Emblems of rarities: or Choyce observations out of worthy histories of many remarkable passages, and renowned actions of divers princes and severall nations With exquisite variety, and speciall collections of the natures of most sorts of creatures: delightfull and profitable to the minde. Collected by D.L.

To the Gentle Reader.

THE outward Senses of men chiefly de∣light in varieties: the Eye takes pleasure in sundry and various objects, the Eare with severall and change∣able sounds: the Sence of smel∣••ing delights in sundry Odours: the Taste best relishes diversity of Cates, the Touch affecteth change and variety of matters. Herein indeed being lively Em∣blems, expressing the inward qualities of the mindes of Men; for it is truely said, Natura homi∣num novitatis avida: The in∣ward faculties of the Soule de∣lighting

almost as much in chan∣ging varieties, as in their beings: the memory retaines in her clo∣set, severall, sundry, manifold, & almost innumerable passages: the Iudgmēt is not tied to one, but determines mani••old cases: the Affections Proteus like, mutable and variable in the choyse of pleasures or profits: and the will it selfe is as desirous to have new matter to chuse, or refuse, as any of the other Weighing there∣fore with my selfe, what con∣tentment is afforded to the minds of men, by affording them varietie of subjects to contem∣plate and peruse, I have with great labour, and no lesse faith∣fulnesse striven to my utmost, to give my loving Country-men of this Nation, contentment in this poynt, presenting to them this Book, as ful of variety of matter

as of leaves, every leafe almost bringing to their eyes a new subject: which I hope will afford them as much pleasure and pro∣fit in the perusing, as they did my selfe in the collecting: passa∣ges there are in it, that are wor∣thy to bee reduced to memory; and with all diligence to be kept from the darke Cell and Grave of oblivion; and indeede I sup∣pose it a supine negligence, and a carelesse respect to the honour of renowned History, to let ••hose worthy and admired pas∣sages to be drowned in one age, which are, and may bee usefull & pleasant to posterity for ever.

— Quis nosset Homerum? Ilias aeternum, si latuisset Opus?

It is certainely an injury to our predecessors to suffer their me∣mories and labours to perish,

who tooke such great paines and travailes for the benefit of us, and succeeding generations: I have therefore in this booke se∣lected many, and those speciall observations, out of Authentick Authors, famous for their wri∣tings, and approoved for truth in all ages, containing the acts of many Emperours and Prin∣ces, the Solemnization of their birth-dayes, with the Triumphs and Pompes that were then u∣sed, as also their Funeralls, the destrunction of many Cities, e∣specially of Hierusalem: they containe also many Customes, Rites, Conditions, manners of many strange Nations, and describing the properties and natures of sundry Creatures, as Beasts, Birds, Fishes, and also of Mettalls, and Minerals, as Gold, Silver, Lead, Quick-silver, Iron,

and the like; as also remarkable things of the Sybils, and their Prophesies, with the Orders of Knighthood, that are now the most famous through the world: the beginnings and invention of many Mysteries and Arts, as of Printing, and the invention of the great Bombards, and such like, which I doubt not but will yeeld satisfaction to all that are addicted to these kinds of stu∣dies. Now there will not want those that will be readier to ac∣cuse, then to encourage my la∣bours in this kinde, objecting that it seemes to be needlesse to read them here, when as they can have them in the proper Authours: I answer, though some few may be so well stored with Language and Bookes, yet there bee thousands that neither are furnished with Bookes, nor

yet with the Languages the Au∣thours writ in, and so are alto∣gether deprived of this benefit. Howsoever, I have laboured, and I repent mee not; for this Booke will bee beneficiall to all that shall without prejudicate o∣pinions read it, and herein they have the choycest flowers, pickt and cull'd out of many Gardens for their benefit, and what more is, they may in lesse time, and little charges obtaine their de∣sires by this, which they cannot by many Bookes: For reading with a strict collection, (consi∣dering the difficulty of Transla∣tion) is knowne to all men of judgement to be difficult, tedi∣ous, and troublesome; yet I weigh none of these, so that my Labours may afford any profit to the perusers of them. The serenity of my Intent is a Bul∣warke

sufficient to comfort mee ••gainst the too too usuall darts of a maligne tongue, and if any ••hall cast aspersion upon it, I wish them to be wiser, and not ••o shew their disease in publick, ••ut (gentle Reader) I doe wish ••••ee as much pleasure in the ••eading of this worke, as I had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 compiling i••, and as for those ••ho dislike it, I think the fault 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not in the dish, but in their ••••rrupted stomacks; so not fea∣••••ng their censures, but respect∣••y love, I leave:

Thine in hearty friendship, D. L.