I ragguagli di Parnasso, or, Advertisements from Parnassus in two centuries : with the politick touch-stone / written originally in Italian by that famous Roman Trajano Bocalini ; and now put into English by the Right Honourable Henry, Earl of Monmouth.

The XLVI. ADVERTISEMENT.

Apollo having found out the first Inventor of Guns, as he is about to punish him severely for his fault therein commit∣ted; The Artificer defends himself very well.

TIs now some fifty years since Polidor Virgil had a Pension given him by his Majesty of twenty Crowns a month, together with mainte∣nance for himself, two servants, and their horses,; only that he might endeavor to find out the Inventors of all things which had been thought upon by extraordinary Wits for the benefit of man: For Apollo thought such men deserved so well for their industry, as that they were to be kept in perpetual memory. And his Majesty being infinitely troubled that the Art of Warfaring (which was alwaies cruel) should now be arived at so great a height therein, by the new Invention of Guns, as that in all late Wars much more use was made of fire, then of the sword: And be∣ing grieved even to the very heart, that so many men should be destroyed, and Cities ruined in a short time by this diabolical Invention, he com∣manded Pollidor Virgil, that with all speed he should find him out (if at least so devilish an Instrument could be found out by any humane crea∣ture) who had the cruel heart to introduce a scourge amongst men, so like to dreadful Thunder.

Pollidor obeyed, and in a short time did not only learn that the Inven∣tors of Guns was a Dutchman; but found him out, and delivered him a∣live into the power of the Court. Apollo being hereat overjoy'd, com∣manded the Judges of Assize, that they should do exemplary Justice up∣on this so cruel enemy to mankind. These gave sentence immediately, that the Dutchman should be put alive into a Cannon, to which fire be∣ing given, he might be torn in pieces by his own hellish Invention. All things tending thereunto were already in order, and the unhappy Dutch∣man was brought to punishment, when in those his last streights he in∣treated that he might be permitted to speak but a word or two before his Majestie in his own defence. He had his desire granted; and being brought before Apollo, spake thus; Illustrious King of Light! shall he

be condemn'd to so cruel a punishment by your Majesties Judges, who are esteemed to be just by all the world, who hath laboured to deserve fa∣vour from God, and good will from men, by inventing things beneficial for mankind? It is the intention, purpose, and mind of a man that makes the fault, which, whatsoever excess may insue upon any mans work, yet is it not imputed to any one whose will was good, and his intention holy.

I call God to witness, and your Majesties own light, which sees all things, that I did not invent Guns to afflict mankind (as I find many do wrongfully think) but out of zeal, charity, and piety; and if any mischief hath since insued thereby, it was more then I intended: For be∣ing vexed at the very soul to see, that through the ambition and avarice of those that rule, men were by divers waies drawn, will they, nil they, to the slaughter of War, I bethought my self, that people could not receive a greater benefit from any one, then to acquit the world of the vast ex∣pence of bloud occasioned by War; being very sure, that if Princes should want souldiers, they would not wage War so much, and would content themselves with their own fortunes, when man to man with their weapons in their hand, they must overcome that enemy, whose State they would usurp. For the danger of losing their lives, would make them lay aside the insatiable ambition which they have of domineering over the whole world. To arive then at this so holy end, and wherein I thought the whole felicity of mankind did consist, I bethought my self of this inven∣tion of Guns, firmly believing, that out of horror of this so dreadfull In∣strument, all men would be so terrified, as they would abominate the my∣stery of War. I did the rather believe this, for that I saw men were mightily affrighted with Thunder from Heaven, though they knew that God in his mercy makes more Thunder be heard for terror, then Bolts seen for punishment; that notwithstanding many when they see the lightning which precedes the thunder, run into corners to hide themselves; nay o∣thers have built themselves Chambers of Iron for security. Wherefore I did firmly believe that no man would ever be so rash or cruel to himself, as to expose his life to the manifest danger of death, by incountring with earthly Thunder, so like in all respects to the Thunder of Heaven; and levelled at the life of man, not to affright, but to kill him. If the con∣trary to what I believed, have since fallen out, and if men be grown so superlatively foolish and cruel to themselves, as out of a desire to appear gallant, to go even with delight against the mouth of the Cannon, and I to be blamed for other mens rashness and beastiallity?

Apollo was so moved to hear this Dutchman so gallantly defend him∣self, as turning his punishment into favour, he commanded that he should be rather rewarded then censured; and with tears in his eyes, said, That by reason of their beastiallity who dare sell their lives for the poor price of six pence a day, he was compelled to be pleas'd that cruel inventions should daily more increase, whereby to rid the earth of this lewd sort of men; and since that neither fire nor sword were able to do it, he earnestly desired the Majesty of his Creator, that he would once more open the Chateracts of Heaven, and quickly powre down new deluges of water upon the earth, to wash those wicked men from off the earth (without harming such as love peace) who forgetting that they are obliged to multiply man∣kind, have taken upon them the cruel trade of annihilating it by fire and sword.