Ariana In two parts. As it was translated out of the French, and presented to my Lord Chamberlaine.

To the LADIES.

FAire sex, to whom Nature hath given what she had most rich and lovely, spring of most agreeable de∣lights, that hold in your faire hands the Empire of the Universe, since you command over men, and di∣stribute to them at your pleasures, either good or bad fortune; 'tis to you alone I present this worke; I ad∣dresse it to the most delicate objects of the earth; and as you are that which most pleases in the world, so is it you also I desire most to please. If the very power of love depends not but on yours, whatsoever appertaines to it, owes no homage but to you; and these adventures that are effects of Ladies beautie, are not to be offered but to those that may produce the like. I hope there is not one amongst you that will not finde here how to passe away some houres with pleasure. The severest will not be offended that this booke speakes to them of love, and will not feare, as they read it, to tell themselves that they would be loth to heare from the mouthes of men. Those that suffer onely to be loved without loving, and will have much respect and ceremony, shall here find such Lovers as they desire: And those that are softer, and who to ease the flames of their servants are willing to take a part of them, shall have some satisfaction to see their owne passions here authoriz'd by examples. But because a∣mongst those that love, there are some constant, and some wanderers, and this booke altogether takes part with the first, I should feare lest the other side might not take offence to see their humour ill intreated, if I did not give them reasons to defend themselves against those that are alleaged in this worke. The most severest Judges would finde it a hard matter to resolve which is more commendable, either to know how to keep a passion in spight of fortunes traverses, or to change it to good purpose. It is indeed a very glorious thing to make an invincible love appeare, that feares neither heaven nor earth, that is the stronger for very opposition, and that would not be shaken by the ruine of the whole world. Such af∣fections as these cannot be so perfect, but that they are founded upon ver∣tue; and reason having bred them, they must of necessity last alwayes, it being impossible that what was once reason, should be so no more. There is none but must confesse this kinde of loving admirable, but it is as rare withall. The most part of loves grow of light causes, a little charme sur∣prizes the eies, and takes from them the knowledge of many defects. Con∣stancy

in these affections in without doubt more vicious than change; and very often they call inconstancy, that which in effect is but a judicious retrait. Change is sometimes a vertue more strong, and more couragious than Constancie it selfe. 'Tis by it one tames a passion of many yeares, and repaires all the disorder that was in the soule. Men that have alwayes more cause to love, fall least into inconstancy; and Ladies that find in us so many defaults, do oftentimes by reason, & by a generous striving, that they are thought to do but out of weaknesse. The law that forbids change, is only more rigorous for us: for it seemes we are oblig'd to suffer to the very extremity, rather than be unfaithfull; and women are excusable for changing the least unquietnesse love gives them. Constancy is a quality too serious, and too melancholike, for so agreeable and delightfull a sex. That which destroyes beauty, ought to be detested amongst you, as much as old age or sicknesse. This same Constancy would appeare valiant in you, and capable to support vexations, at the charge of your richest treasures. 'Tis shee that extinguishes that lively brightnesse of the eyes, that effa∣ces the colour, that ruines the good looke; and that to gaine you the glo∣ry of loving well, makes you lose the other of being loved. Lightnesse hath much more jollity and charmes; and if by some cruell accident in love there must happen one of these two changes, either of the wit, or of the beauty, you may very well be pardoned, if you chose that which preserves the thing in the world you account dearest. And these are the reasons the inconstant may allege; they that follow the lawes of fidelity shall finde enough in the book to answer them. I counsell every one of you to continue in the opinion that is most conformable to her humour; and demand of you this grace onely, that those that are pleas'd to be unfaithfull, blame not the austere fidelities they shall finde here describ'd, and that those that love constancy, accuse not the inconstant. But I stay you, while peradven∣ture you are impatient to entertaine Ariana. I leave you then with her; and yet before quitting of you, I must advertise you that she is somthing bashfull, because she hath alwaies bin shut up, and never yet seene the world; and that if you desire her entertainment should divert you, you must not addresse you to her altogether, to learne her adventures. Shee could not then tell which of you to satisfie, and in the tumult would lose many of her graces. Take her each of you apart into some retired place, and then giving her attention and silence, she wil freely recount to you all her life, and tell the very least of her thoughts. She cannot love noise, or assemblies, since repose and solitude gave birth to her.