Of a Goddesse called Fortuna Muliebris CHAP. 19
NAy they are in such dotage vppon this same Fortune, that they doe stedfast∣ly affirme that the Image (a) which the Matrons dedicated and named Fortu∣na Muliebris, the womans fortune, didde speake particular wordes; and that not once but often, saying that they hadde (b) dedicated her in a very good order and respect: which if it were true, we ought not to wonder at. For the Diuells can vse * 1.1 this cousenage with ease; which was the more discouerable, in that it was she that spoke, who followeth chance, and not desert. Fortune spoke, but Faelicitie was si∣lent: vnto what other end was this, but onely to make men neglect lining well, seeing that without any desert this Lady Fortune might make them fortunate? But yet if Fortune did speake, the (c) mans fortune (me thinks) should haue spoken, and not the womans, because otherwise, (d) the women that consecrated the statue might bee thought to faine that the Image spoke, because they loue so well to be heard speake them-selues.
L. VIVES.
THe Image (a) which] After Romes freedom from the Kings, 18. yeares, Coriolanus warring inexorably against his countrey, neither departing for threates nor teares, the womens la∣mentations turned him away: and here-vpon they erected a Temple to Fortuna Muliebris, in * 1.2 the Latine Road, foure miles from Rome: In which dedication the Image spoke twise. First thus, Matrons well haue you seene mee and dedicated me. Liu. Valer. Plut. Lactantius saith that shee fore-told a danger to insue: Which were questionlesse the wordes that shee spake the second time. It was sacriledge for any but such as had once bin marryed to touch this Image. Festus. (b) Dedicated.] Propter in the Latine is superfluous. (c) Mans fortune] Whose Tem∣ple was on Tybers banke: and hir feast in Aprils Calends. Ouid fast. 4. (d) Women [For men would bee sooner trusted then women.