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 XCIII. ADVERTISEMENT.

It being observed that Pero Trasea, in company of his son in Law Elvidius Priseo, frequented the houses of the chief∣est Poet esses of Parnassus; He is severely reprehended for it by Apollo▪

IT hath been observed by such Vertuosi who delight to pry into other mens actions, that Pero Trasea, accompanied by his son in Law, Elvi∣dius Priseo, did very much frequent the houses of the Lady Victoria Colon∣na, the Lady Veronica Gambera, and other chief Lady-Poets of this Court: And although the extraordinary good opinion which is generally held of Trasea's honesty, makes it very hard to believed that so grave a Senator can commit a foul fact; yet the great frequency of his visits, and the length of them, hath occasioned such scandal even amongst the best men, as the unseemliness thereof hath come to Apollo's knowledg: Who to

quench the flames of murmur, sent for Tresea two daies ago to come to him, and charged him to acquaint him with the business which he had with those Ladies? Trasea answered, That he went to those Ladies on∣ly to exercise his charity in reading every day a Chapter in Boetius Seve∣rinus, De Consolatione Philosophiae. Apollo seemed to be much offend∣ed with this answer; wherefore he said, Trasea, if you will merit favour from God, and love from men, by using your endeavors to consolate the afflicted, go comfort those miserable wretches who lie perishing in Hospi∣tals, and those unfortunate people that are led to the Gallows: for to spend whole daies like Sardenapalus, amongst women, and hope to make men believe that you exercise there only your spiritual parts, is a piece of hypocrisie able to move laughter in fools, and to make those burst for an∣ger, who know that men who go often to the Mill are easily bemealed; and a man of your parts ought to know, that when a woman conceives twins, if they be both male children, they are wrapt within one Filme; and so likewise if they be both females: but if the one be male, and the other female, wise Nature parts the female from the male, in a particular Filme. So as Nature by not confiding in the cohabitation of a brother with a sister, in so tender age, teacheth all men, that people cannot be se∣cure even of such as you are: and he who relies upon his own strength, Trasea, in such like occasions, is more rash then wise. And because these disorders ought to be corrected, both for your reputation and mine; I straitly command you, That for the future you forbear such dangerous doings; for the world is not so great a blockhead (as I perceive you foolishly conceive) but that it very well knows that visits made to hand∣som women by such as you are, after a second time grow suspitious to those that know that all men are pleased with what is handsom, stimulus carnis is a natural vice in all men; and that lust is no waies better refrained, then by keeping far from fair creatures. Therefore let him that will keep from committing error, avoid all occasion. And all your Philosophy can∣not make a man believe, but that every man made of flesh, is pleased with a savory morsel: Wherefore I put you in mind, that one like you, who make such profession of not staining your reputation with the spots of la∣sciviousness, ought to shun all that allure thereunto: for it is not only a great piece of folly; but an infinite rashness, worthy to be punisht, to make gun-powder in a Smiths shop, with hope to make people believe there is no danger in it.