The INTERPRETER.

1. THese Sirens were called the daughters of Achelous, either in reference to the harmonie which the wa∣ter of that river makes in running, or else of those musicall instruments of old called Hydraula, wee may call them wa∣ter-organs, in stead of which wee use wind-organs; and because of the sweetnesse of their musick, they were said to be the daughters of one of the Muses. 2. Sabinus thinks by these Sirens were meant the Queens of the Ilands neer the Bay of Salernum, who in the Promo•tory of Minerva, erected an Universitie or Colledge of good learning and eloquence, which gave occasion to this fiction of the Sirens, who were called the daughters of Achelous and Calli•pe, be∣cause the professors of that Colledge came out of Greece, where Calliope dw•elt, and Achelous was one of the chief ri∣vers there. But the Sirens were turned into sea-monsters, when the professors and students gave themselves to drink∣ing, Page  241 whoring, and all kind of licentiousnesse: and indeed, in such places where discipline is not observed, many young men lose their time and estates, and fall u on as dangerous rocks as those of the Sirenes. 3. The Sirens were whores, who dwelt upon that coast of Italie, who by their intice∣ments allured men ashore, where they lost both their time and their money, and this was little better then shipwrack. 4. By the Sirens are understood carnall and worldly plea∣sures, by which many thousands are devoured; the virgin face of Parth•nope▪ the sweet voice of Lagea, and the wh•te skin of Leucosia are buts by which whorish Sirens draw young inconsiderate gallants on the rocks, and destroy them in the is souls, bodies, and estates: therefore it becomes us with Orpheus, to tune up the melodious harp of Gods word, which may drown their voice and bewitching mu∣sick; or else with Vlysses, to tie our selves with the cords of reason, that these halfe unreasonable creatures (for so the Sirens are expressed, in that they were but halfe women) may not so far prevail, as to destroy our souls and devour our estates: or else let us stop our ears, as Vlysses did the ears of his fell•ws with wax, that wee may not hear the chanting of their voice; and w•th the Adder, that wee may not be charmed with the voice of such inchanters. 5. The Sirens used to fit their songs for every mans hu∣mour, that they might gain all: by this the nature of flat∣tery is shewed, which sooths up men in their humours; and applying it selfe to that which is most pleasing to the man whom flattery works upon, whether it be pride, luxurie, covetousnesse, or any other vice; a dangerous, but too fre∣quent a kind of Sirens, which sing in Princes Courts, chan∣t•ng that which is pleasing, but no way true. 6. Some think that the Sirenes were halfe birds, whom the Muses be∣rest of their wings, for daring to contend with them▪ I wish that learned men would clip o•• the wings of whorish and fla•tering Sirens, that they may not flye any more into Princes Courts and populous Cities, where they contend Page  242 with the Muses, and prevail too; inticing more to hearke• to them, then Preachers doe with all their Oratorie. 7. There were three Sirens, and these had three sorts of musick to allure men, to wit, the voice, the fife, and the harp▪ to shew that there are three wayes by which whorish women induce men to sin and destruction, to wit, beauty, singing, and familiarity. 8. The gods allowed the Si∣rens so long to live, as they could prevail with passengers to listen to their songs; but a•ter Vlysses and his fellowes hearkened not to them, they perished in the sea, and were seen no more; whores and parasites will live in the world so long as princes and rich men give ear to them: but if once they would be so wise, as with Vlysses to slight them, the Court and Citie would be quickly rid of them.