Mamillia The second part of the triumph of Pallas: wherein with perpetual fame the constancie of gentlewomen is canonised, and the vniust blasphemies of womens supposed ficklenesse (breathed out by diuerse iniurious persons) by manifest examples clearely infringed. By Robert Greene Maister of Arts, in Cambridge.

TO THE RIGHT WORSHIP∣FVLL, AND HIS ESPECIALL friends, Robert Lee and Roger Por∣tington Esquires, Robert Greene wi∣sheth health, wealth, and pro∣speritie.

THe Philosopher Hermes (right worshipfull) being demanded why continually he carried the stone Celonites about with him, answered, least happily he might become vnthankefull. Meaning hereby that ingratitude is such a loth∣some vice in a liberall minde, and such a mon∣strous offence so repugnant to nature, that the forfeit of such a fault can be no lesse than the ex∣tremitie of death can afoord. For the nature of the stone is presentlie to depriue him of lyfe which is infected with ingratitude. Which say∣ing of Hermes throughly considered, and cal∣ling to minde the innumerable benefits and in∣finite good turns which I haue receiued at your worships hands, finding my abilitie far vnfit to

requite such curtesie, I was driuen into a doubt∣full Dilemma, whether excusing my self by dis∣abilitie I should incurre the suspition of ingra∣titude, or in offering such simple stuffe my in∣sufficiencie could affoord, I should be counted impudent. Staying thus in suspence, I shaked off the shakles with calling to remembraunce the saying of a poore Painter in Sienna, who offe∣ring a simple picture to Charles the second, be∣ing a present farre vnfit for such a Potentate, de∣maunded how he durst offer such a base gift to so princely a personage. I feared not (quoth he) in that I knew he was our Emperour, knowing that it was kingly to accept of a gift though ne∣uer so simple, and the signe of a worthie minde to thinke as well of the poore mans myte as of the riche mans treasure. Artaxerxes receiued thankfully the handful of water offered to him by a poore pesant, Cyrus was presented with a Pomgranat, and Iupiter himselfe vouchsafed of the graine of wheate which the poore Pismier offred to him for a new yeeres gift. Pricked for∣ward (right worshipfull) with these examples, I was the more bold to present this vnworthie worke as a witnesse of my vnfained good will and affection, assuming so vpon your worships

wonted curtesies, as I assure my selfe you wil ac∣cept of this my toy be it neuer such a trifle, and vouchsafe of my good will though the gift bee neuer so simple: Promising that if hereafter ei∣ther my witte or skill shall be able to yeeld anie better fruite, I will offer it at your worshippes shrine, that al the world may know you are the two Saints to whome in heart I owe most duti∣ful deuotion. Hoping in the mean time that you will accept more of my wil than of the worke, and of my meaning more than of the matter, I commit your worshippes to the Almightie. From my Studie in Clarehall the vij. of Iulie.

Yours Worships bounden to commaund, ROBERT GREENE.