The gallery of heroick women written in French by Peter Le Moyne of the Society of Jesus ; translated into English by the Marquesse of Winchester.

[illustration]

SALOMONE 〈…〉〈…〉

Salomona.

THE Combat you behold, though it be bloody on the one side, and cruel on the other, yet it is none of those where Valour should be brutish, and commit murders. She is very resolute and cou∣ragious; but she is disarmed and suffer∣ing. In like occasions the weak become strong, the dying victorious; and they that strike and kill, were the vanquished. The Combat is for the God of Abraham and Moses, for the Law of the Patri∣archs and Prophets. On the other side this cause is defended by abandoned and naked Faith, and on the other, assaulted by Infidelity, armed with Engins and punishments. The match seems to you to be unequal: And you will hardly believe, that Infirmity and Tendernesse, can be of more Force then Iron and Fire; that a Mother weak both in Sex and Age, and Chil∣dren both abandoned and unarmed, should vanquish a furious and armed Tyrant, and overcome all the Executioners of his Train. Nevertheless they subdued them all, and there are al∣readie on their side as many Victories as Deaths.

Salomona was present at all these particular Combats: All en∣tire that you see her, she hath already delivered up six parts of her heart; And I believe that she is now come to her last Childe, and to her seventh Crown. Her face bears as many Victories, as Years. There is something I know not what, of venerable and August in her wrinkles: and you would say

that even the Law it self is come out of the Propitiatory in humane shape, to infuse Zeal into her Followers, and to teach them Fidelity and Constancy.

Certainly Beauty, whatsoever is said of it, belongs not only to Youth. Vertue is graceful in every Age, Her flowers are of the latter season as well as her fruits: And whether by na∣tural right, or by an Immemorial Priviledge, she hath ever preserved the advantage of being at once, both Beautiful and Ancient, and of having charms under gray Hairs and wrinkles. You will profess at least, that she hath commanding Attractives in this half dried up skin, and upon these withered ••heeks: And you will be as much inamored of these venerable Ruines, and this Heroick and generous Caducity, as of adorned Youth, and a scandalous Vivacity.

Besides, do not believe that her Constancie is blinde and obstinate; it is fortified with Sence and Reason, and its solidity is resplendent, and penetrated with light, as well as that of the Diamond As if she were not furnished enough with that which is intrinsical and diffused from her own Spirit; A light more vigorous and pure, descends to her from Heaven, which infires her Heart; and her heart being inflamed with this fire, seems ready to issue forth of her Eyes to receive it, even in its source By the Charity of this Divine Light she came to know the short and ruinous Carreir of time, and the Immense and sollid Extent of Eternity: She hath seen the Waste and Defects of Fortune through the Paints and Disguises wherewith she varnishes her self: And one Single Ray mira∣culously extinguished in her apprehension all those Piles of Wood which are set on fire for her self and Children, and made her discern afar off, in the hands of Abraham and Jacob, the Crowns prepared for them.

Illuminated by these Lights, and fortified by this Object, she hath already overcome even six Deaths: and behold her wrastling with the seventh, which assaults her by the youngest and last of her Children. There is tendernesse indeed on that side, but nothing of weaknesse; and this last part of her Heart in being the most innocent and lesse fortified by time shall not

be the less invincible. The Tyrant thinks to gain upon her by that way, but he was not well acquainted with her: He per∣swades himself, that at least with this single drop of blood which was left her, she would preserve the hope and restauration of her Posterity. But the blood of the Macchabees would not endure the least stain for its Conservation: and so holy and glori∣ous a Race could not end more honourably, then by seven Martyrs.

She was far from contributing her voice and Carresses to ini∣quity, and from becoming the Temptress of her Son, she for∣tified his Minde, and strengthened his Courage: she discover∣ed to him her Bosom and Breasts, which are reasons so much the more powerful, as having the more tendernesse: she shews him the Heavens open, and the God of Abraham a Spectator of his Conflict, with the Patriarchs and Prophets. I think also that the spake to him of his Ancestors the Macchabees; and made him understand, that this great Light, is that, of their Conquering Souls, which are descended to assist his Victory, and to finish by his Constancie the Glory and Coronation of their Name, the Triumph and Sanctity of their Race.

The Couragious Youth heareth her with a manly Con∣stancie: his Resolution is visible already in his Eyes, and gives a Color to his Face: His Constancie in Punishments will quickly shew, that he is twice born of this Heroick Mother; that he is no less the fruit of her Heart, then of her Womb; and that he hath sucked with his Milk the Spirit and Quintessence of her Vertue, and the very blood and Marrow of her Soul. Be∣ing now assaulted by large Promises and magnificent VVords, he only opposeth his silence to this vain Battery: and one mo∣tion of his Head, accompanied with a Gesture of Scorn, over turns all those Mountains of Gold which are offered him. The Tyrant being irritated thereby bites his very Lips; wrath pre∣pares new Fires in his Heart, both for the Mother and the Son: Some sparkles of them are seen already to issue from his Eyes, and smoak out of his Mouth: and two great stacks of wood will suddenly be here enkindled with his Breath, and the Fire of his VVrath.

Mean while Salomona rejoyceth at the Courage of her Son, she animates him afresh to the Combat; and proposeth to him the Example of his Brothers. She shews him their souls already crowned, who remain at the Gate of Heaven, staying only for his, to begin their Triumph. Those are their Bodies which you see amidst the Executioners and Tortures. Of six, two of them have been delivered up to the Furnace incompassed with Fire; and the four other have been divided between two great Caldrons. They live no longer, and yet still resist; They seem to contest with Insensibility, which is to them, as it were a second Constancy, and a natural Force, which their souls have left them at their Departure. You would say, that they had a mind to make shew of a distinct Virtue from that of their mindes, and to possess their labours and merits apart in this common cause: You would say, that every member hath a Heart peculiar to its self, and a particular life to expose. Their blood, though shed, retains still its vigour; There issueth thence a smoak which proceeds from the fire of their Zeal; nay, even their flead skins, and their lopped off Feet and Hands retain still something of the Spirit of the Macchabees, and seem to seek a second Victory.

There remain none about them but these two Executioners. All the rest are out of the Combat and have lost their Resolu∣tion with their Forces. The Fires which have been kindled to consume these Holy Victimes, are overcome by the Divine Fire, which hath left them nothing but the exteriour to burn: Neither do I know whether they respect not the very marks which appear upon these bloody and torn reliques: Surely they owe this and more to that Fire, superiour to all others; And the impression of Charitie ought to be at least in like reverence, and no less sacred then the impression of Lightning. Hereto∣fore the Flames of the Babylonian Furnace had this discretion, either Natural or Divinely inspired. They respected the three Jews, whom Faith and Charity had consecrated; And by a violent breaking out, like that of a Lion, who should leave his prey and fall upon his Keeper, they devoured those Mini∣sters of Impiery who kindled them.

But nothing but Miracles of Courage and Patience will be wrought here. God will permit the Consummation of the Sacrifice, and receive all the Smoak of it. Salomona her self who hath hitherto fought but in heart, and been only tryed against Compassion, shall be suddenly tryed against Grief. By the same Force wherewith she restrained all her Tears she will pour out all her Blood. She will overcome Cruelty, as she hath vanquished Nature: And after seven Deaths suffered in Minde and by Piece-meal she will endure the last, which shall be the Recompence and Coronation of all the rest.

SONNET.

IN Natures sight in sight of Heav'n above, Brave Salamona combats Grief and Love: Which, through her seven Sons Breasts with deadly Smart Have made a Rent in her undaunted Heart.

Nor Blood nor Tears do trickle from her wound; All that's in her is with true Valour Crown'd: Her Faith d••••ends that Breach, ••midst horrid pains Her Soul much more believes, then it sustains.

What cannot Love improve its force unto? What hath not Faith abundant pow'r to do? The Love of seven brave Sons, dear as her Eyes, Makes her endure seven Deaths before she dies.

Yet Faith does more, and by a rare ••ffort (Which Love should emulate in its transport) Makes her seven times a Martyr, ere pa••e Death Constrains her to forsake her vital Breath.

ELOGIE OF SALOMONA.

THe Mother of the Macchabees was peradventure the first Gallant Woman who sought without Arms and overcame by death. She was the Daughter of holy Conquerers, and the Mother of Mar∣tyrs, and gave to Jud•••• a Christian Heroess before Christianity. In the common ruine of her Countrey, and general Martyrdom of her Nati∣on, all sorts of Engin•• were applyed to withdraw her Children from the Religion of their Parents. They were put to defend themselves against objects both of delight and terrour, and to overcome a Tyrant armed with favours and punishments.

The Couragious Mother assisted at all their Combats, and contri∣buted her voice, her ••eal, and spirit to their Victory: so far was she from concealing them from Torments and Death, that she produced them one after another, armed with her Vertue, and fortified with her Admonitions: she animated them with her faith, and warmed them with her tears▪ she gathered together their ••lead skins, and their mu∣t••lated members, as the matter both of their Crowns and of her own; and as many deaths as she numbred, so many accomplished Victories she counted in her Thoughts.

Not that she was lesse a Mother then the tender and weeping ones 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Her soul endured Iron and Fire in the bodies of her Children, she ••ell in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with their Members, and her Heart melted away through the•••• Wounds. But she knew the order and quality of her obligation: It was her belief that she owed more to God, then to her own blood, and more to Religion, then to her Race: And knowing that a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Death is more happy then a sinner who lives and reigns, she chose rather to make a Family of Saints then of Apostates; and to be rather a Mother in Heaven, then upon Earth.

MORAL REFLECTION.

LEt our Ladies learn of this Jew to be Mothers and Christians: Let them learn by her Example that Children given to God are not lost. That it would be much better to have them innocent in a Grave, then vitious on a Throne, That a good Death is the best Fortune they can attain to. And that it is for the glory of the Macchabees, and the good of Children to be saved even before their time, even with many pains▪ even by their own blood, and through all the Engines of Death▪ and not to be damned after their old Age, loaden with sorrows and sins. It is a glory to the Earth, that Marble stones which come out of its Bosom, should become excellent Figures under the Hammer. And

it is better that a Shute should be cut off when it is yet tender, and that it be grafted in the Garden of a Prince, then to have it wither upon the Stem, and serve only for matter of Fuell.

MORAL QUESTION.

Whether Religion be the Principal Vertue of a Gallant Women?

THere are some Vertues indeed of greater noise, and carrying a sa••er Glose then Religion, but none of greater use, not more necessary for a Gallant Woman. All the rest, what 〈◊〉〈◊〉 soever they make, and what colour soever they have, are without her, but Stage-Vertues. They resemble those superficial bodies, made only for shew, which are all Mask and Garment, they have neither life nor spirit, they are without form and consistence: And though they seem to be active, and full of motion, yet they act to no purpose, nor move, but by Artificial wheels. Even Force and Valour which are not sup∣ported by Religion, are feeble and impotent: At the most they have but a Flash of Choller and a precipitous Brutallity. Prudence 〈◊〉〈◊〉 blinde without her ••••ght: And the Graces cannot please, if Religion hath not adorned and instructed them.

There is then no solid and perfect Vertue without Religion, and by this common reason: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all the rest should 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Religion ought to be the principal Form, and the predominant Quality, of a Gallant and sollidly Vertuous Woman. But that is effected by a more 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and which reflects particularly upon the Courage which 〈…〉〈…〉 this place: there are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 functions of courage, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 general duties which supportall particular ones, and give a solid state and con∣sistence to the whole life. By the first it makes us act equally and with a constant and regulated ••••ennesse; by the second it fortifies the Mind against either Fortune, and keeps it up what winde soever bloweth be∣tween the elevation and the fall. By the third it arms the Heart against the corruptions of flesh and blood, and preserves it from maternal Passi∣ons. By the last it secures it against the apprehensions of Death 〈…〉〈…〉 it victorious over this dreadful thing, which is the common 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Bear of mankinde, and the terrour of Nature.

These duties are noble and sublime: But force should impertimently strive to use extraordinary violences, it could never acquit it self with the aid of Morality alone, it hath need of a more powerful assistance to support it, of a supernatural and Divine Coad••••••esse to labour joyntly with it; And this Coadju••••ess can be no other then Religion, whose part it is to loosen the soul from abject things, and elevate it to God. This elevation also being 〈◊〉〈◊〉 well undertaken, and made with∣out deviation is able alone, to strengthen the minde, and sufficeth with∣out other Philosophie for all the duties of courage.

First, all the Actions of life being subjected thereby to the eternal Law, and applyed to soveraign Justice, and to the essential and primi∣tive Rule, receive from thence an equal and constant evennesse, and a ••ectitude incapable of deviation or infringement. Secondly, the soul approaching to God by this elevation, and consequently illuminated by his ••••ght, and instructed in the orders established in the World by that Providence which governs it, doth not repiningly, and with fro∣wardnesse receive that part of events which is assigned her; she acco∣modates herself by degrees to the rules of this vast Family into which she is entred: she performs her part of the consort, and contributes at least her resignation to the designe of the great Workman, and to the general harmonie of his Work. Concerning Hazard and Fortune, knowing very well, that they are but Figures which Errour hath painted and set up; and that none but Children and Ideots regard them, she equally de••ides their favours and their threats: And what∣soever happens to her of good or ill, she receiveth it with the same sa∣tisfaction of Mind, and acknowledgeth therein the care and goodness of the Father who sends it her.

Thirdly, the soul is purified by this elevation, and disburdens herself of matter: And the neerer this elevation approaches her to God, the stronger and more vigorous she is, the purity also which she re∣ceives thereby is more exact, and her disingagement more perfect; she is thereby lesse capable of material passions, and can raise her self to such a degree, and unite herself so close and straightly to the first spirit, that being made one spirit with him, she forgets the allyance and in∣terest of her body, and assists indifferently and as a stranger to its sor∣rows and joyes.

In fine the Soul brought back by this elevation to the spring of life, and led into the entrance of Eternity, which is promised her, learns to contemn these little Moments which roll within the Circle of time, and mark out to every one the space and length of his life: And so far is she from apprehending Death, or being affrighted at the sight of its terrible Arms, that she looks upon it as her Deliverer, as that which was to break her Chain••, and loosen her from the wheel of revolutions and human vi••issitudes The Synagogue in its declining Age had in Salomona an Example of this Religious Fortitude. The Church in her beginning had the like in S. Felicitas, who was a Roman Salomona, and who of seven Sons which God had given her, and by her restored to him, made seven Christian Maccabees. In these last Ages, in which Schismatical Tyrants have succeeded Idolatrous ones, and unbridled and furious Heresie hath fought against the Church and Faith: There hath been plenty of Heroick Women, who have given examples of the•••• Fortitude and Religion. Behold here one of Note, and chosen amongst our Neighbours, where we shall see a Woman an Exhortresse, not of her Children, but of her Father, a Martyr: A Woman above interest and Nature and equally victorious over Fortune and Death.

EXAMPLE.

Margaret Moor, the Daughter of Sir Thomas Moor, Lord Chancellor of England.

THere is no Person who hath not heard some Discourse of the Birth of the Schism in England, and who knows not the Cruelties which followed that Incestuous and Tragical Love, and that fatal Ma∣lice, which of a Prostitute made a Queen; and of an excommunicated Lay-man, of a rotten and mutilated Member, made a Soveraign Pre∣late, without Unction and Order, a Schismatical and Monstrous Head. The Lord Chancellour Moor was one of the first and most noble Victims Immolated to A••••e of Bullen, and to the Schism which was born of this unfortunate Marriage. King Henry omitted no kinde of Tempta∣tion to gain this learned and wise old man, who was grown white in the Service of the State, and had spent fourty Years to the Honour of his Countrey and Time. But all his temptations proved weak, and his Offers as well as his Threats returned back to him without effect. The Chancellor was stronger then all the Engins which were prepared a∣gainst him: the Prayers and Tears of his afflicted and mourning Kin∣dred were not able to move him. The Engins and Rage of an inflamed and furious Tyranny could not alter his resolution.

He had a Daughter called Margaret, who was no lesse the Daughter of his Spirit, then of his Body; He had formed her with his Tongue, and polished her with his Pen: He had imprinted in her by degrees and in divers Figures, the Flower of his Learning, and the Spiritual part of his Soul: And he that shall represent to his imagination an exact Graver, and jealous of the perfection of his Work; who should spend Dayes and Nights about some rare piece of Marble, which he designes for one of the Muses or Graces, will have a right imagination of the Cares and Assiduity which this good Father had shewn in the instructi∣on of this excellent Daughter. His Cares also proved successeful, and his Assiduity was very fortunate: And if it be a common saying, that Books are the Children of their Authors, one may well say that this Daughter was the most learned and polished Book which issued from the Minde of Sir Thomas Moor. His Vtopia and other Works, which still live, are but in one Language and of one matter, That other Piece was both Greek and Latine, Prose and Verse, full of Philosophie and Historie.

Of all the Family of Sir Thomas Moor there was scarce any but this Woman learned and couragious, who went not along with the Time, not was pliable to Interest. She was singularly beloved of her Father; and a few Words of her Mouth, accompanied with as many Tears would have battered him more dangerously then all the suborned Mi∣nisters

of Henry: and all the Engins of Schism. Neverthelesse these so powerful words, and these forcible Tears which might have shaken him, were all imployed to confirm him: Friendship and Tenderness fortified his ••aith, and gave Courage to his Constancie: And the Piety of the Daughter added to the Zeal of the Father, and finished his Martyr∣dom. Sir Thomas Moor being Prisoner in the Tower of London, where he was visited by God alone, and had commerce with none but the Muses which suffered with him; his Couragious Margaret caused a for∣ged Letter to be spread abroad, in which she feignedly seemed willing to gain him to the Kings Will, and procured leave by this innocent and charitable deceit both to see and serve him. Being received into the Tower she left at the gate, with the person she had taken upon her, the resentments of Nature, and the weaknesse of her Sex, and entred with the pure Spirit of Christianity, and with a couragious Faith prepared for the Combat.

So far was this Daughter from tempting and assaulting him with the Ruines of his tottering House, that she represented to him the impor∣tance of his suffering for that Cause; that Men and Angels were Specta∣tours of his Victory, that he had the Applause and Congratulation of the Church, and that the Glory of his Family was raised to the Alli∣ance of Martyrs. She spake nothing to him which he knew not before; but she said nothing which did not confirm him. Old reasons received a new light from her Tears, and issued with more vigour out of her Mouth. And whether God placed in her Voice and upon her Lips some tincture of Divine Spirit, whether pleasing persons have a natu∣ral Charm, and an Eloquence without Art; or that their sole presence is perswasive. It seemed as if an Angel appearing to this Moor, had in∣flamed him with more Zeal, or infused into him more Light. In fine having received the Sentence of Death after Fourteen Moneths of im∣prisonment, and an illustrious and solemn Confession of his Faith, made in the presence of all the Ministers of the Schism, his good Daughter was willing to be a spectat••ess of his Combat; and to fortifie her self by the Evidence of his Faith, and with the last Act of his Con∣stancie, she expected him in his passage, and went to imbrace him in the midst of the people, who gave back out of respect, and with their Admiration and Tears honoured so resolute and so examplar a Piety. At these last imbraces the fervour of friendship mixed with that of Zeal, ascending from her Heart to her Head, caused some Tears to di∣still from her eyes. But these were couragious Tears, and such as here∣tofore the first Heroes of Christianity shed upon the wounds and Crowns either of their Fathers or Children still warme with Mar∣tyrdom.

After the execution of the impious sentence, which had submitted this High Judge of Equity to the sword of a Hangman: Margaret prepared her self to tender her last duties to the Bodie of her Father. Concerning whose Head after it had served a whole Moneth for a spectacle of ter∣rour

upon London Bridge, she bought it of the Executioner, and caused it to be inchased in Silver; to the end it might remain with his Wri∣tings, the Relique of his Family, and of her Domestick Devotion. Notwithstanding, this Devotion wanted not Accusers, and was pursued by Justice. It was made a crime of State, that they might have a pre∣tence to persecute Sir Thomas Moor even after his Death, and cause that part of his Heart and Spirit which he had left to his Daughter to suffer a second Martyrdom. She was made a Prisoner, and examined before the Schismatical Tribunal: But she shewed so much Constancie in prison: she answered so prudently, and with so great courage: she made so reso∣lute and a noble confession of her Faith, that the Commissioners them∣selves being become her Admirers, conceived it much fitter to send her back, then to give a second Victory to her Father, and multiply Martyrs and Crowns in his Family.