The philosophie, commonlie called, the morals vvritten by the learned philosopher Plutarch of Chæronea. Translated out of Greeke into English, and conferred with the Latine translations and the French, by Philemon Holland of Coventrie, Doctor in Physicke. VVhereunto are annexed the summaries necessary to be read before every treatise

XENOCRITE. [ 30]

XEnocrite a ladie of the citie Cumes, deserveth no lesse to be praised and admired, for that which she practised against Aristodemus the tyrant, whom some thinke to have bene sur∣named Malacos, that is to say, Soft and effeminate, in regard of his loose and dissolute carriage: but they are deceived and ignorant in the true originall and occasion of his name; for the Bar∣barians gave him this addition Malacos, which in their language signifieth a Yonker: because being a very youth, with other companions of equall age, as yet wearing their haire long, whom in olde time they tearmed Coronistae, (of their blacke locks as it should seeme) he above the rest, in the warres against the Barbarians, bare himselfe so bravely: (for he was not only hardy & cou∣ragious in spirit, stout also and tall of his hands, but withall full of wit, discretion and forecast, [ 40] and so farre excelled all others in singularitie) that hee became right famous and renowmed; whereupon he grew into such credit and admiration among his countreymen and fellow-citi∣zens, that incontinently promoted he was and advanced by them to the greatest offices of State and highest dignities in common-weale; insomuch as when the Tuskans made warre upon the Romans in the right and quarrell of Tarquinius Superbus, and namely, to restore him againe to his crowne and kingdome, from which he was deposed; the Cumans made him captaine gene∣rall of those forces which they sent to aide the Romans: in which expedition and warfare that continued long, he carried himselfe so remisly among his citizens, (which were in the campe under his charge, and gave them so much the head to do what they would, winning their hearts by courtesies and flatterie, rather than commanding them as their generall) that he put into [ 50] their heads, and perswaded them (upon their returne home) to run upon the Senate, and to joine with him in expelling and banishing the mightiest persons and best men of the citie. By which practice he set up himselfe as an absolute tyrant: and as he seemed wicked and violent otherwise in all kinde of oppression and extortion; so most of all he was outragious and went beyond him∣selfe in villanie toward wives and maidens, to yoong boies also of good houses and free borne: for among other enormities, this is recorded of him: That he forced yoong lads to weare their haire long, like lasses, to have also upon their heads, borders, cawles, and attires with spangles of

golde; contrariwise, hee compelled yoong maidens to be rounded, polled, and notted, and to weare short jackets, coats & mandilians without sleeves, after the fashion of springalds: howbe∣it, being exceedingly enamored upon Xenocrita the daughter of one of those principall citizens who by him were exiled, her he kept, not having espoused her lawfully, nor woon her good will by faire perswasions, supposing that the maiden might thinke her selfe well appaied, and her for∣tune verie happie, to be enterteined (in any sort whatsoever) by him, being by that meanes so highly reputed of and esteemed fortunate among all the citizens: but as for her, all these favors did not ravish and transport her sound judgement and understanding; for besides that she was mightily discontented to converse and keepe companie with him, not espoused, nor affianced and given in marriage by her friends, she had no lesse desire to recover the liberty of her coun∣trey, [ 10] than those who were openly hated of the tyrant. Now it fortuned about the same time, that Aristodemus caused a trench to be cast, & a bank to be raised round about his territory, a piece of worke neither necessarie, nor profitable, which he did onely upon a policie, because he would thereby vexe, out-toile consume & waste his poore subjects; for he tasked every man, to cast up & cary forth by the day a certaine number of measures full of earth. Xenocrita when she saw him at any time comming toward her, would turne aside, and cover her face with the lappet of her gown: but when Aristodemus was passed by & gone, yong men her play-feres, by way of mirth and pastime, would aske her why she muffled and masked her-selfe, as ashamed to see him one∣ly, and was not abashed to see and be seene of other men as well; unto whom she would answer demurely, & that in right good earnest say: Iwis I do it of purpose because there is not one man [ 20] among all the Cumans but Aristodemus: this word touched them all very neere; but such as were of any noble spirit and courage, it galled and pricked for very shame, yea, and gave them an edge to set in hand and enterprise some manly act for to recover their freedome: which when Xenocrita heard, she said by report, that she would rather herselfe carie earth in a basket upon her owne shoulders as other did, for her father if he were there present, than participate in all delights and pleasures, yea, and enjoy great power and authoritie with Aristodemus. These and such like speeches cast out by her, confirmed those who were conspired and ready to rise against the tyrant, of whom the chiefetaine and principall leader, was one Themotecles: unto these con∣spiratours Xenocrita gave free accesse and ready entrie unto Aristodemus; who finding him a∣lone, unarmed and unguarded, fell many at once upon him, and so quickly dispatched him out [ 30] of the way. Lo how the citie of Cumes was delivered from tyrannie by two vertues of one wo∣man; by the one she first gave the citizens an affection, minde and heart, to begin and enter∣prise; and by the other she ministred unto them, meanes to execute and performe the same: for which good service of Xenocrita, those of the citie offred unto her many honors, preroga∣tives, and presents; but she refused them all, onely she requested this favour at their hands, that she might enterre the corps of Aristodemus, which they graunted, and more than so, they chose her for to be a religious priestresse unto Ceres, supposing that this dignitie would be no lesse ac∣ceptable and pleasing unto the goddesse, than beseeming and fitting the person of this lady.