A curtaine lecture as it is read by a countrey farmers wife to her good man. By a countrey gentlewoman or lady to her esquire or knight. By a souldiers wife to her captain or lievtenant. By a citizens or tradesmans wife to her husband. By a court lady to her lord. Concluding with an imitable lecture read by a queene to her soveraigne lord and king.

A CURTAINE LECTURE . CHAP. I.

Rare things in women . Nature teacheth them modesty . Of those that inveigh against their sexe . Many illustrious women remembred as presidents for others to imitate .

IT was the opinion of Pythagoras that a serpent is engendered from the marrow in the backe bone of a man deceased , and cast into the fields without buriall : upon which it is observed , that as the fall and death of man came by the serpent , so the life of the serpent comes by the death of man. And since the first back-sliding of Adam there hath beene such an antipathy betwixt the seed of the woman and the serpent , that if the naked sole of her foot shall tread upon his head , though never so lightly , yet the weight thereof is more ponderous and fatall unto him , than if he were beaten with mallets , or a rocke or mountain should precipitate it selfe upon him ; for with her bare touch he instantly expireth . But if hee shall but bite the heele of a man ( for at that still is his aime ) the poison disperseth it selfe through all the parts of his body , from which proceedeth speedy and inevitable death .

A second thing worthy remarke is , to consider how provident nature hath beene to teach women bashfulnesse and modesty in their lives , by concealing their immodest parts after their deaths : for it is familiar amongst us , that if a man be drown'd , his gallis no sooner burst , but he riseth with his face upward : but if a woman perish in the water , she swims with her face downward : of which some give this reason , Omne leve fertur sursum , &c. As every light thing naturally ascends up into the aire , and that which is weighty stoopeth it selfe downe to the earth ; so a man being broad and heavie in the shoulders , and but thin and light in the breasts , the more ponderous parts sinke , and those lesse heavie appeare above the waters : when on the contrary , a woman being narrow and spare shouldred , but more fleshie and tumerous in the breast , by the weight thereof they smother and obscure her modest cheekes in the water , as if even in death she apprehended that the rest were unseemly to be exposed unto the aire .

But in this my progresse intended to the praise of their much honoured sexe , I encountred with many difficulties and interposures able to deterre me from my purpose ; for in turning over the leaves of some both moderne and forreigne writers , I have met with so many satyricall invectives aimed directly against it , and some of them so pathetically bitter , that I am halfe perswaded they had quite forgot themselves to have been borne of mothers . Mantuan in one of his Eclogues writes thus : Foemineum servile genus , &c. which in my thoughts , in the generality is so adverse to all charity , and refractory to common experience , that I am loath to make it vulgar , or teach it to speake our English language . Plautus in Milite saith , What thing can be worse or more audacious than a woman ? And in Bacchid . Nothing is more tempting or contagious to the life of a young man , than the opportunity of night , the operation of wine , and the blandishments of a woman . Ovid in his fi●st book of Elegies , though not in the same words , yet includes the same sense : and these , with many other , he reckoneth , not as accidents appertaining to some , but adherents belonging to all ; as borne with them in their infancie , encreasing with them in their growth , and inseparable from them till their last dissolution : others for divers irregularities task them in particular . Ovid tells us there is no heed or regard to be taken of their teares , as commanding them at their will , and exposing them at their pleasure . Neve puellarum lacrymi● moveare caveto , &c. With womens teares be not thou mov'd at all , For as they please they keep or let them fall . And in another place : What cannot Art ? They to deceive poore men Have learnt by practise how to weep , and when .

Elsewhere he inveigheth against their fantasticall habits , paintings , borrowed or bought haire , &c. Some call them unfaithfull , light , inconstant , as Catullus : others more moveable than the winds , as Calphurnius : some hold their societie meerly unnecessary , as that an house or familie is much better and more quiet without them . Plautus saith , Mulier rectè olet cum nil olet , a woman is then at the best when sh● is not at all . Againe , a question being asked whether it were better to marry with a maid or a widdow ? Answer is returned , Malum quod minimum est , id minimum est malum . He that can avoid their fellowship , let him shun it ; let him beware the day before , that he repent him not the day after . Of their frowardnesse and perversenesse Terence admonisheth us , saying most truely & essentially , I am acquainted with the wits and dispositions of women ; they will not when thou wouldest , and when thou wouldest not , then they will. Of their wrangling and litigiousnesse Iuvenal thus speaketh : Nulla ferè causa est in quam non foemina litem , &c. There is no cause in Court , nor act in State , From which a woman cannot ground debate . And to that purpose hee introduceth one Manilia , a bold-fac't Roman Matron , who being full of cont●oversie , and through her wrangling having many suits in agitation , blusht not in open Court to bee her owne Advocate , and plead her owne causes in publike assemblies . They are further challenged to effacinate the hearts and spirits of the most valiant , to tame even the Giant tam●rs ; neither their manly courage nor invincible puissance being ●ble to resist their whorish seducements : for so saith Seneca in Hercule furente .

Many more to this purpose I could produce in priorem partem , but I am affraid lest these few may ( to some ) appeare too many . I● therefore followes that these discouragements past over , I come now to emboldening and animation ; which I shal better illustrate by pr●sident and example . For , as Epicuru● saith , more faith is to be given to example than precept . A●d Seneca in his Epistles saith ▪ long is the journey that is taken by precept , but short and speedy that which is proposed by example . Omphulus in his booke De imitatione thus discourseth :

The greatest commendation both of ingenuous arts and civill actions is comprised within the limits of imitation : the studie of which , either in managing publike or private affaires , begetteth in us both an alacritie and magnitude . For by calling to remembrance the famous and notable acts of illustrious persons , and conforming our selves unto all such things as were in them worthy both of observation and imitation , it inflames us with a noble desire , and an exurgent ambition , by their president and examp●e to aspire unto that celsitude of honour and renowne ▪ to which they arrived before us . This counsell I therefore purpose to follow : and , beginning with those created in the beginning , d●aw a president of good women , even to these our later ages .

Adam and Evah were our first parents ; and hee who gave names to all the creatures of the earth , called her Hevah , which implies , the mother of mankind ; from whom are descended even those degenerates that so maliciously calumnizethe sexe : just like the young Asse colts , who having suckt their fills , kicke their dams ; for so it was said of Aristotle for spurning at his master Plato , from whom he had suckt and drawne all his rudiments of Philosophie .

But as there was an Evah by whom sin came into the world , to the utter subversion of the soule of man ; so likewise there was a Mar●e , the pure , bless●d , and immaculate Virgin , through whom was repaired and restored what in the other was fo●feited and lost . To fetch our imitable women as farre as from the time of the first Patriarks : Abraham had a Sarah , and Isaac a Rebecca . Come to the Judges : Lapidoth had a Debora , who was a Prophetesse , and a deliverer of I●rael . We reade that Ioachim had a Susanna , and that churlish Nabal had a liberall minded Abigail ; and of Manasses widow Iudith , who taking upon her a masculine spi●it , Virago-like cut off the head of Holophernes .

Come to the nationall Kings : Ulysses had a constant Penelope in Greece , and King Priam was the husband of a fertile Hecuba in Asia . Amongst the Romans Iulius Caesar , the first perpetuall D●ctatour , had an indulgent Calphurnia ; and Augustus his Successour a Matron-like Livia . In the time of the Consuls , Collatine might boast of an un●imitable Lucrece ; and the first Africanus of a Tertia Aemilia , for her vertues scarce to be parallel'd . Strabo tels us of an Arte●isia , Q●eene of Caria , the illustrious wife of King Mausolus ; and Livy , Frontinus , and others , of an excellent Chiomara , the wife of Origiant●s Regulus .

Come to the ancient and grave Philosophers : Plato had his Astionissa , and Aristotle his Hermia ; the famous Physician Nicostratus , his Antecyra ; Periander , one of the seven Sages of Greece ( as Pythenetus Lib. de Aegina relates ) was enamoured on the vertuous Melissa ; and the grave Socrates ( as Xenophon makes mention of him ) was devoted to the love of Theodota ; and the famous Marcus Cicero to his Terentia , &c.

If wee examine the ancient Poets , not one of them but had a Mistresse whom to celebrate . Amongst the Romans , Tibullus had his Delia , Lucan his Argentaria , Horace his Lycinia , Terence his Leucadia , Propertius his Hostia , Cornelius Gallus his Lycoris , and so of the rest .

Amongst the I●alians , Dante 's had his Beatrix , Petrarch his Aureta , &c. And amongst the Spanish Poets , Crespi Valladaura , Sezephia Centella , Guid● Cavalcante , Almudavar , Bonavida , Lopez del Vigo , with infinite others , all eminent Poets : and not one of them , whose pen was not imployed in the laborious encomiasticke of some excellent Lady or other .

The like I may say of the Germanes , as Iohannes Gulielmus Rosbachius , Matthias Baderus , Lambertu● Ludolphus , Frenzekius , Franciscus Modius , Bebel●lius , &c. Amongst th● French , Marrot , and others . And of our English , I will only , at this time , memorize two ; famous Mr. Edmund Spencer , magnified in his Gloriana ; and the most renowned Sr. Philip Sidney , never to bee forgotten in his Pamela and Philoclea .

Nay , none of these Satyrists against women , but with easie examination , I could bring their owne works to witnesse against themselves ; but more needfull occurrents take mee off from them : I will therefore leave them to their contradictions , with that of Terentius , in the Prologue to his first Comedy called Andraea : — ut quiescant porro moneo , & desinant Maledicere , malefacta ne noscant sua . I warne them their ill speeches to forbeare , Lest of their owne ill deeds they further heare . For it is the fashion of many to prie , and seeke to have a deepe inspection to the actions and behaviours of others , whilst they are meerely carelesse and negligent in managing of their owne manners and deportment : which Horace ingeniously observes , and with which I conclude this Chapter : — Egomet mi ignosco Maevius inquit , Stultus & improbus hic amor est , dignusque notari . Maevius doth say , My selfe on my selfe dote ; But foolish is this love , and worthy note . When purblind thou , thine own cheeks canst not see , Why dost thou looke so fixt on him or mee ? For now thine eyes so nimble sighted are , The Eagle or the Serpent to out-stare .

CHAP. II.

Of virgintie , and the excellencie thereof . The punishment of the incestuous Vestalls . How chastitie was honoured amongst the ancient Spartans . How farre virgins may extend their words , writings , or gestures .

BEfore I come to dissect , or take upon mee to anatomize the conditions o●●wives , it lieth in my road● way to speake something of virgins ; for all women were first maids before they came to bee married . One saith of women in generall , that they are wonders in nature , if they would not wrong nature . And another , that they bee admirable Angels , if they would not be drawen with Angels to become Devils . And of virgins thus : If they bee faire , they are to bee won with praises : and if coy , with prayers : if they bee proud , with gifts : if covetous , with promises . And as it is naturall in them to despise what is offered , so it is death to them to be denied what they demand . Some compare their hearts to the Cotton tree , whose fruit in the bud is as hard as a bullet of iron , but being ripe , it bringeth forth nothing but soft wooll . But give me leave a little to deviate , and leave them for a page or two , to speake something of the excellencie of virginitie it selfe .

Pope Gregorie hath these words ; Quanquàm laudationem virginitatis non suscepi , expressionem tamen , &c. Though I have not undertooke to give virginitie the due praise , yet I will afford it some expression ▪ and first shew you in what countrey she was bred , and by what parent begot . If that be our countrey where our dwelling is , then is Heaven the mansion of chastitie . It hath here a pilgrimage , there a permanence . For what is virginall chastitie , but an integritie voyd of all contagion ? And whom can we call the father thereof , but the immaculate Sonne of God , whose flesh saw no corruption , and whose Divinitie was not sensible of putrefaction ? How great then is the honour of virginitie , when our blessed Saviour , a virgin , came of a virgin ? A virgin the Mother , a virgin the Sonne , begot of his Father before all worlds , borne of his Mother in the world ; the first proceeding from his eternall goodnes , that the second might bee conducible to our everlasting glorie . So likewise the holy Mother Church , his Spouse , is immaculate in her conception , and yet fruitfull in her issue , a Virgin in her chastitie , a Mother in her children : being a virgin shee generateth us , not by the aid of the flesh ▪ but by the assistance of the Spirit ; not with the throwes and paines of the womb , but by the joyes of Angels : she gives us suck , not with the milke of the breast , but the doctrine of the Apostles . A virgin is the daughter of Sion , a virgin is the new Jerusalem , into which no flesh can enter that is common or uncleane .

Note but how farre the name and vertue of virginitie ex●endeth : for though amongst those that be married , the title and honour se●meth to bee lost , yet ought we to know that everie chaste soule , which abstaineth from things unlawfull and forbidden , keepeth it still . For the Church , which consisteth of young and old , male and female , married and unmarried , everie member thereof is honoured with that sacred title , Virgin.

For many causes ( saith Iohannes Episcopus ) did the Saviour of the world chuse to be borne of a wife espoused to an husband : first , to take away all aspersions that might bee alledged against her by the Jewes , who urging the strength of the Law , would have stoned her , being the punishment imposed upon an a●dulteresse : next , to prevent all occasions from immodest virgins , lest they should listen unto any false suspitious rumours , by which our blessed Saviour might bee injured or defamed : that in going and returning from Aegypt , shee might have the company and comfort of her husband Ioseph , not a protectour onely , but a witnesse of her continued virginitie ; as also to beguile the Devill , the open adversarie of all mankinde , who by reason of her marriage , might be in some hesitation and doubt whether she were a virgin , and therefore grow diffident whether our blessed Saviour were the Sonne of God , or no.

Pope Leo , Parturiente Maria , natus est nobis Dei filius , &c. Mary being delivered , or bringing forth , to us and for us was borne the Sonne of God ; borne of an untoucht woman , that his humane birth might assure us that he was perfect man , and her immaculate virginitie confirme to us , that he was perfect God ; of whom Maxinus Episcopus to this purpose testates .

Though when hee was borne , earthly swathings contained him , yet that hee was not of earth , heavenly signes witnessed of him . Whilst he lay in the cradle , he shined in the clouds ; hee cryed as an infant amidst the Jewes , he raigned as an Emperour amongst the Gentiles : whilst hee suckt amongst the Bethlemites , hee was a worshipped● and adored by the Chaldeans ; when hee was visited by Shepherds , he was honoured by Kings ; when he was obscure in the stable , hee was visible amidst the starres . Hee was poore in habit amongst the Jewes , he appeared in glory amidst the Gentiles .

Therefore ( saith a learned Father ) let all virgins rejoyce , for Mary the blessed virgin hath brought forth ; let all widowes bee glad , for Anna the widow acknowledged Christ in his infancie ; let all wives exult , for when Mary came to visit Elizabeth , the wife of Zacharias , the babe sprang in her womb ; let all children give praise , for Iesus himselfe hath vouchsafed to become a child ; let all old men give thanks unto the Lord , for old Simeon did not depart the world , till his bodily eyes had seene his spirituall salvation : and this shall suffice for a sheet-discourse , concerning the honour and vertue of ( neve● too much to bee praised ) virginitie .

The Romans so honoured chastitie , that such of the Vestall virgins , as were knowne to violate their strict vowes of virginitie , were called incestuous ( which word comes of Caestus , a virginall girdle , never untyed but on the night succeeding the day of marriage ) : and being convicted of the fact , their judgement was to bee buried alive . They were Votar●sses , sacred to the Goddesse Vesta , which implyes as much as Earth ; for Vesta and Earth are all one : as Ovid Fastor . lib. 6. with great elegancie delivereth it in these words : — Ne viva defodietur Humo : Sic incesta perit ; quia quam violavit , in illa Conditur : & tellus Vestaque Numen idem est . No Vestall Priest , to break her vow be said , Lest shee ( yet living ) in her tomb be laid : The injur'd Earth , th' Incestuous must devoure , Because the Earth and Vesta are one power . Moreover , their persons were had in such reverence , that the people gave them almost divine adorations , and the Senatours and Princes at meeting gave them way .

Amongst the Lawes that Lycurgus made , one was , that no virgin , of what estate or condition soever , should have any dowrie allotted her to her marriage : and being demanded the reason thereof , he made answer ; lest those that be rich should bee desired for their wealth , or those that want be despised for their povertie : so that by marriage , the Maid and not her meanes , beautie & vertue would be acquired solely . He also appointed at what yeeres either sex should marrie , which was at a mature age ▪ that from able bodies might be propagated the stronger issue . Neither would hee suffer them to bed together the marriage night , unlesse by stealth , but to keepe the Bride-groome and the Bride ( if it were possible ) many nights asunder , by conference and company : and being askt the cause thereof , hee made answer , Because they should still prevent satietie , keepe thei● bodies strong and in health ▪ which would preserve their love fresh and new , prevent distast , and continue indulgence .

Unguents and tinctures he banished the Citie , imposing mulcts and fines on all those who were found to use them : and in his dayes , such was the rare modestie both of their virgins and matrons , as that adulterie was so little practised , that the name thereof was not knowne amongst them . For Plutarch in Lacon . Apotheg . reports , that a stranger asking one Geradata , a matron of the old Spartane race , what punishment their Lawes inflicted upon adulterers ? She made answer , Lycurgus had made none , for there was no such monster to bee found amongst them . But hee replying : but say any such should be , how then ? Why then ( saith she ) he must bee fined to give a Bull with so long and large a neck , that shall stretch over the mount Taygetus , and drinke of the river Eurota . Which hearing , he said , that was a thing impossible . As impossible a thing ( said she ) ▪ it is in Sparta to finde an adulterer or adulteresse .

Now whether it be lawfull or comely for a Vestall , or profest virgin , or any other , in her single and uncontracted estate , to bee pleasant in lookes , free in language , wanton in carriage , to poetize , or the like , ( howsoever she be of modest and chaste condition ) may be any just taxation of her continence , it is a question disputable . Seneca in his controversies , speaketh of a Vestall virgin , who but for writing this verse , Felices nuptae , moriar nisi nubere dulce est . was summoned into open Court , and pleaded against in these or the like words : Felices nuptae , .i. happy are those which be married . These be the words of one that longs for marriage , which the Vestalls ought not to doe . And Moriar ▪ .i. may I die but : in whic● she prefers humour before honour , and lewdnesse before life . Nubere dulce est sweet it is to marrie : whic● implies she is either raptur'd with the thought o● what she hath already proved , or extasi'd with th● conceit of that she hath no● yet tri●d : neither of whic● pollutions ought to be 〈◊〉 one of her profession . Sha● the magistrates submit th● maces ? the Tribunes the types of renowne ? Sha● the Consuls and Preto●s Dictators and Flamins , giv● way to her in the Forum ? Shall any one of her contagious humours be held capable of such canonicall honour ? The Vestall Priests protest seldome , or ( if at all ) by the Goddesse Vesta : but Let me die : Doth not this shew that Vesta's living fiers are now quite extinct and dead in her ? Let me die but : In these words proclaimes she not that she preferres the spotted bed of the married before the un●efiled alt●r of the Goddesse ? whom I invoke to be as rigorous in punishing , as she hath beene rebellious in provoking her . Beseemes it a Recluse to become so rude ? or a Votaresse to shew her selfe so full of vanitie ? What , a Virgin to versifie ? Shall that hand ▪ onely reserved to offer 〈◊〉 the Temple , now be officious in penning nothing bu●trifles ? Or if shee have a mind to write in praise o● marriage , why makes shee not chaste Lucrece her Theme , and her imitable death her Argument ? O thou worthy of all sever● punishment , that holde●● any thing dearer to thee than thine owne sacred Priesthood ! But to marrie● thou saist it is pleasant , it is sweet . How expresly uttered , how intimately concealed ! as impudently proclaimed , as incontinently apprehended . Being one that undoubtedly having done the act , now most undecently seemes to delight in the ill . Nay such a one as may be truely called Incesta , who though she never did the deed , yet in her heart hath desired it .

This was ( I must confesse ) inforced to the full : but in stead of playing the Advocate , and shewing what answer she might make for her selfe , I will breake off with this gentle admonition : If one facetious line , wri● ( perhaps ) rather to shew her wit than any wantonnesse , and that any charitable censurer might rathe● impute it to fancie tha● follie , might be so traduc● and farre stretcht , as no● onely to blemish the fame , but take away the life of so respected and reverent a person as a Vestall ; how charie ought all Virgins to be ? how carefull and cautelous in all their deport●ments ? to be wary in the● words , and weighty in their writings , that their countenances bewray no lightnesse , their eyes no loosenesse : that their carriages be not complementall , but courteous : their gestures not grosse , but gracious : their language fashionable , not frivolous : And to the name of Virgin still remember to add that best becomming attribute and character , Vertue . Observing these and the like , there is no doubt but as in your single estate you live like excellent maids , so the time will come when you shall become eminent Matrons .

CHAP. III.

Encouragements to young Virgins and Damosells to behave themselves well in their single estate , that they may become eminent Wives & Matrons , by the example of others , drawn● from divers selected Histories .

TO encourage all maides how to behave themselves , that they may be the better married ( for as yet they are not come to the rudiments of reading a Curtaine Lecture , for that only belongs to wives ; the very name whereof will instruct them soone enough ( if not too soone ) in the practice : ) I hold it not impertinent to the present tractate in hand , to shew you an history or two ( and those not common ) how some Virgins , but of meane condition and quality , have , by their vertues meerely , and generous behaviour , attained to great preferment and honour : for varietie of Historie , intermixt with discourse of times , makes the Argument lesse tedious to the Reader . Thus therefore it happened , Pulgotius the Historian being my Author , who remembers me of one Galdrata Bertha , the daughter of a private Florentine , but of extraordinarie beautie and vertue .

It so happened , that the Emperour Otho , the fourth of that name , upon some urgent occasion comming to the great Citie of Florence , he was entertained with all the sumptuous and triumphall shewes which could be then provided , as best suiting with a State Imperiall . He being one day abroad to take the aire , a great confluence of people gathered about him , of all degrees , to behold his person , whom till then they had never seene , and to bestow on him for his welcome into the Citie , the lowd acclamation of Ave Caesar. Amongst all the other Virgins and Damosels there assembled , he cast his eye upon this Galdrata Bertha , and on the sudden was much taken with her beautie ; in so much that , not able to mother his affection ( for he had taken a most especiall notice of her ) after he had retired himselfe unto the Dukes Palace , where he was at that time bounteously feasted , he began openly at the table to speake of this Damosels beautie , giving her a character of prioritie before all that he had before time seene .

Her father , whose name was Bellincionus , there attending at the table , finding by the Emperours description that there was no other likelihood but that it was his daughter of whom he gave such an extraordinarie approbation , because he reflected upon her stature , feature and habit , sends for her privately to Court , and commands her by the duty of a child , all delayes set apart , to make there her present and personall appearance . To which the innocent Damosell ( ignorant , and no way suspitious of any such treason intended against her chastity , especially from a father ) assented , and came . The banquet being ended , and the table withdrawne , the father ( worse than the Roman Cabbus or Phuillus , branded with eternall infamy , who though honoured with the stile of Equites Romani , either for gaine or flattery were guilty of their wives prostitution ) he ( I say ) whispered the Emperour in the eare , and told him that he would presently bring him into the company and acquaintance of her whose beauty and feature he had so liberally extolled . The Prince gladly imbracing the motion , he retired him into a private and remote chamber , where she was attending her fathers command ; the Emperour at the first enterview acknowledging her to be the same : when the most unworthy Parent of so accomplisht a child , thus said unto him : Lo here the Virgin by you so much praised ready to prostrate her self to your Majesty , whom you may with all freenesse kisse and embrace at your pleasure . At which words Otho , almost extasi'd , came toward her to take her by the hand , and proceeded further to have toucht her lips : but she astonisht and abasht at her fathers unnaturall levitie and besenesse , denied the Emperour her right hand , and with her left modestly put him back , uttering these words : With pardon to your high and sacred Majesty ( Royall Sir ) n●ither of these your faire proffers it lies in me to grant you , having made betwixt my Saviour and my selfe such an irrevocable vow and contract , that I will never lend that hand or these lips to any , of what state or condition soever , whom I shall not undoubtedly know to be my Lord and Husband : ( at which the father frown'd ) and she further proceeded and said ( falling low upon her knees , and many tears dropping from her eyes ) Hee onely insidiates my life that se●kes to take away the least part of mine honour ; and there she paused . Which in the apprehension of the Emperour was uttered with such a bashfull shame , and well-becomming modesty , that in the Prince it tooke a very sudden and solid impression ; who comparing the villanie of the father with the vertues of the daughter , and setting the base Pandarisme of the one against the rare prudence of the other , it compelled him into a divided and distracted countenance . For with a stern and supercelious brow bent against him , but a smooth and unwrinkled front applied unto her , he made this reply , aiming his speech unto her : Delicate and sweet Virgin , are you then already disposed of ? or by private contract engaged to any man ? To which she with a low and well-beseeming obedience answered , that she had not as yet devoted her selfe unto any . Will you then ( replied the Emperour ) faire Damosell , give mee leave to provide you of an husband ? Who answered unto him , that it might appeare in her great rudenes & indiscretion withall , not to agree to such a motion , and therefore with all obedi●nce , submission , and grati●ude , she surrendred her selfe wholly to his Highnesse choise , assuredly presuming that since he him●elfe was indued with such rare continence and vertue , he could not choose but be ●ble to distinguish the like in others ; holding it a great felicitie and fortune that a Prince of his knowne piety and goodnesse , would be so gracious as to solicite in that nature for his so unworthy and dejected hand-maid . Which language was delivered with such discretion and mod●stie , that Otho was therewith much taken ; when presently calling for a Gentleman of especiall remark , who waited on him in his chamber , called Guido Germanic●s , of a no●le House and Familie , whom hee much favoured ; hee told him ▪ that he had at length found out a gift to reward him , and to remunerate his long and faithfull service ; such a one as might be●ome the giver , and ( withall ) prove worthy his acceptance : and in the closure of these words presented unto him the Virgin Galdrata Bertha . These two at the first enterview so well loved and liked , for as Ovid saith , None ever lov'd that lov'd not at first sight . that by their mutuall consent they were in a royall assembly publikely contracted by Caesar , who gave her for her dower that spacious valley which lieth beneath the hill Casentius , and the fields called Agri Aren●in● , which soone after he made an Earledome , and conferred that noble Title upon him ; and from these two succeeded the famous and warlike familie of the Guidons ( so renowned in historie ) which hath continued unto many sucessions .

Paulus Aemilius tells us that Manesteus the Athenian , and sonne to Iphicrates that famous Captaine , took unto his bed a maid of a forraine Countrey , but so low degreed that the historie affords her not so much as a name : who though she was poore in estate , yet was she rich and aboundantly qualified both in the riches of the body and the mind . The son being demanded which of his two parents he affected most , his father or his mother ? he made answer , that in his fi●iall duty and affection he gave the precedence unto his mother . But he that proposed the question , knowing the difference in their birth● and breeding , demanding the reason thereof , he gave him this satisfaction ; True it is ( saith he ) that m● 〈◊〉 her h●th made me an Ally and Countriman of Thrace , but my mother hath made me an Athenian , and the son of a noble Captaine .

Bersane was the daughter of one Arbassus a private souldier in the Camp of Alexander , who , as Quint. Curtius , and Aul. Gelli●● , affi●me , was of sweet grace , and amiable aspect , that like the Sunne appearing out of a cloud , so out of the darknesse of her neglected fortune there shone such a majesticall lustre , that he who was then the worlds sole Monarch , preferred her before the wife a●d beautifull daughters of Darius , whom he had late vanquished : in so much that it is related of him by the forenamed Authors , that after his first familiaritie with her he was never knowne to cast an incontinent looke upon any other , nor to have congresse with any third , onely his wife Roxana , and this Bersane , whom he commended to his Queene , and made her his ●ole companion .

It is likewise reported of the famous Rhodope , that she was at the first but servant to Iadmonsamius the Philosopher , yet by her amiable feature and dexterous carriage she afterwards was advanced to such honour as to be wife unto Psammeticus King of Egypt .

Lardana , from whom the renowned family of the Heraclidae boast their descent , was a Damosell of a very low and meane parentage , and indeed no better than an hand-maid and servant , yet by her rare and unmatchable vertue she after raised her fortunes to the eminence to be a fruitfull seminarie of many noble and renowned Gentlemen ; for so Herodotus witn●sseth of her in his Eutarpe .

Pysostrates , as Phelarchus historifies , matcht himselfe with a Virgin of rare beauty , but her birth so obscure and ignoble , that the stori● affordeth it no name ; yet after , she by her wisdome and counsell adv●nced him from being a Gentleman of private condition , to a Monarchall government . Of her Clademus in his book● intituled Redd●tionum , reports , that she was for sta●e a Iuno , for wisedome a Pallas , for beauty a Venus , and worthy to be stiled the daughter of Sacrates . It is moreover said of her , tha● she dealt Scepters , and disposed Crowns at her pleasure ; so great was her power in the place in which she governed .

I will end with Asputia the daughter of one Hermotinus a man of low condition ( as Aelianus the approved Histo●iographer in his book De varia Historia relates ) who being snatcht from the armes of her father by a Persian souldier , was for the excellency of her feature and beauty , by him presented to King Cyrus the son of Darius and Parasatides . Her vertuous education , unmatchable beauty , singular modestie , and approved wisedome , were the immediate steps to purchase her such favour with the Persian Monarch , that he not only made her his Empresse , but so tenderly aff●cted her , that notwithstanding his choice of wives , and multiplicity of concubines , from the first houre that she grew into his knowledge and acquaintance he never embrac'd the company of any other woman . And after the death of Cyrus , whose funeralls she bewailed with unspeakable sorrow , being afterward as highly favoured by Artaxerxes who succeeded him in the Empire , who desired to make her a partner in his bed and Throne ; yet was it with long suit from him , and great unwi●lingnesse in her , before she could be won to participate in either of them .

And these out of infinite I have collected onely to shew unto you that Virgins , howsoever obscurely descended , who from their Ancestours could neither boast of wealth or Gentrie , yet by their vertues , beauty , and generous behaviour , have not only attained unto matches of most especiall remarke , but some also to dignities imperiall .

Famous unto all ages , even to the perpetuitie of memory , shall be that great Arch-champion of virginitie , Virginius , that brave Roman knight , whose name was given him in his childhood as a good omen , presaging what a defender of chastity he would after prove who because his sole and only daughter . Virgini● should not fall into th● hands of Appius Claudius one of the Decemviri , to b● vitiated and dishonoured when he perceived by th● corruptnesse of the Judge and the perfidiousnesse 〈◊〉 the false evidence , that 〈◊〉 was ready to fall and suffe● under his cruell mercy , 〈◊〉 the open face of the 〈◊〉 at the barre at which her cause was then pleaded , ●e ●lew her with his owne hands , so vindicate her inno●ence ; desirous rather ( as Valerius reports of him ) of ●n innocuous child to be the deaths-man , than the father of a defiled daughter : of whom Silius Italicus l. 13. Bel. Punico thus speakes : — Virginia juxta Cerne , cruentato vulnus sub pectore servat . Behold before thee where Virginia's plac't , Her white breast with a griefly wound defac't . The bloudie knife doth witnesse the sad stroke , Which freed her body from lusts servile yoke : Whose modest innocence so farre extends , Her fathers act she in her death commends .

CHAP. IV.

Of election or choice before marriage . The conveniences and inconveniences belonging unto marriage disputed , and compare● with the honour and dignity thereof .

BEfore I come to wedlocke it selfe , it is very pertinent that I speak something of choice before marriage . Saith one , Liber esse non potest cui affectus imperant , & cupiditates domi●nantur : he cannot be truely said to have a free choice and election , in whom his affections rule , and his appetites governe . The Queene Artemisia being asked by one of her Nobility what choice should be used in love ? replied , All persons ought to imitate the skilfull Lapidaries , who measure not the nature of the gem by the outward hew , but the inward vertue . We have an old Adage frequent amongst us , which for the most part proveth true , that choice is soonest deceived in three things ; namely , in Brokers wares , Courtiers promises , and Womens constancies : therefore it is good for all men to looke before they leap ; for it is generally found , Qui non ante cavet , iste Passus erit quod sit triste . That man deserves of ●orrow double share , Who once forwarn'd , will after not beware .

In choosing a wife , looke not upon the feature of the body , but search into the fancies of her mind ; and take her not for her outward person , but her inward perfection . For if thou makest election of beauty , it fadeth ; if of riches , they soone waste ; if of fame , it oft proves false ; if of vertue , that only continues . For as Theopompus tells us , If the eye be the chuser , the delight is short ; if the will , the end is want ; but if reason , the effect is happy . And Bias , one of the Grecian Sages , was wont to say , that he that marrieth himselfe to a faire face , oftentimes tieth himselfe to a foule bargaine .

But there are some that scarce will admit of any choice at all , and say , Who that is free will willingly run into fetters like a foole ? For whosoever maketh himselfe a Captive without constraint , incurreth the imputation either to bee counted wilfull or witlesse : and amongst such , one deeply entire unto me , who was in a great hesitation whether to marry or no , shewed me a fancy of his written to that purpose , which was as followeth : What kind of wife were I best wed ? A maide ? Shee 's young perhaps , and knowes not how to trade . A widow ? Who stale leavings can endure ? One old ? Thou of a crabbed match art sure ? One fruitfull ? Numerous issue will aske cost . One barren ? Youth and strength in vain are lost . One rich ? Shee 'll domineer , and master prove . One poore ? Whom want oppresseth who can love ? One mute ? Her tongue will not delight mine ●are . A prater ? That 's a burden I most feare . One faire ? Such aptest are to be mis-led . One foule ? Shee 's tedious both to board and bed . No marriage then , I le keep my single state , Since on a wife so many dangers wait . But if heaven will that I ● Consort have , O grant me one that 's pious , wise , and grave .

So much for choice : I come now to discourse of marriage it selfe , and the inconveniences and conveniences thereof . For though Diogenes the Cynick Philosopher was of opinion , that for a young man to marrie it was ever too soone , and for an old man alwaies too late ; and Euripides the Tragick Poet calls it an evill , yet to be desired ; and that S●obaeus saith , a woman bringeth but two joyfull daies only in her whole life time , which are , the day of her marriage , and the day of her death ; and that Thales seeing Solon lament the death of his son , gave him no other comfort than this , that for the like reason only he had refused to marrie ; and that Cleobulus meeting his son in the way , having finished the nuptiall ceremonie , presented him with a branch of Hen-bane ; thereby intimating , that his sweet meat must be served in with sower sawce , and a terrible tempest was to succeed so temperate a calme : yet we reade on the contrary part , that Lycurgus the famous Law-giver branded all such with infamy as refused to marrie . And the Caspians made an edict , that whosoever past their yeeres singly , and did not contract matrimony before they came to fifty , in all feasts and assemblies such should have the lowest and most dishonourable places allotted them , as those who had neglected their prime and most flourishing time of their age , and done a thing meerely repugnant to nature .

Homer tells us that the Grecian Ladies in his daies held wedlocke in such adoration , as they reckoned their yeeres from their marriage , not their birth : and we Christians hold , that our spirituall marriage is contracted in baptisme , confirmed in godly life , and consummated in a repentant death . Now concerning whether it be necessitous or no , it may be thus disputed :

Matrimony is therefore to be esteemed and honoured , as being first ordained in Paradise , and since continued upon earth , and in a pious gratitude returnes us many pious and gracious children , to be made Citizens and Saints in heaven . It purchaseth man the name of father here below , as a type of that great and Almighty Father above : here generating , as he there creating . God made nature , man here maintaines her : and to such things as else would perish by time ( by his posterity ) he giveth perpetuity . Marriage puts fortitude into man , to fight boldly in the defence of his King and his Countrey . For who can be a coward , fearing his wife and children may be made captives ? It maketh men wise , as carefull to provide for them : it begets temperance , and out of voluptuousnesse breedeth modesty : for it limiteth lust within law , and prescribeth a moderation to pleasure , which in it selfe being damnable , is by matrimony made ●ufferable .

Now if some shall object and say , Though marriage with peace may be called the worlds Paradise , yet if it be with shrife , it may be termed the lives Purgatory ; and that all such as marry in haste may repent at leisure : and some to the like purpose , may quote Terence in Adelphis , in these words : Duxi uxorem , quam ibi non miseriam vidi ? &c. What have I got by marriing of a wife , But misery to attend me all my life ? Children I have , and that 's another care : The charge to keepe them makes me poore and bare . In toile and travell all my time I spend , But of my tedious labour there 's no end . Now I am old , and for my age thus spent , What 's my reward , but hate and discontent ?

Many no doubt have for these and the like feares bin affraid , and forborne to marrie at all , thinking with Plautus , that he who desires to intangle and intricate himselfe into a world of troubles , may provide himselfe of a ship to guide , or a wife to governe . Another will say , he that taketh one who is faire and false , weddeth himselfe unto a world of miseries ; or if to one as vertuous as beautifull , yet in possessing a woman he at the best enjoyeth but a needfull evill . To such it may be thus answered , that in this they rather accuse fortune than wedlock ; for all things that happen crosse and averse , are the effects of chance , not of matrimony . Much better it is therefore carefully to respect those good things thereon necessarily depending , than timerously to regard the disasters accidentally reflecting . Admit the worst that can be objected , yet is not marriage therefore to be neglected ; for if in all other courses and passages of our life we be crost , shall we therefore be altogether deterr'd from prosecuting them , as things accurst ?

Examine all trades , faculties , disciplines , or professions : ( to instance some few in behalfe of the rest ) what practise is it , though the most necessitous and usefull , which may not be cavill'd at , or that we cannot find some colour to accuse ? The Husbandman , though the frost prove violent , the snow unseasonable , the showers intempestive or immoderate , yet doth he not therefore forsake his fields , cease his culture , and despaire of an happie harvest .

The Mariner having endured many stormes at Sea , in which his goods have been hazzarded , and his life endangered , doth not instantly upon his landing untackle his ship , and having brought her from the water , break her up to the fire ; but rather proposeth to himselfe those many benefits which may arise by navigation : as that no profit can be made without perill , and no delightfull gaine but with some great difficultie : ●ee considereth , that the temperature of weather succeedeth tempests ; that wealth commeth not by wishing , but watching : neither can rest in age be procured , where labour and industry in youth is not practised .

Warres take away the limbs and lives of many , yet doth not that terrifie others from the attaining unto honour by armes : and ●o of the rest . Good things are not to be forborne for the feare of evills that may ensue , rather the worst things are to be endured , that the better may bee encouraged . Were it not then absurd that Husbandmen , Navigators , and Souldiers , shall not fo●beare to use all diligence and exercise in their severall qualities ? ( as no way deterr'd by the detriments belonging unto them ) and shall any man forbeare ma●riage for the multiplicitie of cares and crosses which some ( through their vaine and idle feares ) would asperse upon it ?

Shall a Virgin feare to marrie onely with this evasion , Say I should be a widow ; or having children borne , O what a griefe it would be to me to see them buried ? Let her know that in this case death is to be blamed , not matrimonie ; and she may as well accuse nature for making us men , and not Gods. If either husband or children die , it is because they were borne , and their bodies created mortall , and not immortall .

It may be therefore thus further argued , that marriage supplies such deficiencie in nature : for by a second nuptiall the wife loseth the name of widow , and redeemeth not only the late lost name of husband , but to her children the forfeited name of father : by which marriage maketh amends in what nature seemed to doe amisse , and is rather a restauration than a deprivation to Orphancie and Widow-hood .

If you shall summe up the cares and troubles that depend upon wedlocke , set but against them the profits and the pleasures , and they shall farre surmount them both in nature and number . What greater content to a man , than after the laborious travells of the day to repose at night in the bosome of a sweet and loving bed-fellow ? What more delightfull hope than the exectation of an happy issue ? The throwes of the mother are forgot in the birth of the child , and the pleasures of the latter farre surmount the paines of the former : the peevishnesse of the childs infancie is quite forgot when he begins to prattle . What comfort their toward youth breeds , and what consolation their more staid yeeres beget , I leave to their consideration who have beene the fruitfull parents of a fortunate progenie .

If then by lawfull marriage soules are here inspired upon earth to become glorious Saints in heaven , and parents ( in their issue and succession ) imitate the Creator himselfe , by giving life to others , that they by an alternate course , as they receive breath from their fathers , may also returne it to their own children ( and so till the last dissolution ) : if it change the common titles of man and woman to the honoured names of father and mother ; if it beget temperance , providence , and the rest , and make these carnall pleasures , which are otherwise interdicted and forbidden , honest and legitimate ; if the certaine comforts so farre surmount all casuall corsives , as it is so graciously honoured , why should it not be gen●rally embraced ? And though Saint Ambrose saith , Nuptiae terras implent , virginitas Paradi●um ; marriage peoples the earth , but virginity Paradise ; yet Saint Austine preferres humble marriage before proud virginity . I conclude this Chapter with that of Claudian in Europa .

Nascitur ad fructum mulier prolemque futuram . A woman was made fruitfull in her birth , Still to continue mankind upon earth .

CHAP. V.

How parents ought to dispose of their daughters . The miseries of enforced contracts . The maner of marriage amongst the Romans , the Muscovites , the ancient Britans , the Gaules , the Germans , &c.

PLato in his booke De Legib. tells us , that mankind is by marriage made immortall , and lasteth for ever : for by leaving children to beget children , the father by successive genera●ion is made immortall : of which immorta●itie all such are justly deprived , who abandon themselves to a life single and solitary . But there ought to be a great care in the Parents in disposing of their children , the better to continue this blessed perpetuitie . The Emperour Aurelius informeth us , that there was a custome amongst the Rhodians , or a Proverb at least , that the fathers to marry a son need to spend but one day , but in the disposing of one daughter they ought to consider with themselves ten yeers : which were it even in these times carefully observed , and diligently imitated , might be the prevention of many inconveniences , or rather palpable mischiefes , of which we have had many wofull examples .

Some through their base avarice , not willing to allow unto their daughters sufficient dowers . Others ( too prodigall ) have stretcht themselves beyond their ability and meanes , to be the ruine of their children by pride , and of themselves by poverty . Others ( ill advised , or too selfe-opinioned ) by their too much dotage on the sons have cast too great a neglect upon the daughters ; by which , as they lose time , so they forfeit duty , and many times chastity : for when they come to maturity of yeers , such as their fathers have no care to bestow , have a will to dispose of themselves ; the event of which is for the most part disaster and penurie . Others will enforce them to marry where themselves like , and not where their children love ; the effects of which are commonly discontent and misery ( for inequality either in yeeres , fortunes , or affections , is the road way to spouse-breach and didivorce : for where there is dis-union of hearts , there must needs be disorders in the house .

How often have forced contracts beene made to add land to land , not love to love ? and to unite houses to houses , not hearts to hearts ? which hath beene the occasion that men have turned monsters , and women devills . I forbeare to instance any , for in nomination of the dead I might perhaps give distast to such of the kinred who yet survive , who no question could rather with that the memory thereof were rather buried than blazed abroad . Further , who shall but follow the Circuit in the Countrey , besides these trialls here in the City , shall seldome find a generall Assises without some evidence or other giv●● upon the like tragicall accidents . But leaving these , I purpose in the next place to speake something concerning the ancient ceremonies observed amongst the Romans , and others , in their contracts and nuptiall ceremonies .

The Romans called them Sponsalia , à spondendo , of the vow and promise made each to other ; which words were writ downe , recorded , and sealed before witnesses , and those were called Signatores . Before the ceremony , the Bride and Bridegroome consulted severally either of them with a soothsayer , to know what omen should be in their future marriage . Of which Iuvenal in his tenth Satyr maketh mention : — Veniet cum signatoribu● auspex . .i. The Soothsayer comes with those that signed to the contract . Aul. Gellius informes us that the young man gave unto the Virgin a ring , which she ware upon her fourth finger on the left hand , because to that finger alone ( as the best Anatomists tell us ) proceeds a veine that hath its originall from the heart . The word nuptiae is derived from nubo , which signifieth to cover : and Plinie sai●h , that the woman was presented unto her husband in a yellow vaile , which was called Flamineum ( which colour is held to be the embleme of jealousie ) and with that she covered her face . And in regard of the good successe which Romulus and his souldiers had in their rape of the Sabine Virgins , they still continued a custome , that the Bride-groome should snatch away the Bride from the lap or bosome of her father , mother , or the next of their alliance and kinred : and after this s●eming violence , her husband was to part or divide the haire of her head with the point or top of a speare , with which some Gladiator or Fencer had before beene slaine , and that was called Hasta caelibaris . T●e morall whereof ( as the Author informeth me ) was , that nothing but such a lance or speare , or such like violence , should after dis-joine them .

Plutarch in Roman . Quaestion . 87. demands why the Brides haire from the upper part of the forehead to the crowne was separated with such a lance or speare ? Was this ( saith he ) a symbole or embleme that the Romans first marriages were made by war and rape ? Or is this admonition to the Brides , that they being married unto a wa●like people , should therefore u●e moderation both in their habit and diet ? Or ( as Lycurg●s commanded ) that all the gates and portalls of their houses should ( without other curiosity ) be only figured with the sawe and the axe , to signifie that nothing vaine or superfluous should enter in at those doores ? Or doth it imply ( by circumstance ) that wedlocke ought not to be dis-joined but by sword and death ? Or is it because the speare is consecrate to Iuno , who is also called Pronuba , that is , the Goddesse of marriage , all her statues being pourtrayed leaning upon a lance or javelin ? and that she is called Dea quiritis ? and that a speare was anciently called quiris ? whence Mars tooke his denomination of Quirinus , &c.

The next day after the nuptialls was a feast held , to which all their friends and kinred were invited , and such they called Repotia : their Aruspices or Witches conjectured of their future good or evill by a Crow , because such is the consociety of those birds , that if one of the matched couple perish by accident , the other remaines widowed and singular ever after .

There were then severall waies by which a Virgin became a mans lawfull wife : The first was called 〈◊〉 , that is , by prescription , that is , if she were contracted by her Parents or Overseers , and continued with her husband the space of three entire yeeres , without being absent from him three whole nights in a twelve moneth . The second was , Confarreatione , which imports , that when being married before a Flamine or chiefe Priest , before ten witnesses , the married couple eat together of a barlie cake , before used in the sacrifice , which was called a Far , and the solemnities ( as Cicero pro Muraena averres ) were called Farracea , from barley . The third was , Coemptione , of buying and selling : for the wife bought her husband , under a seeming pretence , with a small piece of silver . Suetonius speakes of a fourth , which is titled , Sortitione , which was by lot or lottery . But in the former , which is called Coemptione , where , by the ancient Roman lawes , Nubentes mulieres tres ad virum asses ferre solebant . when the women that were to bee married brought three small pieces of money to the Bridegroome , the man was not called by his owne name , nor the woman by hers , but he Caius , and she Ca●a , in remembrance of the most excellent and vertuous Matron Caia Caecilia , wife to Tarquinius Priscus . Then the new made Spouse being brought home by her friends to the very doores of her husbands house , she was to say , Ubi t● Caius ? Hic sum ego Caia : which Erasmus thus interpreteth , Ut tu Dominus , ita ego Domina : .i. as thou art Master , so am I Mistresse ▪ and she that was thus married might justly challenge the title of Mater familias , or , Mother of the houshold . The Bride was lighted thither with five torches burning , which did intimate the great necessitie that married wives have of these five gods and goddesses , Iupiter , Iuno , Venus , Suadela , and Diana , otherwise called Lucina .

There were no contracts held to prove successefull amongst the Romans which were not celebrated with the two elements of Fire and Water . It is in one of Plutarchs Roman questions , What is the reason ( saith he ) that in all nuptials the Bride is commanded to touch Fire and Water ? Is it because the Fire is an active Element , and therefore representeth the man ; and the water a passive , and consequently an Embleme of the woman ? Or is it because the Fire illustrates , and the water purgeth : therefore the wife ought by all her endevours and industry to preserve her purity and chastity ? Or is it because that as Fire without humour to feed loseth its fury , ●nd abateth its strength ; and water without some heat groweth use-lesse and without motion : so man and woman , separated and dis-joined , are of no validity and power , but by conjunction or commixtion of their severall faculties , they by offices belonging unto marriage are made compleat and perfect ? Or doth the morall extend so farre , that the one ought not to forsake the other , but to endure prosperity and adversity alike , though they be driven to that extremity that they have no other good thing left them save only Fire and Water to comfort them ? According to that of Seneca the Tragedian , Amor perennis Conjugis castae manet : .i. The love of a chaste wife lasteth for ever . Or as Ovid writ in his exile unto his wise in these words , Nil opus est morte pro me , sed amore fideque , Non ex difficili fama petenda tibi est . Die not for me , no such thing I desire : Thy love and faith shall make thy fame aspire .

But to proceed with the Roman Ceremonies : Servius super Aeneid . observeth , that when the woman was brought to the doore of the Bride-chamber , she annointed the posts with oile , and was called uxor , quasi unxor , ab unguendo : this done , the husband took her in his armes , and lifted her over the threshold with a seeming violence , because ( in modesty ) she should not be thought to goe willingly without some force unto the place where she should unloose her Caestus or Virgin girdle . At her comming in , all the company present called with a lowd voice , Talassio , Talassio : the reason of which clamour Plutarch renders us in vita P●mp . as also in his 31. Roman question , to this purpose :

In that great rape which the souldiers of Romulus committed upon the Sabine Virgins , one of the fairest among them being catcht up by one of the meanest souldiers , some of the rest , envying his good fortune , would have taken her away from him by force ; which he perceiving , cried out , Talassius , and that he was bearing her to Talassius , who was then a prime young Gentleman of the Army , and of great remarke amongst the Romans : by which clamour he was suffered to convey her privately unto him . Since which time they have observed in all their marriages to use the name of Talassius , as in all the Grecian nuptialls they sing Hymen , Hymenaee .

Many other superstitions they have used , which might seem tedious here to relate , as their Nuptialia dona , .i. Their marriage gifts and tokens , the bed in which they reposed the first night being called Lectus genialis , or ( as some will have it ) Lectus genitalis . And if at any time these were at difference or dissention betwixt themselves , they repaired to a Temple or Chappell erected to the honour of a certaine goddesse called Dea viriplaca , as much as to say , the goddesse pleaseman ; where when they had staid a while , and offered such oblations as were by the Flamines appointed to that purpose , all their jarres as they were before debated , so they were then and there ended , and they departed thence well satisfied and reconciled .

CHAP. VI.

How marriage is solemnized amongst the Russians , the Gaules , the Assyrians , the Greekes , the Namasanes , the Sco●s , &c. The honour of marriage , and of twelve impediments that may hinder is .

THe maner of solemnizing Marriage amongst the Russians or people of Muscovie is different from other nations : for the man , though he never in his life time beheld the woman , yet is he not permitted to have any or the least view of her when he would solicite her for marriage , but it is done by his mother or next kinswoman : and when the match is agreed upon , as well by the Parents as the parties , ( for without the consent of the Parents no marriage is held amongst them lawfull ) the father and chiefe friends meet together and conclude about the dower . It is to be observed , that the Virgin brings the dower , but the young man maketh her no jointure unlesse she have issue by him , and then shee hath full interest in his estate .

And if she were never married before , the Parents and friends enter into bond that she shall prove a Virgin . The contract thus concluded , they send tokens the one to the other , but enterchange no lookes all this while . The Eeve before the nuptiall day , the Bride is carried either in a Callimago or Coach , or if it be winter , on a sledd ( by reason of the snow and ice ) to the house of the Bride-groome , with her wedding clothes , and the bed on which they are that night to lie , which for the most part is very rich and costly . That night she is accompanied with her mother and her other friends , but all this while of him not seene . The next day she is married in a vaile , or rather an hood of knit● wo●ke or lawne , which covereth her from the Crown of the head to the waste . They and their friends ride all to Church , being well mounted , though never so neere the place , and though they be people of the meanest quality amongst them . The words & contract , with the ceremonies , as the Ring , &c. are almost one with ours : and the nuptiall knot being knit by the Priest , th● Bride comes to her husband there standing by the Altar , and bowes her selfe as low as to his foot , in signe of future obedience : in requitall of which , the Bride-groome casteth his upper garment over her , as a token or promise that he will from that time forward shield and protect her .

To these two standing together , come the father and the next alli'd unto the woman , and bowe themselves to the Bride-groom , and his father and friends doe the like to her , as a tie and union of love and affinity betwixt the two kinreds and families : to bind which there is a loafe of bre●d presented to the Priest , who breaketh it , and distributeth it amongst them , of which they all eat , and protest withall , that they are all a● one loafe made of so many severall graines , or as so many guests invited to one table . This ceremonie ended , the husband takes the wise by the hand , and leadeth her to the Church porch , ( their fathers and friends following them ) where they are met by others , who present them with bowles and cups of severall fashions and siz●● , fill'd with Meade and Russ-wine , whereof the Bride-groome first takes a Chark or Chalice in his hand , and drinkes to the Bride ; who opening her hood or vaile below ( yet so that her face is still unseene ) she pledgeth him : this done , they part at the Church doore , he goeth to his fathers house , and she to hers , where they entertaine their friends apart .

At the entring into which houses , corne is cast upon them from the upper windowes , in token of fertilitie and plentie ever after to attend them . The evening come , the Bride is conducted to her husbands fathers house , and there lodged that night , her vaile still covering her head . Besides , she is injoin'd from her mother and other Matrons her friends , not to speake one word , because the husband is neither to see her face , nor heare her tongue , till the next morrow after their marriage ; neither is she that day to speake at all , saving some few limited words , meerely of forme , nor three dayes after . If she transgresse the least of these ceremonies , it is a great dis-reputation to her all her whole life after .

The third day expired , they depart unto their own house , which is by this time sufficiently accommodated . And herein is to be observed , that for the marriage day , and the whole time that the nuptiall feast is solemnized , he hath the honour to be called Molodax Knez , that is , young Duke ; and shee Molodax Knezay , the young Dutchesse .

Iulius Caesar in the 6. book of his Commentaries tells us , that amongst the ancient Gaules ( which is now the French nation ) the husband brought so much goods , and laid it down , as did amoun● to the dower which his wife brought with her , and a just account being taken , the stocke was put together , the party surviving being made full Executour , and possessing both their meanes to them and their children .

Cornelius Tacitus gives a noble commendation of the Germans . The wife , saith he , never bringeth or assureth any dower to her husband , but he to his wife , the Parents , cousins , and friends being present to approve or dislike of all such passages as are betweene them : neither is there any enterchange of love-tokens , intending to delicacie , or to corrupt the chastity of the woman ; but his present is a couple of Oxen yoaked , an horse bridled and completely furnished , with a Sword , Buckl●r , or Target , and a Javelin : neither doth she enterchangeably present him with any gift , save some weapons , either of offence or defence . And that the wife may not thinke her selfe exempted from the ●ares , travells , and dangers that the husband may either by his industry at home , or valour abroad incurre , these yoaked cattle , the Horse , and weapons of warre , are a remembrance unto her .

There are very few knowne adulteries committed amongst that great and populous Nation , for the punishment thereof is very severe and speedy . For she that shall be found guilty of such an act , her husband causeth her to be sh●ven , and then stript naked , and after brings her out of his owne doores in the presence of all his and her neerest kinred , then beats her with a battoone through the streets : for there is no connivence to be used , or pardon to be granted to any woman who hath once violated her wedlocke chastity : neither can her youth , beauty , or riches , though all should meet together in one , ever purchase her to have the honour of a second husband ; so odible and detestable is that sinne held amongst them .

The Assyrians take their daughters with them ( when they be marriageable ) to the market , and there such as want wives buy them for their money , or money-worth . The like is in custome with the Babylonians , and people of Thrace : so did the ancient Grecians purchase their wives , either for coine , or some other commodity that was vendible . The like the Indians in many places observe .

Iphidanas the son of Antenor , according to Homer , gave fifty yo●ke of Oxen to his father-in-law to enjoy his daughter in marriage . In Tapila a great Citie in India , situate betwixt the two Rivers of Indus and Hydaspes , they entertain no wives into their conjugall embraces which they buy not at some price . Strabo in his booke of Geography , lib. 15. informes us , that in some Countries , as Carthage and others , there was a custome , that if a poore mans daughter by reason of her poverty could not compasse a husband , she was brought to a publike faire or market , with trumpets and lowd musicke before her , and when a great confluence of people was gathered about her , first h●r backe parts were discovered bare as high as to her shoulders from her heele , and then the like before ; and if upon that view she were found to be well featured , and no way defective , at the charge of the City she was to be provided of a husband .

Plato in his sixt booke de Legib. writes , lest any man should be deceived in the choice of his Bride , and so after repent himselfe when it is too late , that it was thought convenient , that divers assemblies of young men and maids should be permitted to wrestle , and ●rie masteries together , having their bodies naked from the neck to the waste , as farre as modesty would give leave . But St. Ierome against Iovinian condemneth this wanton and lascivious custome , and so doth Clemens Alexandrinus , pedag . lib. 2. cap. 9. and St. Cyprian in his booke De Virgin . habit . in these words , The honour and bashfull shame of the body are both preserved in the modest coverture of the garment . And Blandus supra leges interposit . cap. 1. writeth , that the very feare of shame , without the terrour of death or torment , is sufficient of it selfe to put off a contract .

The Namasanes , a people of Lybia ( as Herodo●u● informes us ) had a strange custome , to cause the Bride the first night of her nuptialls to prostitute her selfe to all her guests , and then she was injoined to preserve her chastity for ever after . The Anthropophagi , the Medes , and some part of the Aethiopians , after they be once married , are admitted free congresse with their mothers and sisters . The Arabs make their wives common to all the kinred . The Moores , Numidians , Persians , Parthians , Garamantes , the Turkes , and some Jewes , take as many wives as they can well maintaine : and the ancient Athenians made their wives and daughters common .

It was once a custome i● Scotland , that the Lord of the soile might lay just clai●e and title to every Virgins maidenhead , who was to bee married within his Lordship . For by that custome the Tenant held his land ; which was after quite abolished by King Malcoline , who ordained that the new married couple should redeeme her virginitie , in which her Landlord pretended interest , with a small piece of gold , which in many places of the Kingdome is observed even untill this day .

A young man of Lacedemon , being seated in the Theater , when a valiant and ancient Captaine ( a single man and Batchelour ) but for his valour and famous atchievements much honoured by his Nation , came to take his place , to be a spectator of the sports and games there presented ; hee denyed to give him place : at which Callidus , for so was the Captaine called , much offended at the arrogance of his youth , gave him course and bitter languag● : to whom he returned this short answer , Thou hast ( O great Captaine Callidus ) as yet fathered no child , neither accasioned the birth of any , who comming unto my age , may when I am come unto thine , in this place arise to do me a like honour .

Plato also in his booke of Lawes , appointed single men no place of dignity in the common-weale , nor suffered any to bee conferred upon them ; but caused them to bee more charged with fines and amerciaments than any of the other married Citizens . Socrates professeth of himselfe , to have learnt more morall philosophy from women , than naturall , of which he made excellent use .

In marriage there is a domesticke Common-weale , in which the Father of the family may expresse wisedome , temperance , justice , pietie , and all other vertues : by loving his wife , instructing his children , governing his familie , ordering his affaires , disposing his goods .

The Romans in the yeere that Quintus Me●ellus was Consull , established many famous and worthy Lawes and priviledges , to incourage people to marry , and especially , unto those who had numerous issue , and great increase of children : for without wedlock all alliance would be extinct , all Common-weales in short time decay , and all sweet societie be quite abandoned .

There bee twelve impediments to hinder lawfull marriage , or to dis-annull it after it be once consummated , which Cardinall Caj●tanus comprehends in these foure verses : Error , conditio , votum , cognatio , crimen , Cul●us disparitas , vis , ord● , ligamen , honesta● : Si sis affinis , si forte c●ire nequibis , Haec socianda vetant conubia , facta ●etracta●● .

Thus paraphrased .

Errour , condition , parentage , and vow , Adultery ( the law will not allow Disparitie in divine worship ) and Violence or force , or where we understand ; In priesthood ; there 's profanenesse , or else where , False faiths profest , wee likewise must forbeare , When there is precontract , for honesty , Affinitie , and disability : These twelve from present marriage us disswade , Or can retract from wedlock when 't is made .

I end with this of Socrates : Let men obey the Lawes , and women their Husbands , whose duty is to bee wise in speaking , and mild in conversation ; circumspect in promise , and carefull in performance ; faultlesse in taking , and faithfull in giving good counsell ; patient in adversity , and not puft up in● prosperitie ; somewhat indulgent over his wife , but most industrious in the education of his children .

And a good wife , according to Theophrastus , must bee grave abroad , gentle at home , constant to love , patient to suffer , obs●quio●● to her neighbours , obedi●nt to her husband . For silence and patience are the two i● dissoluble ties of conjugall love and piety .

CHAP. VII .

What manner of Lectures Wives in the Country re●● to their Husbands . The severall dispositions of Wives , and humours of Husbands , illustrated by divers selected Histories . The morosity of the marriage bed .

YOu see what marriag● 〈◊〉 or at least what it oug●● to be . But hitherto I have onely read a Lecture unto women , but I come now to shew you what manner of Lectures wives use to read unto their husbands : and for method sake I will devide them into severall heads . And first begin with the Country . I find in a Prog●ostication or Almanac●e , continued from the date ●●ereof to the end of the world , written by Iacobus Henrichmanus , & 〈…〉 to the generous S. Christophar●s Baron of Schwarze●●berg : and the illustrious Poet Henric●s ●ebelli●s ; to this purpose . In this yeere , saith he , Virgins an● Wives shall have long haire and short memories : women shall participate in their domesticall government with their husband● ▪ and strive to rule alike , if not with precedence ; and when they are willing to sleepe , whisper many private lectures in their eares , which they would not listen unto : old strumpets shall be apt to negotiate betwixt young men and new married wives , to make sinfull bargaines : moreover , there are divers which shall be● suspected to be honest , and though they be not so , yet shall they be glad to take the injury upon themselves .

The same Bebellius , in his fecetiae , saith , that from women : themselves hee hath received three things , in which there is no credit to be given unto them . First , when shee weepes , because she can command teares at her will : next , if she feigne her selfe to bee sicke , for there is no trust to bee imposed upon her till thou seest her quite dead : and lastly , if having invited her friends unto a great feast , she simper or eate nothing , 〈◊〉 is to be presumed that she ●ath first dined in the kitchen , or else she hath reserved th● choicest bit of all , to please her owne palate after the guests be departed .

Foure things ●ill a man before his time ; a sad or sorrowfull family , meate or drinke immoderately taken , a pestilent aire , and a faire wife . Foure other thing● wee are also to take gre●● care , that we fo●beare : first , how we read another 〈◊〉 letters , the contents nothing concerning us ; next how wee meddle with any thing in a Smi●hs shop , lest 〈◊〉 burn our fingers ; then to b● carefull what we taste 〈…〉 light upon poison ; lastly , how we adventure upon any woman , to grow into any private familiarity with her , whose condition● we know not . Others have a proverb frequent in their mouthes , that those men grow soone rich , whose Bees prosper and their wives perish ; or whose sheepe and oxen th●ive with them , and their ●ives faile them .

If a man would have an exact wife , indowed with all the gifts of nature , the better to dec●re her , she must have an hand from Prague , a face from Brittaine or England , breasts from Austria , a belly from France , a backe from Brabant , white thighes and hands from Colonia Agrippina , feet from the Rhine , pudibu●da from Bavaria , and nates from Suevia . But from the constitution of the body , I come now to the condition of the minde .

As there are many sorts of wives , so there are many kinds of husbands : as one for instance ( I begin with the country . ) A plaine country fellow , upon some extraordinary occasion comming from plow before his houre , found a young 〈◊〉 his neighbours sonne , 〈◊〉 busie with his wife , and came suddenly upon them before they could any way ●vade it ; which hee seeing , said to his wife , O sweet heart , what is this I see ? could'st thou not have pickt out a more private place then this ? I le put it to thy selfe , how scurvily would this have showne , if any stranger but my selfe had come in , and seene what I doe how ? and with this gentle admonition departed 〈◊〉 .

But all husbands ( as I said before ) are not of the like temper ; for instance : An handsome country-wife , and well reputed of amongst her neighbours , used every night as soone as her husband came to bed , to catechize him , what companie he had kept ? and how hee had spent the day ? and still used to keepe him waking past midnight , when the poore honest man , who had travelled hard all the day , had rather been at rest ; and that shee would have read him asleepe . But at length observing that shee was somewhat precisely given , and that shee used often to goe to confession , he began to consider what great sins she might be guilty of , of which she need so often to desire absolution : and to that purpose watching the time when shee used to goe unto her Confessour , he had gotten into the Church before , and privately hid himselfe , so neere to the Altar that hee might easily heare whatsoever passed betwixt them : and when amongst other quotidian ( or as some call them venial sins : ) she began to proceed further , and say that she had committed adultery with such a man so often , and so often with such a neighbour : her Conf●ssor began with her and said , indeed sister the sinne of adultery is a great and hainous crime ▪ and therefore leaving the rest , I will begin to ●llot you pennance for that : at which word the fellow rising out ) of his place 〈◊〉 , No good Sir you shall not need to doe that , I pray you absolve her of all the rest of her sinnes , but for tha● of adultery I le give her such pennance I le warrant her , that she shall not need complaine , and desire other from you : so taking her by the arme led her home and basted her soundly .

Poggius the Florentine , an excellent Oratour , in his F●cetiis , reporteth this storie . A woman amongst us ( saith ●e ) 〈◊〉 so contrary unto her husband in all things , that whatsoever shee had said , how absurd , ●oever it 〈◊〉 ▪ 〈…〉 maintaine it even to death ; who scolding and bitterly railing against her husband , one day amongst many other ●●veries which shee gave him to weare for her sake , she called him lowsie knave ▪ 〈◊〉 which words 〈◊〉 wondrous 〈◊〉 , hee beate her with his 〈◊〉 , and ●ickt her with his heeles ; 〈…〉 : 〈…〉 so tired himselfe with ●ea●ing her , that he was 〈◊〉 able to lift his arme so high 〈◊〉 his head , and yet vowing to himselfe that hee would then get the must●ry or never , he b●th ought himselfe of another 〈◊〉 , and tying her fast to a cord , let 〈◊〉 downe into a Well , there threatning to drowne 〈◊〉 unlesse she would 〈◊〉 that language : but the more 〈◊〉 menac't her , the lowde● 〈◊〉 talk't , not changing a syllable : at length he 〈…〉 bodie so farre as to the 〈◊〉 , and yet nothing was in he● mouth but lowsie 〈◊〉 , which she often repeated ; hee then ducked her over head and eares ; when not being able to speak because the water choa●ed her , what ●she could not doe with her tongue she expressed with her● fingers , and holding her armes above water , by joyning the nailes of her two thumbs together , she did that in action , which she was not able to deliver in words ; in so much that her 〈◊〉 obstinacy prevailing above his punishment , hee was forc't to draw her 〈◊〉 againe , being ever after a subject to her morosity and 〈…〉 Another Countrey 〈◊〉 wife , when no Lecture she could reade unto her husband ( though 〈…〉 him with many ▪ and those not empty of variety ) could prevaile with him , when she found that she 〈◊〉 not able to being him 〈◊〉 her owne bow , in a 〈◊〉 malicious despaire 〈…〉 river side , and leap● 〈◊〉 , and so drowned her self● . At length the place being shewed to the good man where she plunged in , 〈◊〉 her body not appearing 〈◊〉 the water , he 〈◊〉 dragge for i● against the streame ; but his neighbours advising him not to take that course , but rather to search for her with the streame ; he made answer , My good neighbours no such matter , for know that in her life time she was so obstinate , froward , and contrary to all reason , that even in death her very body must needs swim against the tide , though it be preposterous against nature .

This calls to my remembrance that of the Cyn●●ke D●ogenes , who was wont to 〈◊〉 , he allowed of them who were in a readinesse to saile upon the sea , but sailed not ▪ who were about to gi●e other mens children their breeding , but bred them not ; who advised with themselves to take upon them the affaires of the Common-weale , but tooke them not ; and who was alwaies towards wiving , but wedded not : intimating those persons to be wise who runne not rashly into such things of which they have not before made proofe and triall . For when men are once entred into them , they forfeit their own liberty , as not able to retract or withdraw themselves at their pleasure . Whoso committeth himselfe to the mercy of the seas , must stand to the grace of the windes and weather : whoso undergoeth publike office or magistracy , cannot at his will 〈◊〉 himselfe to a private state and condition of living : and whosoever marrieth a wife , if he be said not 〈…〉 .

The same Philosopher 〈◊〉 a very faire woman 〈◊〉 in a● horse 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 , he said to one that stood by him , Now surely another cage than that had beene more 〈…〉 of that kind : noting that such froward creatures as some women be , are more fitting to looke out of a grate than a casement . The Le●tica in Greece , which I here call a horse-litter , was a certaine manner of ●eat neere unto that fashion ; in which noble women and great Ladies w●re used to be born through the streets , not by horses , but upon some sixe mens shoulders ; being made with Lattice windows , and grates cro●●e-barred ; which our late Sedans in some things imitate . Those casements were to open and shut at pleasure , that they might looke and bee seen , or not : so that it shewed and represented to the eie the manner and likenesse of a cage for birds , or a pen , in which to keepe divers strange beasts : which was in great frequency among the Grecians . And in such did the wives of the Areopagitae , or chiefe S●natours , and other great Ladies use to be borne through the streets ; and in imitation of them , oftentimes loose and wanton damsells : for great persons cannot devise that for state , which the proud ( how poor soever ) will not strive to imitate .

I have read further , of a Countrey-man , who had a notorious scold to his wife ; and whether he came from the market , or from the field ; or whether hee sate downe to meat , or prepared himselfe for bed , she was alwaies thundring in his eares : nay she would not cease doctrinating him in his neighbours house , but home and abroad were both alike u●●to her ; and still the more he threatned or cudgeled her , her contumelious railing was still more insolent and l●wd , abusing him in language by no allowance . At length he thought to try conclusions , and provided himselfe of an harsh tun'd pipe , on which he could not play any thing that tended to musicke ; and ever when shee began to s●old , he streight without any reply began to play , but so untunably and shrill , that it almost drowned her language : this fretted her worse , in regard that he● gave her no other answer at all , whereby to give her matter to worke upon , in so much that for very anger and despight she left off railing , and fell to skipping and dancing : of which being weary , as having tired her selfe , she flew up to his face , other ( having a shrew to his wife ) ; I marry Gossip , this is a good sight , it were happy for us in the countrey if all the rest of our trees had the like fruit hanging upon them . I conclude this chapter with that of Iuvenall in his 6. Satyr .

The marriage bed hath seldome yet been free From mutuall braules and nuptiall calumny ; Sleepe in their resting place hath no abiding , She 'l keep thee waking with continuall chiding . Jealous shee must bee thou hast gone astray , Then worse than Tigers ( who have lost their prey ) She rageth , and t' encourage this debate , Those children shee best loves shee 'l seem to hate . Some strumpet she will fashion in her minde , And sweare that thou to her art far more kind . With one or other shee up braids thee still , Then weeps amain , for sh● hath teares at will.

CHAP. VIII .

The love that ought to be betwixt man and wife . Why women speake more and lowder than men . Of a 〈◊〉 married wife . Divers other Histories of pleasant passages in the country .

A Question being asked , why our first and great Grandmother Evah , was rather in her formacio● taken out of the side of Adam , than any other part of his bodie ? It was thus learnedly answered : Because the side is the middle of the body , to signifie that the woman is of equall dignitie with the man ; and therefore shee was taken not from the head , nor the foot ; for she must not be superiour or inferiour unto him . It is probable also that shee was taken out of the left side : for the heart of man inclineth that way , rather than to the other ; to denote unto us , that man and woman should imbrace each other with an hearty and intire love : and as the left side is the weakest , so the woman made from thence , is the weaker ve●●ell . Also all male children are conceived in the right side , and the females in the left : and as the sides are defended by the armes , so ought a woman to be by her husband .

Another demanding a question , why women were more apt to talke , and for the most part , make a greater & lowder noise than men ? Answer was returned , that for that there was very great reason to be given : for saith he , wee know that Adam the first man was created from the dust of the earth , which is of its own nature , soft , pliant & tractable , and in the handling yeeldeth no noise or sound at all : but the woman was made of a ribbe ( a bone taken out of Adams side ) which is of a much harder temper . Now for example , take a bushell bagge or a quarter sacke , and fill it with dust , or with flesh , and tumble it or tosse it which way you please , no eccho ariseth from thence at all ; but empty them , and fill them with bones , and so shake and bowlt them together , and you sh●ll then heare what a ratling they will keepe .

Of a more gentle disposition than those before remembred , was she of whom I now am to speake , who instead of a Curtaine Lecture , read by her to her husband , had a strange one read to her ; the manner whereof followeth . Not farre from Reevilling , a Towne under the Imperiall jurisdiction , a very faire country wench , but very simple withall , who was newly married to one of the young rusticks there by , some quarter of a yeere after shee had beene married , came to a Friar to be confest , who casting an adulterous eye upon her , and finding her by her simple answer to bee none of the wisest : the businesse which she came for , being quickly run over , he presently fell upon another matter , and told her that she was run into a great arrerage with him , for not paying him Tithes . The woman innocently demanded of him what Tithes were due to him ? Marry saith hee , for every nine nights which thou liest with thy husband , the tenth is due to me . Truely Sir , replied she , I pray you to excuse mine ignorance , and heaven forefend but whatsoever should bee due unto you from mee , should bee fully satisfied . At which hee retired her into a sequestred place , and there abused her honest simplicitie . After which returning backe to her house , shee began modestly to chide her husband , who would not tell her of those duties and tithes due to the Friar her Confessour , and so told him all the whole circumstances before related . The man said little , knowing the weaknesse of his Wife , and loath to have his owne shame to be made publike , yet vowing revenge in heart ; and fearing that being a Churchman , upon his complaint the Friar might find some favour with the great ones , he bethought himself of a safer course , and resolved withall to bee his owne justicer : for , dissembling the matter , and taking no notice at all of any such thing as passed betwixt the Friar and his Wife , he made meanes to infinuate into his more familiar acquaintance ; to which the Friar most willingly assented , because under that colour hee might have the freer and lesse suspitious consocietie with his Wife . Upon this new acquaintance , the rusticke invited him to dinner , and defired him to come alone ; which was a motion that he willingly imbraced . The day was appointed , and good cheare provided : now the good man commanded his Wife to reserve all the water shee made for two dayes together , and keepe it in a vessell by it selfe ; which was accordingly done : hee invites two or three of his neighbours , whom hee durst best trust . The Friar keepeth his appointment , the dinner is served in , and he set betwixt a couple of them so close that there was no rising from the table without leave : the first trenchers were not changed , but the good man takes a deepe bowle , and drinketh it off to the Friars welcome ( of wine good and wholsome : ) the Friar vowes to pledge him supernaculum , and still casting a leering eye upon the woman , which the Host very well observed ; he whispereth to have the Friars bowle brimmed with his Wives urine : which he taking and tasting , spit it out and said , Now fie , what tart and unpleasant wine is this ? if I should drinke it , it would poyson me . The good man replied , Doth not then this wine tast you well ? He replied , No by no meanes : No , saith the Host ? I le assure you it was drawne out of the same vessell from which you received your Tithes ; and either drinke it off at one carowse , or bee assured that it is the l●st you shall ever swallow . By which the Friar finding his former villany discovered , tooke it off at a draught , concluding with a sowre sawce his former sweet bargaine : and being dismissed thence without any other violence , vowed to himselfe , never to come under that mans roofe after .

I have read of a fellow who travelled a great part of the world over with a paire of boots , which hee had vowed to part with to no man , but such a one as had an absolute power and Empire over his wife : he had past through many Countries , and offered them to all that he met , but no man was either willing , or else durst not accept them upon these conditions : at length meeting with a stout fellow , a Black-smith , he asked him if he would receive them upon the covenant aforesaid ? who answered that he would , and weare them in despight of all the women in Europe : ( now the Smith had put on a cleane shirt that morning ) Upon this answer the Traveller replied , Then Friend , here take them to thee , put them into thy bosome , and beare them home . The Smith replied , Not so , I know a tricke worth two of that : if I should put them into my bosome , and durty my cleane shirt , my wife would not be well pleased with that , for we should have no quietnesse in the house for all this day . Which the other hearing , snatched them away from him , and said , Get thee hence in an evill houre , who goest about to cheat me , being , as all others , afraid of thy wives scolding ; and so left him : nor have I heard whether he hath yet delivered them unto any even to this day .

A Countrey fellow having married a substantiall Farmers daughter , found her within a twelve-moneth to prove not only an archscold , still thundering in his eares , but very lascivious and unchaste , of which he had manifest and infallible proofes ; and therefore hee tooke occasion to complain to his father-in-law both of the morosity and inchastity of his daughter . To whom the good man gave this comfort ; Son , I advise you to have patience , and be content for a time : she is her mothers daughter right , for just such an one was she in her youth , for I could neither governe her tongue , nor — but now she is growne old , there is not a more quiet and chaste Matron amongst all her neighbours : therefore arme your selfe with patience as I did , and I make no question but when the daughter shall arrive unto her mothers age , your wife will prove as tractable and quiet as mine is now ; and with this cold comfort dismist him :

Another Rusticke being married to a very handsome peece , grew jealours of a young fellow a Farmers son , his neighbour ( and he had divers times upbraided her with him : ) at length being angry , she bid him not to feare any such matter betwixt them , and protested , she had rather prostitute her selfe to ten Gentlemen , than to one such clown as himselfe , or him whom he had so often cast in her teeth .

Another Countrey woman , following her husband to his grave , not onely wept and wrung her hands , but tore her haire from her head , uttering such lowd cries and ejulations , that she was much pitied , in regard they feared that the very sorrow for his death would distract her of her senses . Divers came about her to comfort her , and they had much adoe to keepe her from leaping into his grave . The like she did comming backe . At length one that was a widower , and well knowne unto her , stept towards her to lead her home by the arme , and spake divers comfortable words unto her . To whom she answered , No , she was undone for ever , for she was left a lone woman , and a widow , and had none to manage her affaires , or to guide her family . Who replied , Let not that be your care , I am , you know , a widower , and if it please you to accept of me , my suit is , that I may be your second husband . To whom she still weeping and howling made answer , I thanke you neighbour for your good will and friendly offer , but indeed you speake too late , for I have already past my faith and promise to another .

One related unto me of one who pretended great purity and modesty , who could not endure any u●civill speech or obscene talke , and one indeed whom all the young men desired their wives to pattern themselve● by ; she being brought to bed of a boy , which was her first child , as soone as the child was borne , all the women came about it , and every one gave their censure of him , and concluded , it was ● sweet babe , and like the father : which shee hearing , rowsing her selfe as well as she was able , said , Why I pray you neighbours , hath it a shaven crowne ? which put them in mind of a young Friar who had often before frequented the house .

A Rusticke having the day before beaten his wife for reading a Lecture unto him somewhat too lowd , sent her the next day with a Sow to the market to sell. Her way lying through a parke or thicke wood , and she driving the Swine before her with a cord tied to the hinder leg , a young Clowne of her former acquaintance , and who had long beene a suitor to her to corrupt her chastity ( but never prevailing ) overtooke her just as she was entring into the thicket ; and having first given her the good morrow , began earnestly to importune her about his former fuit , alledging , amongst other things , the opportunity of time and place but she still obstinately denied him , and in such rigorous words , that seeing her resolution , he forbare to speake of it any further , and began to talke of other things . But when she perceived they were almost out of the forrest , and that they were ready to come into the open fields , and remembring how churlishly her husband had dealt with her the day before , she began thus to break with him , and say , You spake unto me even now of a businesse I know not what , and urged me to a thing which I may be sorry for I know not when ; but if I should now be so mad or foolish to yeeld to your request , I pray you in the meane time where can you find a tree in all this 〈◊〉 to which to tie the Sow ? Which being apprehended by the other , she found occasion to revenge her selfe upon her husband . And this is growne to be a common Proverb in other Countries , But if I should be so foolish as to yeeld unto you , where in the meane time can you find a fit tree to which to tie the Sow ? From the Countrey I come now to the City .

CHAP. IX .

How Curtaine Lectures are read in the Citie , and how severally read by sundrie Tradesmens wives , with variety of delightfull histories to that purpose .

THere be foure things ( saith mine Authour ) which women most covet ; To be beloved of young men , To be the mothers of fine children , To weare rich and costly clothes , and to domineere and beare rule in their houses .

A Tailor in the Citie , who kept his wife very gallant ( who was indeed a very choice girle , and well became those cloathes which she wore ) before he had beene married a full twelve-moneth , perceiving divers young Citizens , and other Gallants , often to pass by his doore , and sometimes make impertinent businesse to his house , he thinking to prevent the worst , call'd up his wife one day into a private chamber , and began to question her about sundry things , of which the woman was meerely innocent : all this would not perswade the man , but being absolutely jealous of her honesty , he began to schoole her in very rough and course language ; which wakened a fire in her bosome which till then lay hid , and now brake forth at her tongue . Then she told him what matches she might have had when she was a maid , and what fortunes she had neglected in making choice of him ▪ how she might have beene married to a man , and now she had cast her selfe away upon a Tailor ; with the like : in so much that when shee had once begun she knew not how to make an end , but call'd him foole , and jealous coxcomb , putting him to such a silence , that he had not one word to utter ; but waiting till the storme was over , he then began to flatter her , and give her the best language that he could devise , with which they were reconciled betweene themselves , and made friends .

He then began to breake with her further , that for their continuance of love , and to avoid all suspicion or controversie that might after arise betwixt them , she would sweare unto certaine Articles which he would propound unto her ? Who answered , she would with all her heart ; but upon condition , that afterall , he would sweare her also to one thing which her selfe would propound . Who gladly answered that he would . This being constantly agreed betwixt them , he began thus ; Sweet wife , will you never depart over this threshold without my leave , but acquaint me first with the businesse which you goe about ? Who answered him , Sweet husband I will. Next saith he , Will you never offer to cast a wanton glance upon any man ? Or whosoever shall offer to tempt your chastity , to deliver unto me his name ? Willingly , saith she . Will you also sweare , saith he , whilst you live to be true 〈◊〉 my bed , and never 〈◊〉 that conjugall tie 〈◊〉 is past betwixt u● ? Who answered , With all my heart . And observing his palpable jealousie , asked him if these vvere all ? Who answered , Yes : and withall sweet wife ( saith he ) novv vvhat is that further vvhich you de●ire that I should bind you to by oath ? Who replied , Onely this svveet husband , that after these oathes taken , you vvill svveare me that I shall not keepe any one of these articles vvhich you vvould have me svvorne to . Which said , she stept out of the chamber , dovvne into the kitchin , and left him ruminating upon this ansvver .

Another Tradesmans wife ( for I vvill name no particular Trade , to avoid offence ) her husband being at a Faire in the Countrey , the Foreman of his shop , vvhom he had left to manage his affaires at home , cast many a vvanton looke upon his Mistresse , and she failed not to ansvver him vvith the like : at length he put on that audacity to move her in the businesse , but she counterfeited anger , and seemed altogether averse to his suit , threatning him , if he persisted to prosecute it any further , she vvould acquaint his Master vvith it at his comming home ; vvhich made him at that time to urg● it no further . But still such interchange of vvanton glances continued betvvixt them , that it emboldened him in a second encounter : in vvhich he desired her to take the advantage of his Masters absence ; but still she ansvvered him vvith No ; till at length hee urging still further , from No shee said nothing at all ; vvhich gave him such encouragement , that the same night , leaving his Mistresse making her selfe unready in the kitchin , hee stole into her chamber , and stripping himselfe , got into the bed , and covered himselfe over head and eares . At length up comes his Mistresse , and having lockt her chamber fast to her , unclothes her selfe to her next linnen ; and before the candle vvas out , opening the bed to step in , ●pi'd him as he lay : at which she began to rate him , and call'd him all the bad names she could ( but softly : ) at which the fellow , fearing she would have call'd out , and made an uproare in the house , and so have taken him before he was napping , desired her of pardon , and said he would willingly rise and goe from thence unto his owne chamber . To whom she replied ; Fellow , thou dost not heare me talke of thy rising , nor of thy going hence to thine ow● chamber , for it is not that which I speake of ; but it is thy saucinesse and boldnesse that I blame , who wouldst offer to creepe into thy Masters place without the consent of thy Mistresse . Well , for this time I pardon thee , but charge you , without first getting my good will , to do so no more hereafter ; and without more words put out the candle , and went to bed to him .

The like to this was related me of another , who importuned his mistresse to lewdnesse in the absence of his master ; to which act shee would no way appeare to give any consent at all : but he thinking to prove her to the full , told her that he had vowed to steale into her chamber that night , nay more , into her bed . Wilt thou saith she ? doe it then upon thine owne perill , and I will leave the doore open a purpose ; but withall I tell thee before hand , I will lay a knife ready drawn under my beds head , with which ( if thou offerest to enter ) I will kill thee . Night came , and she stript her selfe , put out the candle , and went to bed : anone after in comes hee ▪ and softly stealing ( whilst she counterfeited a sound and dead sleep ) to the bed side , he began to open the sheetes , but finding her not to move at all , doubted to enter , left being suddenly started , shee with the knife might doe him a mischiefe ; and therefore thought to goe ●oftly out as he came in : which shee perceiving , as if shee had suddenly awaked out of sleepe , asked , Who art thou ? who is there ? Hee answered againe , It is I. What I , saith shee againe ? So hee told her his name . And what 's your businesse here at this time of the night ? Marry saith he , I had thought to have come to bed to you , but that I durst not for your knife , and therefore I am going hence : which hearing , she replied , Now beast that I was to forget the knife , and leave it below in the kitchen ; and therefore if thou shouldest stay and venture , there could be no great danger in it .

A lusty stout fellow in the Suburbs having a curst shrew to his wife , for all his valour could never master her tongue , but early and late shee would so whisper in his eares , that all the whole street might ring of her . At length he beat her so soundly , that shee durst not thunder unto him for some weekes after ; in so much that hee verily presumed he had got the victory over her , and so hee stick't not to boast to all his neighbours about : which vexed her not a little , and therefore she thought in her selfe , to be revenged upon him at one time or other , and for that she but waited for some fit oppor●unitie or other . 〈◊〉 hapned that upon a summer evening , he and his Wife , sitting amongst others of the neighbours and their wives , she made the motion that they should goe to a sport call'd All-hid , which is a meere chil●rens pastime ; to which they , then being set upon a merry pin , agreed . Now shee had perswaded her husband to creepe into a Sacke , which he , in regard of her late conformitie suspecting nothing , was willing to do : and when she had tied the Sackes mouth fast , she call'd in two or three of her like conditioned Gossips , to whom shee had acquainted her project , and they every one with a good cudgell did so bast the gentleman , that hee thought his very bones to rattle in his skin ; and notwithstanding all his intreatie or faire promises , they would not let him out , or suffer him to take breath , till hee had sworne unto them , not to take up so much as a small sticke to strike her ever after ; to which ( being almost stifled ) he was forced to sweare ; nor did hee offer the lest blow after , in regard of his oath . But not long after , a great Wedding being kept in that street , and he and his wife invited amongst the rest , after dinner they fel to dance : amongst the rest hee tooke his wife to taske , and being in a measure where the men are to take the women in their armes , and lift them up from the ground , hee took up his wife , and turning round with her till hee came to the top of the staires , and then letting her fall headlong , she tumbled downe to the bottome , and great odds she had not broke her neck ; and this hee did laughing . But such was her good fortune that shee was onely bruised , as hee had before been beaten ; and finding it no advantage for her further to contend with him , shee submitted her selfe , and hee accepted of her submission ; which on both sides was so unfainedly done , that they lived in great unity and love all the rest of their life after .

But not altogether to tire the Reader with quarrelling and scolding : I was told of a very faire virgin of the City , who by her fathers enforcement ( but farre against her owne minde ) was compeld to matcht with an ancient and grave Citizen ; who finding her sitting very sad and pensive the same day of her marriage , came to comfort her : and grasping her about the waste , said , Bee of good cheere my faire wife , an old horse will travell and goe through a long journey as wel as a young . At which words she fetching a grea● sigh , and laying her hand upon the bottome of her belly , said , I , but I feare Sir , not in this rode way .

Another Tradesman having a drunken queane to his wife , whom he could never keepe from the alehouse , but whatsoever hee got she was ready to spend : or if shee had no monie , she would pawne vvhatsoever vvas about the house ; and sittippling among her Gossips , somtimes till past midnight , & then be led home , or carried when her owne legs vvere not able to beare her . And he having read many a Lecture unto her ( as telling her vvhat a loathsome sin drunkennesse vvas , that the end thereof vvas no other then hell fire , with the like good admonitions , but all in vaine . Upon a night , vvhen vvith Ale and hot vvaters shee vvas so overcome , that shee vvas brought home both speechlesse and senselesse , hee thought to trie a conclusion , if possible it vvere to ●eforme it in her : and causing her to bee laid upon a cold earthen floore , he made a great fire , vvhich compast her about , and calling in his neighbours , for vvhom he had provided ( as for himselfe ) furies coates , and every one with a fire-brand in his hand , attending her awaking ; vvho by reason of the heat which compast her , rowsed her somewhat before her time , and looking about her , she began verily to thinke shee vvas in Hell fire , vvith vvhich her husband had so often before threatned her , and the rather , because so many like Devils stood about her : then fetching a deep sigh , the first vvords she uttered vvere , Alas poore wretched soule that I am , to be thus incompast vvith the flames of Hell : Is there never a ghost amongst you all so thirsty as I am novv , that vvill joyn their pennie vvith mine , that vvee may send for a double pot of Ale ? At which the neighbours breaking out into a lowd laughter , they discovered themselves unto her ; and finding her no vvay to bee reclaimed , got her to bed , and left her to bee a perpetuall torment to the honest man her husband .

〈◊〉 hath beene related to me , that in the time of auricular confession , three young Citizens vvives came to a devoute man , vvho vvas their ghostly Father , to be shriven : and he demanding of them what grievous ●ins they had committed , saith the first , The greatest sinne that I suppose my selfe to be guilty of , was that upon a time , I tooke a strange knife which was not mine owne , and put it into my sheath . The good man not much considering upon the matter , but thinking that young timerous vvomen vvould take the least errour to be a very hainous offence , past it slightly over , and demanded of the second , How shee had offended ? Who made ansvver that shee had put two into hers : hee past her over with the like slightnesse , and demanded the like of the third ? Who made answer that indeed she was guilty of putting three knives into hers . Is this all said hee ? They answered , Yes . Then , saith he , I will dispatch you presently , and having quickly absolved the two first , and comming to the third , he began to consider with himselfe , what sheath it was which should hold three knives , when hee never saw any that held more then two and a bodkin ; and asked her what she meant by those knives ? To whom she plainly answered , that three severall men had had the use of her body , besides her husband : when presently finding the errour , he call'd the former whom he had ignorantly absolved , and said , Get you hence for , three pestilent and cunning baggages ; I absolve none of you all , you have confest amisse : What , would you make me beleeve , that betwixt Penis and Cultellus is no difference ? And so unshriven in a great anger he dismist them .

CHAP. X.

Pleasant discourse betwixt a Noble man and a Merchant . Lectures read by country Gentlewomen and Ladies to their husbands . By the souldiers wife , to her Captaine or Leiv●enant . And of Court Ladies to their Lords .

A Nobleman and a worthy Merchant jesting together freely , without any exceptions to bee taken , saith the Nobleman to him , I wonder at you Merchants , who for the most part have very beautifull and faire wives , that dare trust them here at home , whil'st you take such long voyages into Countries so farre remote : surely it cannot choose but bee a great trouble to your minds being abroad , for feare they should violate their conjugall tie at home : when wee Noblemen deale more securely ; for if we take a journey either from the Court to the Country , or from the Country up to the Court , we leave our Ladies well accommodated & guarded by Servants , Groomes , and Pages . The Merchant perceiving how hee plaid upon him , said unto him againe ( by your Lordships favour , and without offence be it spoken ) How comes it to be a proverb , that Noblemens children are not ( for the most part ) so well featured and favoured , as the sons and daughters of Citizens ? If your Lordship will not be offended , I can shew you the reason . I pray thee doe , saith the Noble man , I give thee free leave and libertie to speake . Then thus , saith the Merchant , In the absence of all such Merchants as have houses in the City , it being so populous , there are choice either of young Aldermens sons , or of such lusty young Gallants as use to insidiate the chastities of beautifull women in the absence of their husbands ; and they having their choice , will commonly picke out the properest men to transgresse with ; and so betwixt them commeth a faire and well featured issue : when you Noblemen taking your journeies , take all your Gentlemen along to attend you , leaving none with your Ladies , but a Chamberlaine , Cooke , or a Coachman , and they in your absence being glad to make use of such course groomes , I suppose that may be the reason why your children are not so faire and well favoured as ours . At which answer , the Nobleman smil'd , and taking the retort as well as the Merchant did the jest put upon him at first , they parted without any further excep●ion . But ere I come to the Court , I must first looke backe upon the , Country , and see how the Gentlewoman there bred useth to lecture to her Esquire or Knight : and after how the Souldiers wife useth to read to her Lievtenant o● Captaine .

An Esquires wife , being an excellent housewife , but of a very loud tongue withall , used to taxe him for being too free in his kitchen , sellar and at his table ; for keeping too many inpertinent servants , too many horses and dogs , hounds , grey-hounds and spaniels , hawkes , &c. which drew him to unnecessary charges . Then laied the law to him , what hee might save in the yeere , which he vainely and profusely wasted ; with divers other things to the like purpose , with so often iteration ( as preaching still upon one text ) both at boord and in bed , that tired with her continuall clamours , and withall shee often forbearing his imbraces , unlesse he would reforme all things according to her minde , and leave all his estate to her sole management , he grew not to love her so well as at the first , and casting his eie upon a pretty slut , his Gardeners wife , hee neglecting his own , grew very much enamored of her , but durst not come to the house , by reason of his wives jealousie ; yet he wrought so by one of his servants , who dealt for him to the woman , that shee was willing to yeeld to any thing to doe her Master a pleasure , so it might bee done safely , and without suspition , either from her husband or her mistresse . It was then concluded , that they should meet in a lodge some halfe a mile from the Mannor house , and to that purpose , hee had sent his Gardener some twenty miles out of the towne ; and the better to conveigh her thither , he commanded his man to provide a large basket into which to put the woman , and cover it with strewing flowers , hearbs , and sallets ; which was accordingly done . The Master of the house got up early to keepe this appointment : so was the Mistresse to dogge her husband , as mistrusting his early rising : and in the way meets this fellow with his basket , the bottome of which , by reason of the weight of the woman , was quite broken , and her legs and feet hung downe below his knees : which shee perceiving , call'd the fellow unto her , and asked him what hee had in his basket ? Sallets Mistresse ; saith hee : Sallets , and nothing else ? Nothing Mistresse , saith he , but hearbs and sallets . Well saith shee , carry them to your Master , and tell him from mee , this is a fish day , and bid him beware what flesh hee tasteth with those sallets . The fellow nothing perceiving all this while ▪ makes way to the lodge , and delivers his burthen ; the Gentlewoman followes , and before her Husband discovers the woman . The cause was at first somewhat bitterly debated betwixt them ; but all the choler being vented , they fell to a more mild attonement : in which it was concluded , He would ever after forsake his lust , so long as shee would forbeare her Lecture .

A Knights wife in the Country was perfect in the same doctrine , and read it as freely as the former ; and tiring him one morning with a tale of an houre long , he not interrupting her in one syllable , she vexing all this while that he made her no answer , at length for meere wearinesse she gave over . Then he knockt as lowd as he could , till one came up : he then commanded him to call up the servants of the house , men-servants and maid-servants , up into the chamber , and that instantly : who presently ran downe as he was commanded ; she in the meane time wondring what it might meane : ( I forgot to tell you that hee bade them to bring their Church books with them . ) Well , all of them came up thus accommodated , and demanded what his Worships pleasure was ? Marry ( saith he ) this was the cause I sent for you , my wife hath preached to me a very learned Sermon , in which she borrowed somewhat of the houre-glasse , and exceeded her time , and it is but now ended , and I desire it may not goe off without a Psalme ; and therefore saith he ( and was going on ) when she interrupting him , said , Get you all downe about your severall affaires , and that I charge you instantly , or you shall heare from me in another kind . Which they incontinently did : when she , ashamed of the ●ricke he had put upon her , desired him to use it or the like no more , and she would never trouble him either in his nights sleep or his mornings rest after .

I come now to the Souldiers wife . It is recorded of a brave and noble Captaine to have a brauling shrew to his wife , from which turbiflency he could by no gentle meanes reclaime her ; and therefore hee so awed her with threats and menaces , and now and then with a kicke or a blow , that she was forced to give her unseasonable Lectures quite over . Then she going often to confession , still when she came to her ghostly father , in stead of her owne faults reckoned up all that she either knew or could devise of her husband . In so much that the good man meeting with the Captain , gave him courteous admonitory counsell , as to leave drinking , swearing , rioting , and the like ; by which the Captaine might perceive that some or other had complained of him . Not long after , the woman insinuates with her husband , that for any thing that had ever past betwixt them either in words or blows , in which she was the sole sufferer , she did heartily forgive him , and desired the like forgiveness from him , if by her lowd tongue she had any way offended him , promising a reformation of all her misdemeanours for ever after ; and therefore that lasting unity might continue betwixt them , she desired him to goe to her ghostly father , and heartily confesse him of his sins , which would be a mean to ratifie and confirme all conjugall love betwixt them . The Captaine was perswaded , and went , and comming before the grave Church-man , told him he was desired to come unto him , and now being here ( saith he ) I would know what your will is with me . Who said , I would wish you to consider with your selfe , and rub up your remembrance , and calling to mind all your sins and offences , riots and disorders , and what else ; for which ( repenting of them unfeignedly ) I will give you present absolution . Nay if that be all ( said the Captaine ) that labour is sav'd already , and needs no second iteration ; I know you are my wives Confessour , and she hath told unto you all my sinnes , and more than I ever did or thought to doe already : and so bluntly left him .

A brave Lievtenant amongst many other wounds lost an eie in the wars , and afterward retiring himself into his own Country , where he had some meanes to live on , bethought himself , after all those tumultuous dangers past , to betake himselfe to a peaceable and quiet life ; and to that purpose intended to marry . A match was presently offered him , a Virgin ( supposed ) both of good feature and competent dower . The marriage day came , and was past with great joy and solemnity , and the Bride and Bridegroome ( according to the custome ) brought to their bed . The curtaines were drawne , and they left to their rest ; when he comming to doe the office of an husband , perceived she had bin before devirginated , and was not a true maide ; and thrusting her from him in great anger , said , A way thou strumpet , I tooke thee for a perfect Virgin , and now I find thee to be a woman flaw'd and unperfect . Who boldly answered him again ▪ And is not the match equall ▪ since I have accepted of the● being maimed , and wanting one eye ? But ( repli'd he ) I received my hurt from mine enemie . And I ( answered she ) received th●● which so much troubles thee from my best friend .

I must be sparing to speak of the Court : yet no question even your Court Ladies are women , and have tongues , though they know by their noble breeding better how to governe them , than others , who have not had their generous education and breeding . Amongst the rest , I have read one short story in an approved Au●hor , that a Basket-maker in the country , having with his best care and cunning made an end of an extraordinary Basket , which had been bespoke , & finding it finisht to his owne desire and fancy , ( his wife then sitting by him ) he said , Now God be thanked , I have finisht my Basket , and I pray thee wife say so too . But she being ref●actory and obstinate , held her tongue ; and the more he intreated her , the more adverse shee was to him , giving him foule and course language . Which 〈◊〉 not able to endure , fell upon her with a good cudgell , and beat her till she was forc'd to crie out . A Noble man comming then by accidentally , with a great traine a● his heeles , finding her weeping , began at first to commiserate the woman , and to chide the man for striking her : but being by him truely informed of the cause , he commended the fellow for justly correcting her dis●● bedience , and told her 〈◊〉 had her mends in her 〈◊〉 hands : so left them ; and rid home to his house . At supper he related all the circumstance ( before discoursed ) to his Lady , and asked her opinion of the matter . Who answered , The Basket-maker vvas a Knave to offer to beat his wife upon so sleight an occasion . Who replied unto her , Why Madam , vvould you be so perverse and obstinate unto me , if I should command you to speake these words ? Indeed my Lord , answered she , I would . How , saith he ? I charge you to say these vvords before all this company , God be thanked , I have finisht my Basket. Who answered againe , My Lord I vvill die before I vvill doe it . At vvhich he mightily enraged ; rose from the table , and taking a battoone in his hand , had he not beene held by maine force by his noble guests and his Gentlemen about him , there had been as grea● a fray betwixt them , as there vvas vvith the Basket-maker and the shrew his vvife . Now what manner of Lecture she read after to her Lord I cannot relate , being then not present to heare it .

CHAP. XI .

Twelve things that have been the Authors of much mischeife . Of the famous and notorious scold Xantippe . A Curtaine Lecture read by a Queene to her Husband , worthy all womens imitation .

TWelve things have bin the Authours of much mischiefe : Age without wisdome : Prudence without imployment : A Master of an house without a familie : Pride without riches : Riches without honour : Nobilitie without vertue : A people without awe : A Citie without Lawes : Office without clemencie : Youth without feare : A religious life without peace : A woman without shame .

And such an one was Xantippe , the wife of Socrates ; of whom we will speake something , onely to shew that there have been scolds of old as there bee now . Some report that hee kept two wives at once , the one Myrtho , the other the aforenamed Xantippe . And to a friend of his , earnestly demanding why hee kept two such women at once , under one roofe ; especially being scolding queanes , ever brauling and chiding , and did not beat them out of his doores , and confine them his familie ? hee made answer , These women teach mee at home , the patience that I must use in sufferance abroad : for being throughly exercised with these , I shall be the better able to endure the morosity of others .

Upon a time , when Xantippe in the open Market place had plucked his cloake from his backe , and such of his friends as saw it , said unto him , Why Socrates do you not correct this impudent outrage in her , and chastice her soundly for it ? replied to t●em , Yea marry , that were a jest indeed , that when we two be together by the eares , all the whole market folke looking uponus , may cry , Hold thine own Socrates , To him Xantippe : by which meanes wee shall bee made a derision to all men .

Another time , one Euthidemus a Philosopher , and one of his most intimate friends , comming from the wrastling place , S●crates meeting with him , invited him home to supper ; the meat being set on the table , and they being in an earnest discourse , more minding to argue than to eat ; Xantippe being therewith very angry , rose up from the place where shee sat , and wished them choaked with their prating , if they would not fall to their victuals whilst they were hot , giving her husband very bitter and despightfull words : but they by custome being nothing therewith moved , talked on : which she seeing , tipped up the table over and over , and flung downe all that was upon it to the ground , and so went out of the roome . But when Euthidemus , being very much moved therewith , offered to rise up and to depart the house : Nay stay good friend , saith Socrates , what harme hath shee done ? did not the like thing happen unto you the last time you bad me home to dinner , when an hen leaping up amongst us , cast downe and spoyled whatsoever was upon the table ? yet did we who were then your guests onely laugh at the accident , and neither fret nor fume as you now seeme to doe .

The same Socrates , after hee had indured his wives bitter railing in the house , at last being wearied therewith , hee went out , and sat upon a bench that sided the street doore . Shee at his departure being much more incensed , in regard of his silence and quietnesse , as giving her no more argument to speake of ; she presently ( seeing where he sat ) went up into the garret , and poured downe a chamber pot full of stinking water upon his head : at which those that passed by fell into a great laughter ; which seeing , he laughed as loud as they , & said , Nay , I thought ve●ily , and was confident thereon , that after so loud thunder there must needs follow a violent shower of raine . But I have done with Socrates , wishing that all such as have the like shrewes as hee had , might be indued with the like patience to indure them .

I come now ( and that I propose to be the conclusion of this worke ) to tell you of a curtaine Lecture , read by a vertuous Queene to the King her Husband ; super-exceeding all the former , and worthy the observation and imitation of all good women , of what estate and condition soever . The Historie thus followeth .

Amongst the Kings of Arragon , there was one Don Pedro ( vulgarly Don Peter ) the seventh of that name ; but before his Inauguration , Count of Barcellonas , who tooke to wife a beautifull young Ladie called Donna Maria , daughter to the Earle of Mount Pesulia , and Nephew to the Emperour of Constantinople ; who notwithstanding shee was plenally furnished with all the accomplishments both of nature and grace ; as knowing that beautie annext with vertue purchaseth praise with immortality , and that ( as another saith ) if chastity and good name be lost , there is nothing left in women that can be praise-worthie ; and that she knew withall , that true vertue was the beautie of the soule , the grace of the bodie , and the peace of the mind ; and that it might bee said of her , as Seneca in Hercule Furente speakes of Megera the wife of Hercules : Gravent Catenae corpu● , & long a fame Mors protrahatur lenta , non vincit fidem , &c. Although my bodie be opprest with chaines , And famine by a lingring death constraines My wearie life , no violence shall decline My faith from thee , I 'm still ( Alcides ) thine .

Notwithstanding all this goodnesse inherent to her greatnesse , the dissolute King , growing neglectfull of his first faire choice , bends his inordinate affections fully upon fresh change . Hee sleepes now onely in the bosomes of Catamites , and base prostitutes ; whil'st her company and consociety is both at boord and bed quite abandoned .

But the good Queen , lesse troubled with the want of his boord or bed fellowship , than grieved with the dispaire shee had of hopefull and princely issue ; knowing , as Basil saith , that barren marriage is seldome without braules , she bethought her selfe , how by redeeming the one , she might recover the other . And to that purpose she dealt privately ( being wonderously for her vertues sake beloved of all ) with one of the Pages of the Kings bed-chamber , whom he most imploied in his private prostitutions , to bring her covertly to the Kings bed , to supply the place appointed for one of his best loved mistresses . This was as effectually performed , as considerately plotted : so that the King once more injoyed his Queen , and was as prodigall of those favours to her , as he pretended to another .

The morning growing on , and he now sufficiently sated , hastens her departure , both for his owne honour and her credit . But shee taking hold of the present occasion , began to discover her selfe in these or the like words , and read unto him this short Lecture : My gracious Lord and Husband , if I have offended you in the fervencie of my love , I here voluntarily submit my s●lfe to the ty●annie of your hate : yet if it please you considerately to examine the cause of my hither com●ing , it was neither to quench any immoderate desire in my selfe , nor envie to intercept any of those favours you intended unto another : it was not lust , but love , hoping that this nights unexpected passage may blesse us with issue , and beautifie the Kingdome with a joyfull heire . For why should strangers inherit , where there is yet hope left that we may have of our own to succeed . Nor will I leave your side till you call into your chamber some persons of honour and ●rust ; to the end that if heaven be so gracious unto us , that royall fruit ( by me so much desired ) may ensue by this adventure , the world by their testimony may take notice , that it is legitimate , to crowne me with the name of an happy Mother ; and not adulterate , to brand mee with the title of a lewd and lascivious strumper .

The King , though he seemed somewhat troubled at the first , yet better recollecting himselfe , was not any vvay displeased vvith the Q●eenes honest deceit : but presently called in two Gentlemen of his chamber , as witnesses of that truth ; considering it touched his own honour as much as the Queenes desire . The event of this stratagem proved fortunate , both to the Parents and the kingdome : for by that meeting she conceived vvith childe , and according to the season of vvomen vvas delivered of a son , on the first day of February in the veere of Grace 1196. The Father and Mother , when the solemnity of his Baptisme vvas to bee celebrated , differing about the name , they caused twelve torches of equall length and making to bee alighted at once , they bearing the names of the 12. Apostles ; with this omen , that the name of that torch vvhich vvas first burnt out , should bee given to the Infant : vvhich happened to be that of S. Iames ; and so was hee called Iames , being the chief Saint whom the Arragonians celebrate .

He proved a rare and an unparalleld Prince , as well in forrain warres as domestick government : he was beneficiall to his servants , and bountifull to his souldiers : his courage vvas full of constancy , and continued vvithout change ; proving such an one as Socrates characters for valiant . Great attempts he undertooke vvithout diffidence , and managed them vvithout feare . Making invasion upon the Mores , he pierced vvith a great army the I le of Majorque , then in their possession , and after many skirmishes brought it under his owne subjection . Hee invaded Carihage , and made his name famous in Africa .

He had a faire and fertile issue , sonnes and daughters . His eldest was Don Peter , who succeeded him in the kingdome of Arragon : his second , Don Iames , whom hee made King of the two Iles , Majorque and Minorque : his third vvas Archbishop of Toledo . His eldest daughter , Donna Tollant , vvas Queen of Castile : the second , Donna Isabella , Queen of France : the third , Donna Urracha , vvas married to Don Emanuell Prince of Castile . His sonne Don Pedro espoused the daughter of the King of Navarre . Great pity therefore it had beene that the meeting of that happy night had beene intermitted , in vvhich the royall father of so kingly ● progeny vvas begot . He lived 72. yeeres , and died ●●●ligiously , retiring himself to a sequestred life . For being troubled vvith a gri●vous disease , which ma● him unable for governmen● hee disposed of his scep●● and estate , and expired in th● City Valentia in a Monast●ry , in the yeere 1266. abo● the beginning of August .

I need not to have travell●● so far for an history to 〈◊〉 purpose , vvhen our ow●● kingdome hath afforded ●work● like , betwixt persons of 〈◊〉 greatest quality , who by the like sleight practised by 〈◊〉 forsaken Ladies , have not ●eene onely a meanes of re●onciliation , but of happy propagation and issue . Great ●hen hath beene the vertue and patience of those noble Matrons , to suffer such corrivalship , in conniving at their owne maid-servants and Gentlewomen ; considering that ( as Crates saith ) nuptiall faith is seldome violated vvithout revenge . Besides , there can be no greater temptation to corrupt the constancy and loyalty of a married woman , than when shee perceives her husband to discharge upon her his discontents and virulencies , and reserve all his time and consocietie for the person of another .

Aristotle affirmes , th●● man or woman is worthy to be accounted stout , bold and valiant , who doe no● onely with patience , indu●● injuries and rebukes of fered them , but strive to repay the best good for th● worst evill . For patiencei of such similitude , and nee●● alliance unto fortitude , th●● shee is either her sister or her daughter . And thoug● this vertue ( as Cicero saith ) being often provoked with injuries may breake out into fury ; yet in such distraction , it is good for wronged women , to thinke upon the worst how to better it , and to wish the best with intent to further it , and whatsoever shall happen patiently to indure it . For the onely remedy for injuries , is to study how to forget them . I conclude with the Emperour Aurelius , who tells us , that it is more safety to forget a wrong than to revenge it ; to suffer infirmities , and dissemble mishaps : the one is the office of a constant sicke man , the other of a cunning Statesman . But for a wife to beare with the weakenesse and imperfections of 〈◊〉 husband , is the true Character of a wise and vertuous woman .

Gaudet patientia Duris . FINIS .