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The Argument.
LVcius Tarquinius (for his excessiue pride surnamed Superbus) after he had caused his own father in law Ser∣uius Tullius to be cruelly murthered, and contrary to the Romane lawes and customes, not requiring or staying for the peoples suffrages, had possessed himselfe of the kingdome: went ac∣companied with his sonnes and other noble men of Rome to besiege Ardea; during which siege, the principall men of the Army meeting one euening at the Tent of Sextus Tarquinius, the Kings sonne, in their discourses after supper, euery one commen∣ded the vertues of his owne wife: among whom Colatinus extolled the incomparable chastity of his wife Lucretia. In that pleasant humor they alposted to Rome, and intending by their secret and sodaine arriuall, to make triall of that which eue∣ry one had before auouched, onely Colatinus finds his wife (though it were late in the night) spin∣ning amongst her maids, the other Ladies were all found dancing and reuelling, or in seuerall dis∣ports. Whereupon the Noble men yeelded Cola∣tinus the victory, and his wife the fame. At that time Sextus Tarquinius being enflamed with