heate and cold . they continue in harnesse and in moyst garments , they feed upon acorns and field-peares , after their exercise they had very hard bread , and water for their drinke . their beds and cups were adorned amongst the common sort with gold and silver . they never consulted of any great matters , but in the middest of their banquets , thinking that to be a more surer consultation , then that which was had of sober men . familiers and such as were of acquaintance , when they meete , they kissed together : they which were of a baser calling , did worshippe him that they met withall . they buried dead bodies in the ground , enclosing them in waxe . they thought it an hainous offence to laugh or spit before the prince . some say , that they carryed their dead bodies out of the citty , and there laid them in the fields to bee devoured of dogs , and fowles of the ayre . they would not have the bones of dead bodies to bee buried or reserved : and when any dead body was not immediately consumed of dogs or wilde beasts , they thought it an ill signe , and that he was a man of an uncleane minde , and therefore not to bee worthy to be in hell , and his next friends did marvellously lament him , as one that had no hope of happinesse after this life , but if he were quickly devoured of beasts , they thought him happy . the emperour of the persians is at this day called sophy , who with his noble acts getteth great empire and glory . of the panther and tyger . the panther is a beast like unto a lybard , he hath variety of colours , and is very fierce and wilde , so that some call him a dog-wolfe , and yet he is gentle enough if hee be filled . hee sleepeth three dayes , and after the third day he washeth himselfe , and cryeth out , and with a sweete sent that commeth from him , hee gathereth all wilde beasts together , which are led and moved with his favour : and hee is friendly to all wilde beasts saving the dragon and the serpent . the shee panther is said to be a beast differing from the male , because she is cruell , and full of spots . some say that all beasts are marvellously delighted with the sent of them , but by their horrible lookes , they are made affraide , and therfore hiding their heads , they take and catch other beasts allured with the pleasantnesse of them , as goats and such like ; which being taken with a fond desire of their pleasantnesse , commeth neerer and neerer , but the libard leaping out of her den , flyeth upon them . in caria and lybia the panthers be of a good length , and somewhat timerous , and not so full of agility in leaping , but they have so hard a skinne , that you can hardly pierce it , the female is more common to be found . the tygre is a beast of a wonderfull swiftnesse , it bringeth forth many yong , the which many doe steale away upon horseback very swift : but when the female seeth her yong gone , ( for the males take no care of the yong ) shee runneth headlong searching by smelling : the taker of her yong hearing her comming neare with raging , casteth downe one of the yong , the which she taketh away with her mouth , after that shee returneth againe with marvellous celerity , so that shee getteth another , and so the third time , and untill that hee hath gotten into a ship , and then shee seeing her fiercenesse frustate , rageth on the banks . saint austine saith , there was a tygre made tame at rome in a denne . strabo saith , magesthenes writeth , that in india amongst the people called prasij , the tigre is of double bignesse to the lyon , and of such strength , that one being led with foure men , if he should catch a mule with his hinder claw , he were able to draw the mule unto him . some say when shee hath lost her yong , shee is deceived , and mocked in the way with a glasse , set there by the stealer of her yong : for shee following with her smelling and swift running , and finding the glasse thinking her selfe to have found her yong , tarrieth so long in vewing the glasse , that he which tooke her yong , hath time enough to escape . the conditions and nature of the parthians . the parthians have their armies commonly of the greater number of servants and bond-men , as every man is more wealthy , so doth hee find a greater number o● horsemen to the king for his warre . they have many wives for the avoyding of lechery , and they punnish no fault more grievously then adultery : wherefore the women may not come to the feasts of men , nor in their sight . they eate no other flesh then such as they get by hunting , they be alwaies on horseback , they ride to their banquets , and to warre , they doe merchandize , they common together , they doe all common and private affaires sitting on horse-backe , their dead bodies are open preys for fowles or dogs , they have a speciall care of worshipping the gods , they have fearefull wits , seditious , pratling , and deceitfull . florus writeth , that the third battaile that the romans made against the parthians , they sent a notable strong army , whereof marcus crassus consull was lieutenant , a man of wonderfull avarice , and unsaturable cupidity of gold , who warring unfortunately against the parthians , lofing eleven legions , as he was flying was taken and flaine , his head and right hand was cut off , and brought to the king of the parthians , where in contempt and mockery gold was melted into his mouth , because he being so desirous of booties and preys , refused peace being intreated . some say , the parthians when they powred in the melted gold into his mouth , said : now drinke gold , thou that hast alwayes thirsted for gold , and as yet couldest never be filled with gold. the which saying is also rehearsed of tomyris the queene of the massagets in scythia , who warring with cyrus , the mighty king of the persians , deprived him of life in the revenging of her sonnes death , whom he deceitfully killed being sent aforehand . wherefore she being in a wonderfull rage after the victory had against cyrus , caused his head to be cut off , and put in a vessell full of blood , saying these words , thou hast sucked the blood of my sonne and also thirsted after mine cyrus , but i will fill thee with blood , drinke now , and fill thy selfe therewith . of the people of carmania , and those which are called icthiopagi . in carmania no man may have a wife , before he have brought the head of his enemy cut off to the king. the king cutteth the tongue thereof into small parts , and mingleth it with bread , and afterward giveth it to be eaten to him that brought it , and to his familiars , and hee is accounted a notable fellow that bringeth many heads . the icthiophagi be so called , because they eate fish most commonly , and so doe their cattle , and they drinke rainy and well-water . they feede their fish with beasts flesh : they make their houses of whales bones and oyster-shels , of their fish being dryed they make bread , putting a little wheate unto it , for they have small store of wheate . it is read of this nation , that many of them going naked all their lives , have their wives and children in common like unto beasts , that have no difference of honesty and dishonesty . of the property of sundry nations . the tauroscites bee contentious people , inhabiting the woods , doing sacrifice to the divell . such enemies as they take , they cut off their heads , and set them upon an high pole in the tops of their houses . there be also in this part of asia certaine people , that have their women in common , and some so rude and beastly , that they eate mans flesh , obeying no lawes . there be others called agrippaei , which are bald from their nativity , as well men as women . and another kinde of people also called issedones , with whom the use is , when any mans father dyeth , all his kinsfolkes bring cattell , and kill ●hem , and cut and mingle the flesh of them with the flesh of the father of him that receiveth them to this banquet , and so they make a feast with these sundry kinds of flesh together : they scoure and make cleane the head of him that is dead , and use it as an image , offering sacrifice and ceremonies unto it yearely : this doth the sonne to the father , and the father to the sonne . of the severall wayes that the romans put any offender to death . severall nations have had severall kinds of death for malefactors , the manner of the death usually being proportionable to the nature of the offence . the romans chiefly in their judicatures for capitall offences punnished these three wayes : by strangling , beheading , or stoning : amongst some authors , and those not of meane esteeme , it is said , that pisol●● the souldier , that set the temple in hierusalem on fire , being called to a councell of warre , was by titus and other officers , adjudged for the same fact , to have that hand cut off , that threw the firebrand into the temple : and presently to shew how highly titus was displeased at the hainousnesse of the fact , hee made him examplary to all the company for his disobedience , by strangling him to death upon a scaffold , erected for the same purpose , in the view of the whole army , and stayed himselfe in person , to behold the full execution of the party . the second sort of death was , that they used to strike off the heads of such offenders as mu●ined , or committed any rapes upon virgines or women , in the taking of a towne , con●rary to expresse charge of mar●iall discipline , especially of the romans ; they beeing the strictest in this kinde of any nation whatsoever . it is said that caivs posthvmvs vegelivs a cohort of a great esteeme for his valour , upon severall occasions under the conduct of pompey the great , in the taking of a fort , upon conditions deflowred a maid , and afterwards ravished the mother , ( so furious is lust if not kept under ) was presently by the generall called to account , and checked with this speech , that the romans ought to punnish vice in others , not commit it themselves , for which purpose he was there with his army ; because therefore ( said hee ) thou hast had no care either of the honour of the virgin , nor her mother , nor thy selfe , nor yet of thy countrey , i will have as little care of thy life , and so committed him , notwithstanding his office and experience 〈◊〉 valour , into the hands of the executioner , to have his head cu●● off in the same place where he acted his villany , which was speedily done to the satisfaction of some , and the example of all . the third kinde of death was that of stoning , as some suppose , borrowed from the iews , and this they inflicted principally upon such as were robbers of temples , or mockers either of ●heir priests , or their gods. thus lucius publius , one that ●efore this fact , had deserved ●ell of the common-wealth , ●eing the priests of mars sa●rificing in their temple , laugh●d at their seeming foolish ce●emonies as needlesse , was at●●ched , and presently commit●ed to dye at a stake , by being ●astned to it , and having stones ●ast at him in the open streets , with these words spoken by the ●rincipall executioner , so let ●ll deriders of the gods deservedly perish . they did exercise , and indeed invent a fourth kinde of death , and that was the fastning of the party to a crosse made of wood , and thus the saviour of the world , was the first that endured this punishment and shame under tiberius , then emperour of rome , and pontius pilate being his vice-roy for iury , he was made to carry his owne crosse , upon which he was to suffer , till being wearied with the weight of it , they compelled one simon to carry to the place of execution , upon which his hands and feete being nailed to it , he gave up the ghost : and upon his suffering a souldier named longinus , standing by thrust a speare into his side , from which issued water and blood : who upon the act was strucke blind immediately : yet repenting of his fact , had his eyes touch'd with the blood upon the speare , and recived thereby his sight againe , and so proved a famous member of gods church , and was made bishop of cappadoria : thus have i expressed to you in ●riefe the manner how the romans punnished any with death . of the tartarians . the tartarians are most deformed of all men , their bodies are but small , their eyes be grosse and bolstring out , their faces be broad & without haire , saving that in their over lip and the chinne they have thin and moisie haire , they be common-small in the middle , they shave their heads from one eare to another , by the top of the crown to the hinder part , keeping long haire like unto a woman , whereof they make two folds and windings , and binde them both behinde the eares : and so be all other shaven that tarry amongst them . they be good horsemen , and ill foot-men , and therfore none goeth afoot , but rides eyther on horseback , or upon some oxe . they have a glory to hang good sounding bells about their horses neckes ▪ when they drinke , they powre it in untill they be drunken , the which is a great praise amongst them . they have no bread , nor use any baking , nor table-clothes , nor towells , they use no handkirchifs , nor never wash their hands , body , nor apparell . they eate no pot-herbes nor pulse , but onely the flesh of all kinde of living things , as cats , dogs , horse , and all kinde of great mice . they roste the bodies of such as they take in warre , to shew their cruelty , and desire of revenging : and where many meete together in the eating of them , they teare them with their teeth like wolves , and drinke the blood thereof , which they reserved afore in cups , otherwise they drinke cowes milke . one of them eateth the lice from anothers head , saying , thus will we doe to our enemies . it is an hainous thing with them to suffer any drinke to bee lost , or any meate , and therefore they cast no bones to dogges , before that the marrow be taken away , and many other things are reported of them , which munster setteth forth more at large . in warre they have swords of a yard in length , their horsemen are very skilfull in shooting , their princes never enter into war , but standing a far off , they cry unto their owne company , and exhort them , if they see any thing needfull : they carry their wives and their children , because their wives be attyred like men , and also images of men , on horseback to their warres , that they might seeme a great number , and more terrible to their enemies . they thinke no shame nor ignominy in flying if it be necessary and expedient so to doe . if they get the victory they spare none , neither women nor children , nor olde folkes ; they slay al saving craftsmen and artificers , whom they reserve to their uses . they are very incontinent , and therfore they take as many wives as they will , and may sustaine , and they except none , but the mother , the daughter , and sister , and yet they bee much given to the sodomiticall sinne . they doe not make account of any woman as of their wife , nor yet thinke her worthy of dower , before that shee hath brought forth a childe , and therefore they may refuse her which is barren , and take another : they which are taken in adultery , both men and women are put to death by the law. every wife hath her mansion , her owne family , and liveth very chastely . this nation observeth many superstitions : no man maketh urine in his mansion , but if hee doth , he is slain without pitty : if necessity compelleth him , then his tent and all things therein are purged with fire after a curious sort . when they chuse and elect their prince , they meete together in a faire field , and then they set him in a golden throne and chayre , to whom the kingdom is due , either by succession , or by election , and falling down before him , they cry all after this sort , with one consent and a loud voyce : we beseech , we will and command , that thou beare rule over us . he answereth , if you will have this done of me , it is necessary that you be ready to doe all that i shall command : when i call , to come , and whithersoever i send , to goe , and to commit , and put the whole rule into our hands . when they have answered , we bee ready : hee saith againe , therefore my word shall bee my sword , and all the people clap their hands with great rejoycing . then the noblemen take him from the regall seate , and make him to sit softly upon a cushin , or a cloth layd upon the ground , saying thus : looke up , and acknowledge god , and looke downeward to the cushin wheron thou sittest , if thou doest well governe and rule , thou shalt have all things according to thy desire : but if thou doest ill rule us , thou shalt bee brought so low and so bare , that this small cushin whereon thou sittest , shall not be left thee , at the which saying they adjoyne unto him his dearest and best beloved wife , and lifting them both up with the cushin , they salute him emperour of all tartarians , and her the empresse . then to such as be present of other nations , he commandeth gifts to bee given out of hand . there is also all the treasure and jewels which the late deceased emperour left , wherewith this new emperour rewardeth every noble-man , and that which remayneth , he commandeth to bee kept to his owne use . in his hands and power all things bee , and no man dare say , this is mine , or his . no man ought to tarry in any part of the land , but where he is assigned . his seale that he useth , hath these words engraved : god in heaven , and chuithuth cham on the land , the strength of god and emperour of men . he hath five great robust armies : five dukes , with whose ayde he invadeth all that withstand him . hee himselfe speaketh not to strange embassadours , nor they come at any time into his sight , except that they and their gifts bee purged before hand of certaine women deputed to that purpose . hee giveth his answer by other meane persons , to whom , when and how long soever hee speaketh , they ought to give care upon their knees bowed , and so attend , that they erre not in any one word . it is not lawfull for any man to change the emperours words , nor to goe or doe against his minde and sentence by any meanes . the sibyls prophesie of the destruction of babell . the place where this tower was built , is at this present day called babylon , by reason of the confusion of tongues and languages that first beganne in that place : for babell in the originall or hebrew-tongue signifies confusion : of this tower and of the diversity of languages sybilla hath made mention in these words : at such time as men used one kinde of language , they built a most stately rich tower of that height , that they meant by the same to mount or ascend up to heaven of their owne pleasure : being at that time full of pride and ambition , and did not reverence the divine power : but the gods sent downe fire and windes , and overwhelmed this high tower , and made it levell with the ground , and gave every one his distinct and severall language , from whence sprung the cause that their citty was called babylon : their kings name was balthazar , who was taken prisoner , and the whole citty overthrowne , in the yeare of the yeare of the world 3425 , and before christs time 539 , by cyrus king of the persians , whose army consisted of 100000 fighting men , and now remaineth under the command of the sophy or shagh of persia. the 12 sibyls . the first was of persia , called samberta , or persica , which among other prophesies said , the wombe of the virgin shall bee the salvation of gentiles . the second was of libya , called libyca : one of her prophesies was , the day shal come that men shall see the king of all living things , and a virgin lady of the world shall hold him in her lap . the third was themis , surnamed delphica , because she was borne and prophesied at delphos : a prophet shal be born of a virgin. the fourth was cumaea , born at cimeria , a citty of campania in italy , who prophesied , that god should bee borne of a virgin , and converse among sinners . the fift was the famous erithrea , borne at babylon : who especially prophesied a great part of our christian religion , in certaine verses recited by eusebius ; the first letters of every which verses being put together , make the words , iesus , christ , sonne of god ; saviour , these verses are translated into latine by saint austine . lib. 18 , and 23 , de civitate dei : the substance whereof followeth . the earth shall sweat signe of judgement : from heaven shall come a king which shall reigne for ever , that is to say , in humane flesh , to the end , that by his presence he judge the world , so the unfaithfull as well as the faithfull , shall see god with their eyes aloft among his saints ; and in the end of the world , the soules of men with their bodies shall appear ; whom he shall judge , when the roundnesse of the earth untilled , shall bee full of clods of earth and grasse , men shall cast away their idols , and all their precious jewels , the world shall bee consumed with fire , hee shall pierce the inferiour parts , and break the gates of hell ; then to the flesh of saints shal be given free and cleere light , and the evill shall bee burned with eternall fire : all secrets shall be opened , and every one shall know the secret of his negihbour , and god shall discover the consciences and hearts of all men : then shall there bee lamentation and gnashing of teeth , the sunne and stars shall lose their light , the firmament shall bee dissolved , and the moone shall bee darkened , the mountaines shall bee throwne downe , and the valleyes shall be made equall with them ; there shall be nothing in the world higher or lower then another , mountaines and valleyes shall bee made plaine , all things shall cease , the earth shall be dryed unto powder and dust , the fountaines and rivers shall bee burned likewise : then shall a trumpet sound from heaven in wofull and horrible manner , and the opening of the earth shall discover confused and darke hell , with the torments and paines of the miserable condemned , and heere before the judge shall come every king : a river of fire and brimstone shal fal from heaven . divers other things were prophesied by this sibyll : and because they were obscure , and therefore not to be comprehended by the gentiles before they come to passe , shee said of her selfe these words : they shall thinke mee a false and blinde prophetesse , but when they shall see these things come to passe , they will remember me , and cal me no more a false prophetesse , but a prophetesse of the almighty god. the sixt was called samia , borne in the i le of samos , which said : he being rich , shall bee borne of a poore maide ; the creatures of the earth shall adore him , and praise him for ever . the seventh was called cumana , because she prophesied at cumas , a towne of campania in italy : shee prophesied that hee should come from heaven , and reigne heere in poverty : he should rule in silence , and bee borne of a virgin. shee is affirmed to have written nine bookes of the sibyls : they were all presented by an old woman to tarquinius superbus , but he not willing to pay so great a summe of money as was damanded , denied them : whereupon the old woman burnt three of them , requiring as much money for the other sixe , as for all ; which being denied , shee also burned the other three , asking as much for the three remaining as for the rest , which superbus amaz'd , gave , and the old trotte vanished . these bookes contayned manifest prophesies of the kingdome of christ , his name , his birth , and death : they were burned by the arch-traytour stilico , so that those prophesies which are now extant , are onely such as are extracted out of others writings . the eight was called hellespontica , borne at marmisea , in the territory of troy. a woman shall descend of the iewes , called mary , and of her shall be borne the sonne of god , named iesus , and that without carnall copulation : for shee shall bee a virgin before and after his birth , he shall be both god and man , he shall fulfill the lawes of the iewes , and shall adde his owne law thereunto : and his kingdome shal remaine forever . the ninth was of prygia , and prophesied in the towne of ancire : one of her sayings were : the highest shall come from heaven , and shall confirme the counsell in heaven , and a virgin shall be shewed in the valleyes of the desarts . the tenth was albunea , surnamed tiburtina , because she was borne at tiber , 15 miles from rome . the invisible word shall be borne of a virgine : hee shall converse among sinners , and shall of them bee despised . lactantius firmianus rehearseth divers of their prophesies ; without making any particular mention of them : they are to bee referred specially notwithstanding ( as it should seeme ) unto sibylla samberta , who wrot 24 bookes in verse , chiefly intreating of the comming , miracles , and life of christ , whereunto the sayings of all the other sibyls are conformable . s. austine likewise in the 23 chapter of his 18 booke d●●civitate dei , reciteth these prophesies as followeth . then he shall bee taken by the wicked ●ands of the infidells , and they ●hall give him buffets on his face with their sacrilegious hands , ●nd they shall spit upon him with their foule and accursed ●outhes . hee shall turne unto ●hem his shoulders , suffering ●hem to bee whipped ; yea , he ●hall hold his peace without ●peaking ere a word , to the end ●at none shall know from ●henee his words proceede . ●ee shall also be crowned with ●hornes ; they shall give him ●all to eate , and vinegar to drinke : behold the feast that ●hey shall make him : in so much ●hat thou ignorant and blinde ●eople shalt not know thy god ●onversing among men : but ●hou shalt crowne him with ●hornes , mingling for him gall ●nd vinegar : then the vaile of ●he temple shall rend , and at mid-day it shall be darke night for the space of three houres so the just shall dye the death , and this death or sleepe shall continue three dayes : and when he shall have been in the bowels of the earth , he shall rise againe , and returne to life . lactantius moreover , lib. 4. chap. 15. rehearseth these p●●phesies of them . he shall raise the dead , the impotent and lame shall goe , and runne nimbly , the deafe shall heare , the blinde shall see , the dumbe shall speak free●ly . and a little before that , saith with five loaves and two fishes hee shall nourish in the desart● 5000 men , and the fragment thereof shall bee sufficient to satisfie many more . many othe● things were foretold by the●● sibyls , as well of the ruins o● great states , as of christ. the eleventh called epyrotica : some hold her to bee the same that phrigia was , she came from troas to dodona , where she prophesied , and was as well as the other denominated from the place : but the most hold that she was diverse from the other , and was called phaënni , so writes iohannes tsetses : she prophesied that the pure word should come from a virgin , how hee should willingly come down from heaven , & seem poore to the world : yet should governe all things , whose rule & kingdome should never cease , & that he should be both god and man , and that this his kingdome should principally reside in the souls of men , whom he would governe , and save to another life , thus laelius cleopassus , and others affirme . colophonia lampusia the twelfth , she came out of greece , from colophonia a city of ioni● , shee prophesied of the changes of kingdomes , of inundation , earthquakes , and of warres ▪ shee told that god was onely to be adored , that hee was angry at vice , and punished it ; that hee did delight in holy and upright men : shee told also , that the whole world should bee burnt , and wished men to adore that god while they lived here , which would punish them so severely hereafter for their contempt . of india . in the country of india they have two summers , their ayre is most gentle , and pleasant , and temperant , great fruitfulnesse of the soyle , and plenty of waters , and therefore some ●●ve 130 yeares , especially the musitanes . there be others whose lives ●re longer : there be marvellous ●reat beasts bred in that coun●rey , and trees of such height , ●hat a man cannot shoote to the ●op of them , this commeth by ●he fertility of the soile , tem●eratenesse of the ayre , and ●lenty of waters . their reeds ●re of such bignesse and length , ●hat the space betwixt every ●not , may beare three men , ●ometimes in a little river . ●here bee store of parrats : it ●ringeth forth nard , cinamon , pepper , calamus aromaticus , ●nd other spices , and also divers pearle and precious stones . pliny saith , that in the countrey of india , all things are bredde of a greater magnitude then in any other countrey , as men , beasts , and trees . the people have a bushy haire , and a speciall decking with precious stones , they are very divers 〈◊〉 apparrell , some weare woollen garments , and some linnen , many goe naked , and some cover their privy parts onely : the colour of the body is commonly blacke , being in their mother● wombe such , through the disposition of their parents , they bee of a good tall stature , and strong . they bethrifty in living , and very continent from theft : they know no letters , but doe all things by memory , and for their simplicity and thriftinesse all things have prosperous successe , they drinke no wine but in sacrifice , they make drinke of rice and barley , their meate 〈◊〉 commonly rice-pottage , they ●●ve no prerogative to their old ●ge , except they excell in wise●ome . he that is reprehended ●s a false witnesse , hath the tops ●f his fingers cut off , hee that ●epriveth any man of any mem●er , hath the law talio , that is , ●o lose the like member , and al●o his hand is cut off . and if a●y man putteth out the eye , or ●utteth away the hand of an ar●ificer , he loseth his life for it . if any woman killeth a drunken king , she hath her reward to be conjoyned with his successour : there be seven speciall orders amongst the indians : the first is of philosophers , which being few in number , were preferred before the rest in honour and dignity , they are free from all workes , and neither serve any body , nor governe or rule , they take such things of private foll●● wherewith they doe sacrifice , and they have a care of the dead , and especially know what is done in hell , and therefore many gifts and honours are bestowed upon them : they profit much to the life of the indians , for they meete together in the beginning of the yeare , and foretell drought , raine , windes , diseases , and other things , the knowledge whereof is profitable : that philosopher which foresheweth any thing that is false , hath no other punishment , but to keepe silence for ever . the second order is of husbandmen , which exceeding the rest in multitude , being free from wars and other worke , doe onely bestow their time in tilling their ground , no enemy offereth any injury to them , because they are thought to be occupied about the common profit , they live in the fields with their wives and children , and come not into the city , they give tribute to the king , the fift part of ●heir profit . the third order is shepheards , which neither in●abite in cities nor townes , but have their tabernacles , and ●heir nets , and things for hun●ing , and these keep the countrey from the danger of beasts and fowles . the fourth degree ●s of artificers , whereof some maketh weapons , some other ●hings meete for the countrey : ●nd other profitable things , ●hese bee free from tribute , and have their corne from the prince . the fift order is of souldiers , exercised in warlike affaires , & they & al their horses & elephants be maintained by the prince . the sixt is of superintendents , who seeing all things that bee done in india , make relation thereof to the king. in the seventh order , bee those that have the rule of commo● counsells , being but a few 〈◊〉 number , and such as most excel in nobility and wisedome : for o● these some bee chosen to the king's councell , and to the admi●nistration of the common●wealth , and to bee judges 〈◊〉 doubtfull cases , dukes also an● captaines be chosen of them . thus india being destributed into these parts , it is not lawful for any order to marry with th● mens wives of another order nor to change his trade of li●ving ; nor for the souldier● to play the plough-man , no● the artificer to meddle in th● philosophers office . and because india is so great a coun●rey , there bee many nati●ions discrepant in forme and ●ongue , and manners , for some ●nhabiting about rivers & lakes , doe eate raw fish , and others ●aw flesh , and when any fal●eth sicke , his friends kill him , saying , that if hee should wither ●nd pine away with sicknesse , ●hat his flesh should be corrupt , ●nd although hee denyeth him●elfe to bee sicke , yet they kill him , and make a banquet of him : ●o hee that liveth in perfect health to his old age , is slaine ●nd devoured in like manner . and therefore few of them ●ome to extreame old age . there bee some of the indians●hat ●hat never kill any living thing , nor plant , nor sow any thing , nor erect any houses , but liveth only with herbs , amongst whom when any falleth sick , he goeth into a desart place , and there dyeth , no man taking care either of him dying , or being dead : they use naturall conjunction together openly like unto brute beasts . of the bragmans . the people called bragmans , lead a simple life , and are not led with any inticements ; they desire no more then very nature doth require : they have plenty of all things for life , the which their earth bringeth forth without tillage . their tables be furnished with wholesome dishes , and therefore they neither know diversities of names in sicknesse , nor their kindes , but they have good health very long . one desireth no helpe of another , for they live in common , amongst those that are equall , there is no place for envy , seeing that none is superiour ; they have no judgements , because they doe nothing worthy of correction : their onely law is not to doe any thing against nature , which nourisheth labour ▪ exerciseth no covetousnesse , and flyeth from filthy idlenesse . this nation hurteth it selfe in the sunne , it getteth moisture in the dew , it extinguisheth thirst with water . the ground is instead of beds , carefulnesse breaketh no sleepe , nor pensivenesse troubleth not the minde : their habitation is in digged caves upon the mountaines sides , they feele no rage of winds nor tempests , they thinke themselves better defended in a cave then in a house , from the injury of weather , because their cave hath two uses , one for a mansion place , another for a sepulchre or grave when they dye . they have no precious garments , but they cover their members with a thing like paper , rather for shamefastnesse then otherwise . the women be not trimmed as they please , but they are ignorant how to encrease beauty more then nature giveth : the man and the woman use naturall conjunction , not for libidinous pleasures , but for love of procreation . no parent followeth the funerals of his childe , they have no sepulchers in churches for the dead , but in vessels made of precious stones , they lay up the ashes of the dead . their best remedy in physicke is abstinence and sparing , which doth not onely cure their griefes , but also prevent those which might come ▪ they have no common playes nor games ▪ but when they assemble together , they read the monuments of things done , wherein if they heare any thing to bee laughed at , they weepe , they are not delighted in old fables , but in the goodly disposition of naturall things ▪ they learne no eloquence , but have a simple kinde of speech , onely commanding not to lye . of the elepha●● . there be elephants in india , which bee very wilde and fierce , but they are easily made tame after this manner , they compasse some cleane place with a deepe ditch of foure 〈◊〉 five furlongs , they make the entry into it with a very straight bridge ▪ then set they in thre● or foure female elephan●● , which are tame , and they themselves lye privily watching in cottages : in the day time the wilde elephants come not , but in the night time they enter , the which place of the entry the hunters shut and stop privily : after this they bring in of their strongest tame elephants to fight with them , besides that , they doe punish them with famine and lacke of meate , and when they be weary with fighting , they which are bold carterly fellowes , privily getteth under the belly of the elephant , and so suddenly stealeth under the belly of the wilde elephant , and by these meanes doe chaine and fetter them : and after this they move their tame elephants to beate the wilde untill they fall to the ground , and when they are downe , they binde their necks with the necks of the tame e●ephants , with such thongs and bindings as oxen bee bound with , and this doe they , that ●hey should not cast off such as sit them : moreover , they cut their neckes about with raysings and scissures , and lay ●he chaynes thereon , that for paine they should give place to their chaines , and goe q●●etly , of such as are taken they chose out such as are unprofitable , either for old age , or yong age , and the rest bee led into the stables , and they ▪ being bound both feete and necks in a pillar , to bee tamed with hunger . after that they bee refreshed with grasse or greene weeds , then they teach them to be obedient , some with words , some with singing , and some with drummes be made gentle . the elephant is the greatest amongst all beasts , and commeth nearest to humane sence , he ha●● some understanding ( as pli●● saith ) of his countrey talke , an● especially a remembrance and obedience of such duties as hee hath learned . if the elephant by chance killeth any of the●● keepers in a rage , they hav● so great a desire of him afterward , that some for sorrow abstaine from meat , and some doe pine themselves to death . this beast is accustomed , when hee is full of feeding , to goe to sleepe , and leaning to a tree hee sleepeth , for he cannot bend his knees as other beasts doe : the inhabitants perceiving the tree which is worne and made filthy with the elephants leaning , cause the same tree to bee cut hard by the ground , so that it may not fall without thrusting and enforcing , then they put away the signes of their owne steps , and depart quickly before the elephant commeth to sleepe : the elephant comming in the evening to his accustomed place of rest , and leaning to the ●●ee with all the weight of hi●●ody , falleth downe straig●● way with the tree even to the earth , so he lyeth with his belly upward all night , for he cannot lif● up himselfe , then commeth the inhabitants in the morning , and s●aieth the beast without danger . the elephants have such 〈◊〉 kinde of shamefastnesse , that the male never covereth the female but i● secret , and that when the male is five yeares olde , and the female tenne yeares of age , they bring forth as mares doe , and most commonly about the spring . many of them live almost two hundred yeares , they have great pleasure in good waters , they be most impatient of cold , the two teeth which hang outward , are so big in the greater elephants , that they are used oftentimes as postes . and many other things bee written of them , which i thought good to leave out for rediousnesse . garments used by the high priests of the iewes . all nations have ever had great respect and reverence towards their priests ; and such as sacrifice to their gods , and thereupon have usually allotted them excellent rayments , and decent vestures : yet in this kinde , the iewes high priests excelled all others , having indeed direction from heaven , even for the manner and matter of their vestments , in the performance of their severall services . their upper garment was of dainty fine linnen , that did decipher their purity of life : from their middle they were girded with a vaile to the middest of the thigh , and under that a pure linnen garment which went to the ground : above it a round garment of violet-colour , all fringed at the skirts , which was hung full of bells and pomegranats all of gold : upon his breast he wore a garment of five colours , viz. of gold , purple , scarlet , silke , and violet : hee also had adornments on his head , a miter of silke crowned with hiacinth , and upon it was a crowne of gold , contayning the foure sacred letters of the name of god : hee likewise had a rochet which was very rich , and buttoned with two golden buttons , made in forme like two aspes , set richly with great sardonix-stones , bearing the names of the twelve tribes ingraven in them : then had he 12 precious stones hanging by them by three in a ranke , in every one of which was one of the names of the twelve tribes written : so that you may see that hee was not onely decently , but also richly apparrel'd , when hee appeared before the congregation of israel . i could have enlarged this point much more , but it is fully mentioned in sacred writ , and also amongst many authors . of the dragons in india , and ethiopia . the dragon is the greatest of all serpents , and hath sharpe teeth set like a saw-fashion , he hath greater strength in his taile then in his teeth , and hath not so much poison as other serpents have , if he windeth his tayle about any he slayeth him , and the elephant with all the bignesse of his body is not safe from him , for the dragon lurking about common paths where the elephants use to go , doth winde and knot his taile about the elephants legs , and killeth him by suffocating . hee is bred in india and ethiopia . pliny saith , in ethiope there be dragons of 20 foot in length , they are wont 14 or 15 together with their heads erected , to flye over the sea , and great waters , for some better foode : the dragons poyson is onely in his tongue and gall . wherefore the ethiopes cut away the tongue and eate the flesh . pliny saith , that through the strength of poyson his tongue is alwaies lift up , and sometimes through the heate of poison he inflameth the ayre , so that hee seemeth to breath fire out of his mouth , and sometimes when he hisseth with his contagious blast , he infecteth the ayre , so that the pestilence commeth thereof many times . he is sometimes in the waters , and lyeth often in his den , hee sleepeth seldome , but watcheth almost continually ; hee devoureth beasts and fowles , his eye-sight is very sharp , so that in the mountaines hee seeth his prey a far off oftentimes . betwixt the elephants and the dragons there is continuall war , for the dragon claspeth about the elephant with her taile , and the elephant ouerthroweth the dragon with her feet and snowt , the dragon with the folding of her tayle , twisteth her selfe about the elephants legs , and so maketh him to fall . the elephant seeing a dragon under a tree , goeth about to break the tree to give the dragon a blow , the dragon leapeth upon the elephant , and desirous to bite between the nostrils and to make him blinde , sometimes the dragon getteth behind him , biting and sucking his blood with the los●e of which blood , the elephan●●eing ●eing weakned , after long 〈…〉 falleth upon the dragon , and so dying slaieth 〈◊〉 owne murderer the dragon 〈◊〉 very desirous of the elephants blood , for the coldnesse of it , wherewith she desireth to bee cooled . and many other strange serpents are in india as scorpions with wings , and such like , of whose natures i omit to write , because their formes be not knowne unto us . of the gryphin in india . some say there is in india a gryphin , which is a kinde of beast with foure feet , having wings , and as might in strength as a lyon , with crooked talants , blacke one the backe , & in the forepart purple , his wings somewhat white , his bill and mouth like an eagles , his eyes fiery , hard to bee taken , except he be yong ; he maketh his nest in high mountains , and fighteth with every kinde of beast , saving the lyon and elephant , he diggeth up gold in desart places , and giveth a repulse to those that come neer him , he maketh his nest of such gold as he findeth , and some say , that it cannot be taken away , without a thousand or two thousand men , and that as well with danger as with gaine . thus much aelianus writeth . the notes of a good horse . there bee some that write , that an horse should not be broken nor tamed before two yeares of age . but that he is to be rubbed and chafed with flattering , and gentle words , and that his stable should bee laid with stone , and to use him by little and little to goe on the stones , that his feete might be made strong . at the beginning let not him that shal sit him or breake him , be too rough , nor weary him with running ; let him prove him with turning gently on both sides , and not so much with spurres as with the stick he must touch him . the horse should be of one colour , of a thick maine , and standing up , of strong loynes , of a short head , his neck must be erect and standing up , his eares small , according to the proportion of his head , abroad breast , a meane belly , short hips , a large tayle , and somewhat curled , streight legs , equal knees , stedfast hoofes and grosse , not big nor small , that they be not worne : his legges must be wel stuffed with bones , and not with flesh , the notes and signes of yeares in horses , are changed with their bodies . when a horse is two yeares and a halfe old , his middle teeth both above and beneath do fall , when hee is three yeares old , hee casteth those that are like unto dogs teeth , and bringeth forth new : before sixe yeares of his age his upper double teeth doe fall , at the sixt yeare hee supplieth those that he wanteth , at the seventh yeare all are supplied equally , from that time he hath hollow teeth , and therfore it is hard to discerne their ages : at the tenth yeare their temples begin to waxe hollow , and the browes sometimes wax gray , and their teeth stick out . mares have their full increase in five yeares , but horses in sixe yeares . xenophon teacheth these properties to be observed in an horse . first , to know his age , then if he will take a bridle or not , after this if one may sit him , then if he will cast him that sitteth on him , and if he will fly or run away being let loose , or if hee may be soone taken , or if he being smitten with a stick , will goe th● swifter or not . of certaine monstrous people in india . many are found in india , both men , women , and beasts full of haire , and with leaves and mosse on them , which commeth of the great heate that there is . pliny saith , that the inhabitants of this countrey be coloured with the sunne , and thereby come to certaine blacknesse like unto the ethiops , not because they are outwardly so black through the adustion of the sunne , but naturally in their blood there is an inclination to blacknesse , the which the heate of the sun doth seeme to double . our ancestours have feigned many monsters in this country , as people with heads like unto dogges , armed onely with nayles , clothed with 〈◊〉 and skinnes , having no kinde of mans speech , but onely a kinde of barking . there bee some that live at the fountaine of ganges , which take no benefit by meat , but live onely by the savour of wilde apples ; and when they goe farre , they carry them for their maintenance , and live by the smell and savour of them . if they come into any filthy or stinking ayre , they must needs dye ; and it said , that some of them were seene in the tents and army of alexander . wee read also , that there bee certaine people with one ●ye in india ; and some to have so great ●ares , that they hang downe even to their feete , and many to have but one foot , and that so great , that when they lye down on their backs , and would keepe them from the sunne , the shadow of that onely legge doth comfort them . it is read also , that there is a nation which hath gray haires in youth , the which in age waxe blacke , and also men say , there is another kind of women which conceive at five yeares of age , but they live not above eight yeares : there be some that lack neckes , and have eyes in their shoulders : there bee wilde men also with heads like unto dogs , with a rough and hairy body , which make a terrible hissing , but these and such like are not to be credited , and taken for truth , except great reason can perswade that such may be , and experience can prove the same . it is also thought , that there is a certaine people called pygmeis , which be never in peace , but when the cranes ( with whom they have continuall warres ) flye into other countries . these pygmeis are short men of stature , inhabiting in the extreame part of the mountains of india , where is a wholesome and good ayre , who exceed not twenty seven inches in stature . for pygme is as much to say as a cubite . these pygmeis fight with cranes , but they have the foyle : the report goeth that they sit upon the backs of rams or goats , and have arrowes for their weapons , and so in the spring time with a great army they come to the sea , and there consume the cranes egges and yong ones , and that this expedition is made in three moneths , for otherwise they were not able to resist the cranes : their cottages bee made of clay , feathers , and egge-shells . but of the nature of cranes the authors write in this manner . when the cranes take a flight , they consent together , and flye very high , for to marke and behold : they chuse a captaine and guide whom they follow ; in the latter end of the company they have those that may cry , and may lead the whole flocke with their voyce , they have their watches every night by turne , which hold a stone in their feet , which falling from those that are weary for lacke of sleepe , argueth and reprooveth their negligence by sound : the other sleep with their bils and heads under their wings standing upon each feete by course , the guide looketh forthwith his neck straight forward , and fore-sheweth things to come . when they are mad tame they waxe lascivious , and run , and flye in round compasses with shaking their wings . of the ants of india . megasthenes writeh of the ants in india after this sort , there is an hil of thre thousand furlongs in compasse in india , and many gold mines therin , the which are kept with ants as big as foxes , getting their living with a marvellous celerity in hunting , they dig and scrape the earth that bringeth forth gold , and heapeth it up at the hole of their dens ; the which , merchants doe privily steale away , laying flesh for a bait to stay the ants , if perhaps they should marke them . this is thought of many to bee a fable , and therefore i leave it at large to judge of it as you think best . of indian apes . about the mountain called emodij , there is a great wood full of great apes , the which as the macedonians did see standing as it were thicke together upon the hills , and having weapons like men of warre ; ( for that kinde of beast commeth as neare to humane subtilty as elephants doe ) they would have set upon them as enemies , had not the inhabitants of that countrey beene present , and shewed to alexander , that it was nothing else but an assembly of apes , which contend to imitate such things as they see , and so that battell was turned to laughing . apes are taken after this manner : they that hunt apes , set dishes full of water in the sight of the apes , and therewith they annoint and wash their eyes , and suddenly with as privy speed as they can , they take away the water , and set pots with birdlime , and such like stuffe instead thereof : the apes perceiving them annointing their eyes , being given to follow all things , come downe immediately from the trees and thinking to doe as the men did , they dawbe and annoint their eyes and mouthes with birdlime , and so are they easie to bee made a prey , and taken alive . they use also another trade to take them : they take buskins and put them on in the sight o● the apes , and so depart , leaving others annoynted inwardly with birdlime , and such like , and somewhat hairy , that the fraud might not appeare , the which the apes plucking upon their legs , are so snared and intangled with it , that they cannot escape the hands of the hunters . there are in india also dogs of such courage , that two of them can master a lyon. of the diamond-stone . the diamonds be found amongst the mettals of india , aethiope , araby , macedony , cyprus , and many other places . the indian diamond shineth with a more orientnesse then the others . there is one kinde of this stone that is somewhat of an iron colour , and differeth not much from a christall colour , for commonly it is somewhat white , but it is harder then christall ; so that if it be layd upon the smiths anvile , and most vehemently beaten with a hammer , rather the anvile & the hammer wil breake asunder , then that will be divided in parts , and it doth not only resist the blowes of iron , but also the heate of the fire , so that it will not melt , nor give place thereto . for if we may give credit to pliny , it will never waxe warme , and that because it cannot be more purer then it is , for it is never contaminate . but yet the strange hardnesse of this stone is made so soft with the warme blood of a lion , or of a goate , that it may be broken . in scalding lead it taketh such heate , that it may be dissolved : but this hardnesse is not in every diamond : for that which is of cyprus , or called syderites , may be broken with a mallet , and pierced through with another diamond . the diamond doth deprehend and detect poyson , and maketh the working thereof frustrate , and therefore it is desired of princes , and had in great price and estimation . the tenne persecutions under the roman emperors . the first beganne in the 13 yeare of the reigne of nero , in such sort , that the christians were faine to hide themselves in caves of the earth . the second beganne in the 12 yeare of the reigne of domitian , who caused st. iohn the evangelist to be put in a vessell of burning oyle , whereof he received no hurt . the third beganne in the tenth yeare of the reigne of tratan , which ceased afterwards by the pitty and meanes of pliny second , prefect of the empire . the fourth began under marcus antonius , and aurelius commodus empire . the fifth began at the commandement of the emperour severus . the sixt began at the indignation of maximinus , who especially persecuted the clergy ▪ the seventh began under the emperour docius , and continued cruelly . the eighth began under the emperour valerius , who though at the first hee were a christian , yet afterwards being corrupted by certaine hereticks , hee became a most cruell persecutor of christ his church . the ninth beganne under the emperour aurelianus . the tenth began by the commandement of the emperours dioclesianus and maximianus herculeus : this persecution was farre more cruell and generall then any of the rest : insomuch that dioclesianus in the orient , and maximianus in the occident , destroyed all churches , and tormented the christians with all strange torments . of the calechut the famous mart of india . the compasse of the citty of calechut is the space of sixe thousand buildings , which be not joyned together as our houses be , but are separate a good space asunder : the length of the citty is a thousand paces , their houses be very low ; so that they are not above the height of a man on horse-backe from the ground , they be covered in the top with boughes and branches of trees commonly . their king is addicted to the worshipping of devils : he doth not deny god to be the maker of heaven and earth , and the first cause and author of things : but hee saith , that god appointed the office of judgement to an ill spirit , and to doe right to mortall men , and this spirit they call deumo . the king hath the picture of this devill in his chappell , sitting with a diadem on his head , like unto the bishops of rome , but his diademe hath foure hornes about , and this picture gapeth with a wide mouth , shewing foure teeth : it hath a deformed nose , grimme and terrible eyes , a threatning countenance , crooked fingers , with tallants and feete much like unto a cocke : they that looke upon this horrible monster , are suddenly afraid , it is so loathsome and terrible a thing to behold . about the church are painted devils , and in every corner sathan is made of brasse sitting , with such workmanship , that hee seemeth to cast flames of fire for the consuming of soules miserably , and in his right hand the picture of the devill , putteth a soule to his mouth , and with his left hand it reacheth another . every morning their priests doe clense this idoll with rose-water , and other sweete waters , and they perfume it with divers sweete things , falling downe and worshipping it . they put the blood of a cocke weekely in a silver vessell , filled with burning coles , and a great number of sweet perfumes , and taking ● censar , they make it redole●● with frankincense , and have a little silver bell ringing all the while . and the king eateth no meate before that 4 priests have offered to the devill somewhat of the kings dishes . the king at his dinner sitteth on the ground , without any cloth under him , and the priests standeth round about him as hee sitteth , never comming neerer him , then within foure paces , marking the kings words most reverently : when he hath done eating , the priests offer the reliques of the kings meate to yong crowes and birds to be eaten , which fowle is an haynous thing to kill , and therefore they flye every where in safety . when the king marrieth a wife , he useth not to goe to bed unto her , before that his new married wife hath been defloured of the most worthy priest. for this whoredome , the king giveth him as a reward five hundred crownes . the priests are in the first order of estimation with them , then senators which beare a sword and a buckler , a bow and a javelin , when they goe abroad . thirdly they esteeme artificers . fourthly fishers ▪ fiftly merchants for wine , and pepper , and acornes . last of all such as sow and gather rice . they have no great respect o● apparrell , but to cover their privy parts : they goe bare-foot and bare-head . when the king is dead , if there bee any males alive , either children , brethren , or brothers children , they succeed not in the kingdome , but the sisters sonne by their law must have the scepter : and if there be no such , then he succeedeth in the crowne , which is nearest of consanguinity , and this is for none other cause , but because their priests have defloured their queene . when the king goeth forth into some strange countrey , or to hunt , the priests kepe the queene company at home , and nothing can be more acceptable to the king , then that they should be acquainted with the queene in venerous acts , and therefore the king knoweth for a certainty , that those children which he hath by his wife , cannot be accounted his children ; but he taketh his sisters children as most neere unto him in lawfull consanguinity , and taketh them heires to the crowne . the merchants keep this order , such wives as they have , they man change them in the colour of a better conjunction ; and that one saith to the other , seeing the you have bin my best ●riend , let us change our wives , upon that condition that you may have mine , and i may have yours : then saith the other , say you so in earnest ? ye saith he by pollux . then saith his fellow , let us goe home to my house ; whither when they are come , the one claymeth anothers wife , saying , come ●●ther woman , and follow this man , because from hence forth hee shall be thy husband : then the woman saith , do you spea● in earnest ? to whom her first husband saith , i doe not mock ; then the woman saith , gladly i will follow him : and this i● the way of changing thei● wives . there be some women in this countrey that may marry seven husbands , and lye wi●● them every night by course , and where shee is delivered of ● childe , shee may choose t● which of her husbands she wil● father her childe , so that the man may not refuse it by any meanes . many other strange things is rehearsed of this nation , the rehearsall whereof were very tedious heere . there is much pepper growing in this countrey of calechut , the stalk of pepper is but weak , somwhat like to a vine stalke , so that it cannot grow without a prop : it is not much unlike to ivye , for it windeth and creepeth as that doth , and with a more deepe clasping it windeth about the tree : this hath many branches three handfull long . they gather it in october and november , being greene as yet , and lay it on tiles in the sunne to bee dryed , where in three daies space it waxeth black , even as we have it . ginger groweth in calechut , but much is brought out of cravonor thither . cynamon is in the isle of zaylon , fifty germain miles beyond calechut . pepper groweth in the fields of calechut , but great store is brought out of crimucoll , 12 miles beyond chalechut . cloves are gathreed in a place called meluza , a little from calechut . nutmegs groweth in melaccha , which is a great way from calechut . mus● or castoreum commeth from the countrey of pego , which is an hundred miles from calechut . pearle and precious stones are found about the city of ormus ▪ and sent to calechut , the general mart of all the east parts . and many other spyces , silkes , and strange things , are brought from these countries into ours . the end of the iewes answerable to their lives . seldome hath it been known , but alwayes a wicked life hath had a shamefull end , and this without searching any further for examples , may evidently be seene in the nation of the iewes : their lives being odious towards god , proved as shamefull to men : they generally exercised inhumanity to strangers , despised the prophets , and mocked their priests : they were given to fearfull oppression and usury : they did not honour their magistrates , nor parents : they practised contentions , and seditions : they prophan'd the sabbath of god : they were extreamly unthankful , and as extreamly disobedient to god , in a word , they left not any notorous sinne unpractised , and for the prosecution of these lewd courses ▪ it pleased heavens justice to make them a shame , a curse , and an astonishment to all the world and themselves : for as they sold gods word and his sacrifices , so in vespasians time they were publickly sold for slaves , to the number of thirty seven thousand persons at once : as they dealt with strangers , so to this day are they used by all strangers , as they cared not for their priests , so are they now deprived both of country , citty , temple , and priests : as they used oppression , so are they now to this day oppressed , and mis-used by all nations without pitty or remorse , nay , even their owne curses , which they wished might fall upon them , are indeed fallen justly ●pon them and theirs : what ●eed i be tedious , it is most manifest to all men , that they ●re as justly miserable and con●emned , as they were unjust in ●heir impieties , so that they who did refuse to bee vessels ●or mercy , are deservedly made ●essels of justice , that although gods will was not done ●y them , yet it is done upon ●hem . discite iustitiam moniti , & non tomnite divos . the seven wonders of the world. the first were the walls of babylon , built by semiramis , of stone joyned together with a strange kind of slimy and gluish morter , which groweth in th● mines of those countries , an● especially in the lake whe●● stood in time past sodome an● gomorrah , now called asfalti●● these walls according to t●● towne , were built in quadrangle and contained in circuit ( as sai●● pliny in the twenty sixt chapter of his sixt booke ) 60 miles so that every square was si●teene mile long ; they were 〈◊〉 foot high , and fifty foot thick and to build these walls wer● hired by semiramis , out of di●vers countries for a long spac● 300000 men . the second was the pillar o● the sunne , offered by the gen●tiles unto iupiter . this pilla● stood in the i le of rhodes , an● was made of iron in the form of a man , of incredible great●nesse , in so much that a ma● might scarce fadome the great ●inger thereof . after it had stood 56 yeares , it fell down by reason of an earth-quake , and so ●ay till the iland was wonne by ●he souldan of egypt ; who car●yed so much mettall away , as ●oaded 900 camels . the third , were the pyramides of egypt : among the which ●here is one especially noted , a●out the citty of memphis , now ●alled grand caire : this piramid●overed ●overed about 40 acres of land , ●t the foote or foundation there●f , it was all built of marble●tone , and in the building ●hereof were imployed conti●ually for the space of 20 years , ●600000 men ; and for the suste●ance of these workmen , was ●is burst in radish , and such other ●oots 1800 tallents , which ac●ording to our reckoning , is the summe 1880000 crownes : this might seem incredible , were it not that it is affirmed by so many authors of authority . the fourth was the mausol , of mausolus king of caria , and husband to artemisia so called : this woman for the great love shee bare to her spouse , burned his dead body , and dranke the powder thereof , thinking no sepulcher so worthy as her owne body ; and the rest of the powder shee buried in this famous tombe , the stone whereof was of an excellent kind of marble , it was 411 feet in circuit , and 25 cubits high , & was invironed about with 36 pillars of stone , wonderfully well carved . the fift was the temple o● diana , builded by the amazones : it was 455 foot long , and 220 foot broad , and in it stood 127 marble pillars , each of them being 70 foote high : the worke thereof was so wonderfull curious , that it was 220 yeares a making . the sixt , was the image of iupiter olympius , in achaia ; all of porphyre , an infinite number of little pieces joyned together : this image , besides the excellency of the worke , is especially noted for the greatnesse thereof , and was the more famous , by reason of the game called olympiades , there kept . the seventh , was the tower pharos , nigh unto alexandria in egypt ; builded by ptolomeus philadelphus ; king of egypt , to direct the passengers which came to take haven thereabouts , by burning of pitch , or other like things in the toppe : this tower was of a marvellous height , and singular workmanship ; the building wherof cost according to our money 480000 crownes , some authors put for the seventh wonder , the gardens and orchards upon the walls of babylon . others put the obelisque of semiramis ; which differeth in nothing from a pyramid , saving that it is all one stone : the obelisque , semiramis caused to be wrought , and taken out of the mountaines of armenia : it was a hundred and fifty foot high , and every square was foure and twenty foot broad at the bottome ; so that it contained in circuit 96 foot . the sixe ages of the world. in the dividing of these ages there is great contrariety of opinions among writers ; for that some follow the computation of the 72 interpreters , and some follow the hebrewes , and the common text of the bible . the first age from the creation of the world till the universall flood , endured according to the hebrewes , 1656 yeares , which agreeth with the saying of s. hierom , bede , phil● , and the common text of the bible . the 72 interpreters , and eusebius hold that it endured 2242 yeares , and saint austine is of opinion , that it endured 2272. of this age few , or no things are recited worthy of memory : except the birth of the first man adam , and the creation of all things . the second age from noahs flood till the birth of abraham , endured according to the 72 interpreters , eusebius , and the greatest part of writers 942 , and according to the hebrews , but 292 yeares : saint austin counteth 172 yeares . in this age was builded babel , the tower of confusion : the empire of the assyrians beganne , and the great citty of ninive was builded , which contained in circuit three dayes journey . the third age from abraham to david , endured by the agreement of all authours 941 yeares . during this age was the peregrination of abraham : the beginning of the amazones , sodome and gomorrah were destroyed : ioseph was sold to the egyptians : moses passed the red sea : iob the just lived : iason conquered the golden feece : the destruction of troy : the latins began to reigne in italy . the fourth age from the beginning of the reigne of david , till the leading of the iewes captive into babylon , endured 485 yeares : during this age the empire of assyrians was translated to the medes , the olympiades of the grecians began : carthage was builded by dido , and rome by romulus : byzance was also builded : the destruction of ierusalem by nebuchadnezzar , and thereupon the calamity of the iewes . the fift age from the transmigration of babylon to the comming of christ , endured by the agreement of all , 589 yeares . during this age cyrus beganne the monarchy of the persians : the 70 yeare of this age the jewes returned to their countrey : consuls beganne to rule in rome : xerxes invaded greece with an army of 1000000 men : plato , aristotle , and demostenes flourished with many other worthy philosophers : alexander wonne the monarchy of the world : the destruction of carthage by the romans : c●●sar usurped the empire of rome . the sixt age beganne at the birth of our saviour christ , which yet endureth , and shall endure to the end of the world . of the bridges of singui and quinsai . there be numbred in the city of singui , about six thousand bridges of stone , having so large arches , that shippes may passe through without bending of the mast. there is another city called quinsay in asia , which containeth in the circuit of it , above an hundred italian miles , which make 25 german miles ; it is thought to bee the greatest and most notable city in the world. it hath 12 thousand bridges of stone , so high and large , that a ship may passe upright through them . of certaine illusions of devils about tangut . there is seene and heard about the desarts of tangut in the day time , and more commonly in the night , divers illusions of devills : therfore travailers that way , ought to take good heed , that they ●ever not their companies , and least any comming behinde might hinder them , for otherwise they shall soone loose the fight of their companions , for the hils and mountaines : there be heard the voyces of spirits and devills , which going solitarily , will call other by their names , feigning and counterfeiting the voyces of their companions , the which if they can by any meanes , doe lead men out of the way to destruction : there be hard sometimes in the ayre , the consents and harmony of musick-instruments : there bee many worshippers of idolls , and they attribute much honour to the devills , when their wives have a sonne , they commend him to some idoll , and in the honour of it , that yeare the father keepeth up a ramme , the which after the nativity of the childe , at the next feast of that idoll , he offereth with his sonne , and many other ceremonies . when the sacrifice is done , they bring the flesh which was offered to some secret place , and all his kinsfolkes gathred together , doe eate of that with great devotion , keeping the bones reverently in some vessel . in this countrey is found a serpent called salamandra , which liveth in the fire without any damage , those serpents are used for the making of such cloth as may suffer the fire without any corruption or harme , or else when any spot commeth to any garment made of the haires of a salamander , it may bee cast for an houre in the fire , and all the spots will be gone , no otherwise then if they had bin very cleane washt . of the cocatrice . there is in affrick a kinde of serpent called a cocatrice , which hath a white spot on his head , having the fashion of a diadem . his head is very sharp , his mouth red , his eyes somewhat blacke in colour , as pliny saith , with his hissing he driveth away all kinde of serpents . hee destroyeth with his breath young trees and plants , consumeth herbs , breaketh stones , infecteth the ayre where he tarrieth , so that a bird cannot fly over that ayre or through it , without danger of death . yet it is said , that the poison of a weasell is his destruction . aelianus saith , that he hath so sharpe poison , that exceeding not in length a mans hand , yet hee extinguisheth every great serpent with his onely breath . there is not a more hurtfull or more pestilent beast upon the earth , for this lying in his denne , may destroy a whole citty by infection . of the crocodile . the crocodile is found commonly about the water of nilus and ganges in india , and waxeth of a little thing to a very great beast . for his egges are much like unto goose-egs , but the yong which commeth of them , taketh encrease to sixteene or eightee●● cubits in length : hee liveth almost as long as a man , hee lacketh a tongue , his body is ma●●vellously defended of nature for all his backe is full of scales and wonderfull hard , his 〈◊〉 is long , hee hath many teeth on both sides of his mouth , whereof two doe especially hang out , he doth not onely devoure man , but also other earthly beasts comming neare to the water , he dismembreth them with his nayles , which hee hath sharper then any weapon . his biting is cruell and sharpe , and hee so rendeth with his teeth , that it can never bee healed : there is great store of them about nilus , because they are very fruitfull of themselves , having young every yeare , and also they are seldome taken . it is a fearefull beast , flying from those that persecute him , and persecuting those that fly from him . it is said , that when hee goeth about to devoure a man , that hee beginneth to weepe , whereof hath sprung this proverb , the teares of a crocodile : that is , when one doth weepe with his eyes without compassion , and not with his heart and minde . pliny saith , that this beast onely in his biting doth move his upper jaw , he liveth in the day time upon the land , and in the night time in the water , his eyes be very dull in the water , and his sight is marvellous sharp out of the water . some say , that hee groweth and encreaseth as long as he liveth . the twelve apostles with their martyrdomes . iames the sonne of zebedee , called maior , for that he was chosen to be an apostle , was sent to convert spaine , from whence by reason of the obstinacy of the people , ( for he converted in all but nine persons ) hee returned shortly againe to preach in iudea , where by the envy of a jewis● bishop called abiathar , hee was accused and beheaded by the consent of herod agrippa . his body was conveyed by his disciples first to ierusalem , and from thence to spaine , where it yet remaineth in compostella , a famous pilgrimage . iames , the sonne of alpheus , called minor , for that hee was last chosen ; he was the first bishop of ierusalem , and that by the space of thirty yeares : and then as he was preaching in the temple , he was throwne headlong downe by the pharises , and by them stoned to death . he was buried by the temple . simon , by christ called peter , through the indignation of nero , because he had overcome simon magus , was crucified with his head downeward , according as he desired . saul , after his conversion called paul , after he had endured and escaped many dangers and torments , as beating with rods , and put in the stocks by philippus , stoned in lystra , delivered to wilde beasts in ephesus , bound and beaten in ierusalem , and many others : lastly came to rome , where by the commandement of nero , he was beheaded , ( because he was a roman borne ) the same day that peter was crucified . paul instead of iohn , because he ended not his life with martyrdome . philip , after hee had preached through the whole countrey of scythia , and converted a great part thereof , in the space of twenty yeares , was at the last in the citty of hierapol●● ( when hee had there extirpe● the heresie of the hebeonites ) fastned to the crosse , and so dyed . bartholmew went to preach in india , and afterward came to albania , a citty of armenia the greater , where he converted the king of that citty , and destroyed the idolls . wherefore by the commandement o● astiagus brother to the king polemius , whom hee had converted , hee was flead alive . his body was afterwards brought to italy , and is , as some say , at rome . andrew , simon peters brother , went first to preach in achaia , and afterward preached in scythia : but lastly hee was taken at patras , a city of achaia ; by egeas , proconsull of that province : who , because he had converted his wife maximilla , cast him in prison , where hee was sore beaten , and lastly stretched out , and bound on a slop● crosse , to augment his torment , and so dyed . thomas preached the gospell to the parthians , medes , persians , hyrcanians , bragmans , and converted a great part of india ▪ he was by the infidells throw● into a burning furnace , and came out unhurt . finally , because he prayed god to destroy the idoll of the sunne , which the infidells would have compelled him to worship , hee wa● by them thrust through with speares and swords . mathew , after he had preached much in iudea , he went into ethiopia , and there converted the greatest part of tha● countrey . finally , having newly ended his prayers , and lifting up his hads to heave by the al●ar , certaine spies came behinde him , and ranne him through with their swords : which was ●one by the commandement of a king of those coun●ries . iudas , called also thaddeus , after the ascension of our lord , was sent by thomas to heale a●agar king of of edissa : afterwards hee preached in pontus , ●nd mesopotamia , and converted ●any cruell and barbarous people . lastly , hee came to persia , there for confounding of their ●dols , hee was suddenly runne ●pon , and murdered by the pa●●n bishops of that countrie . ●e is buried at netre a citty of armenia . simon , called cha●aneus , bro●●er to thaddeus , and iames the ●●sse ; after hee had preached in ●●ypt , returned to ierusalem . whereof by the consent of the apostles , he was made bishop after the martyrdom of his brother iames. as touching his death and martyrdome some say , that hee suffered with his brother iudas thaddeus in persia , others , that he was through t●● envy of hereticks , accused to 〈◊〉 a christian before the consul● atticus , and therefore crucified as his master was . mathyas , after the ascension 〈◊〉 christ , chosen by the apostle● to supply iudas roome , wa● borne at bethlehem , and descended of the tribe of iuda : he preached altogether in iud●● where lastly he was accused b● his enemies of perjury , or ra●ther blasphemy ; and therefor● he was condemned to be stone● to death by two men : duri●● which torment , one smote hi● with a hatchet , and so hee suffred martyrdome . the seven wise men of greece . bias borne in the haven-towne of pri●ne , in the countrey of ionia . solon borne in the iland of salamine : chilo borne in lacedemonia : cleobulus borne at lindus in the i le of rhodes : pi●ta●us borne at mitylene in the i le of lesbos : thales borne at mi●eto in greece : periander king of corinth . yong fowles hatched , and brought forth without the dammes and females . foelix vlmensis and britenbachius write in their bookes of common peregrination and travaile , that in alexandria and and in egypt , there bee ove●● made full of holes , wherein are laid three or foure thousand egges , some of geese , some of hens , some of pigeons , some of ducks , and that they are hidden and covered in dung , and that hot coales are set a farre of about the dung , so that through the temperate heate of these things , the egges by little and little waxe warme in the dung , even as it were under the hen ▪ and at length the young are hatched and brought forth , so that they come by flocks out of the dung , and from thence are taken , and led abroad to bee fed at liberty . the rites and manners of the egyptians . the egyptians were almost the first in the world , wherof other nations learned , and took their lawes , wisdome , manner , and living : and wee reade that for learning sake , homer , dedalus , solon , plato , and many other went thither . foralthough they were gentiles , and not be●eeving on god , yet they studied much for honesty and goodnes : and with their honest conversation , did allure strangers and good men to come unto them , ●nd to learne that which they ●ould not finde in other pla●es . their women in times ●ast did use merchandize and ●ll things which appertained ●o chapmen : the men did weave and spinne within the house , and carrie burdens on their heads , the which the womē did use to bear on their sholders : the men did make urine sitting , but the woman did contrary : they did discharge their bellies at home , but their banquets they kept in high wayes , they moulded bread with their feet , and stirred their clay with their hands . they did use to write after the hebrewe fashion , beginning their letters on the right hand . when any of them met together at dinner or supper , before they departed , there came in one that brought a picture of a dead man , upon a staffe made o● wood , of a cubit length , 〈◊〉 somewhat more , and shewet● it to every one of the guests ▪ saying , behold , and looke upo● this , drinke , and bee refreshed with pleasure , for such a one shalt thou be after thy death . their lawes were such , that perjured men lost their lives , as though they had beene guilty of two offences : the one of violating piety towards god , the other of breaking faith and promise amongst men , which is the surest knot of humane society . if any travailer found any man beaten of theeves , and would not helpe him if he could , he should bee found culpable of death ; if hee were not able to helpe him , he was bound to detect the theeves , and to follow the action against them : and he that did neglect to doe this , was punished with certaine stripes , and kept without meat for three dayes . if any father killed his son , there was no punishment of death appointed , but for 3 daies and nights , continually hee was commanded to bee about the dead body ; for they thought it no just thing to take away life from him , that gave life to his children , but rather that hee should bee punished with continuall paine and repentance of his fact , that others might fear to do the like . paracides they caused to bee burned upon an heape of thornes : and such as uttered any secrets to their enemies , they caused their tongues to bee cut out : and they that did counterfeit or clip mony , had both their hands cut off ; so that with what part of the body the offence was made , with the same hee should tollerate punishment . if any had violated a free woman , his naturall parts were cut off , because in one fault he committed three haynous things , that is , an injury , corruption , and confusion of children . he that was taken in voluntary adultery , had a thousand stripes with rods , and the woman was mangled upon the nose . the priests could have but one wife , but the laity as many as they could keepe . the bringing up of their children was with small cost , for it came not unto the charge of twenty groats the whole education of their full age : and and this is not to bee marvelled at , because egypt is a hot countrey , and therefore they live naked without any kinde of garment ; and they feed upon roots , the which , they eate sometimes raw , and sometimes rosted in imbers . the priests did teach their children especially geometry , and arithmeticke . they did drive away sicknesse either with fasting or with vomit , the which they used every third day . their opinion was , that all diseases came of superfluity of meates , and therefore that to be the best cure , which tooke away the matter and causes . the seven saxon kingdomes that england was once divided into . the first was the kingdome of kent , which had his beginning of the saxon hengist , in the yeare of our lord 476 , and the fift yeare of vortiger king of britaine , his last reigne , ( for he had beene deposed ) the kingdome continued 342 yeares , till that egber● king of westsaxons , vanquished baldred last king thereof , and joyned it to his owne kingdome . the second kingdome was of sussex , or southsaxons , which began by the saxon ella , in the yeare of our lord 482 : and the second yeare of aurelius ambrosius king of britaine . this kingdome continued not above 112 yeares . the third kingdome was of east-angles , or east-englishmen , and contained northfolke and suffolke : it was first begunne by the saxon vffa , about the yeare of our lord 492 : and the 11 yeare of aurelius ambrosius king of britaine . this kingdome continued 376 yeares ; the last king whereof was saint edmond , martyr'd by the danes . the fourth was the kingdome of westsaxons , containing the west-countrey of england , and had his beginning by the saxon cerdicus , the yeare of our lord 522 : and the fift yeare of arthur the great king of britaine , and endured from the first yeare of cerdicus , to the last of alured , the terme of 378 yeares . the kings of this countrey subdued at length all the other sixe kingdomes , which egbert beganne , and alured finished , making all the south part of this iland one monarchy . the fift was the kingdome of northumberland , containing the countries betwixt the river of humber and scotland , had his beginning of the saxon id● , king of brenicia ; the yeare of our lord 547 : and the second or last yeare of the reigne of aurelius canon , king of britaine . this kingdome of northumberland was at the first divided into two kingdomes , the one was called the brenicia , which bended towards the north , and the other deyra ( about ) the countrey of durham : and this kingdome continued some-while under one king , sometime under two , the terme of 409 years : first under the saxons , and then under the danes . the sixt kingdome was of the east saxons , or essex , which beganne by the saxon sebert , the yeare of our lord about 614 , and continued from the beginning of the reigne of sebert , till the eighth yeare of edward the elder , 293 yeares . the seventh kingdome was of mercia , containing huntingtonshire , hertfordshire , glostershire , and others : and was the greatest of all the other , taking his beginning of the saxon penda , in the yeare of our lord 626 , after the comming of hengist 126 yeares : during the reigne of cadwan king of britaine , and continued from penda , till that edward the elder chased out the danes , about 280 yeares . these 7 kingdomes of the saxons , beside that of wales and scotland , were all contained at once in this iland of britaine , and continued a long space . the foure monarchies . the first monarchy was of the assyrians , founded by ninus , about the yeare of the world 2220 , augmented by the queene semiramis , and after it had endured the terme of 1300 yeares , it was translated by arbactus unto the medes : and there having endured 350 years , it was lost by astyages , and conquered by cyrsu . the second monarchy was of the persians , founded by cyrus , the yeare of the world 3425 , which after it had endured 191 yeares , was lost by darius , and subdued by alexander the great . the third monarchy was of the grecians , founded by alexander the great , in the yeare of the world 3634 , and before christ , 320 yeares ; after whose death it was divided among the prefects , which in his life-time he had appointed in divers countries : by which division seleucus was king of syria , ptolomeus of egypt , antigonus of asia , cassander of macedonia and greece : all which countries were after subdued by the romans . the fourth monarchy or empire was of the romans , founded by iulius caesar , in the yeare of the world 3914 , after the building of rome 706 yeares , and before christ 47 yeares . this monarchy flourished about the space of 470 yeares , till that after the death of theodostus the great , it was divided by his two sonnes into two empires : arcadius was emperor of constantinople , which empire endured ( though afterwards much diminished by the invasions of barbarous nations ) untill the yeare of our lord 1453 , and then was quite lost by constantine , and conquered by mahomet second king of turkes . honorius was emperour of rome , which empire shortly after , in the yeare of our lord five hundred seventy five , and about the ninth moneth of the reigne of augustus , was utterly ruinated and spoyled by othacar king of gothes . and long after , in the yeare of our lord eight hundred and one , it was restored by charles the great , and by him united to the crown of france ; and by his successours translated into germany , where it yet remaineth as a shadow onely , or representation of the greatnesse and majesty of the ancient roman empire . how the torneyments and iustes beganne first in saxony . henry duke of saxony , in the yeare of our lord 931 , beeing assaulted and incombred much with infidels , and heathen nations , made an assembly of a great multitude of the nobility , to assist him in his warres against the saracens , wherein he had so good successe , that triumphantly he had the victory over them . thus after hee had given the repulse to the infidels , considering what a number of the nobility he had , dayly exercising themselves in martiall acts , thought it meet , that after the end of his long and great warres , to recreate them with ●ome honest and pleasant exer●●se : hee had compassion over ●hem , because some of them ●●habiting amongst cittizens , ●hould bee occupied with civill ●usinesse , and not in the exer●●se of noble and honourable pa●imes , meete for such persona●es as they were : and therefore ●e prescribed certaine articles , ●ccording to the which they ●hould live , and if they did trans●resse them , that they should be ●unished in the open tornia●ent : these articles were twelve ●n number . the first , whosoever of the nobility , should say or doe a●y thing against the holy faith , ●●e should be restrained from the torneyment , and if under ●he colour or excuse of the noblenesse of any of his ancestors , ●ny doth presume to enter the lists or the torneyment , let him with shame be driven away . the second , whosoever comming of noble blood , doth attempt any thing against the royall majesty of caesar , let him be punished openly in the torneyment , and of this article was the authour conradus , a prince of palatine . the duke of franconia was the authour of the third , which is this : whosoever comming of a noble house , betrayeth has lord , or forsaketh him , or exciteth to fly away in an army , without any necessary cause , or slayeth his innocent companions , let him have punishment in the open torneyment . the duke of sueneland made the fourth after this sort : whosoever comming of noble parentage , doth violate or defame by words or deeds , virgins or women , let him be openly corrected in the torneyment . the fift article the duke of bavaria made in this manner . if any of the nobility bee apprehended or reproved , to have corrupted or falsefied the seale , or to have violated his oath , or hath beene noted of infamy , let him as unworthy bee kept from the torneyment . the sixt is , if any noble-man did either secretly or openly slay his wife or bed-fellow , or had helped by his counsell or deede to the destroying of the lord , the law of the torneyment should take place against him . the seventh , if any did spoile and rob churches , chappels , widdows , or wards , or kept by force that which was theirs , from them , wheras they were rather to be helped and mainta●●ned , that he should bee duely corrected for it . the eighth , if any noble man were become an enemy to another , and did not maintaine h●● cause by lawfull order , or by martiall law , but would 〈◊〉 his adversary by robberies , 〈◊〉 by destroying of his goods , especially his wines and corne , whereby the common-wealth is endamaged , let him be tormented in the torneyment . the ninth , if any did presume to make any alteration , or s●● any heavy burden upon others , otherwise then of ancient times were used , howsoever it were done , &c. that hee should have his correction in open torneyment . the tenth , if any were convict of adultery , &c. in like ●anner let him be amended . the eleventh , whatsoever noble-man doth not live as a noble-man should doe , &c. in ●●ke manner let him bee puni●hed . the twelfth , hee that will ●e at the torneyment , not com●ing of noble parentage , or ●annot prove his nobility in ●ure descents , hee may not ●nter into the exercise of the torneyment . thus in a briefe summe you ●ay see the manner of the tor●eyment in saxony . the eight parliaments of france . the chiefe and generalle● justice of the realme 〈◊〉 france , is continually kept 〈◊〉 eight citties , wherein are pala●ces made expresly for the pu●●pose : and this generall kinde o● justice is divided into eig●● parts , according to the eig●● citties , and every of them a●● called parliaments , which diffe● very little from our tearm●● but whereas these are but fou● times in a yeare , those are con●tinually kept , each of them ha●ving instead of our lord chan●celour a chiefe president . the first and chiefest of thes● parliaments is that of pari● called the court of the peere● of france : and to the equit● ●nd judgement of this parlia●ent , many forraigne kings and ●rinces have submitted them●●lves in matters of greatest im●ortance , as to the most vene●ble and chiefest senate of ju●●●ce in the world . such were ●●e emperour frederick the se●●●nd , called barberossa , king 〈◊〉 both scycils , when he sub●itted himselfe to the judgment 〈◊〉 this court of parliament , as ●uching all the controversies 〈◊〉 his empire and kingdomes , ●hich he had against pope in●●cent the fourth : philip prince 〈◊〉 tarente , and the duke of ●urgundy , who submitted them●●lves to this parliament , for ●●e controversie betwixt them ●●on the expences of the reco●ery of the empire of constan●●nople . the duke of lorraine●bject ●bject to the empire , and the lord guy of chastillon , who submitted themselves to the judgement of this court , as concerning the limitation of their lands and possessions : the daulphin of vienna , and the earle of sav●y submitted themselves to the judgement of this parliament , concerning the suite betwixt them , for the homage of the marquisat of saluces . moreover , without the consent of this parliament , it hath not beene seene that the kings of france have done , or passed any matter of importance touching the state of the realme , so much is it respected both within the realme , and abroad . this court of parliament was first ordayned by philip the faire , king of france . the second parliament is at bordeaux , for the countries of guyen , gascoine , zaintonge , perigort , part of poictou , and others ; and was first ordained by charls the seventh . the third parliament is at roven , for the dukedome of normandy , first made exchequer by philip the faire , and afterwards continuall parliament by lewes the twelfth . the fourth parliament is at tholouze , first ordained for certaine times in the yeare by philip the faire , and afterwards made continually by charles the seventh , for the countrey of langue●oc . the fift parliament is at grenoble , for the countrey of daulphine , instituted by lewes the eleventh . the sixt parliament is at dijon for the dukedome of burgundy : it was likewise ordayned by the said lewes the eleventh . the seventh parliament is at aix , for the earledome of provence , appointed by lewes the 12. the eight parliament is at renes in britaine , ordayned by henry the second . of all these parliaments paris parliament is the chiefe ; and certaine cases are reserved to bee judged onely at the parliament of paris . of the oystridge . the oystridge is found especially in affrica , his head is covered with small haires , his his eyes be grosse and blacke , his neck is long , his bill is short and sharpe , his feete hath as it were a by partite hoofe . pliny saith , that hee exceedeth the height of a man on horseback , and that his wings helpe him little . but with his nailes which are like hoofes , hee taketh stones , and throweth against those which persecute him : hee doth digest whatsoever hee devoureth , be it never hard . hee is of a marvellous foolishnesse , for if he hath once hidden his head under a bush , hee thinketh himselfe safe and not to bee seene . it is said to be a simple and forgetfull thing , and that as soone as it hath brought forth egs , it forgetteth them , untill the yong commeth forth , which is thought to bee easily done , because they leave the egges in the warme sand , so that the yong may soone be hatched , the which the males doe feed and cherish when they are brought forth . when hee seeth that hee cannot avoide taking , he casteth stones against his followers , and many times hurteth them . his nest is commonly found in the sand , well made with bulwarkes and bankes , to keepe away raine from the yong . of the empire of cathay . the empire of cathay is ruled by the great cham. with this nation one man may have many wives , and when the husband dyeth , every wife pleadeth her owne cause before the judges , and sheweth her merits , so that which of them soever is adjudged to have been the most officious and dearest wife to her husband , shee in her best apparrell and all her jewels , as though shee had gotten the victory of the other , goeth willingly and merrily unto the heape of wood , where her husband shall be burnt , and lying downe by his carcasse and embracing it , the fire is kindled , and so she is burnt with her husband : the other of his wives after this , live in great shame and obloquy . they match not together for wealth or nobility , but for excellency of beauty , and procreation sake . the people of cathay have this opinion , that they thinke no other nation to see with both eyes , but themselves ; they are perswaded also , that they excell all other in subtilty of arts and sciences . it is a white kinde of people , without beards , of small eyes , and lacking true piety and due obeisance to god : for some of them worshippe the sunne , some the moone , others certaine images of mettals , and other some an oxe , so that they be full of monstrous superstition . the emperour keepeth his court at his citty called cambalu , which is the noblest mart in that part of the world : for there is almost never a day throughout the yeare , but that a thousand cart-loads of silke almost are changed , and brought there amongst merchants . the emperour keepeth in his court twelve thousand horsemen to keepe his body . their order of watching is thus : one captaine with three thousand gardeth the king within the palace for 3 dayes , and so doth another other 3 dayes following , and thus they keep their courses . when the emperour sitteth downe to meate , he hath his principall and greatest queen on his left hand , and his children which be of royall blood , on his right hand , in a lower place . no man that ●itteth downe in this hall , drinketh , or is served in any other vessell but of gold : the princes and noble-men that serve the king at his meate , cover their mouths with most fine silke clothes , lest they should breath upon the kings meate or drinke , and when the emperour taketh the pot to drinke , all the musitians begin to make great melody , and the other ministers bend their knees . the thirteene cantons of swisserland . the inhabitants of helvetia or swisserland , after they had emancipated themselves from the yoake of the empire , and expelled the nobility of the imperiall faction , beganne to make leagues and confederacies one towne with another , to fortifie themselves by that meanes against forraigne invasions , if any happened . and in processe of time , within little more then an hundred yeares , are increased to the number of 13 , which they call cantons , by which the whole countrey of swisse is governed and defended . and here ( according to their antiquity ) i place them the first that confederated together , and gave example to the rest , were vri , swits , vndervard , villages ; and these three by little and little , have drawne to their faction all the rest that follow , lucerne , zurich , citties ; glaris , zug , villages : berne , fribourg , soulleurre , baste , schaffouse , citties : appensel , village , whereof 7 professe the romish religion , viz. vri , swits , vndervard , zug , lucerne , fribourg , and soulleurre , the rest are zuinglians : which diversity of religion hath caused dissention , and mortall warres of late yeares among them , although they be all sworne together to defend their liberty against strangers . the twelve peeres , or paires of france . in the realme of france , to be a peere is the greatest dignity under the king , for that in many things they have almost equall authority with kings , for peere in the french tongue signifieth equall . but because it may bee too prolixe a matter to speake of their prerogatives , it shall suffice to number them , and each of their offices at the sacring or coronation of a new king. these ancient peeres are twelve in number , whereof six are of the clergy , and sixe are lay-men : the six of the clergy with their offices at the coronation , are the archbishop and duke of reins , which hath his accustomed charge to oynt and consecrate the king : the bishop and duke of lacon , whose office is to bring the holy ampoule , or divine water , wherwith the king is annointed ; the bishop and duke of langres , whose office is to bring the scepter , and the hand of justice ; the bishop and earle of beauvais , bringeth the kings cloake , the bishop and earle of chaalons , bringeth the kings ring ; the bishop and earle of noyon , bringeth the kings girdle . the sixe temporall peeres with their offices at the coronation , are the duke of burgundy , deane or chiefe of the rest , whose office is to bring the kings crown● : the duke of guyen bringeth the first square banner : the duke of normandy bringeth the second square banner : the earle of tholouse bringeth the kings spurres : the earle of champaine bingeth the kingly banner , or the standert of warre : and the earle of flaunders bringeth the kings sword . and although the five first temporall peeredomes be united to the crown , and the sixt bee subject to another prince , yet at the kings coronation , there are other noble men appointed to supply their roome and offices . these bee the twelve ancient peers , although since their creation others have beene made , which though they have like authority to judge in the court of parliament , yet they want offices at the kings coronation , and beare not that majesty that the other peeres doe , for that they are not of so great antiquity . the foure parts of the world. evropa so called from europa , daughter of agenor king of lybia ; and of the phoenicians brought hither ( as poets feigne ) by iupiter , in the shape of a bull : but as historians write , by a cretan captaine named taurus , is separated from asia , as is hereafter showne ; and from africk by the mediterranean sea . it is in length 2800 , and in bredth 1200 miles . asia so called from the daughter of oceanus and the●is , wife to iapetus , and mother to prometheus ; or as some say , of asia the sonne of manae , king of lydia ; is separated from europe by the river tanais , now called duina , by the sea called in time past palus meotides , now mare de zabache : and by pontus euxinus : now mare maiorica ; and by part of the mediterranean sea : a●d from africke by the river of nile , the red sea , and the aegyptian istmus ▪ it stretcheth in length 5200 miles , and in breadth 4560 miles . affrica , which some say , is so called of one affer , of the line of abraham , is separated from europe by the mediterranean sea , and from asia by the red sea , and the river of nile . affrica is in length 4155 , and in breadth 1920 miles . america or west india , so called of americus vespusius , but first found out by christopher columbus of genua , the yeare of our lord 1492 : it is like an iland round about environed with the great ocean : but the length and bredth no man knoweth . affrica is greater then europa , asia then affrica , and america bigger then all . the eight times that rome hath beene taken . rome was first taken by the gaules , under the conduct of their captaine brennus , the yeare of the foundation of the citty about 365 , and the yeare of the world 4835 , and the yeare before christ 364. this brennus is by the britaine and english chronicles reported to bee a britain , and brother to belinus , king of britain ; but neither the chronicles of rome , nor of gaul , doe speake of any such matter . rome was secondly taken by alaricke , king of gothes , after hee had held his siege to it the space of two yeares , which befell the yeare of the foundation of the citty 1164 , the yeare of our lord 412 , and the 25 yeare of the empire of honorius . it is written in the chronicles of constantinople , and in other places , that as alaricke ( being a christian ) marched with his host towards rome , a certaine monke , of holy life and great authority , came unto him , who having audience , admonished and counsailed him to breake off that evill purpose , and to remember that he was a christian , and that for gods sake hee would moderate his wrath , and that he should not take pleasure in the shedding of christian blood , sith that rome had not in any respect offended him : unto whom alaricke answered , thou must understand man of god , that it proceedeth not of mine owne will , that i go against rome : but contrarily i assure thee , that every day there commeth unto me a man , which constraineth and importuneth me thereunto , saying unto mee , hasten thee , goe against rome , destroy it utterly , and make it desolate . at which words the religious man being astonished , durst not reply , and so the king followed his enterprise . rome was thirdly taken by gensericke , king of vandales , the yeare of the foundation of the citty 1208 , the yeare of christ 456 , who sacked and burned in it many places , which befell in the empire of marcian . rome was fourthly taken by totila king of gothes , who because hee could not obtaine peace of the emperour 〈◊〉 , commanded the cittizens to avoyde the citty , and afterwards burned , sacked , and destroyed almost all the citty , walls , and the capitoll , and made it altogether desolate , in so much , that never since it could be repayred according to the first forme , although a while after , bellisarius peopled and repaired a great part thereof ▪ and calling againe the old inhabitants , fortified and strengthned much the walls . this desolation happened the yeare after the foundation the citty 1300● after christ 548 , and the 21 yeare of the empire of iustinian . rome was fiftly taken by the same totila king of gothes ; after that bellisarius had repeopled and repaired it . 〈◊〉 rome was ●ixtly taken by 〈…〉 and saracens , followers of mahomet his law , which in great multitude came into italy , and in the yeare of our lord 333 , fitting in rome , gregory the fourth , and governing the empire lewes the first , besieged , tooke , and sacked rome , prophaning the temple of saint peter : which done , they returned to their ships , charged with prey and prisoners . rome was seventhly taken by henry the fourth of that name , emperour of germany , sitting in rome gregory the seventh : this time rome was most cruelly destroyed , by reason that both the armies of the pope and the emperour skirmished , and fought long within , the citty , and the capitoll , which had beene before destroyed , was now again repaired , which befell the yeare of our lord 1082 : authors write , that rome was never so much endamaged at any time , as at this , by reason of the lamentable destruction that was done by the normans on the popes side , and germans for the emperour . rome was last taken by char●s the last duke of bourbon : who being slaine as hee scaled the walls at the first assault , and by that chance the souldiers being in liberty , and without a head , pittifully destroyed the citty , and committed all kinde of enormities , and barbarous cruelties , saving that they burned not the churches , although they spoyled and robbed them to the uttermost : for a great part of the army were germans , and most of the germans lutheran . this adversity happened ●o rome the yeare of our saviour 1527 , sitting at rome clement the seventh , and governing the empire charles the fift . sixe orders of chivalry , which continue at this day among princes . the first and ancientest of these orders of chivalry or knighthood , is the order of the garter , instituted the yeare of our lord 1348 in bordeaux , chiefe citty of the dukedome of guyne in france , by edward 3 , king of england , and then possessor of that dukedome : which order hee consecrated , and dedicated to saint george : though the motive of the institution thereof , proceeded of the losse of a garter , which hee supposed to have bin the countesse of salisburies : but i referre the reader to the chronicle . and it happened in this manner : as one day he was entertaining her with pleasant talke , a garter chanced to unloose and fall downe , the king indeavouring to take it up , wittingly caused such a jest , as moved the noblemen to laughter : the countesse there at blushing , and blaming that more then seemely familiarity of the king , for that hee had caused such a jest among the assistants , said sharply to him , and the rest , honi soit qui mal y pense : which englished , is , evill to him that evill thinketh . and the king in recompence of his rashnesse , sayd forthwith , that before it were long , those noble men which had made a jest and laughing at the garter fallen downe , should esteeme themselves much honoured to weare it for a marke of honour and chivalry , and thereupon ordayned the said order , and dedicated it to saint george , and made thereof 26 knights , and ordeyned that they should wear their clokes of violet-colour velvet ; their hoods of red velvet , lined with white damaske ▪ their bases of red velvet , and under the left knee a blew garter , buckled with gold , garnished with pretious stones , and about it wrought ●hese words of the countesse of salisbury ; honi soit qvi maly pense , ●nd a colour of gold , full of red and white roses , with an image of s. george hanging theron : and about these roses are written those words which are in the garter . there are of this order 26 knights , of which the kings of england are soveraignes : and it is so much desired for the excellency , that ● emperours , 22 forraigne kings , 20 forraigne dukes , and divers noble-men of other countries have been fellowes of it . abou● their necke they weare a blew ribbond , at the end of which hangeth the image of saint george , upon whose day the installation of the new knights is commonly celebrated , being the three and twentieth of aprill . and although it was first ordayned at bourdeaux , yet the said king edward the 3 , would that the siedge and place of the solemnizing thereof should bee at the church of windsor , here in england ; where at the same 〈◊〉 he founded canons , or a ●●nonry , for the better pro●perity of the knights of the order . the second order in antiqui●y , is the order of the annun●iation , instituted anno dom. ●356 , by amede the sixt of that ●ame ; duke of savoy , and sur●amed , the greene knight . the knights of this order , weare a great collar of gold , made winding with three laces , which are called of love , wherein are enterlaced these words , fert , fert , fert , every let●er importing his latine word , thus , f , fortitudo , e , ejus , r , rhodum , t ; tenuit : that is , his force hath conquered rhodes : and at this collar hangeth an image of our lady , and of an angell saluting her ; and for that occasion is called the order of the annuntiation . the colla● is of 15 links , to shew the 15 mysteries of the virgine , each linke● being inter-woven one with the other , in forme of a true lovers knot . the number is fourteen● knights , the solemnity is held annually on our lady-day , in the castle of saint peter in tu●rin . this earle ordeyned this order in memory of ami●● the great duke of savoy , which succoured the knights of saint iohn , when they conquered the i le of rhodes upon the turkes , in the yeare of our lord 1310. the third in antiquity is the order of the golden fleece , founded upon the fable of the golden fleece , that iason with the other argonautes went to seeke in the i le of colchos , which is to say , that hee went to the mine of gold ; or in analogie to gideons fleece , as some will , and ordeyned by philip the second , surnamed the good duke of burgundy , in the yeare 1430 : the compleate number of which order were at first 25 knights , and raised afterwards by the said philip to 31. charles the fift raised them to 51 : and now there bee as many as the king of spaine will invest with ●t . they weare a collar of gold , interlaced with an iron , seeming to strike fire out of a flint , the word ex ferro flam●am , and at the end hangs the fleece , or toison d'or : their clo●ks and hoods are of scar●et , garded with embroydery ●●ke flames of fire . philip ap●ointed for the celebrating of ●hat order st. andrews day , be●●g the 30 of november . but the emperor charles the fift , ( heire of the house of burgundy , and chiefe of that order ) changed their apparrell , and ordained that their cloaks should be of crimson velvet , and thei● hoods of violet colour velvet , and that underneath they should weare a cassocke of cloath o● silver . the fourth in antiquity is the order of st. michael the arch-angell , instituted by lewes the ii of france , the first day o● august , in the yeare 14●9 : an● ordained that of that orde● there should bee 36 knight● which afterward were augmen●ted to 300 , gentlemen 〈◊〉 name and of armes without ●●●proach , of whom hee himsel●● was chiefe and soveraigne , an● after him his successors king of france . and the brothers companions of this order were bound , at the receiving thereof , to forsake and leave all other orders , if any they had , either of a prince or any company , only excepting emperors , kings , and dukes , which beside this order , might weare that order whereof they were chiefe , with the agreement and consent of the king and brotherhood of the said order : and in like manner the said king of france might weare beside his owne , the order of other emperours , kings , and dukes . and for the connoissance of this order , and the knights thereof , hee gave ●o every of them a collar of gold , wrought with cockle shells , enterlacing one another with a double pointing ribbon of silke , with golden tagges , ●he word , immensi arenor oceani . which king francis the first , because his name was francis , changed into a white friars of franciscans girdle , made of a twisted coarde ; and hangeth on that coller a tablet of st. michael upon a rocke , conquering the devill . of the institution of this order , is made a book , containing 98 articles , wherein are set downe the things wherunto the knights of this order are subject . the fift order is that of the holy ghost , instituted by henry the 3 king of france , on new-yeares day , in the yeare 1579 it was called by the name of the holy ghost , because this henry was on a whitsonday chosen king of poland . of this also is written a booke , contayning the article whereunto the knights thereo● are bound . among the which i have principally noted one , that is , to defend and sustaine the clergy : for the king doth give to every of them the rent of certaine abbies , religious houses , or other spirituall lands , whereof they shall alow a certaine stipend , to the entertaining of a certaine number of religious persons in every religious house under him ; and for that benefit are sworne at the entring into the said order , alwayes to defend the spirituality , and maintaine the clergy in their priviledges ; but how they keepe their oath , it is well seene in every place of their spirituall possessions : and thereof my selfe have oftentimes had oeular experience : for travailing in that countrey , and passing o●tentimes by goodly religious hou●ses , i have sometimes for recre●ation ( having well tryed the courteous demeanor , that commonly religious men use towards strangers that come to view their houses ) entred into sundry of them : where i have divers times beene sufficiently enformed by the religious , how the king had given the rents and possessions of their houses to the knights of his order , with the conditions already rehearsed , which knights allow them such bare exhibition , that by reason it is not sufficient to entertaine the fourth part o● the number by them appoyn●ted , almost all of them a● constrayned eyther to forsak● their houses , and begge , o● else there to starve : throug● which occasion , many go●● religious houses are of late fallen in decay for want of reparation , trimming up , and inhabiting , and will do more and more without a redresse . and this have i learned in divers religious houses beside the common murmuring of the clergy : and so wee may see , how these knights , called of the holy ghost , for to defend and maintaine the spirituality , doe under pretence thereof , rob , and prodigally wast the spirituall possessions : so that it may seeme only to be a policy ( under the correction of better judgement ) put in the kings head , to diminish spirituall livings ( which in that countrey are wonderful great ) and satisfie his prodigall minde , in rewarding by that meanes his flatterers ; because through his exceeding lavishnesse , hee is scarce able otherwise to reward them . the bishop of rome considering what dismembring of church-lands , and decay of gods service commeth through this order in the realme of france , will not grant the confirmation thereof , although the king hath beene instant for the same : but notwithstanding the popes misliking thereof , the order is maintained , though to the great weakning of the religion in that countrey : yea , at the last celebration thereof , which was on new-yeares day even , 1581 , i saw three bishops were admitted into that order . the collar is of flowers de lys , and flames of gold , with a crosse , and a dove on it pendant , representing the holy ghost , wrought in orange-tauny velvet , garnished about with silver beames , which the knights of that order weare upon their cloakes , before their heart . their robe is a blacke velvet mantle , poudered with lillies and flam●s of gold and silver . none are admitted to this order , who cannot proove their nobility by 3 descents at least . the sixt order is of the bath , brought first into england 1●99 by henry the fourth : they are created at the coronation of kings and queenes , and the installation of the princes of wales : their duty is to defend true religion , widdows , maids , orphans , and to maintaine the kings rights . of the cannibals . the cannibals are wilde people , feeding uppon mans flesh , which is a very sweete kinde of flesh . if they get or finde any children within the age of 14 yeares , they feede them , and cram them as we doe capons , but those which are beyond 14 yeares of age , they kill them out of hand , devouring their hot guts immediately and the other parts of their bodies they salt , and lay up as we doe poudred flesh : they eaten women , but keepe them onel● for the bearing of children , 〈◊〉 we doe hennes for egges . if any for age is past childe bearing , shee doth all drudge●ry like unto a bond-woman they have no houses , but the erect many trees together , and so combine them in the top that it serveth for lodging . their beds be made of silke and hey , they have no iron , but they use bones instead of iron , they dresse their meate in earthen pots , mingling the flesh of parats , geese , ducks , and mans flesh together . they are now come to more civility then they had in times past . of the lyon. lyons live in many countries , in affrica they have a cruell and terrible looke , and thinne haires . pliny thinketh that his especiall valiancy is , when his maine covereth his necke and shoulders . in affrica for the scarcity of waters , many wilde beasts meete together at some one puddle , where males and females of divers kindes use naturall conjunction whereof commeth monstrous yong . aristotle saith , that the shee lyon hath at her first generation five yong , and that every year-after , shee bringeth forth lesse by one , untill shee waxe barren , and that her yong are without shape or fashion , about the bignesse of a weasell . herodo●us and gellius thinketh the contrary , that shee bringeth forth one every yeare . democritus saith , this beast onely , is bred and brought forth with open eyes , and that hee is given to little sleep , as it may appeare , because his tayle is often wagging as hee sleepeth . the male lyon maketh urine like unto a dogge , which is strong in savour . the lyons drinke seldome , they feed every other day , after satiety they be without meat for 3 dayes , they devoure such things as they can wholly : they live long . the lyon only of al fierce and cruell beasts , sheweth clemency towards the humble : for hee spareth the prostrate , and when he rageth he useth his violence rather against men then woemen . he never uttereth his force against infants and children but beeing driven with great famine thereto . his tayle is a note of his minde and stomacke , ( as the eares bee in a horse ) for if his tayle stirreth not , he is gentle and peaceable , the which is a rare thing , for he is most commonly angry . he keepeth his desire of revenging long , against any that hatve hurt him , being wounded , hee doth note and marke him that gave the wound , and in a great multitude will invade him . his bones are sound , and not hollow , whereof some write , that out of his bones fire may be striken as out of stones , and therefore sometimes he is so raging with anger , and in such a burning heate , that hee dyeth presently . he is never exasperate or moved , but either by famine or hurt . this one thing is to be noted in so cruell a beast , that wheeles runned about , and empty carts , and the combes and singing of cocks doth make him afraid , but especially hee is afraide of fire . of the people called the nigrites and others . there is a kinde of people nigh unto the confines of the west arabians , called azanagi , whose colour is betwixt blacke and ash-colour : they live with barley and dates , and camels milke , and because they are neare unto the nigrits , they feede sometimes upon divers kinde of pulse : they be no great feeders , for the scarcity of victuals maketh them to suffer and tollerate much famine . the portugals use merchandize with them in these our dayes . they cover their heads with a linnen roller , whereof one part hangeth downe by the fore-head , so that they cover al their mouth therewith . for they are almost as much ashamed to shew their mouthes as their privy parts , and therfore they keep their mouths close , never opening them , except it bee to take meate , and that because they would not let any filthy aire and vapour to slip out thereby . they doe greatly esteeme fat and corpulent woemen , and such as have large and faire breasts and dugges . within this countrey the travaile of sixe dayes journey will bring a man to a place called tagaza , from whence is brought much plenty of salt , the which is carryed away upon camels backs into divers places , and especially to the kingdome called melli. the people called mellitae be somewhat beyond the equinoctiall , and have most fervent heates , and therfore at certaine times in the yeare their blood is infected , so that if they had no remedy by salt , they could not live by any meanes : their salt is divided into such lumps , that one salt stone is enough to be borne upon one mans shoulders . but when they come to the countrey called melli , they loade one cammell with two salt stones , as for the poorer sort , that are not able to have cammels , they carry their salt upon their shoulders , and some upon their heads , and that in such a company , that they seeme almost in multitude like unto an army of men . this salt they bring unto a great water , where every one dischargeth his burden of salt upon the land , and make great hills thereof , leaving a certaine signe for the true knowledge of every mans heap , this done they depart : and then commeth the nigrits , who will not bee knowne , nor yet talke with any other kind of people , they come neer with their ships ▪ and where they see and perceive the heaps of salt , they lay great store of gold neigh unto every heap of salt , even as they thinke it convenient for the merchandize , and agreeable to equity for the exchange , and then they depart , leaving the gold and salt together . the nigrits which went a farre off returne againe , and every one looketh upon his owne heape ▪ and if the gold that was left by it , pleaseth him , and seemeth sufficient for the exchange , then hee taketh the said gold away ▪ leaving the salt behinde him and not minding to returne againe . if the heape of gold doth not seem unto them sufficient for the exchange of the heap of salt , then they leave both still , and depart againe in some secret place , minding to come againe within a little after . but those nigrits which cannot abide to be knowne , come againe to the said place , and take away such heapes of salt , as they see the gold to bee taken from ; or else they adde a little more gold to the heape that was left before , or otherwise they carry away their gold , leaving the salt still , if the bargaine please not them . and thus doe they use their merchandize , so that the one seeth not the other , and that by an old custome . it is a great labour with these nigrits to carry their salt upon their shoulders , because they lacke all manner of beasts meete for that carriage almost , the which commeth through the unfruitfulnesse of the earth : for they have very little store of grasse , and that which they have is pestilent also ; and therefore they dayly drinke water , wherein a little salt hath bin resolved , and this is their greatest remedy and most especiall medicine . they never have raine but in august , september , and october . but these men that come after this sort , and exchange gold for salt , without any talke of bargaine or sale , are thought to be marvellous blacke , having their lower lip hanging downe to the breast somewhat red , and within excoriate and chapped , so that blood commeth out , but the upper lip is small like unto ours ▪ and for this cause all their teeth may bee seene , which are a great deale bigger then ours : their lips are also thought to putrifie many times for the heat of their countrey , for the remedy whereof they use the benefit of salt . of prester iohns land . the rule and dominion of prester ihon is large , and of great compasse , this countrey excelleth in riches , in gold , silver , and precious stones . some say , that the aethiopes living under prestor iohn , are very good christians , and that foureteene kings doe homage and obeysance to the emperor prester iohn , whereof some bee tributary also to him . the great almner of prester iohn promiseth himselfe to fight for the holy●land . it is written , that thomas the apostle was buried in the kingdome of aethiope . there be beasts also in this countrey , that have seven hornes in their fore-heads . there bee white camels and white beares , and horses with two hornes : it is also said , that there bee birds or fowles in this countrey , which with their tallants and nailes , wil carry away an oxe or an horse to feed their young . in some part of this countrey it is thought that there bee men with hornes , and such as have but one eye before them , and two behinde them ; and some people that feede upon mans flesh , and devoure their owne parents , and slay , and eate those that are aged . and another kind of people that hath feet like un●o horse-feete , and very round . their women dwell severally , and have three kingdomes . the ●hree queenes of amazones set ●orth , and make preparations to wars with 300000 souldiers of women . the pigmeis in affrica bee good christians . the king of the pigmeis warre against the fowles which destroy fruite , and his people driveth them away with their voyces . it is said also , that there be certaine monsters , which above the loynes are seene formed like unto men , and beneath the loynes unto horses . the aethiopians have an artificious way to take lyons and unicornes . there have beene seene in times past , giants of three score and tenne cubits in compasse : and now in these dayes it is said , that many great giants bee there seene o● thirty and five cubits in height . the bird which is called a ph●●nix , and liveth three hundred yeares and more , is said , to bee set on fire , and burnt through the heate of the sunne , and that of her ashes , there springeth another yong one . there is great store of pepper gathred in the woods , which are full of serpents and scorpions . and men having heads like unto dogger , are sayd to bee very cunning in fishing . other people there are which have their faces in their breasts , they be strong and swift runners , and great searchers of gold and silver . many other such trifles & incredible things the iewes do fable upon the land of prester iohn , which are so far beyond all credit and likelyhood of truth , that i thought it better to omit them , then to occupy the reader in idle spending the time about them . of the mice of the alpes . there is a kinde of mice about the alpes almost as most as bigge as conyes , and not much unlike unto conyes , saving that their eares are shorter , and their tailes be long , almost 8 inches in length , their ●ore-teeth bee long and sharpe , ●nd if they be provoked they ●ite cruelly , their thighes bee ●hort , and very hairy under the ●elly ; they have feet somwhat ●●ke unto bears , with long claws , wherewith they dig and under●ine , and make very deepe ca●erns and holes : they will eate ●f bread , flesh , fish , apples , or ●ard egges , and when any such thing is offered unto them , they take it with their former clawes , and sitting on their buttocks after the manner of apes they feede and eate . they bee delighted much with white meats , as milke , cheese , and butter , and if they get any bread dipped in milke , they eate it up every bit , and making a noyse with their chaps like unto swine , when they feede upon sosse . when they play together they barke and jarre like unto whelpes . they be much give● to sleepe , and when they are waking , , they be alwayes given either to play , or to doe som●●thing , as to gnaw with the●● teeth , or to scrape with the●● clawes ; or else they carry 〈◊〉 their mouths something fro● place to place , especially su●● soft and tender things , as may good for their nests , as hay , straw , linnen , and such like , and they fill their jawes so full therwith , that they be not able to receive any more . if the cloth which they carry be of greater proportion then their mouthes can hold , then they drag it behind them on the ground . some of them have gray haires , and some have red . when they live thus wilde upon great hills and mountaines , and are minded to goe seeke their prey and food , one of them standeth in an high place , to warne them that be abroad seeking their preyes , if any feare or enemy bee at hand , and if hee perceiveth any body comming , then he barketh , at whose noise , all the other catch as much hay as they can , and come running away , and this is strange which they use . somtimes one and sometimes another lyeth downe upon his backe , and as much hay as may be laid upon his brest and belly , hee claspeth and keepeth fast with his feete , and then another of his fellowes getteth him by the tayle , and draweth him with his prey into his nest , and this provision they make for their nests to sleep the better in winter . when they see a man or beast passe by the mountains , they barke and jarre , and straight wayes all the other take that for a warning to runne to their nests . about autumn● they hide themselves in their nests ; the which they make so close , that no ayre nor water may scarre them : they lye hidden , and sleepe all the whole winter , yea , sixe or seven month● without any meate , rowlin● themselves round like unto a hedge-hog ; the inhabitants observe and marke the place of their nests , and dig the earth , untill they come unto them , where they finde them so oppressed with deepe sleepe that they carry them and their nests to their houses , and there doe they not wake from sleepe , if it be winter , except they bee heate by some great fire , or warme beames of the sunne . there bee commonly found in one nest , 7 , 9 , or 13. where any of them be kept tame at home , and be restrained from scraping & under-mining the earth , there ●hey heap up and carry to their nests every rag , or piece of garment which they get , and there●n they wrap themselves up and ●leepe all the winter . their ●lesh is much desired of woemen great with childe , and of those that have paine and griping in the guts , and of such as desire to be provoked to sleepe . and many that have beene troubled with the collicke , annointing their bellies with the fat and grease of this mouse , have found great ease . of the vnicorne . some say the unicorne is like unto a coalt of two yeares and a halfe old : in his forehead there groweth an horne which is blacke , in the length of two or three cubits : his colour is tawney like a weasell , his hea● like an hart , his neck not long his maine very thine , hangin● onely upon the one side , h● shankes be small and thinne , th● hoofes of his former feet be d●●vided like an oxe , and almost representing a goats foot . of his hinder feete his outward part is hairy and rough . the king of ethiope hath some store of these beasts , this beast is not commonly taken alive . some travailers have examined these countries of the unicorne , but never saw any ; onely there is a beast which very much resembleth him , and most thinke it onely to be a beast which is commonly called a rynocheros , which hath beene seene . the three seuerall crownes of the emperours of rome . the first crowne is of silver , when he is crowned at aquisgrane , for the realme of germany , and is kept at aix the chappell . the second crowne is of iron , when he is crowned at millain , for the realme of lombardy , and is kept at modene , a little town not far from millain . and the third is of gold , when hee is crowned at saint peters in rome , for the empire of rome , where it commonly remaines , being kept with 3 severall keys , by the 3 severall arch-bishops , and the keys one of iron , one of silver , and the other of gold. septem-viri , or the seven electors of the emperour of germany . the election of the emperours of germany is in this sort , the seven princes electors , called septem viri , meete early , about sixe of the clock in romaneo , there they consult untill nine , from thence they goe in solemne order into st. bartholmews : wherof there be 3 ecclesiasticall , and 4 temporall ; the 3 ecclesiastical , that is to say , the archbishop of ments , called the arch-chancellor of high germany , being the first , next the arch-bishop of collen , called the arch-chancellour of italy : and then follows the archbishop of tryers , called the arch-chancellor of france , all in their state be-fitting so great a majesty : then the foure temporal , that is to say , the marquesse of brandenburg , great chamberlaine of the empire , with a massy key of gold : then the duke of saxony lord high marshall , beareth the sword before the emperor● then the count palatine of rhine carver to the emperour ; and likewise arch-sewer in carrying the plate to the table : then the king of bohemia . taster , or else cup-bearer to the emperour for the tryumph : these are the only electors of the emperour and after some other ceremonies ; they descend from their seats , and there before the audience take a solemne oath , one after another , in these words following . i doe sweare upon this evangelist before mee , that with all my faith which i owe unto god , my diligence and care which i owe unto the empire , without former reward , or future hope of greater honour , that i will chuse with all faith and truth a iust and a fit man for the kingdome of rome , as much as in mee lyeth . after this oath is ministred unto the 7 princes electors severally one after another , they return to their seats : where they sing most solemnly with organs , shalmes , and other musick , 〈◊〉 creator . then they withdraw themselves into the councell house halfe an houre , ( the doore being lockt ) they call the peeres of germany unto their councell house , as messengers unto the emperour , to signifie their election , and to desire the emperour , in name of the electors of his good wil herein , and if his majesty would vouch safe to come to the church of st. bartholmews at frankford , a place as westminster is in england . or st. dennis in france . if the emperour come he is received by the arch-bishop of ments the duke of bavaria , and the rest of the electors at the church dore according to their custom , and there with solemnity they bring him into the councel house in his imperial robe , and his diadem on his head to accept of this election : and from thence they come forth into the church : the emperour unto his imperiall seate : the new elected king lead between the aforesaid 4 bishops unto the altar , according to the wonted rites of their elections , they set the king , and there he is crowned king by the electors . te deum &c. is sung , then the trumpets , bells , gunnes , and all kinde of sounding is there , and after all this is done , they leade the king unto his royall seate , provided in the middest of the church , and there proclayme him king of the romans , and heire of augustus . thus shortly have i laid downe the manner of the election of the emperours of germany . of the birth of alexander , and of the macedonian feasts . the macedonians likewise upon the birth-day of the great alexander , by the decree and commandement , first of philip , alexanders father , who during his life kept solemnly a most royall feast for 3 severall dayes . the first and the greatest feast was for his sonne alexanders birth : the second cause was , for that his lieutenant generall parmeni● had gotten a noble triumphant victory over the acaians . the third cause was , for that his horses and chariots wan the garlands at the games of olympia : this happened all in one day , on which day alexander the great was borne . the same very day the great temple of diana was burnt by herostratus , to become thereby famous , at what time the priests of diana cryed out , magnum asiae malum nasci . this feast triplicia was long time after alexander , observed by the macedonians , and yearely solemnized in memory of alexanders nativity , with great triumph and pompe , upon the day of his birth , called laeta & fortunata macedonum dies : on which day the macedonians used to weare the picture of alexander about their necks in jewels , and on their fingers in rings . this day they used sacrifice , and celebrated playes & divers kinds of games . argiraspides ▪ alexanders chiefe souldiers , celebrated the feast of alexanders nativity as long as they lived , & disdained to serve under king antigonu● , or any other king after alexander died : even so h●motimi , chiefe souldiers under cyrus , refused to serve under cambises : and so of achilles myrmidons : and of pyrrhus dolopes . i may speak of others who refused ( after renowned & valiant kings ) to serve wicked princes , and cruell tyrants . the severall trophies of worthy captaines . before rome had growne to any greatnes , the first kings triumphed on foot into the citty , as romulus , who , though he triumphed over king achron , whom he slew in a combate chalenged , yet he carryed upon his shoulders the rich spoiles of the same king , being set in order upon a young greene oke , as trophies of triumphs . so did cor. cossus , who slew ( fighting in field hand to hand ) tolumnius , general of the tuscans ; and so did marcellus , who likewise slue britomarus , king of the old gaules , before they were called frenchmen : this honour hapned to none of the romans beside , for rome yet was scant heard of : but afterwards their triumphs grew unto such a pompe , that some were carryed in triumphant chariots , drawne with huge elephants , as pompey the great in his triumphs over affrica : some were carried with their triumphant chariots drawn with tamed lions , others drawn with tamed harts , as aurelianus : others drawn with great tygers , as heliogabalus : others drawn with monstrous mares , hermaphrodites , and others , drawne with huge large dogges : so that the romans far excelled all kingdomes in their triumphs ; especially in their last dictators and and consulls before their emperours time : for pompey the great , in his three triumphs over affrica , asia , and europe , carried captives 339 kings children , princes , peeres , and noble men as prisoners , to stand pledges in rome : among this number , he brought aristobulus , king of iudea , and lygranes , king of armenia , five sonnes and two daughters of king mythrydates . others brought in their triumphs , the images and statues of the kings which were slaine , or otherwise dyed before they could bee taken captives , as lucullus brought the stratue or picture of mithidates , set out and painted very lively in ensignes . scipio carried in his triumph at carthage , the image of asdrubal , hanibals brother . so augustus brought the image of cleopatra to rome in his triumph , after shee slew her selfe , to beare company with her friend marcus antonius . others brought in their triumphes kings alive , as iulius caesar brought king iuba and his sonne , with all their treasures of mauritania in great triumphes and pompe into rome . marius brought in his triumph iugurth with all spoyles and wealth of numidia , with all the solemnity that could be . paulus emilius triumphed over perseus , king of macedonia , and his children , whom he conquered , and brought captives and prisoners into rome . others brought in their triumphs , with all pompe and solemnity , crowned with lawrell and olive garlands , the formes , likenesses , and pictures of mountaines , hills , woods , cities , townes , rivers , scituated in those regions whom they conquered . lu. cornelius scipio after hee had put antiochus the great to flight , hee carried in his triumph into rome , the likenesse and forme of 130 cities and townes which hee conquered in asia , and therefore was surnamed asiaticus . lu. silla in like manner carri●d all the citties of greece , set ●ut very lively on large en●ignes , and painted bravely on ●anners and flags . so did marcellus carry the picture of the citty siracusa in his triumph , set out on long tables . so did caesar carry the likenesse and forme of the river nilus , and the river of rhyne●n ●n long tables painted , with the pictures of scipio and cato : so ●hat nothing escaped the romans in their triumphs , for the greatnesse of the empire grew dayly such . of the birth of mahomet . the nativity of mahomet , which was upon friday , is unto this day among the turkes solemnly celebrated with divers ceremonies and sacrifices in remembrance of his birth , every friday through the yeare , but especially upon good friday , in contempt of our saviour christ , the turkes have such a royall feast , that the charges of that one dayes feast far surmounteth all the other 51 feasts . the arabians honour the nativity of their mahomet so much , that they begin the yeare , and make their computation of time from the birth-day of mahomet by the name of this word hegyra , as the spaniards were wo●● of long time after they were subdued by the romans , to number their yeares from augustus caesars reigne , by these 4 letters , a , er , a : which is , annus ●rat augusti . these infidels and pagans observe a memoriall for the nativities of their kings and princes throughout the whole world . in persia the birth of cyrus upon the 16 day of the moneth lois . in macedonia the nativity of alexander the great , upon the ides of february . and in rome the nativity of romulus , upon the 21 day of september . in like sort the nativity of iulius caesar , upon the fourth of the ides of iuly . the nativity of nerva upon the 4 calend of december . the nativity of adrian upon the 6 calend of november . of antonius pius upon the first of aprill . of gordianus upon the 13 of ianuary . of constantine the great , upon the 4 calend of febru●ary . and so of traiane , vespatian , and others , whose natiuities were with great honour observed , and with great dignity of triumphes , feasts , sacrifices , games , and playes , with all pompe and glory in remembrance of good kings nativities , solemnized : for beata resp●●● cui princeps philosophus . all the kingdomes of the world in their feast nataliti● , in memory of the most happy state of a good king , used all kinde of strange inventions to magnifie their kings : the egyptians in their pyramides and obeliskes : the grecians in their triumphant arches , and pillars : the persians with feasts and banquets , solemnized the nativities of their kings , and the romans excelled with sundry pompes of triumphs , to set forth ●he dignities of their kings , dictators , and consuls . others ●n the sacred wood aricin●m , doe sacrifice to diana with ●heir pompe of peplon , & c.. beside such magnificent and trium●hant games and playes to set ●orth the dignities of the feast natalitia , in memory of good ●rinces nativities . as at a●ens magna panathenaea , first ●stituted by ericthonius , to ho●our minerva every fift yeare . ●n like manner as the games ●f olympia , was by hercules , celebrat●d to honour iupiter or isthmia , was by thaeseus made to honour neptune : so in rome the great playes and games , called ludi triumphal●● ludi natalitij were onely to● that effect invented , to magnifie good princes , and to record their worthinesse with feasts , triumphes and playes , in memory of their nativities . for 〈◊〉 this feast of natalitia , the common people assembled together with sweete flowers , green hearbes : some made them boothes with oken boughe● and some tents , covered wit● with long reeds , with grea● banquets , and much mirth , 〈◊〉 honour the nativityes of king● the roman shepheards dres● upon that day their sheepe-●●● with greene rushes , sweet flo●ers , with branches and bough● they , their wives and families with nose-gaies and garlands , with bagpipes and fiddles celebrated their feast natalitia at the birth of any king , dictator , or consull of rome . in other places they celebrated the games saturnalia in december : their games sigillaria in ianuary : the games lupercalia in february . but in athens their bacchanalia is solemnized in november : where the ministers and priests of bacchus and diana , by the names of mimallones , sileni , m●nades bacchae , satyrae , &c. all crowned with ivey garlands , and with ivey speares in their hands , singing the song of dithirambos , dancing enoplia with the pompe of peplon to honour bacchus : then how ought wee to celebrate the natalitia and inauguration of our englands joy , the establisher of our peace , king iames of blessed memory , and also his sacred majesty who is the greatnesse of great britaine , and the unparallel'd patterne to all kingdomes , of piety and religion , of whom it may be truely said , with graces three , with muses nine , with sibyls twelve can he with three the fourth , with nine the tenth with twelve the thirteenth be . of the inauguration and anointing of the great duke of muscovia , with the ceremonies at their coronation . at the coronation of the great duke of muscovia , 〈◊〉 the states of muscovia , whic● they call camesi , assemble together at saint michael , their chiefe temple , the day appointed for the coronation : the citty is so strawed with flowers and sweet odours , and set forth with boughes , that their triumph is great , feasting according to the custome of the mus●ovites . the great men meete the duke , or the emperour , and ●ring him into the temple : who ●t his comming into the temple , an old fatherly man meeteth him , having on a long garment downe to the ground , bombycina veste . this embraced the em●erour most courteously , for ●ee was the metropolitan of muscovia , or the chiefe priest , which they call princeps sacro●um , whose authority and command in that countrey is very great . in the midst of the temple was made a theater with seates to fit on , and with staires to passe to every place of the theater , being set forth with most sumptuous showes : the feat of the emperours was made most royall ; and with great magnificence , sitting in scamno , with a rich purple cap on his head , beset with gold and precious stones : a precious garment wrought with gold , and laced close at his breast , called bombycina vestis , his hands so be set with jewels , that onely the emperours hands and his head were to bee wondred at . now the emperour being in his palace , the states and the great men in their feats , the chiefe priest , or the metropoli●tan turneth his face , and looketh upon the emperour , saying my most loving sonne , and great duke of muscovia , now the gods have placed thee in the highest tower of fortune , and in the great state of dignity , not to harme or hurt thy people , but to helpe and to guide them : not to devoure them , but to relieve them ; ministring lawes and iustice to every man alike , laying before thine eyes , the noble examples of the best emperours : thy father brought much calamity , and wrought many dangers to this empire . wilt thou defend thy countrey with iustice , and with armes , make much of good men , and subdue the wicked . if thou doe this , we thy cittizens here will pray unto the regall gods of supernall and infernall power to blesse thee with much felicity , that in thee wee may see our countrey flourish . this being done , the people make great joy ▪ and triumph form the highest to the lowest : and therewithall much money is throwne among the vulgar people . i could not read of any crown , nor of any other monuments among the muscovites , for it seemed by the tyranny of the emperours , that they use very few godly ceremonies . i should have set downe , at the comming of the great duke through the streete , the peoples throng was such , that many were with naked swords to make way for the emperour to passe by , who commanded by all rigour and extremity to keep the people off . the nativity of our saviviour christ. the nativity of our saviour christ seemed so simple , his life so poore , and his death so ●gnominous , that he was a stumbling blocke to the iewes , and a laughing stock to the gentiles : they so thought , for that he was borne in bethlem a little village in iudea , & that he lived , and was conversant among simple people , without pompe and glory , and that he died the death of the crosse with reproach and shame , supposing him to be a carpenters son , but they were deceived ; his birth was most glorious , the appearing of the starre prooved it , ●he descending of angels singing gloria in excelsis , did manifest it , the comming of magi from the east , did confirme it : his life was most imperiall , comanding water into wine , the blinde to see , the lame to go , the sick to health , and the dead to rise . his death was most triumphant : with the song of hosanna he vanquished devils , subdued hell , and conquered the world , and said , consūmatum est . therefore his nativity is to bee solemnized of all christians , his life to be worshipped , and death to be glorified with al●elujah , hosanna , and gloria in excelsis , songs triumphant , and fit for jesus christ our saviour . of the ancient and strange ceremonies at the election of the prince of carinthia . carinthia , is a province where the sclavonians speach is spoken , where manners and customes are most strange , and the like ceremonies not read of . when any new elected prince entreth into his goverment , hee is brought into a faire large valley , where was wont to bee an ancient citty , where some monuments are left as reliques , so that time weare out the name of it . in a wide faire medow hard by , a marble stone is erected , upon the which stone a rusticall fellow standeth , which by succession of blood that place and office by heritage doth possesse . there he hath hard by him a deformed leane mare , and an olde leane oxe , and the rusticall countrey people in heapes about him . on the farther side of the medowe is the new prince with his barons and states about him , with great pompe , very richly attired , all in purple , having the princes ensignes and his arms , and 12 banners carried solemnly before him , the prince being apparrelled like a poore simple country man , in old broken garments , his cap bare , and his shoos worne , with a countrey staffe in his hand , seeming rather more like a shepherd then a prince : who comming nigh to the clowne that standeth upon the stone , hee cryeth out in the sclavonian tongue , and asketh , who is this that is comming here so proude , the barons and the states answere , he is a prince of the country : then the country man from the marble stone demands againe , is this man a right and just judge ? doth he seek the benefit and wealth of this countrey ? is ●he of honest and vertuous condition ? is he a sound christian in religion ? will he defend the true faith ? and is he worthy of this honour ? to whom al the states and barons answere , he is , and shall be . againe he saith , i aske you by what law and right should i bee removed from this seat ? the county of goritia answereth : for mony this place is bought : then this oxe , and this mare shal be thine , and all the garments which the last prince did put off , & thy hou●e shal be free without any tribute . then the countrey-man descendeth , and meeteth the prince , and striketh him a little on the cheeke , saying , i command thee to be a good just prince : then he taketh his mare and his oxe , and giveth the place to the prince , who streight standeth upon the marble-stone , taking a naked sword into his hand : first , hee doth flourish it one way , then he doth flourish it another way , promising thereby equall justice to the people : there they bring water in a countrey-mans cap to drink , to signifie unto the prince , that he should abstaine from wine . after these ceremonies , the prince cōmeth downe from the marble-stone , and is brought to the temple called , our ladies chappel , which was the seate ( sometime ) of a bishop : then from thence , after some sacrifice which was to be used , all things done and performed , the prince putteth off the rusticall garments that he put on before , to performe the custome and ceremonies of the countrey , and weareth his princely wonted attire : and after hee had feasted with his barons and his nobility , he returned to the medow againe , where the marble-stone was , and sitteth there on his tribunall seat , to heare causes pleaded , and to give judgement according to justice : this is the manner and strange custome of the election of any prince in carinthia . so strange were the customes and manners in old time , aswell at the election and coronation of princes , as also in their ceremonies and scepters . for the first kings of the world used for their scepters , long gilded speares . the old kings of rome used a crooked staffe , called lituus . tarquiniu● priscus the 5 king of rome , had his scepter of ivory . the kings of india had their scepters of ebony . the lydians carried before their kings great axes . the kings of sicily used a silver staffe for their scepter . the babylonians used divers kinds of scepters , with sundry figures , as of lyons , eagles , &c. the manner of the funerall pompe of the grecians . in other parts of greece they used more solemne mourne●ull ceremonies at the funerall of their kings and princes : ●hey tooke downe their bul●arkes and fortresses of wars , ●hey untile their temples , they ●●bvert their altars , they reject ●nd depose their idols : they put ●ut their fire , and the men shave ●oth their heads and beards , and ●hey clip their horses , and left ●othing undone that seemed ●ournefull : then al the priests , ●agistrates , young gentlemen , ●nd children , carryed trophies ●nd monuments of the dead ●ing , with his ensignes and ●rmes crowned with garlands , ●●cording to the custome of ●reece . the noblemen carryed divers great cups or bowles : some full of wine , others full of milke , and some full of blood , all in white garments ▪ others carried hony and cakes , which should be sprinkled , and cast upon the funerall fire : at what time , they sung hymnes , odes , and songs , called ialem●● in the praise of the dead prince : and lastly when the king is solemnly thus burned , the prince● and great men of his blood , should carry his ashes in golden pots , crowned over with all kinde of sweete flowers , which should bee a memory or trophie of the dea● king. the grecians had also these customes at the funerall of thei● deare friends , as parents , brethren , sisters : both the men and woemen should have thei● long haire , and offer it upon the hearse of the dead : so achilles solemnized the funerall of his deare friend patroclus , cutting the fore locks of his haire , to set it among many other of patroclus friends upon his hearse or tombe . euripides funerall was of ar●b●laus king of macedonia so honoured , that hee lamented euripides death with mourning apparrell , and with a sha●en head and beard , according to the use and custome of the macedonians . the great pompe and solemnity at the inauguration of the pope of rome . the pope of rome at his inauguration , excelled all other princes in solemnity and pompe , for after that the pope is new elected by the whole colledge of cardinals ; hee commeth from his palace of saint angelo , with great glory and honour towards saint peters church : first the officers , as stewards , controllers , treasurers , and chiefe rulers , apparrelled all in long scarlet-gownes . secondly , the knights of rome : thirdly , the barons , counts , and marquesses : then the abbats : then followed the bishops , after the bishops , the arch-bishops in their long pontificall garments , with silver miters , richly beset with stones . after came 3 degrees of cardinals , deacon-cardinals , priest-cardinals , and bishop-cardinals . the pope with passing pompe is carryed upon mens shoulders in cellagestatoria , with his triple crowne on his head , full of precious stones , and with a most sumptuous and precious robe , wrought over very artificially with gold , and set with divers stones , and so carryed in pompe to st. peters church upon kings embassadors shoulders . after some prayers and sacrifice done , he is againe upon mens shoulders carried from st. peters into saint andrews chappell , where after many rites and ceremonies finished , which were provided for his inauguration , hee is taken up againe into his golden chaire from st. andrew's chappell , where andrew the apostles head is presented : thence hee is carried to the chappell of st. peter and st. paul : thence carried from place to place by the legats and embassadours of all the kings of christendome , then being in rome , representing the states of kings and emperours . oh superbum animal : for betweene golden and silver crosses , the miters of bishops , and cardinals hats , shining as stars with divers kinds of precious stones , with jewels : the popes triumphant carriage under such● regall canopy , with his triple crowne , his rich and pontificall garments , blessing the people , passed farre the pompe o● great xerxes in his voyage into greece : or the triumphs of great pompey over all affrica and asia at rome : hos ludos & iocos diceres , prout rabies papa : with such peales of gunnes , ringing of bells , sounding trumpets , with such clamours and noise of other brazen instruments , that it far surmounted the besieging of carthage , or the assaulting of numantia . in like triumph and pompe he is againe carried into his palace of st. angelo , blessing the people from place to place , and in every place as he is carryed : the people againe crying out , wishing him the felicity of augustus , and the love of traian , using severall solemne ceremonies , with the greatest pompe that can be invented . his dinner that day exceeded ca. caesar , who in his triumph over affrica , prepared 22000 ●bles most roially furnished : and his banquets after dinner farre excelled the banquets of lacius lucullus , or marcus antonius . his mirthe and musicke passed the feast hyacinthia . the funerall pompe of the romane emperours . the pompe and solemne state of the funeralls of the roman emperours were such , as being set forth , the solemnity of the dead emperour were such , as the senators , dictators , consuls , and chiefe magistrates of rome , being in their appointed funerall garments , attending to carry the coffin , with one before the herse , playing upon a shalme or a flute with a mournfull funerall song called nania , which in like manner , the grecians used at the funerall of their kings , the song which they called ialemos . then the patricians and senators carried before the dead emperour , his statues and images : and after that , the statues and images of his predecessors , to set forth the dignity of his stocke , as ca. caesar did the funerall of his aunt , mother to marius , whose statues caesar caused to bee carried before the coffin , with all the serjeants carrying their axes and rods , with all the ensignes , crowns , rich spoyles , and trophies , which marius had gotten in his victories . in like manner tiberius caesar , the third emperour of rome , caused at the funerall of his father drusus , that the statue of aeneas , and all the statues of the kings of alba , untill romulus time , the 17 after aeneas , and the statue of romulus , and of the whole family of gens iulia , from romulus time to iulius caesar , lineally . the like pompe was before sylla , and others , by the patricians and senators . yet marcus aemilius , lepidus , pomponius atticus , with some others , commanded that they should not be brought into the field of mars with any solemnity of iupiters coate , of triumphant garments , purple robes , and such other pompe : but specially if any dyed in the field , the rare sight of the solemnity excelled : the generall and chiefe captaines , and every officer with his band , trayling their pikes after them on the ground , with the points of their swords downeward , their ensignes folded together , their horses sheard and clipt , their dumbe musicke , with all the ruefull sights that might be invented , &c. of the order of the inauguration and coronation of the kings of persia. in persia after great king cyrus death , for so were the kings of persia called , great kings , his successors used cyrus orders , with the like ceremonies as was solemnized at the inaugurations of king cyrus : for then there was no anointing of any king in the whole world , but of the kings of israel : other nations used such ceremonies as their countries observed in their electing of kings . in some countries they made choise of the most likely est men in sight , as among the ethopians . among the medes , he that excelled in comelinesse , and talnes of person , and strength of body , should be elected king. in lybia , hee that was most swift in running should bee king. in persia , then a kingdome under the medes untill cyrus time , whose greatnesse grew such , as he became the onely monarch , by whom all the east kingdomes were subdued : his successors , the great kings of persia , were with these ceremonies made kings . they should sit in cyrus chayre , they should put on those garments that cyrus first ware , which were kept as monuments and reliques for the kings of persia. the new king sitting so in cyrus chaire , three of the greatest peeres in persia , brought unto him three dishes , in the one was five dry figges : in the second a little turpentine : the third milke . these ceremonies being finished , after that the new king had eaten of the dry figges , and had tasted of the turpentine , and dranke of the milke , hee rose from cyrus chaire , and was thence brought unto the next hill : for the persians had no temples , nor alters there . aftar supplications done , they sacrificed unto the sunne , whose temple ( say they ) is the whole world : thence the king is brought to persepolis , where the new king againe putteth on the twelve sundry robes of cyrus , one after another , by several ceremonies to be done , while they doe sacrifice unto the whole hoste of heaven , the sun , the moone , and the stars , whom the persians cal● in one name iupiter . magi there having tiara on their heads , and crowned with myrtle , sang their sacred songs theogonia , while the new king is putting on of these twelve robes . after this , the king went to cyrus chaire , and read the lawes of persia : for as the old kings of rome were onely by the divination of the augurers made kings , and instructed in their kingdomes : so the kings of persia were by their magi instructed in their sacrifice , and taught in their religion ; without whom neither was it lawfull for the romans to doe sacrifice , without their augurer stood by , or for the persians , without their magi being in place . the manner and order of the indians in celebrating the nativity of their kings . the indians so honoured the birth-day of their king , at what time the dayes beganne to lengthen , that the king with all his nobles went to the river ganges to wash and bathe themselves , where they offered in sacrifice to the sunne a number of blacke bulls , for that colour among the indians is most esteemed . after sacrifice done to the sunne , the king held a feast , which the romans called hilaria , which was wont to be celebrated upon the ● calend of april , at what time the roman matrones , and the yong women of rome crowned with myrtle ; bathed themselves before they sacrificed unto venus . this very time the yong men of athens kept festivall dayes , with mirth and pastime , to honour the moone for the like cause , as the indians had for the sun. this feast hilaria had all publicke and solomne playes , with all kinde of triumphes , for joy that the sun began to turne his face , and to lentghen their dayes , tanquam patriae solatium & initium laetitiae . of the nativity of king cyrus , and of the persian feasts or ioy thereof . the great king cyrus ( for so the persians named their kings after cyrus time ) upon the very day that he was borne , hee had victory over the scythians and saracens , he so honoured and magnified that day , that cyrus commanded that they should bee called the great kings , and appointed that it should be solemnized yearely with a regall noble feast , called sacaea , after the name of that nation conquered : in the which feast was celebrated divers strange kinds of ceremonies : as the masters to attend upon the servants , the mistresses upon their maids , imitating the orders and manners in the feast saturnalia , wherein also were bacchanalia used , in the which feast were men , women , and children , which disguised themselves like faunes , with javelins wreathed about with ivie in their hands , and with ivie crownes on their heads , dancing , and skipping , after psalters and howboyes , singing sacred songs unto bacchus , called orgya and dithyrambos : this feast cyrus commanded to be yearly solemnized in babylon , upon the sixteenth day of the moneth loys , on the which day , cyrus ( as some suppose ) was borne ; which day among the old persians was highly honoured , for of all the feasts and sacrifices of all solemne great daies , the daies of their kings nativities were most in honour esteemed . this was the onely and greatest feast of the persians , for the rich men would celebrate the feast of their kings birth , with sacrificing of whole camels , horses , oxen , and asses , sparing no cost in this feast : the poorer sort strained themselves with all charges to set forth the feast of their kings nativities : at what time the magistrates used to sing the song magophonia at their feast , and the song theogonia at their sacrifice . for this feast sacaea was called among the thessalians piloria , in creete called hermea , in some place called penagria , in another place called saturnalia ; but in all places used and celebrated with great solemnities at the nativity of kings and princes . of the funerall pompe of the egyptians . the kings of egypt were most sumptuously reserved in this order : their bodies were opened , and were in such sort used , as the egyptians use , with myrhe , aloes , honey , salt , waxe , and many other sweete odours , being seared up , and anointed with all precious oyles , and so they reserved the bodies of their kings in high buildings made for the purpose , far from the ground , as in their pyramides and labyrinth before spoken . the funerall was so lamented , that all egypt mourned in this sort : the men would clap dung and dirt upon thei● heads , beate their bodies , stri●● their breasts , knocking their heads to every poste , howling and crying for their king : their women bare-breasted , besmeard with all kind of filth ; running up and downe in furious manner , fasting and mourning 72 dayes from wine or any other meat , saving bread , & the water of nilus . of the funerall pompe of the thracians . the thracians funerall is ful of mirth and melody , for when they bring their friends to the grave , they use to sing thracian songs , with all sweet musicke ; onely this ceremony they reserved , when any man that was of great calling , dyed , his wife must be brought the same day to the grave of her husband in her richest ornament and best apparell , accompanied with her parents , and next in blood , with great solemnity , which after sacrifice done upon the grave of her husband , she must make sacrifice of her selfe : the priest must bring her to the altar , where shee is sacrificed with a vaile over her face , and after oblations & prayers done , shee is slaine upon her husbands grave for sacrifice . of the sacred anointing of the kings of israel . the anointing of the first king of israel , was by samuel the prophet , who was commanded to anoint saul , the first king of the world that was anointed : hee powred oyle upon his head , he kissed him , and said , the lord hath anointed thee king over his inheritance : and the people shouted , and said , god save the king : at this time began first the use of oyle in anointing of kings ; after this manner were saul and david anointed kings of israel , and after david , his son solomon . the order and ceremonies , were to ride upon the kings beast , and to sit upon the kings throne , where the prophet ( being called the seer ) poured the oyle upon his head , to signifie the gift of the holy ghost : then the prophet kissed the king upon the cheek , and turned his face to the people , and said , god save the king : then they sounded the trumpets , and brought him to his dinner with all mirth and musicke . thus were saul and david anointed by samuel , and after them solomon anointed king. of the solemnity on the birth-day of prince aratus by the achaians , with feasts and sacrifice . in like manner the achaian● solemnized the nativity of aratus with a royall feast and sacrifice , yearely upon the grave of aratus , which was called aratium : the priests were girded about with a purple cloth , the senate in white robes , with garlands of flowers on their heads : the magistrates and chiefe officers of all achaia , with great pompe crowned with lawrell and myrtle , with hymnes and songs made a solemne procession round about aratium upon the birth-day of aratus : such was his love among the grecians , that hee was chosen seventeene times generall of the achaians . the trophies and triumphs that were invented to honour the nativities of kings and princes were such , that some builded citties , as alexandria , to honour alexander : caesarea , to honour caesar , and antiochiae , to magnifie the name of antiochus the great . yea , such were the dignities and honours of princes , that the senators and patricians of rome , by common consent of all the magistrates , changed the name of the moneth quintilis , to bee called iuly , to honour the name of iulius caesar , and the moneth sextilis to bee called august , in memory of the birth-day of augustus , which to this day stands . yet domitianus the emperour , though hee had commanded by a decree , that the month october , should bee called domitianus , after his owne name , in remembrance of his nativity : and germanicus , father to caligula , commanded the moneth september to bee called germanicus , to hold his birth-day , yet tooke no effect : such is the continuance and long memory of a good prince , and such is the decay and short remembrance of a wicked prince . the birth of minerva . in like manner upon the calendes of march , the feast of minerva was celebrated in mount celio , at rome , where the plaies called quinquatriae were sumptuously solemnized , continuing five dayes : at what time they presented minerva with presents and rewards : on the which day , the yong knights and lusty youths of rome , entred in armes on horsebacke , and on foote , into martius field , to honour minervas nativity with feats of armes . this feast was in athens solemnized by the name of panathenaea , their poets , orators , and musitians contended for victories on the day of pallas birth , as they did in the games called scoenici : the prize and reward of the victor , was to weare a long precious garment called palladium , wrought over with gold , and to weare a crown of laurel , and to sit in the chaire of pallas . of the birth of xerxes , and of the solemne feast thereof . the great xerxes king of persia , upon the very day that hee succeeded his father darius hisdaspis as king , hee yearely most solemnely used to celebrate such a princely noble feast in memory of that day , which the persians so honoured , tanquam imperij natalem , as hee would command all the nobles of persia to come in the greatest pompe they could , and he himselfe in his most sumptuous persian robes , with his diadem upon his head , solemnized the feast with all pompe and glory . upon the which day xerxes was called of all the peeres , nobles , and all his people ti●●n . this day was so celebrated among the persians in remembrance of xerxes first day to his kingdome . so the siracusans honoured ti●olion for his great victories , in memory whereof they yearely upon the day of his birth decreed , that playes & games of musick , with running , wrastling , throwing of darts , swimming , running of horses , with other exercises of the body , should be celebrated . in like sort the parthians observed that day , that arsaces their king had subdued seleucus with all kinde of joyes , mirth and triumphs that the parthians could invent : they magnified that day with all games and playes , and kept a great solemne feast in remembrance of their liberty and deliverance from their bondage and thraldome under seleucus by arsaces . if therefore they honoured that day , tanquam initium libertatis with songs theogonia , shall wee not canere paean , who have so long enjoyed peace and quietnesse of liberty by the happy reigne of our most gracious soveraigne , of whose nativity and happy government we may sing with joy , blest is that land whom god lends such a king who peace , religion , piety doth bring , and who doth strive these blessings to uphold to lead his subjects unto heavens fold : we all are bound to pray for his long life , which keeps this iland free from feare & strife finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a06471-e3980 heliogabalus had his chamber-pot of gold. silver . no venemous beast in ireland . barnacles comming of a tree . a singular memory . an easie kinde of death . stomacke digestion . wine forbidden to women . kissing . sobriety . common things be not strāge no h●mane policy can with stand gods iust iudgment . a strange hill . an emperor eaten with l●ce . peregrinations . every piece 12 pence . 7 pintes . harts horne against poison . cleopatra . pearle . mahomet had the falling-evill . a dove . a bull. wine . a drunk●n parliament tomyris . cyrus . drunkennes taken for a glory . ants as big as foxes . change of wives , salamandra . garments that will not be cōsumed with fire . the torneyments were first invented in the time of henry auceps , the 2 emperour of germany in the yeare of our lord 934.