Certaine tragicall discourses written out of Frenche and Latin, by Geffraie Fenton, no lesse profitable then pleasaunt, and of like necessitye to al degrees that take pleasure in antiquityes or forreine reapportes

The argument

AMongest all the passions which na∣ture sturreth vp to disquiet the mind of man, there is none of such tyrany, or kepes vs more in awe, then the detestable humor of couetousnes, and raging appetyt of whoredome, wher∣of as both the one and the other, en∣gender frutes of semblable furie, and expose effectes of equal euill, So he is of treble commen∣dacion, that being possessed of the firste, dothe rather a∣bandon his goodes, then in pursewinge the suggestion of his insatiable desier, semes to procure willingly his owne torment in this world with assured daunger to his soule in the day of general accompt, and vanquishing the second, which earst had thon y awe and dominion of him, he lea∣ues a glorious remembrance of ymortalitie to his name, and dischargeth his conscience of a heauie and yrkesome burden. But if the desier to wynn great treasures, makes the noble mynd forgetful of the regarde of his honor, with constraint to do things not worthie any way of the title of vertue, or if (according to virgil in his second Eneydos) this gredy thirst after golde, is of force to corrupt the har∣tes of mortall men, and fill theym full of all infection, it is nothing to the power of the sensuall appetit, whyche once taking possession of our inwarde partes, god kno∣weth what frutes it bringes furth, formyng vs in a frame of brutalitie, nothing inferior to thinsensible sorte, accor∣dinge to the Greke orator, saieng that when a man giueth hymselfe to the pleasures of the fleshe, be makes exchange of thexcellencie whyche he participates wyth thymage of god, and becomes of forme and likenes to a beast wythout vnderstanding, wherin also the wise king of the Hebrues

amongest his sondrie sainges of wisedome, willes vs to remember, that the lipps of a whore be swete distillinge droppes of honnye, but thoperacion excedes the bitternes of gawle, and is more sharp then the sworde that cuttes with two edges, warning euery man to shon that sugred euill as a pestilent ayre, for that (saith he) the man that es∣capeth such passages, besides that his life is fre from infy∣nitie of daungers, leaues an honorable remembrance of his vertue to all posterities: And albeit the great romaine Capteine Scipio Affricanus chiefe vanquisher of thene∣mies of his contrey, hath left an ymmortalitie of his name by his dexteritie in armes and arte of warr, yet is his glo¦rye no lesse by the contynencye hee vsed towarde a prin∣cesse of Spayne, taken prisoner amongest others in one of his battels, whose bewtie albeit seamed of force to allure the most staide and assured harte that was, and he fryenge in the flame of youthe, not exceding the twenty and fourth yere of his age, did not only absteine from vyolacion of her bodie with semblable inhibicion to al his capteynes, but also retorned her with pompp due to her estate to her husband, whō also he dismissed into libertie, wythout raun¦som or other exaction, wheruppon the Spanishe prince Indibile, so embraced thallyance of Rome, that he onely assisted (not longe after) thempire in the conquest of spaine. The great Alexander, albe it he was more giuen to sensu∣alitie, then stoode wyth the honor of so worthie a prince, yet forbare he to do wronge to the chastetie of the mother and wife of the great Monarke Daryus, albeit they being his prisoners, their honor and life were also at his dispo∣cicion, only he had not suche credit in his owne continencie as the Romaine Scipio. for that he durste not once come

where they were, for feare their bewtie wold force him to a forgetfulnes of noble vertue, where thaffrican hadde al∣waies conuersacion and conference with the spanishe. La∣dy in his tent, And because we maye be holde to enterme∣dle the renolome of our owne time with the glorie of an∣tiquitie, Let vs geue no lesse commendacion to Frances Sforze sometime Duke of Myllan a man of singler fame for a Captein of our tyme, who according to the chronicles of Italy was presented with a younge maide of rare and exquisite bewtie, by a soldiour of his whiche reserued her life at the saccage of a Towne he had won by assalte, and albeit he was younge, ful of wanton humors, and nothing degenerating from thytalyan inclynacion touching the de∣sier of the fleshe, yet beinge at the point to assaile the cas∣tle of her honor, vpon her humble peticiō for the sauegard of her chastetie, he deliuered her wythout any wronge to her virginitie, all which examples as I must confesse to deserue euerlasting memorie, & they that haue vsed such vertuous abstinence, meritorious of ymmortall commen∣dacion, yet I can not compare their doinges with the ver∣tu of hym, who thorowly gauled with the arowes of loue, hauing longe courted a young and faire damesell, tasted of euery passion whiche may, any way pinche the harte of him that is plunged in affection, and desyeringe nothinge but the rewarde of loue, which giues ende to thamarous sorowes, after he had spente manye nightes in hollowe dreames, consumed the daies in incerteine ymaginacions, wepte, sighed, and otherwaies tormented hym selfe in the pursewt of his mistres, when his desier was of greatest force, and his hope redie to conuert it self into dispaire, being sewed vnto, and hauyng power ouer her who earst

might haue commaunded him and al that was his, checked the humor of his former appetit, and dismissed her without the losse of the least iote of her honor, whose example me thinkes makes blushe all other which earste haue beene preferred as pattornes of coutynencie, for that in ouer∣commyng him selfe, he did not only refraine to laye hands vpon her, who yelded the vse of her honestie rather by ne∣cessitie, then prouocacion of affection, but also embrasinge her rare assurance in vertue, releued her wante no lesse plentifully, then if she had bene his sister bred in the wombe wherin him selfe was conceiued, of suche one do I meaue to discourse in the historie following, as more vertu∣ous and worthie of praise, then either Scipio, Alex∣ander, or Sforce, wherein notwith∣standing I refer the Judge∣ment to such as haue van quished the force of af∣fection by sembla∣ble vertue

LVCHYN IS LONGE IN loue wyth a simple mayde, whom he wo∣eth and cannot wyn by any passion hee endureth, at laste necessetie yeldeth her into his han∣des, vvhen he doth not onlye refuse to abuse her body, but also takes order to susteine her, and supplie her wantes no lesse amplie then if shee had bene his syster.

THe recordes of antiquitie & monumen∣tes in IEYNE, making a perticular dis¦cription of diuers accedentes happening to the noble house of Vynaldo,: haue left a special note of one Luchyn (being of the remeynder of that race) who succeding his parentes in patrymonie and possessi∣on, was nothing inferior in al respectes of honor and vertue, and exceded theym all in liberall dispo∣sicion and gifte of bowntie, detesting the nigardlike order of the Ienoways, who gasping more of tene then they get meat, do cōmonly rise frō the table with an appitit, & make cleane their téeth, when they fil not theyr bellie, like as also the hun¦grie spanyarde, who being at hoame can liue of a litle, but feding of an other mans trēcher, his throate seames as wide as the deuowring awstrich, & is hable to match the gredieste flemyng and greatest epicure in Almayne.

He being thus thonly heir of his house, reauing alreadie a∣mōgest y^e massye bagges of his father, who left him the keyes of his goldē coffers, set a broach ymediatly y^e frank dispositiō of his liberal hart, & opening al y^e gates of his pallaice, denied y^e repaire of none, wherby he somoned in short time a lustye train of gāllandes & glory of youth, more apt to hunt y^e chasse

of his spoile, then likely to preserue his patrymonie, whom (as one not much ouercharged with care to kepe that he had, nor couetous in desier to augment the legaicie and leauing of his father he vsed as his chiefe and familiar companions in the pursewte of his pleasure, I meane in the practise of exploites of chiualrye on horsebacke, wrastlinge, leapinge and other exercises of actiuitie, wyth a thousande chaunges of recreacions of delite, and pastimes incidente to younge gentlemen, who fyndinge the care of the worlde hurtfull to their younge and tender inclynacion (and hauing wherwith to susteine their prodigall vaine, do passe the shorte tyme of their greene yeres in the only ymytacion of pleasure, wher∣in this younge heire of VYVALDO, tooke such large penny worthes, and was assisted wyth so long a tyme, that he sea∣med to lacke nothing to make hym appeare happie in thys worlde, but a dispence from aboue to defende hym from the daungerous snares and prison of loue, who albeit is blinde, and of smal force, yet is he ordeined to interrupte the ease of men, with a speciall grudge and common hatred to thexcesse of felicitie in our youth.

And because there is nothinge on earth that is contynual ly happie, and that it is necessarie to knowe the causes why we are of the world, I meane to be touched, sometime wyth a change of our fortune; and passion of hard disgestion, aswel as wée séeke to tast of the delicates of ease, and wallowe in contynual pleasure, So I thinke, that euen as couetousnes and gredie desier is thordynarie torment and contynual bour¦reau that trobles the mynd of thold man, Euenso, loue is an impression of disquiet, which nature hath sowen in the harts of younge men, both to restraine in tyme the raginge follie of youth, and (accordinge to the order of the pinchinge frost killinge the buddes of certeine trees and flowers that ap∣peare duringe the violence of his tyme) to chasten the abuse of their long pleasure, wyth a rebuke of no lesse sharpe dis∣posicion, then almost insupportable for the tendernes of their discretion, whiche loue beinge blinde of hymselfe,

seames also to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 smal regard in y^e disposition of his affai¦res with lesse discr••••••ō in knitting thaffectiōs of those vnhap¦pie wretches whiche he bringes to drawe vnder the yoke of his awe, whereof our age swarmes with examples, whiche I am contente to dismisse for this time, by reason of y^e super∣fluitie of the same, & referr you to the sequile of this Luchin, who dandled (as it were vpon the lappe offollye and, serued with nothinge but dishes of delit & ••••••••••are, could not beare so euen a hand vpō the bridle of his affectiōs, but or he wiste he let slipp the steddie raigne of his libertie & became ex∣tremely in loue with a simple maide, whose beautie he ac∣compted of more price, then her selfe or parentes noble by discente or other speciall assistance of fortune. And albeit his personage and liuyng with thestimation of other gyftes whiche nature had lente him aboue the reste, seamed suffi∣ciently hable to make hym meritorious of fauor of the beste Ladie of a countrey, yet loue (hauyng neither respecte to his race nor regarding his greatnes) did close his eyes from the viewe of such as were hable to answere him in equalitye of discente & vertue, and conuerted his harte and affection to the contemplacion of a simple maide, whose name albeit is not of such veneration as Camylle and Lucretia, whose high titles onlye do importe a certeine semblance and creditt of honestie in the person of a publike curtisan, yet her chastetie with womanly gouernement, deserueth no lesse cōmenda∣cion then the most approued of auncient time, for being the doughter of a pore man, she grudged not with the porcion of pouertie, but thought it a principall vertue to embrace the lott of her state with thankeful contentement, & be carefull to releue the harde condicon of her parentes with the honest endeuor of her handes, she made not her beautye, a looking glasse for the worlde, but studied to be worthie of so precious a Iewell, she woulde not suffer her bodie to be pampred with delicacye, leaste her mynde sholde be subiecte to thin∣fection of euil, nor giue any place to thalarmes of the fleshe, leaste the same should preuale aboue her resistance, & being

of the age of fyftene or sixtene yeres, her modestie was of no lesse admiracion seruing, as a lanterne to light all the ladies of Ieyne, then her beautie (without a seconde) hable to allure the best assured of a countrey, whose firste viewe and simple regarde, brought suche suddaine astonishement to the loftie minde of this Luchyn, that after he had conferred the secrett misterie, which nature had hiddē in her face, with the special gifte of seamely behauior bestowed vppon her by God, his harte seamed enchaunted, & eyes as lymed with the glaunce of her lookes, not hable to wythdrawe their regardes from the contemplacion of so perfecte a beautie, whiche was not set out to the sale, by any artifyciall meanes of paintynge or assistance of pouder or other vaine experience of diuers of oure counterfaite masquers nowe a dayes, neyther did she seame to preferr any suborned brauerie for thaduan∣cement of so precious a dowrye, either by superfluous frizi∣lation of the heare, twincklinge of the eye, wrynginge the lip, or wrestinge the chyn, minsynge or measurynge her pace, as thoughe her ioyntes were oute of tune, or tyed together wyth pointes, or other lewde Iestures de∣uised by the curtisan, and practised as a principle and chiefe grace at this daye, by diuers of our delicatt and wanton dames: who not waighing the due merite of so precious an ornamēt, & lesse worthie to weare so rare a badge of nature, do abuse the goodnes of theim both, in conuertting the onely gifte of God into a detestable meane to agrauate synne.

And receiuing thus the first somōce of loue, whose arrowes being fethered with the wing of infection, do leaue the harte wounded with a burnyng desier to pursue thinstigacion of our appetit, he founde himselfe to weake to abide any more alarams, albeit striuing a litle at the first to defende his li∣bertie, with y^e intent to aunswere appeale to thuttermost of his forces, he brewed the broth of his owne ••ale, & renewed y^e torment of his passiō in such sort, y^t there were fewe dayes in y^t wherin he performed not his pale walke afore the lodging of his faire Ianiquette, whom if by any aduenture his

roauing eyes did spie at y^e doare, he forgatt not to salute, with no lesse humylitie, then if she had bene one of the greateste ladies in Ieane, courting her besides with a low reuerence & other offices of dutiful ciuilitie, in no lesse reuerend maner then if he had presented his seruice to the greatest princesse of Italy whiche also driue the girle into some amaze, as one not exsperienced in the order of such amarus gretinges, and lesse vsed to be saluted by any gentleman equall in callinge or cōdiciō to Siegneur Luchyn, whose fame as it was great both by y^e authoritie he bare in y^e Citie & reputacion of his liuing, wyth other giftes and ornamentes of nature, So it driue her into doble astonishment to conster the meaning of his newe courtesie, albeit leauing y^e diuinaciō of his intent, to a time of more leasure, she retired to the vertue of her good norri∣ture, for y^t which she was no lesse meritorious, then imbra∣sed (as you sée) for her bewtie, And drawing y^e blod of seamly shame into her face, which set such a glass of natural white & red of her cōmplexion, y^t her coollor seamed to be died in the dew of y^e fragrāt morning of May, & retorned his courtsie w^t a salutaciō of sēblable humilitie, wherin he reioysed w^t more cōtētmēt of mind, then if y^e Quene of Spaine had yelded him fauor to kysse her hād. But what nede he tickle himself to make himself laugh, or why did he not eschew y^e presēce and place of his enemy, rather thē seame so subiect to y^e sōmonce of his eye, to whō loue hath giuen the gift of flatterie to de∣ceiue y^e rest of y^e partes, for if at y^e first he had corrected y^e flic∣kering reaporte of his eyes, his hart had bene fre frō desier, & he not at the brinke of passion, & tormentes, & if at y^e bigin∣ning, he had abādoned y^e place, he had also dismissed the remē∣brance of that, whiche nowe hathe bounde hym to pursewe the queste of hys owne disquiete, neyther dothe hee other thynge in visitynge the place where shee is, then throwe water vppon hoate ymbers, whyche dobleth the heate, and forceth the flame with more expedicion, for the more he be∣helde her, and the lesse she regarded hym, the greater grew his affection, geuing treble increase to his desier.

And albeit she was neither fyne in attire, sett out in robes of riche araye, nor deckte with apparell for the more deco∣racion of her naturall beautye, yet appeared she no lesse precious in the eye of this gallande, then if she had bene trimmed for the nonste, in the same order that the Poetes faine of the browne Egypciane when she was broughte to lye wyth the Romaine Capteine Marcus Anthonius. He fay∣led not to reiterate his haunte with an ordinarie trade to the stréets of ••aniquette, resoluynge his cōmon abode or place of staye righte ouer againste her lodginge whiche increased her doubte of that misterye, till nature that discusseth the darknes of suche doubtes, and bringes the moste rude crea∣tures of the worlde to be capable in the argumentes of loue, reuealed vnto her the meanynge of that ridle, sayinge y^t the roundes and often tornes wyth vaylinge of bonnett whiche the proude pirott made afore the dore of her fortresse, was no other thynge then the intisynge harmonie of the Syrenes, or other stale to allure or make her plyable to thappetite of his will, wherin she was the rather resolued for certeinetie, for that within shorte tyme, passing that waye, he ymagined a staye righte ouer againste her house, Where féedinge the tyme for the nonste in deuise with one of his frendes, gaue skoape to his eyes to peruse (with continuall contempla∣cion) the maiestie of his mistres in suche sorte, that one of her compagnions exercisynge also the vse of the nedle, en∣countred by chaunce she gredie regardes he caste to Iani∣quette, to whom sayth she, thou arte litle beholding to y^e good∣nes of fortune, that seames so greate an enemye to the me∣rite of thy beautie, for if thy condicion or calling wold admit y^e aduancemēt, which the present preferment of nature doth offer the, no doubte thou sholdest become in short time y^e ho∣nor & decoration of al thy house, for touchinge the resolucion of mine eyes & iudgemente of my conceite, proceding of the deuouring regardes yonder gentlemā casteth towardes the, he is not only y^e bondman of thy beautye, but also so addicted to the seruice of the same, y^t only thou Ianiquette may dispose

of him his honor & lyfe & al that hehath. And trulye thou arte not so happie to be the controller of so noble a chāpion, as of litle discretion, if thou make small accompte of his seruice, whiche the veraye greatest dames of our prouince, woulde reserue as a special relique or Iewel, neither oughtest thou to make thy beautye of such price, as the respect therof shold preuaile aboue the goodnes of so greate an offer, seinge that the walles of this towne do inclose a nomber of younge La∣dyes and gentlewomen, that excedynge the in beautye and bringyng vp, wolde not seame curious in admittyng the be∣nefyt of so good a fortune.

Whereunto the honeste Ianiquettē, that neither tooke pitie of his paynes, nor allowed his endeuor, & lesse liked the per∣swacions of her companion, who peraduenture boarded her so farr to make a prooffe of her honestie, replied no lesse wi∣sely, then wyth more discretion then comonly we note now a dayes in one of her yeres.

Yf I were borne (quoth she) vnder thinfluence of fortune, or bounde to abide the sentence of her doome; I were not vn∣like to performe thexspectation of thy allurementes, but seing I am deriued of a contrary cōstellation, moostring al∣wayes vnder the ensigne & collours of vertue, I haue my sal∣fe conduite at all times to withstāde thinuasion of such infe∣ctions, with authoritye to defye the malice of any such ac∣cident. And touching the cōmendacions which you seme to giue to mon Seigneur Luchin, both in the title of honor, estima∣ciō of his publike authoritie in thaffaires of this citye, toge∣ther with his dexteritie in al giftes incidente to a gentlemā, I saye, ••he more plentifully he is considered at the handes of God with a singularitie in suche ornamentes, So much the more ought he to studye to seame worthie of so rare a parti∣cipacion, not conuerting the vertue of his talent giuen him from aboue, into a sinister entente & disposicion of wicked∣nes to seduce the chastetie of simple maides, whose faultes (if any be) he ought rather to reprehende with seueritie, thē minister corrupcion cōtrary to the commission of his honor,

neyther shall be at anye time (I hope) preuaile so ouer my beautye, as the vse of the same shall giue him other conten∣tement then a frendlye ••oniour of the mouth, whiche all ho∣neste maides may do without preiudice, thinking the frend∣ship of nature of no greater moment in giuyng me the title of faire, then the vertue meritorious in preseruing the same (accordyng to the merite) without spott of infamye or wor∣thye reproche of the worlde, for her offence is double afore God (sayeth she) and treble skandalous in the mouth of the multitude, that exchaūgeth her beautye (being a chiefe signe and argument of grace which God hath painted in the face of a womā (as the philosopher saith) for any other price (how greate so euer it appeare) then the honeste pawne & gage of lawfull matrimonye, accordinge to thinstitucion of oure sa∣uiour, who allowing chiefly the oblacion of chastetie, dothe condemne the cōtrary into perentory destruction, and what haue we in this worlde that we ought to make so deare ac∣compte of, as our honeste name, being the thing that yeldes vs not only an admiracion whilste we enioye the vse of lyfe vpon earth, but also makes vs liue after our death with a perpetuall commendacion of our integritye to the remein∣der of our race. Doste not thou knowe (my deare Maryone) that in the swete and dewye mornynges of the spring, there apperes certeine flowers no lesse delitefull to the beholders, then yeldynge an odiferous smell with an inticynge desyer to be gathered so long as their fragrāt and freshe perfumes indures, but when the heate of the son (perching the gallāds of Aurora) shall pearce thorowe bothe boodd and roote, and mortifye the liuelye hewe of suche brickle creatures, the flower is not only forgotten and loathed, whiche earste was so much embraced, but the desyer of all men taken awaye as though there neuer had bene any such, like wise y^e glistering apple growing vpon the high spraies in the pleasant lādes of Angeau, semes a thing of great delectacion to the eye, & of no lesse pleasante taste so long as he is entyer and without corrupcion, but after the worme hath eyther made a breach,

or his gréenes or pleasante maturitie lost his force, and conuerted into a rotten ripenesse, his bewtie dekaies wyth desier any longer to kepe hym, Euen so a mayde what po∣uertie soeuer oppresse her, so longe as she kepes vnspotted her surname and title of chastetie, is not only admitted, but also may chaleng place amongest the best of a countrye, but when the caterpillor hath once cropped the leaffe and deuow red the boodd, the trée doth not only die and perish with infa∣mye, but the remembrance of such stocke and frute remei∣nes in the recordes of reproche to the opening of the greate booke of general accompt, when al faltes shalbe reueiled and punished according to their disposicion and qualitie. And se∣wer it is better for a woman of what degrée soeuer she be, to dy w^t honor, and buyrye the bourdē of honest renowm with her bodie in the graue, then enioying the fruicion of life, to be marked of the multitude with a note of generall rebuke whych (as a moothe in a garment) will not ceasse to eate and deuour her present estimacion, and make notorious besides euery age of her succession by the desert of her disordred life, loasing the only cause that makes me ioye in my selfe wyth so great desier to liue, wherin because I may the rather per forme theffect of thys last resolucion, I will firste wyth an vnfayned hart, make inuocation to y^e highest for thassistance of his grace, to garde me frome thassaltes and peppered prouocations of the fleshe, and then cut of all suche occa∣sions as may eftesones aduance the suggestion of the same, or seame any way an ympedimente to the vowe I haue pre∣sentlie made, whych I doubt not wilbe armes sufficient e∣nough to repulse y^e alarams of Signeur Luchyn, & raise y^e siege which I sée he hath planted agaynst the fortresse of my chas∣tetie, wherin she omitted not thexecution, for from that in∣stante, shee kepte her selfe vnsene of anye, but her fren∣des and kinsefolkes, comminge lyttle or nothynge a∣broade, and lesse willing to be spied out of windows or stand at the doore, leauinge thereby an example worthye of

ymitacion to all estates and sortes of women, but specially, suche gigges, and pratlinge houswiues, as can not con∣tente theym selues with the ayre of the house, nor giue one pricke with the nedle, oneless she sit at the doare, as though her exercyse were onelye to menteyne chatt wythe the streete walkers, or keepe a standynge and make challenge agaynste all commers, whyche is the thynge, that (you mothers) and tutours of lytle girles oughte chyefly to res∣pecte in the direction of youre tender charges, I meane to bridle and brynge vpp youre pupilles and ympes that haue follye tyed on their backes, in the awe of correction, & yf they transgress the order of good gouernement, you must not forgett to offer theym the racke and tormentes of the rodde, which, you must minister vnto theim in the gree∣nes of their yer es, and affore the tendrenes of youthe with wante of discrection wil suffer theim to discerne their owne inclinacion, for as the Philosopher tearmeth theym, to bée a kinde of cattell more apte to declyne, then any other reaso∣nable creature, so saith he) yf they get once the bit betwene their téethe, and crop of the hearbée of ryotus will, it is har∣der to reclayme theym eyther hy awe, feare, compulsion or gentle intreatie, then the wilde haggard or rammish falcon by any connynge or deuise of their keper, besides as a maide is a Iewell of no lesse greate price, then rarely to be founde, so she is a vessell moste bryckle and easye to be broken, and being once eyther crackte or corrupted, she liueth in none o∣ther accompte then in comon wonder of the people and poin¦ted at of all the worlde.

Wherefore, you mothers that in the bringyng vpp of your doughters, will giue ashowe of your owne vertue, with no lesse care of the honor of your children, must forgett to pam∣per youre younglines with presentes of their willes, or dandle theym vppon the lapp of dame folly, but féede theym rather with the discipline of good nouriture, not sparing the order of due correction, leaste you spill the future hope and expectation of their well doynge, and better it is to haue a

mayde smell of honest simplicitie, vsing a temperate scilēce in her toungue and order of talke, then (ytalianated in le∣gerdemaines of subteltye, and pricked full of the fethers of foolyshe pride), to haue the tounge of a popingaie, bablinge without order or discrecion, for that the one is a vertue of it selfe, and the veray lyne to leade her to aduauncement, and in practisinge the other, she procures a discredit to her pa∣rentes for their necligence in her education, and her selfe but laughte at in the companie of wise and discrete dames, and that (which worse is) led by such guides into the botome les pit of euerlasting infamye: Remember thaduise of Mar∣cus Aurelius who writing of the slipper disposition of some women, with instruction to abridge the perentory humour which nature hath giuen theim, gyues this generall charge to all gouernours of nourceries & tutors of litle girles, that they stande so sewerly vppon the garde of thonnour of their charges, that they neither be sene out of windowes, stande as stales at the dore, suffred to visit any place of thordynarie hawnte of men, called to secrete conference without cōmis∣sion or companie of her keapor, but also barde thaccesse and presence of all men, for that (saith he) the ill can not be vtter∣ly preuented, onelesse the causes that maye procure it bée cleane taken awaie, neither is it possibe for a Lady to kepe the reputacion of her honor, that makes her selfe incidente to the hawnte of great companies, with desier to be a comō feast maker and visit euery banquet, and the more she is in∣nested with honor and high callinge, the more care is due to the preseruation of so great a title, and lesse libertie or licēce is enioyned her to raunge a broade or séeke to satisfie thap∣petit of her pleasure, and her falte of treble slaunder in the mouthes of the blasphemous nomber, which albeit is with∣out the compasse of my history, yet I thoughte it not vnmete to note this litle remembraunce, both to warne theim that vse lesse care, then is necessarie to preuente so greate a mis∣chiefe, and to wishe all Ladies to accompte their honour, as the gifte of god and speciall ornament of their life, whiche I

could enlarge with copie of authorities, if I had the assistāce of conuenient time, and consent of my historie, willinge me now to repaire to ••aniquette who perswadinge great impossi∣bilitie in a younge mayde of intisinge beautie desierus to enncownter thamarus glées of menne, and kepe cacquett with all comers, to escape eyther without some great falte in thabuse of her bodie, or at leaste to leaue occasion of sus∣picion and Ieleus opinion of her honestie, amonge suche as vse commonly to recorde the lyfe and doinges of greate La∣dies, loughte to preuente the like accidente with a contrary vertue, for keping her selfe (for the moste parte) within the house of her father, she barred thaccesse of Luchyn, and closed her eyes from the view of his presence, and if at some tyme her affaires required her to visitt the doare, and Luchyn (by lyke chaunce) reiterate his appeale with semblable somonce and salutacions of accustomed courtesie, she fixed her eyes vppon her worke, dissemblinge not to sée the thinge whiche her harte colde not brooke, and her eyes detested to beholde, and douting that vnder the vail•• of that masqued humilitie and kynde of courtinge not conuenient for her callynge, might lurke some secrete mischiefe and displeasure of doble consequence, she semed to abhor bothe the one and the other with equal detestacion, and conuerting his sighes into ayre, and teares to paye hym the hier of his follie, she seamed on∣ly to supplie the whole tyme of her beinge there, in the com∣panie of her companions, leauing pore Luchyn no lesse ama∣sed at theys newe toyes and trickes of a haggarde, then (at the first) he tooke pleasure, when she requited him with sem∣blable glée, al which notwithstanding colde neyther discour∣rage him frō the pursute of the resolucion of his mynde, nor put him in dispaire of his future fortune, thinckynge that time wold remoue the vaile of her rigour, and conuert her into a creature more plyable, assisted therin with thoppiniō of such as accompting smal conquest of things gotten with litle labour, do yelde the greateste glorie to that whiche is won with thertremitie of time and trauell.

And being still norished with the hope of victorie, renewed eftesones his purmenades & palewalkes affore herdoare, ad∣uauncing hym self so farfurth somtimes, that he entred in∣to deuise & discourse of loue, albeit so coldly, that the same neither declared thymportance of his desier, nor bewrayde the present passion of his minde, whereunto notwithstanding she gaue so slender regarde, that her replie dismissed him w^t no lesse contentemente for the presente, then lykelihood of better successe hereafter. It is a custome amongest the Ieneueys and all the prouince about, that the young men, ha∣uing poeseys of flowers, and meting their mistresses in the stréetes or elswhere may present theym there with, without any mislike or cause of suspicion of the people, beyng also a note of no lesse curtesie, for the woman hauing flowers in her hande or bossome, to make lyke retourne to her seruant, whyche kynde of courtyng thamarus Luchyn forgatt not too prefer as a testey of hys seruice and furtherer of his sute, for watchynge longe tyme the hawnte of his mistres, he found her at laste not onely aloane and voyde of compainie, but in place conuenient to put his longe requeste vppon tear∣mes, whiche, gretinge of fortune or gifte of happie chaunce, yf it were welcomme to hym, I leaue it to the iudgemente of suche, as languishynge in the lyke disease, dare neyther discouer their gréefe, nor demaunde their due remedie, and hauynge (of purpose peraduenture) certeine Ielly flowers in his hande, whiche were of more price, because winter ra∣ged then with extremitie of coulde, the chiefeste enemye too flowers and tender boods on thearth, he saluted her with his requeste in this sorte.

Yf the continuance of my seruice were hable to warrant me at lēgth, the merite of the same, or the offer of any hope (in y^e meane time) had vertue to procure moderatiō to my pas¦sion, the one shold not ende but by the sentence of death, and the other wolde I embrace as a speciall preseruer of my life, but seynge the one is of no lesse momente with you, then the other vnlikely too happen, I am dryuen to exclaime agaynste youre beautie, as the onelye cause of my gréefe,

and entire enemye to my rest, but chieflye thunnaturall ri∣gour which you suffered, to rampier hym selfe so depely in thintralles of your hart, and séele your eyes of compassion, agaynst me, that you will neyther admit, my teares, sighes, and other pitifull regardes without nomber, whereof the pale complexion of my face, with other trembling ioyntes of therterior partes, haue made sufficient declaracion, nor cre∣dit the infynit simptomes and thundringe alarams whiche the only glymmeringe viewe of your bewtie, ceasseth not to minister to the weake forces of my feble harte, who as your prisoner, ready to resigne the keyes and castel of his libertie, is heare becom the pitiful solycitor of his own cause, coniu∣ringe you by that compassion which ought to accompanie so rare and precious an ornamente of nature, to remoue at laste the vaile of youre former crueltie, and in beholdinge what power loue hath giuen you ouer me, to dismisse all de∣laies of comfort, and admit me into your seruice, that haue vowed neuer to departe out of the least of your commaun∣dementes, whereunto she was driuen to answere, rather by compulsion of the place and tyme, then any desyer to debate wyth him in a matter of such vanitie.

The merite of your seruice (Sir sayth she,) is farr greater, then I can or may graunte his due méede, and your passion like to be restored by her that is ignorante of the cause, and lesse knoweth the order of your disease, And touchinge the reste of youre protestacion, coated rather withe ar∣gumentes of illusions and subtill cerimonies to seduce my simplicitie, thenne any resemblance of vertue or in∣tente to expose the frutes of true affection, I can not aun∣swere with other tearmes, then iuste disdayne of youre li∣berall offer, with litle care you vse to the reputacion of myne honour, neyther is it to me that you ought to addresse thys ambushe or traine of allurementes, considringe the in∣equalitie of our houses, denieth a consente of mariage, and to graunte loue to one that craues it in other sorte thenne thinstitucion of that sacred lawe dothe allowe, I thynke

if no lesse detestable afore god, then a spot of perpetuall in∣famye, which tyme it selfe can not rase out of the remeynder of my house, and small honor is it for you to pursue a queste of so litle a vaile, whose begynninge as it proceded of a su∣perfluytie of founde humors, raginge withoute reason or guide of vertue, so the contynuance wyll ymporte but a dis∣credit to your calling, and the end, yeld you neyther content mēt nor commendacion, wherfore I pray you suffer, thassu∣rance of my vertue to worke her force, who in correctinge the ronning appetit of your follie, wyll make you mayster of your selfe, and let not so vaine a thinge as the simple gla∣unce of bewtie (which is more apte to declyne then hable to indure) preuaile aboue your aunciente estimacion of honor, nor draw you wythout the lymittes and bondes of your cal∣linge, for, for my parte, I haue inclosed myne honor and life together in one vessell, wyth intent to make a presente of theym bothe at one instant to hym, whom I beseche maye take awaye your traunce, and restore you to your entyer, and defende mée at all tymes from thinuasion of so perni∣cious an enemye.

What sayth he (not wythout some argument of collor) do I seame altogether vnworthy of your fauor, or am I not like¦ly to performe thoffer of my seruice: both the one and the o∣ther, Quod Ianiqneta, for I oughte not, nor wyll not, passe a graunt of my good wyll to any, but suche as the Lawe of the Churche, and consente of my frendes, shall enioyne me to marie, neither can you do agreater wrong to your own esti∣macion, then in embasing your greatnes, to becom the ser∣uant, of so pore a mayde, as I, And albeit you were conten∣ted to make an equallitie and indifferent distribucion of the greatnes of your estate, wyth the litle estymacion that for tune hath preferred me vnto, yet the grudge of my cōscience quarrelling with the foulnes of y^e act, wil neither suffer me to admit your offer, nor consēt to your request, desiring you for end, to exchang your intent, and make a present of your seruice to some other that knoweeth how to requit so great

a courtesie better then I, for I neyther like your phrase nor circunstance, and muche lesse determyn to spende any lōger tyme with you, wherewith albeit he began eftesones to re∣plie with y^t offer of his flowers, which she refuced, she whip∣ped into the house, and shoot the doare vppon the nose of her amarus clyent, who became so amased with the soddaines of the facte, that he seamed as one newe fallen out of the clow∣des or dreamyng of the disolucion of the world, at last, being past the misterye of his traūce, he repaired to his house, with his head full of proclamacions, where, entringe into a warr of newe deuises, he seamed to doble his tormente, not hable to ymagyn the meane to wyn the good will of the mayde, who seamed no lesse harde to be plied, then the sharpeste and most steape rockes vpon all the coaste of spaine: loue had so infected hym with desier to enioye her, that he coulde haue perswaded hym selfe to haue maried her, yf it had not bene for the ympedyment of his parentes, whose displeasure he knewe wolde stretche so farre, that they wolde not sticke too destroye the mayde to thende the note of such a facte mighte be vtterly extirped and rooted out of the remembrance of all ages, besides, thestimacion of hym selfe, appered also as a staie to his meanyng, and the authoritie he bare in the citie of no lesse effecte to diswade him, and yet the poison that first infected him, preuailing aboue the force of any perswacions, presentinge hym eftesones a newe hope, to cool the mayden∣head of Ianiquette, declared vnto him that both she and her pa∣rentes, were the children of pouertis, and that there was no dore so stronge, but a golden keye myghte open his locke, nor fortresse of such strength but he wolde yelde to thoffer of monye wherefore restored to a freshe hope, with the offer of this new deuise, and desierus to see what thies ministers cold do by their art, he addressed him to one of his neighbors of no lesse familiaritie, then great trust w^t Ianiquette, whom he so coniured with the charme of his pleasant tounge, & cer∣teine peces of gold, that marched betwene theim, that shée promised to become the solicitor of his cause, and giue such a

charge to the maide, that she sholde not finde suche conning to confute her raisons, as she seamed valliant in the repulse of thassaltes of her louer, who because his messeinger shold not departe vnarmed at all pointes, he willed her to be no nigarde of large promisses, offrynge wholl mounteines of golde, siluer, or Iewells, or any other thinge of what price so euer it were, that seamed any waie hable to perce her and make her plyable to his desier, and if she be assailed (saith he) with the comon feare that trobles all women, I meane yf she doute the swelling of her bellye, assure her, that I will not onely mary her to her contētacion, but make her porcion worthe a thousande doccates: his neyghbour albeit, her arte was not to deale in messages of loue, and that shée estemed greatly the chastetie of maydes, yet comparinge the pouer∣tie of Ianiquette, with his present promisse to releue it, gaue hym eftesones a seconde assurance of her diligence, with protestacion to make her strike sayle and comme vnder hys lee, wherein shee was deceiued, for neyther his large pro∣misses, nor presentes of greate price coulde perswade her, and much lesse thoracion of the messenger who vttered the cause of her comming in this sorte.

Recordyng (my girle) the harde condicion of thy presente state, I fynde the same more subiecte to a clymatt of longe contynuance, then in hope or apte to be reliued by any indu∣strie of thy parents, who albeit haue he retofore enioyed the goodnes of fortune, and borne a porte of honeste callynge, yet thowe seeste they are nowe in the daunger of desolatiō, and fallen so farre into the mallice of pouertie, that they wante meanes not only to supplie the needy disposicion of their owne lyfe, but also to preferr the to aduauncemente due to thy deseruyng, I greue no lesse also to see the flower of thy youth slyp away by such stealthe, and the pyninge mi∣sery of thy parēts to be an impedimēt to the prefermēt of thy beauty, which albeit is honored of a nōber w^t the offer of mar¦riage yet whē thei haue sifted thy state & tried to thutermost

the small inheritance and simple dowrie of thy father, they do not only disclayme their s••te, but seame to departe and breake of, as thoughe they were infected with some conta∣gius disease of your house, wherefore seinge the dispaire in thy parentes habilitie takes awaye all hope of assistance at their handes or by their meanes, and that fortune once in the course of our life, dothe put into our handes the offer of a good torne: yf thowe wilte repose thy selfe vppon my ad∣uise, I will sett the in better state, then euer was the beste of thy house, the maide dowtynge no trayson in her olde neighbour, with lesse exspectacion to heare that whyche she ymagyned least, enquired her opynion.

My aduise saith shée (I knowe will driue you into some a∣mase at the firste, as a thinge neyther conuenient for myne age, nor seamely for my callynge, and disagreing wholly from myne auncient order and custome of doynge, albeit yf thou make a care of thy proffitt, thowe wilte not sticke to pursue the benefitt of thy fortune, neyther will my coun∣cell ymporte suche preiudice for the presente as the sequeile in shorte tyme yelde the a tribute of treble proffitt: I haue hard of late that there is a young gentleman in this towne, so extremely in loue and desierous of thy beautie, that he accomptes nothinge so deare as the thinge that maye lyke the, and yeldeth detestacion to that which thou loathest, nei∣ther wolde he spare the massie store of his treasure, or large reuenue of his liuinge, nor sticke to make the perill of hys life, the price of thy good will and fauor, with this addicion also, that if thou wilte make hym the maister of his request, and passe a graunte of that he requires, to prouide the ma∣riage to thy contentacion, with the dowrie of a thousande doocates, whereof I haue comission to make the assurance: me thinkes a falte don in secrett, is halfe perdoned, and one offence bringes no custome of synne, wherefore vse thy di∣screcion, and thynke that tyme will dispatches the of hym, when thou maiste reatorne home loaden with the spoile of his richesse and Iewells.

Here Ianiquette suppressing the iust cause of her anger, with a meruelous modestie, not commonly séene in one of her cal∣ling and bringing vpp, seamed, for the only respect of the old yeres of her neighbour, to close her mouthe from open excla∣macion agaynste her lewde abuse, and aunsweringe wyth more moderacion, then thimportance of her wronge requi∣red, replied in thys sorte.

What villanye can be greater, then to make a common merchandise of that, whiche ought not to be boughte but by vertu, or what disposicion of more detestacion in any chris∣tyen, then for a woman to make a sale of her honor, and measure so precious a Iewell, by the price of her proffit? Do you thinke, that eyther the view of riches or Iewels or pro∣digall offers w^t large promisses, are hable to do more, then the long offer of seruice wyth general commendacion of the giftes that be in hym, whyche hath suborned you to preferr this embassage? or who is she of so villenus a nature, to with stande the sondry alarames of teares, wyth pitifull somonce of so many sighes, and yelde at lengthe to the detestable he∣ralte of all corruption? No, no, if I had liked the bargaine, my consent had come fréely, without the earneste pennye of filthye mariage, whych you seame to prefer with an offer of a dowrie, confirmed by an assurance or warrantie of your cōmission, is it possible that yeldinge hym the flower of my virginitie, to make a profession of true frendshippe to anye other, but that the blodde of shame will renewe the re∣membrance of my former falte? sewer if he preuaile so farre, and wyn that point of mee, the place shalbe seue∣rall to hymselfe, and the breach not entred by any other, nei∣ther shal he tryumphe longe in the victorye, nor I liue to La∣ment the losse, for as it is the true propertie of a pure maide to defend that ornament to thuttermost gaspe of her breath, and if by destenie, the force of the oppresser preuaile aboue her strength, to persecute hym to deathe with the losse of her owne life, so if I be not hable to performe the one, these han∣des shalbe the bloodye ministers of the other to the greate

contentement of me, & open shame of him that shal suruiue, for it is long since I was perswaded, that an honest death, is the renowme of the life passed, for y^e rest, to thend the pre∣sent wrōg you haue don me, maye serue hereafter to state y^e course of your rashenes in the like affaires, with promisse & protestatiō to procede no further in like dishonestie, I pray you perswade your selfe, that if you conclude & knitt vp the latter remeinder of your yeres in the practise of abhomina∣ble indeuours, the commendacion of your lyfe passed, wilbe conuerted into the title of a common bawde, swearyng vn∣to you for my parte by the fayth of a pure virgin, that if it were not for the respecte of the honestie I haue hitherto noted in you, & honor that I owe to the olde yeres and ver∣tue of your age, I wolde so publishe your doinge, that your presente message, shoulde reproche you, in what companie so euer you comme. Wherewith she so choaked her olde neygbor, that was not so misticall in the conueigh of suche trades, as diuers of our chandellors and supersticious bas∣ket bearers in London, who not onely make a profession of baudrie, but liue by the filthye gaine procedynge of that art, and hauynge nothynge to replye, desiered Ianiquetta to par∣don her, alledginge that the care and compassion she had of her pouertie, procured those tearmes, rather then any de∣syer to seduce her, and so departynge with her short shame, & lesse proffit, made particular relacion of her successe to the amarus Luchyn, who hearinge the sentence of dispaire, sea∣med no lesse passioned with present dollor, then if he had bene sharpelye assayled wyth a fitt of the burnynge feauer: he entred straighte waye into the pageante of a madd man, pasinge his chamber wyth vncerteine steppes, and thro∣wing his armes a crosse vppon his breast, with his eyes di∣rected to the heauens, began to ymagyn howe to passe the misterye of this traunce, whiche soddaine scilence serued chiefly as a speciall supplie, to restore the warre with con∣traryetye of hys thoughtes, for the more he wente aboute to extirpp the remembrance of his mystres, and committ her

to vtter obliuion, the more he made hym selfe subiect to her beautye, and grafted more strongelye the rootes of affection in the bottome of his harte.

And sewer it is no small matter for a man that is in loue, pursewing the good will of his Ladye wyth contynuall im∣portunityes, the space of two or three yeres, and receyue no∣thynge but the offer of a vaine and vncerteine hope, whiche féedes the mynde wyth suche suggestions and argumentes of good successe, that euery repulse seames to present a flat∣terynge fauor, and the breath of euerye rigorous worde, importes an intisinge allurement, vntil dispaire (blowing the retraite of that warre, do publishe his commission to dis∣misse all hope and likelyhood of future success.

The large feldes enuyronnynge the greate citie of Ieyne, seamed to lacke skoape and compasse to comprehende the multitude of thoughtes, wyth diuersitie of ymaginacions, that euen nowe, occupied the head of Luchin, who exclay∣mynge vppon the haggarde disposition of his mistres, for∣gatt not also to forge cause of complaint againste loue, for that as a blynde guide, he had ladd hym into the bottomles golphe of fancie, and leauyng hym there readie to be deuou∣red with the raginge waues of affection, wolde not showe him the waye to comme out, and eschewe so greate and pre∣sente a perill, albeit he oughte rather to haue reprehended his owne simplicitie, and weaknes of sprite, which (with the wante of assurance in vertue) made hym subiecte, to that, whiche all wise men oughte to gouerne with awe and correction, I meane the sensual appetites and prouocations of the fleshe, whiche are or oughte to serue, as slaues, to the place and house of our raison.

Luchyn prolonging his passion with an increase of disquiet, seamed to fall from complaintes of dule, into tearmes of surye, and féedinge altogether vppon the hearbe and ap∣petit of rage, suffred hym selfe, to be so muche infected wyth the humor of frenzie, that his wrathe was turned into woddnes, wherein as the desperate louer doth seldome

measure his sléepe, by the length of the nightes, so he sea∣med here to excede the rauenous order of the gredie wolfe, huntinge his uncerteine praye in the darke, for som time he rolled vpon a bedd, and som time wallowed vpon the rushes in the flore, and now and then, for a chaunge of exercise, he tried the hardnes of the postes, with the knockes of his head, and albeit he had the libertie of a longe gallery, with fyue or six chambers to roue and ronne at his pleasure, yet iud∣ging the same not circuit sufficient to conteine the circum∣stance of his passion, he comitted one parte of his discourse to the witnes of y^e ayre, within a faire garden, yelding pros∣pecte to the windowe of his gallery, where makyng inuoca∣cion to the moone (as the lanterne that then gaue lighte to the earthe) craued that she wolde open her vessells of pitie, and lette fall some droppes of consolacion in a showre of moysture, to quenche the burnynge heate of hys tormen∣tes, whyche he thoughte were thondred vpon hym, rather by the sentence, and dome of his angrie destenie, then as a desert and due merit of his owne follie, and being in dispair to dispatche hym selfe oute of that daunger, confirmed here by experience, the opinion of the Philosopher, who treating de Fragilitate humana, describeth the gates and fore fronte of the pallaice of mischiefe, to be paynted with allurementes and enticinge prouocations to enter, but beynge within, you fall (saithe he) ymediately into the pitte of tormentes, worse then the goolphe or lake of hell, nēyther can you haue saffeconduitt too retire at your pleasure, argewynge here∣by that it is farre easyer, to fal into the handes of daunger, then to purchasse a dispence of perill, and that the diseases bee more ordinarie and common, then the remedie readye to restore the patient.

Yt was bothe pleasure and pitie, to here hym quarell with his fortune, w^t complaint of hys mishap, somtime blamyng the simplicitie & faintnes of his corage, in yelding his harte prisoner, & hym selfe captiff to so meane a personage, and to

conuerte the benefit of his former libertie into a continuall care and desiere of a beautie, lesse durable then the flickering glosse of the freshe marigolde, mostering in Orient coullers all the daye, till the declininge of the sonne do so••on hym to resigne & retire to a withered stalke, and omittyng no sorte of exclamacions, he accused greatly thimbecilitye of men, that are so apte to be made subiect to y^e thing that is deriued of thimperfection of theim selues, and ordeyned (from the begynnyng) to be their vassals, and at commaundement to serue theim in their necessarie affaires, but, by and by he seamed to quarell with his rashe imputacion, in blasphe∣ming so vnworthely that noble secte, wherewith examining the deformitie and wantes in him selfe, resolued the same to be the cause of her iuste disdain & his euill fortune: for (saith he) I haue knowen diuers (fauored with the giftes of nature and assistaunce of courtlike education), that haue reapte other rewardes of their seruice, then the rigour of my mi∣stres will expose, neither is there any woman, howe simple so euer she be, that hath not a capacitie to discerne both good and ill, and iudgement to consider, the meritt of him that makes her a presente of his seruice: At laste he fell into tearmes of commendation of his mistres, with repeticion of her giftes and vertue, wherein accomptynge her the para∣gon of his time, he wished her deriued of some noble house, to thende the greatnes of her race, mighte giue increase to the renowme of her vertue and chastetie, whiche he thought but to constante, for the purpose he wente aboute, desi••∣ringe to enioye her, but as his secrett frinde, and conuerte her into a fountaine to satisfie the thirste of his pleasures, wished that such immouable constācie & perfection of mind, mighte fynde alwayes place of abode in suche as men do chuse for their wyues, and lawfull compagnions of their bedd, wherewith as he filled the ayre with the sighes of his complaintes, and fedd the eyes of his mynde with a se∣cret contemplation of his cruell mystres, the messenger of

of Aurora, pronownsinge the approche of the daye, in disco∣ueryng certeine skarlett beames of the sonne, in the bot∣tome of the easte firmament, gaue ende too his discourse, whyche was begon at the rysynge of the moone and whe∣ther it were that the longe complainte of hys gréefe, hadd broughte some moderation to his passion, or themptines of his brayne for wante of sléepe, moued hym to putt confy∣dence in dreames, or whether a newe suggestion of the sprite, whych firste possessed hym, presented a freshe hope or lykelyhood of that whyche he oughte to haue for gotten, or what it was, it is harder to iudge, then easye to eschewe, but entringe into a litle arbour or cabynet curiously deckte with diuers bowes & braunches of odiferous smel, he tooke his lute and recorded his sorow, in the tune of an olde song, whyche he founde written of longe tyme by a Poete, shodd with the same Iron, and wounded with a semblable wea∣pon, the ende of whyche dolerus recorde, seamed to importe suche soddaine consolation, that hauyng thereby (as it were a presente pasport of his former passion) gaue iudgement with theym that are stricken with the serpentes of Tarran∣tyne, that musicke is a chyefe meane to breake the bedd of fancie, and preuente dispair readie to inuade the dowtefull mynde, whyche gaue hym corage eftesones to commence a seconde harmonie, whose ende stirred vpp a remembrance of hys former sorowe, and restoring a freshe alaram of hys amarus thoughtes, made hym ymediatly abandon his lute and bookes of musicke, and goynge to bedde he accompted some ease to lye hidd vnder his canapie, hopinge that beyng oppressed with sléepe, the conceite of his dreame, seruynge as a lokynge glasse for contemplacion of his mistres, wolde bringe hym some contentmente and dispence of his dollor, whyche as it is a kynde of colde consolacion, and pleasure of no greate delite, with lesse continuance, so it includes cō∣parison of the louers estate, with the order of litle children, who when they wéepe, are pleased with tryffles, delytinge

more in the lollynge of the nursse: then in the offer of A monarke.

But nowe to Ianiquetta, who durynge the solitarie time, and desolate aboade of Luchyn, in his house, was maried by the trauell and assistance of her frendes, to a mariner or maister of a shipp, whose trade was to conueye the mar∣chantes of all partes, from porte to porte, as their traffi∣que and trade required: this mariage was no soner per∣formed in the churche, but fame fyllynge the eares of LVCHYN, made hym partaker of the newes, with aduyse to renewe the earneste of hys fomer bargayne wyth a doble diligence, and treble desyer, preferrynge (as it were) an assured hope of spedye victorye, the rather for that hée accompted the mariage a conuenient meane to couer the falte of his fowle desier, wherein he receyued a successe of his former attemptes, for she that detested hys indeuour, beyng at libertie, thoughte the offence of doble disposicion in offendynge God and the worlde in breakynge the league of her faith and vowe of obedience to her husbande▪ whose simplicitie and state subiecte to néede and lacke, Luchyn for¦gatt not to feede with large proffers of his frendshyppe, in suche sorte as what with the hope of his assistance, and feare of the authoritie he bare then in the citie, he had him (as it were) in a famyliar awe, neyther suspectynge his accesse too his house, nor mislikynge his conference with his wyfe, of whome notwithstandynge he coulde not obteyne but the vse of wordes, whyche as she durste not denye, for the respe∣cte of awe and honour whiche her husbande bare to hym, so hauynge a notable wisdome ioyned with her rare gifte of chastetie, reposynge her selfe in the grace of GOD, to de∣fende her honour, kepte his meanynge secrette, and woulde not communicate the fowlenes of his intente to anye and muche lesse to her waspishe husbande, leauynge in exam∣ple to all Ladies, not sufficiente in vertue, rather to re∣syste all suche alarams of theyme selues, or at leaste make a secrett concealement, then in bewraynge theyr

awne weaknes to breede a bées neste, in the heades of their husbandes wyth reaportes of small substance.

But nowe the amarus traffique of Luchyn, and common haunte to the mariners house, began to bréede a doubt of his doing amongest his nearest frendes, who not knowinge of the mariage of IANIQVETTE, ymagyned what might hap¦pen, and (as careful gardeines of their nephewe) studied to preuent the wourste, wherfore leaste thalluremente of her bewtie and disposiciō of his follie, might vnhappely conclud, a secret contract betwene theym, they accosted hym one day wyth earnest request, that in ceassing at last to pursewe the wanton instigacions of his youthe, he wold crosse saile and retire to a trade of honest life, wherin saye they (verye loath to offende hym) albeit we haue no great cause to infer ympu∣tacion of any haynous enormytie, or desorder not conueni∣ente, yet seinge the pleasante tyme of youre younge yeres slipp awaye, vnder a vaile of vaine and barreine life, whose sequeile (if in tyme you abridge not the race of your Ron∣ninge course) argues no small inconuenience to your selfe, with greate discredit to your deade father, we haue thought good to enter into deuise for preseruinge of that whyche yet remeines, and to preuent the malice of future tyme, where∣fore accordyng to the credit, and resolued truste reaposed in vs, by your late father, the verye remembrance of whome, restores vs to a speciall care and zeale of youre honor and well doinge, we wishe you to conuert this ydle and desolate order of liuing, into a disposicion and desier of honest mari∣age, wherby you shall not only deceiue thexspectaciō of y^t had sorte, deuyninge already of your destruction, but eschewe the sentence of ordinary mischiefe, appoynted to fall vppon suche, as wallowing in sensuall pleasures, regarde not the honor and estimacion of their house, and whiche appeares e∣uen readie, to thonder vpon you, if you dispatche not youre selfe of the principall cause of this great and ymynente mis∣fortune, wherin for a declaracion of the special care we haue

of you, we present you heare wyth a franke offer of our tra∣ueile, diligence and councel, to be ready at all tymes to assiste you in the choise of her, whom god shal enioyne you to make the lawfull com panion of your bedd.

The younge man vnderstanding sufficiently their intent, cutt of their further discourse wyth hys promise, not onelye to make spedie exchaunge of his former trade, but also com∣mits hym selfe whollie to their discrecion and wysedomes, wyth resolucion to be ready to enter into mariage with such one, as they iudged, of equalytie, and euery way cōuenient for his condicion & calling, wherin there was such expedici∣on of diligence vsed by his frendes, that wythin a space of two or thre monethes, he was maried, no lesse richely, then honorablie, and to a bewtie sufficient to contēt a reasonable man, whereof if any reioyced wyth good cause, I thinke it was poore Ianiquette, who perswadinge herselfe, to be ryd by thys meanes of an ymportunat clyent, blessed the good¦nes of her fortune, in prouidinge so well for thennemye of her honor, and deliueringe her wyth honestie from y^e daun¦ger of hys charmes, albeit her conceyte was aunswered wythe a contrarye successe.

And as our nature for the moste parte now a dayes is gro¦wen to such corruption, by a contynual desier of filthie gaine that (as Aristotle sayth) nothing is hable to satisfye the coue∣tusnes of man, Euenso thinfection of loue (after hee haue once preuayled aboue the wholesome partes in vs) is of suche wonderfull operacion that he doth not only, choke the gift of our vnderstanding, in suche sort as we are founde more apte to embrace the thinges that be hurtfull, then ha∣ble to followe the loare of wisedome and vertue, but also takes awaye the respect and dutie of our conscience, whyche you may easely descerne in the discurse of thys Luchyn, who notwithstandinge the vowe he made to god, and honor that euery man ought to geue to mariage, cold not content hym selfe, wyth the companye of his owne wyfe, but renewed hys resorte wythe alarames of freshe ymportunyties to

poore IANIQVETTA, whyche being noted and spied diuers times of his wife, made her doubt that which was not, and albeit she was resolued of a participacion and equalitie of loue, yet she feared not muche that the mariners wife, de∣ceiued her of any thinge that she accompted due to herselfe, for that the common reaport of her chaste and honeste life, assured her of the contrary, chieflye she repined that so vaine a hope, shoulde wythdrawe hym from her companye, feling wyth all a certeine wante in thaccomplishment of the exer∣cise and desier of the bedd at hoame.

And truly as there is nothing more hurtful to the breach of amytie betwene the good man and wife, then when the stronger parte, conuertes his affection confirmed by vowe, into a disposicion and desier to abuse the vertue of true loy¦altie, So, he that huntes thappetit of his will, and raun∣geth after chaunge of diot hauing sufficient at hoame, stan∣des not onely in hazarde of grace afore god, for vyolacion of wedlocke, but giuinge occasion to his wyfe to followe hys tracke, reapes now and then for rewarde, the iuste title and surname of a cockolde, bequeathinge besides to the successi∣on of his house a dowry of perpetuall slaunder, whyche is skarcely subiect to the expyracion of tyme.

Hys wyfe Layd afore hym the whole circumstance of his falte, with the generall brute that passed dayly thorowe all the stréetes of IEYNE, together with the wronge he did to the reputacion of the poore IANIQVETTA, whose honestie (saith shée) albeit is without iust cause of reprehencion, yet haue you broughte it in question amongeste the slaunde∣rous sorte, whose iudgementes are alwayes accordinge to the mallice of their disposicion, desieringe him for ende, in dismissinge his former trade, to wythdrawe his accesse, least he purchased not the like preferment for him∣selfe, that he sought to procure to an other, to whome albeit he could not denye the frendeshippe he bare to IANEQVET∣TA, yet he excused the same not to ymporte any preiudice

to the behalfe of his wyfe, wyth further protestacion, that IANEQVETTA was one of the paragons of honestie, that our age did norishe, and the respect of her vertue, was thon∣lye cause of his admiracion, procuringe chieflye his recourse and desier of her companye, for the rest (sayth he) the bable of the people, is rather of custom then of credit, and the clere¦nes of my conscience, takes awaye the spott of reproche, if any be, neyther can the mouthe of the slaunderor preuaile, where the integretie of the mynde offers to encounter his malice, desieringe her to dismysse the remembrance of her grudge, wythe a forgeuenes of the falte, promissinge her from thinstante, to correcte the humor of his former follie, and become suche one on her behalfe, as her honest modestie and other vertues deserued, wherewyth he closed so sewer∣ly the mouthe of his wyfe, that longe after he liued frée from the tumulte of suche quarrells, and she (not voyde of suspici∣on) dispused her selfe, to contentmente by force, with ex∣spectacion to sée an ende of the daunce, thexpedition wherof, exceded her ymagynacion, for wythin a shorte tyme after the maryner, makynge sayle into Sardynia, was incowntred by certeine pirottes, and sente prisoner to CALLARIA a towne subiect to the turkishe gouernmente, wyth no small desolacion to hys wyfe, who as one depriued of her chiefeste stay and comforte, and ouercharged wyth a nomber of litle children, whose sustentacion depended whollie vppon the trauell of their father, is nowe voide of meanes to succor theym, and that whyche pinched more greuouslye, was the generall darthe y^e ouerwhelmed al the Lande in such sorte that a sacke of corne, was seldome solde vnder nyne or ten Duckattes, whyche arguynge greate distresse to the state of poore IANIQVETTA, chiefelye for that shée was denied habylitye to redeme her husbande, and also in dispair of meanes to releue her children, cryinge contynuallye for meat, began to prefer in her a faintnes of corage, and y^e hart

whom the whole assaltes of loue, and longe importunityes of Luchyn, his greate presentes and proffers, with promisses of large price, coulde not once stirre or remoue from the seate of constancie, feles nowe suche an alteracion of for∣tune, that she is at pointe to surrender (of her selfe), that, whiche neyther power nor pollecie coulde put to vtterance. And albeit the extremitie of her case ministred persuaciōs to make an offer of her selfe to hym that of longe had ser∣ued her in harte, wyth sute for her good wyll, yet the grudge of so greate an offence, preferrynge argumentes to the contrary, wylled her rather to exchaunge her pre∣sente lyfe and former reuowme wyth death, then liue with the spott of so fowle an acte, wherin waighinge thus in the ballance of doubteful ymaginaciōs, pinched extremely wyth two of the greatest plages of the world, the lamētable noyse of her children, cryenge for foode with open mouth, as the younge birde in the rooffe, complayninge in his kynde vp∣pon hunger, till he receiue refreshinge at the beake of his damme, ronge of freshe in her eares, whiche preferred suche cōpassion to the tender harte of the desolate mother, that on∣ly their rage and infirmitye forced her to a determinacion of that whiche earste she detested to remember, a meruelous force sewer of necessitie, who as she is the mistres of artes, so her malice importes suche a distresse, that it makes vs many tymes abuse the goodnes of our nature, in commit∣tyng thynges whiche neither honor nor conscience can iu∣stifye, for what greater mischiefe coulde she haue thondred vppon this pore woman, then in depriuynge her of natu∣rall and womanlȳe shame, to compell her to make sale of her honor, for the susteine of her selfe, and supporte of her miserable children, whose doleful tunes exclayming against their wretched mother that had not to satisfye the rage of their hunger, restored her eftesones to suche pitie, that she addressed her selfe, immediately to the lodgynge of Luchin, who walkinge all alon in his base courte, was no lesse asto∣nyed to see her ther, then she ashamed to be at the point, to

yelde him a villanous homage, yf god had not bene the pro∣tector of her chastetie. And beynge affore him with face and garmentes besprente and dyed with the droppes of her wa∣tery eyes, she fell flatt at his féete, yelding her honor to hys orde vnder thies tearmes.

Albeit (sir) saieth she, the prince or capteine, that hathe often somoned his enemye to surrender his hold, and he (de∣nienge suche offers) dothe merteyne the quarrell euen vn∣till thextreme sentence of warre, which is fyer or famine, ys forced at laste to strike saile and hange oute a flagge of sub∣mission, maye (by all lawe of armes) put hym to the sworde, and his citie to vtter saccage, yet the glorye of that conquest will appeare greater, and honour the capteine with tre∣ble fame, if in preferryng compassion affore the rigour of iustice, he admitt the captiues to fauour, sparing to spill the blood of suche as willinglie yelde their heades to the blocke vnder the stroke and edge of his sworde, neither is any man (of what degree so euer he be) of suche commendacion ey∣ther for hys corage, bowntie or other qualities and ornamē∣tes of nature, as worthelye honored w^t veneration for the gifte of compassion and pitie, whiche as it is a vertue exce∣dynge all the reste, so (by the aduise of the scripture) shee is chiesly to be declared on the behalfe of such wretches, as fal∣len into daunger and distresse, by offendynge the prince or his people in office, haue nothing to preuent the malice of y^e lawe and iuste méede of their deserte, but thexpectācion and hope in the frutes of so precious a vertue: I saye thusmuch (sir) to sturr vpp your humor of compassion, and dismissing the remembrance of all offences paste, to extende presente pitie to your poore Ianiquette, who if euer she offended you, is here come to yelde her to your mercie, and takynge suche vegance as you thynke good, to ymploye her further in the seruice that beste maye lyke you, onely I commende vnto your goodnes, the wretched state of my children, whose miseries accompained with a contynuall crye for releeffe, hath here presented me prostrat at your féete, kissing y^e same

with no lesse humylitie, then signe of submission wythe re∣quest eftsones to accept the offer of youre hande mayde, in recompence of the wronge I haue heretofore don you, but chiefly (alas) to redeme my children from the rage and vyo∣lence of hounger, and prolonge their lyues that oughte not yet to take ende by the Lawe and course of nature.

Here loue and pitie seamed to quarrell wythin the harte of Luchyn, the one puttinge the praye into his handes, pro∣uoked hym to croppe the frutes of his longe desier, the other defendinge the cause of the wretched captiue, preferred per∣swacions to the contrarye, puttinge hym in remembrance, y^t the glory can not bée greate, where the victorye is won by vnlawfull meanes, neyther colde hée tryumphe in a better conqueste, then, in ouercommynge hym selfe, to dismisse her wythout vyolacion, wherfore comparing her former con¦stancie, with the extreme causes that procured her presente offer, respectinge also the duetie of hys owne conscience, did not only determyne to assiste her pouertie wyth succor of sustentacion, but also to absteine hys handes from deflow∣ringe, so rare aparagon, wherewyth hée tooke her from the grounde, & kissing her watery chieke, sayde vnto her, do a∣waye these teares of dule, and conuert the remembrance of auncient sorowe, into an vnfayned hope of present console∣cion, reapose your selfe vpon the vertue of your inuincible chastetie, and ymagyne you haue receiued the due meritte of the same, for, for my parte, god forbidd, that the malice of your presente necessitie (yeldynge you into my handes) shoulde make me gréedie to get that, whyche loue colde not conquere, nor spo••le you of the thinge whych I oughte and will holde in chiefe veneracion, wherin being thus by your vertue made maister of my self, I fele also mortefied in me the wanton suggestions, which earst moued me to loue on∣ly the bewtie and body of Ianiqueta, and now that reason is be come my guide and distresse rather then loue, hathe made you thus prodigal of your honor, for the sustentacion of your children, yt shal suffice me, to haue you at my cōmandemēt

withoute anye affore of wronge to your estimacion or ho∣nestie, And as your chastetie doth challenge her rewarde, so because it is you that is to glory in the gifte of so greate a vertue, and I to yelde tribute, for that treason I haue wroughte you, I assure you here in the mouthe of a gentle∣man, not onely to furnish you of all thinges necessarie, with honor and estymacion equall to myne owne sister, but also to be as carefull of your reputacion, as heretofore I haue sought to seduce and spot it with lasciuious infamy.

Ianiquetta was restored here to doble contentment, bothe to haue her pudicitie respected, and vndowted assurance of the liberal promisse of the curteous Luchyn, whych she would eftsones haue acknowledged with an humble prostitucion and kissinge of his féete, but that he (not liking such supersti∣cious reuerence), preuented her intente, and presented her by the hande vnto his wife, wyth these wordes

Because the conceite of the Ieleus mynde, is seldome satisfyed, til the cause of the suspicion be cleane taken away, and that the grudge is neuer appeased, till thoffendor be pu∣nished, I, haue here broughte you, the cause of your greatest doubt, with the vision that so many nightes, hathe appered in your dreame, and broken the swéete course of your na∣turall sléepe, enioyninge you full authoritie, to commit her to what penance you will, giuinge the stroke of vengance at your own discrection, to whom she aunswered, that if she had no more cause to be doubtfull of his doinges, then rai∣son to bée Ielous of the honestie of the poore woman, she had béene as frée from suspicion as far frō cause of disquiet, ney¦ther had her eyes anye cause to complaine of thimpediment of sléepe, nor her braine so often assailed wyth the Alaram of hollowe dreames, for thexperience and proofe of her vertue (sayth shée) dyd alwayes assure mee of her honestye, whyche yett wyll not stowpe to the malice of thée tyme, nor loase the glorye of her renowmée, althoughe fortune haue layde her heauye hande vppon her, in takynge

a waye her husbande, whiche temperat modestie in hys wyfe, doubled his affection, with confyrmation of a sin∣cere good wyll towardes her for euer. And in recitinge the laste chaunce and discourse passed betwene hym & Iani∣quette, he saide that if she knewe in what sorte, he had kepte his fayth towarde her, she woulde not doubte to put hym on the phile of moste true and loyal husbandes, willynge her to take her & furnishe her with all prouision and other thinges necessarie with no lesse care and liberall allowance, then if it were for his deare sister, whereunto she put no lesse expe∣dicion, then her selfe had cause to reioyce in the honeste continencye of her husbande, all whiche beinge made im∣mediatly a common brute thorowe the citye, became also of greate wonder amongest the people, aswell for that thin∣stigation of harde necessitie, had made Ianiquette ployable to that, which she hath longe refuced with great detestation, as also for the heroicall vertue of the gentleman, who abhor∣ring the wicked offer of fortune and time, conuerted his las∣ciuious desier, norished in his intralles, by so longe conty∣nuaunce, into a disposicion of vertue, contrarie to the exspe∣ctation of all men.

An example suer worthie of greate veneracion, and wher∣in the sensuall appetites are so restrayned, and gouerned by the rule of raison, that I doubte whether the Romaines, haue noted more continencye in their Fabia, Emilya, or Scipyo, or the Grecians in theyr olde Xenocrates, who is not so merito∣rious of cōmendation, for that being charged with yeres, he made a proffe of his chastetie, as this Luchin who in y^e glorie of his age, and full of the hoatt humours of youth, made a conqueste of his affections, wyth a wonderfull showe of vertue, and vndoubted signe and assurance of the perfe∣ction of his fayth, for whych cause I haue noted vnto you his hystorye, which also I wyshe myghte serue to sturre vpp the fraile youthe of our dayes to the ymitacion of the lyke vertue, remembryug by the viewe of this discourse, that

the sensuall appetites and prouocation of the fleshe, are not of suche force, but they are subiecte to correction, neyther is loue so inuincible, but the wise and vertuous man, maye kepe hym alwayes in awe, so that he giue hym not to muche libertye at the first, nor creaditt to muche the instigation and humour of his owne fan∣cie.

FINIS.

Notes

• A vvonder∣ful vertue in a romaine Capteine.
• A merueilus contynencie in the great Alexander.
• The order of the hungrye Spanyarde.
• Yt is necessa¦ry to feele sometime a chaunge of fortune.
• Beautye.
• Vvomē seame masquers in painting their faces.
• beautie.
• Mearemaides
• Ianiquetta aunsvvereth her compaig¦nion
• The norsse.
• Luchyne vvoeth Iani∣quaette.
• Ianiquetta aunsvvereth Luchyn.
• God.
• Loue.
• Golde and syluer.
• The bavvde vvoeth Iani∣quette.
• Riches.
• Ianiquette re¦prehendeth•• the bavvde.
• Money.
• A maide ought to de∣fend her ho∣nestie, euen to the laste dropp of her blodde.
• The Shebaud in Londō car yeth a basket in her hande, the he bavvde a ring in his mouth.
• Vvomen de∣riued of thim perfection of men.
• Love.
• The frendes of Luchyn persvvade hym to mary age and amendment of life.
• Honor and liuynge.
• Nothing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sausfye the couetus••••s of man.
• The husbād
• The bable of of the people is rather of custome then of creditt.
• Necessetie forceth Iani∣quette to offer her selfe in praie to Lu∣chyn.
• Luchyn ab∣stained from vyolacion of Ianiquetta.
• Luchyn cōp¦forteth Iani∣quetta.
• Luchyn pre∣senteth Iani∣quetta to his vvyfe.
• Xenocrates refused a yōg maid layed in bedd vvith hym.