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 LXXVIII. ADVERTISEMENT.

Apollo hearing of the happy Alliance of the two Illustrious Daughters of Charls Emanuel with the two Noble Prin∣ces of Mantua and Modena, commands that extraordina∣ry demonstrations of joy be made throughout his whole Dominions.

YEsterday about nine of the clock, the usual Guard of the Pegasean Tower gave notice by two stroaks of the bell, that two men were discovered on the Castalian Plain, which hasted towards Parnassus; whereupon the Litterati ran presently to the Walls and to the Gates, to see what the matter might be. And soon after hearing the sound of a Horn, knew that it was one that came Post, with his guide: The more inquisitive Litterati ran to meet him, and when they heard that he was sent from Italy to Apollos Majesty, they all earnestly desired to know whether he brought news of any gallant Italian product, or of any taking Piece lately printed? To which the Post answered, only that he brought dispatches to Apollo, of incredible joyful news; wherefore he was wait∣ed upon to the Royal Palace by an infinite number of Litterati. When he had presented his Letters to Apollo, all the standers by, who very at∣tentively observed his Majesties face, found, that still as he read, his coun∣tenance cleared up. Having read the Letters, he with incredible joy ut∣tered these words; O how happy Union! Let my beloved Queen of Italy know, that I desire her to come speedily to me. These words caus∣ed various conjectures in the Vertuosi, and divers were the interpretati∣ons they gave thereof; but the most common was, that the necessary League, which is so much desired by all good men, was at last concluded in Italy, against that enemy to Learning, the Ottaman Empire. This mean while the Queen of Italy was seen to come walking apace towards Apollo's Royal Palace leaning upon her Bellisario. When Apollo heard she was coming to the stairs, he ran with great joy to meet her, and ha∣ving imbraced her in his arms; I heartily rejoyce (said he) together with your Majesty, at the happy news which I but now received by Letters from my Italian Academies, of the Match which his Highness Charls E∣manuel Duke of Savoy hath made of his two daughters, with the most

Noble Princess of Mantua, and Modena. What think you of the con∣junction of so Illustrious Princes, of the union so much desired, so much wisht for by me and you, of these your two beloved sons? Are not these contentments which do fully counterpoise your late troubles? Yes in∣deed, answered the Queen of Italy, and I confess unto your Majesty, that now all my desires, all my consolations are accomplished: for I never did desire any thing more earnestly, then that my Italian Princes should add the conjunction of bloud, as now they have done, to their joynt important Interests of State: So as I am wholly composed of joy, seeing that strong Gerion of many of my Italian Princes, formed into one body, which may secure me from those future evils, the fear wherof hath hither∣to so afflicted me. Then that powerful Queen, attended by all the Prin∣ces and Nobility of Parnassus, went to visit the Temple of Fruitfulness, which promis'd assured and happy offspring to these so fortunate couples. Being returned to her Royal Palace, she was congratulated by all the chief∣est Princes reciding in this State, and in the presence of so many great Heroes, she gave the honorable Title of first and chiefest Italian Warrier, to Charls Emanuel Duke of Savoy, the Father of so fortunate offspring, and Author of Italies so great felicity, to whom she immediately sent the usual signes of Golden Launce and Trunchion. Apollo, to witness his joy for this so gladsom news, caused it to be proclaimed by sound of Trum∣pet, that in respect thereof, extraordinary signes of joy should be shewed throughout all his Dominions; and upon this occasion gave leave at the earnest request of his Litterati, the which he had hitherto so resolutely denied, that Stage-players should be admitted into Parnassus.

Tilting and Turney were in the next place proclaimed; and the first day the Paladines of Spanish Romansas, Amadisi, Don Florestano, and ma∣ny others appeared within the Lists, who gave such proofs of themselves as did exceed; and all men wondred to see Palaces made all of Diamonds, built by words. The second day the French Paladins, and those of o∣ther Nations, Orlando, Rinalde, Gradasso, Sacrapante, and many others ap∣peared at Turney, who behaved themselves so couragiously as they made all men know, that Ariosto had writ sparingly of them. The third day Caro, Molza, Sanga, and other polite Courtiers appeared in the field, who valiantly challenged those other noble Champions to the combat; but they, scorning to have to do with men who had not made profession of Arms, refused the Challenge; wherefore those Courtiers did by sound of Trumpet again denounce; they challenge a second time, which was still slighted by the other Paladins. The Courtiers published a third de∣fiance; which not being accepted of, all the spectators fel a•…•… hissing at them. Wherefore Apollo, seeing so great a scorn put upon those Pala∣dins who had been rendred so famous by the Poets, was much offended, and commanded them to put their Launces in their rests, and to quell the over-daring of those Courtiers. The Champions then suddenly obeyed; and it was a strange prodigious thing, to see how those spruce Courtiers, did with a dexterous lye, with an ill turn done in time unhorse those Pala∣dins, though their Arms were inchanted. Then the couragious Brada∣mante and Marsica, incenst to see those famous Paladins so dishonored, took their Launce, and with more then manly fury, spur'd on their steeds towards the Cavaliers, so to recover the Military reputation which the o∣thers had so shamefully lost; but both of them being incountred by great

purses full of gold, spread their legs abroad, forsook their saddles, and fell to the ground flat upon their backs; by reason of these signal acts, the Prize of the Tilting was awarded to the Courtiers, who had got the trick of un∣horsing people, and of setting them beside the saddle, not by their Laun∣ces or counter-bufs, but only by meer words.