Vers. 16. Take an harp, and goe about the Citie (thou harlot that hast been for∣gotten) make sweet melodie, sing mo song's that thou mayst be remembred.
HE compares Tyre to an harlot, who ha∣uing passed all her youth in whoredomes and filthines, at last becomming old (by rea∣son whereof all forsake and despise her) yet can she not forget her first gaine, nor her wic∣ked prancks, but desires to reuiue and refresh her old spirits. And that she may the better draw men out of all parts of the Citie vnto her, she goes singing, and playing vpon Instru∣ments, to delight her companions. For such whores become mad as it were when they see themselues despised because of their age: we see also that the Poet Horace flouts an harlot called Lydia for the fame cause.* 1.1 So Tyre, be∣ing destroyed and as it were buried in obli∣uion, shall againe pluck vp her courage, vsing all her wits and deuises to recouer her first estate.
By the harp and the sweete melodie he vnder∣stands the deceits, craft, entisments and flat∣teries which are vsed in merchandise, by which Merchants serue their turnes to in∣ueigle men, and to snare them in their nets. In a word, he shewes by what meanes the Ci∣ties which consist of merchandise become rich, to wit, by craftie and vnlawfull shifts. For this cause it is that the Prophet saith, Tyre shall tickle mens eares with her sweete melodie.
He further bids her to double her songs, as if he should say, adde deceit to deceit, and flat∣terie to flatterie, till thou hast drawne euery one vnto thee: steale into mens minds a∣gaine, and recouer thy first fame. To be short, euen as an old harlot deuiseth meanes how she may get into fauour againe with men by painting, trimming, and decking her selfe in fine apparrell; also with musicall Instru∣ments and loue-songs: so Tyre shall rise and inrich her selfe againe by the same meanes wherewith she gat wealth before: not that he counsels or giues Tyre licēce by these words to enrich her selfe this way, but continues on his prophesie.