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 XCVII. ADVERTISEMENT.

Pompey the great having invited many Noble Lords of Rome to be present at the dedication of the magnificent Theatre which he had built in Pernassus, they refuse to come.

POmpey the great having finished his stately Fabrick of a Theatre in Pernassus, which was no whit inferior to that which he erected in Rome, when he was to dedicate it, resolved to celebrate the shew of Gladiators; and amongst many other Princes, invited some modern Roman Lords to the entertainment, who did not only excuse them∣selves, alleadging they had not heart enough to behold so bloudy a spe∣ctacle, but confest that they were much scandallized to think that their fore-fathers did not only not detest that cruel pastime, to see men be∣come so merciless one to another, but that even women delighted in so horrid barbarism; and that they would be bold to say, that such like Spectacles were a shame to those that saw them, and did but little honour to those that caused them to be represented. It is known that Pompey readily reply'd, that he should very much admire and love the civility and humanity of the present Romans, in abhorring the shedding of hu∣mane bloud, if they had not stained this their worthiness with the shame∣ful curiosity of flocking with the basest sort of people, to see men put to death by the Hangman.