Les femmes illustres or The heroick harangues of the illustrious women written n French by the exquisite pen of Monsieur de Scuddery governour of Nostre Dam. Translated by James Innes.

ARGUMENT.

THis Discourse and the Precedent, lets us clearly see, that all things have two Faces: And that we may arrive at the same end, by different wayes, I mean at Vertue. So∣phonisba would die, the Valiant Zenobia would live; And both would live and die by Principels of Generositie. The one beholds Libertie as the Chief good: The other believes that Chief good consists in Soveraign Wisdom. The one could not indure the Idea of a Chariot, because she believed it Ignominious to its Followers: The other followed the Chariot without trouble, because she thought nothing shamefull but crime. The one beheld a Conquerors Triumph with dispair, as a mightie disgrace: The other considered it with disdain, as a chance of Fortune. The one died, the other lived: The one searched Glorie, where the other believed it Infamie: However as I have said, the one and the other had a Vertuous Subject: So true is it that all things have diverse Faces, according to the byass they are regarded. You have heard the Reasons of the one, hear also the other, and then judge of both:

ZENOBIA TO HER DAUGHTERS.

IT is now a long time, dear & unfortunat Princesses, that I have seen your tears trickle in vain: My Constancie hath to no purpose taught you, that Heroick Spirits can en∣dur great sorrows without de∣spaire: The Idea of the Throne which you have lost, and of the chariot which you have followed, being alwaies fresh in your memorie, makes my example Fruitless: And all the days of your life, renew your affliction. You still carrie in your hearts the Irons which you had on your hands, that cursed day wherein you entred Rome: And without losing anie of that Noble pride, which Illustrious Birth in∣spires in them who are born with that advantage; Aurellian Triumphs yet over you, everie time you call to minde his Triumph. I am verie sorrie, O my Daughters, that having made you partakers of my disgraces, I cannot give you constancie necessar to support them. Yet its the onlie heritage I can leave you a dying, and I do most affectionatlie wish that that Vertue may pass from my heart into yours: To the end that being unable to live as Queens, you may at least reign over your selves, If through excess of misfortune, anie could with Reason despaire, it is certain Zenobia may do it: For as she has had more

Glorie then anie of her sex could ever obtain; So her mis∣fortunes have been more deplorable, then any was ever heard of You know that on my side you may reckon the Ptolomees Kings of Aegypt for your fore Fathers, and that I am come of the Illustrious Blood of Cleopatra. But alace! It may be said that the Triumphant Cha∣riot which Augustus appointed for her, is come to me by right of succession: And that I have onlie followed what was prepared for her. Yet Fortune hath treated me with greater inhumanitie: For you are not ignorant that I followed a chariot, which I thought I led, and which I had caused do with design to make Triumph of him, who Triumphed over me. You also know, that the beginning of my life, was full of happi∣ness; The Valiant Odenat your Father, and my dear Lord; After he had given me the Crown of Palmiranea would also make me partaker of his Glorious conquests. And I can say without vanitie, and without wronging that Heros that if he gave to Zenobia the Crown which she carried; She did also with her own hand add leaves of Laurell to that which Victorie had put upon his head. Yes my Daughters, I can say without offending the memorie of Odenat, that we together conquered all the East: And being encouraged by just resent∣ments we did undertake to revenge upon the Persians the indignities they made the Emperour Valerian suffer whom Sapor keeped prisoner; When in the interim the infamous Galienus his Son abandoned himself to all sorts of delight.

Yet Odenat did not forebear to send him all the pri∣soners we made in that War: We took the best places in Mesopotamia; Carres, and Nisibea rendered to my dear Lord: And pursueing the Victorie, we routed at Ctesiphont, an innumerable multitude of Persians; We made manie Satrapps prisoners; their King also fled away: And continuing almost whollie Victorious, in all our Encounters; Renown made such Proclamations of Odenates Valour, that Galienus in fine roused himself. Then stimulated by fear rather then gratitude, he made him Colleague in the Empire: And to give him also more honour, you know he caused Medalles be made, wherein my dear Odenat dragged the Persians captives, ever till then I had felicitie: Victorie and

Fortune equallie favoured me: But alace! And must I say it? When my dear Odenat was assasined with the eldest of my Children; I past from one extreamitie to an other: And became as miserable as I had been happie. Then was it my Daughters, that I had need of all my Vertue, to endure that misfortune: And certainlie Odenates death, is that, which hath made the loss of my freedom the less rude. I had more trouble to follow my dear Lord to the Tomb, then I had to follow Aurelians chariot: And his lamentable Pompe, made me shed mere tears, then did all the Magnificence of the Triumph was made of me. But though my grief was excessive, I spent not too long time in weeping: I thought of preserving the Empire for my Children, and of washing of the Blood which he shed, with that of his enemies. And as it might have been said, that Valor was the Soul of that Heros; I made vows to pass my Life time, in gathering Palms to put upon his Tomb: That it might be one day said, my hand alone had revenged his death; Preserved the Empire for his Children; And Elevated a Trophie to his Glorie. I believed (I say) that it was more worthie, to hang above his Coffine, the spoils of these enemies I should conquer, then to drown his Ashes with my tears: And being this resolved I took armes in one hand, and the reins of the Empire in the other. I was alwaies of the opinion, my Daughters, that all Vertues could not be incompatible: That it was not impossible for one Person to possess them all: That those of men might be Practised by Women: That true Vertue affects no Sex: That one may be both chaste and Valiant: testifie great courage at one time, and humilitie at an other: Be severe and meek at severall Occasions: Command and obey: Know how to carrie Irons and a Crown with the same countenance: It is by this consideration; (my Daughters) that I have done things so appearentlie different; though I have ever been what I am to day. But to recount all my life to you, you know that death, which robbed me of my dear Odenat, did not take the happiness of his armes from me. On the contrate, I though his valtor joyned it self with mine: I slighted the Armie which Galienus, sent against me, under the conduct of Heraclean:

And unsatisfied with this first Victorie, I went into Aegypt, and made me absolute Mistris of my Predecessours Kingdom. From thence I was at Ancyre, the Metropolis of Galatia: I carried like∣waies my armes through all Berhinea, to Calcedonea, and below Bosphore, and after I had conquered the Per∣sians diverse times, and spread the noise of my Victories over all the Universe; Aurelian, guided by Fortune, and being more capable of useing a Sword, then Ga∣lienus was; Came at last in Person to stop the course. I should Exactlie re-count all my misfortunes to you, as I have done my felicitie, if I did not know, that you remember them but too much: Nor should I have undertaken to Repeat my Victories, if your extream Melancholie made me not think, that your thoughts entertaining nothing but sorrow full imagina∣tions, you had forgot them. Surelie you are not ignorant which way Aurelian conducted me to Rome: Doubt∣less you remember, how Herclamones Perfidie, made him take the Cittie of Theanea: How Mauger my con∣duct and courage, Aurelian by his craft gained the Battle of Antioche: How Zabas Industrie put my Per∣son in saiftie: How I retreated to Emesa: How I rallied my Troups: How I gave Battle to Aurelian a second time; who after thinking he had lost, was in fine Victor in spight of all my endeavours. You know also I abandoned Emesa, and went to shut my self up in Palmiranea, wating for the succourss which the Persians, the Sarasins, and the Armenians promised me: You know (I say) that Aurelian came there and besiedged me, with a strong Armie which was composed of Pannoneans, Dalmatians, Mesiness, Celtes, a quantitie of Mores, and a multitude of other Troupes, drawn out of Asia, Theanea, Mesopotamea, Sirea, Phenitia- and Palestina. You know (I say) that I saw at that time, as great Preparation of War against me: As there needed be, to conquer the whole Earth. However I lost not my heart at that time: You know that I defended the Walls of Pal∣meranea, with so much courage as conduct; That Aurelian himself was dangerouslie wounded there∣by an Arrow, which may be was drawn at him by my hand: For the gods knows, if I spared my life, to

preserve your Libertie: And further, I know since my having been at Rome, that Posteritie will know. I did not forsake the Throne, which belonged to you, without defending it. Aurelian having writ to his Freind Macapor, Said, It was true, that he fought against a Woman: But a Woman who had more Archers under her pay, then if she had been a man, against a Wo∣man who hath Prudence in danger, and who by her fore∣sight, hath made so great Preparations of War, to Op∣pose his conquest, that it was impossible to imagine, what prodigious number, of Darts, and Stones she had provid∣ed. In fine (said he speaking of me) there is no place about the Walls of Palmiranea, that is not defended by many Machinations: Its Veines Lenches everie hour Arteficiall sire upon us, and in few words, she fears like a Woman, and fights like a Person affeared. Behold my Daughters, what my Enemie hath said of me: And surelie he had not Reason to say, that I feared, be∣cause when he sent to offer me life and pardon, (for his letter was writ in these tearmes) if I would render him the place, and if I would deliver into his hands all my Jewels and Treasures: I answered him so reso∣lutelie, that Aurelian was offended. I remember among other things that I said, I told him, that never anie but he sought of me what he desired: Remember you (said I to him) that Vertue should as well govern affaires of War. as those of peace; And further, I let you know, that the Persians assistance, which we expect, will not faill us: We have on our partie, the Armenians, and Sarasines: And Aurelian, since the robbers of Sirea did beat your armie; What shall we do when we have all the forces, which we wait for from these places? Surely you will then abate some of that great pride, with which as if you were whollie victorious, you command me to render. You see, my Daughters, that while you was in the Temple pray∣ing to the Gods, I did all things possiblie for your Preservation, and never did anie unglorious action. Finalie you know, that Aurelian did defate the Persians, who were coming to our relief: And seeing it absolute∣lie impossible to save that place, I was at least desirous to secure my Person: But Fate which had resolved my Ruine, made Aurelian at last my Conqueror, and

me his prisoner. How soon he saw me, he asked' from whence came it, that I had the boldness to attack the Roman Emperours and despise their forces: Au∣relian (said I to him) I acknowledge you for a lawfull Emperour, because you know how to Conquer; But for Galienus and such as he, I never had that esteem of them. Till now, my Daughters, you cannot accuse me of cowardise: I have formerlie carried a Crown with∣out vanitie; I have had my hand sufficientlie firme, to hold at once a Scepter and a Sword: I have equallie known the Arts of fighting and of reigning: I have known how to Conquer, and which is more, I knew how to use the Victorie: I have received good Fortune with Moderation: And in the verie time, wherein Youth & the weakness of my Sex, might have made me proud of that little beautie I had: I have without plea∣sure heard, all the flatterers of the Court, paint me in their verses, with Lilies and Roses; say that my Teeth were Orientall Pearles: That my Eyes, black as they were, shined clearer then the Sun; And in fine that Venus her self was not so beautifull as I My Daughters I have told you all these things and I have extended my self more then I ought: To make you comprehend that in all the actions of my life, I was never guiltie of Imbecillitie: Think not then, that in the most important of all the actions I have done, or wherein there was greatest need of courage, that my heart ever fail∣led me, more then at other times. No, my Daughters, I have done nothing in all my life, that gives me more Satisfaction of my self, then that I had power to follow a Triumphing Chariot with constancie. It is truelie, at such times, that a great Spirit it requisite, let it not be said to me, in such encounters that despair is a Ver∣tue, and constancie a weakness. No, Vice can never be Vertue, nor can Vertue ever be Vicious. Let none say to me, that such constancie is more proper for Philosophers then Kings: But know, my Daughters, that there is no difference betwixt Philosophers and Kings: If not that the one teaches Veritable Wisdom, and the other should practise it. In fine as Soveraigns owe their example to their Subjects, and because they are in the sight of all the World; There is no Vertue, which they ought not to imitate. Yet among all these

that are most necessare for Princes, Constancie is the more Illustrious, as being the most difficile: But for that despair, which puts the dagger in the hand of them who would evit Bondage, it is rather infirmitie then Vertue. They cannot look upon Fortune when it is Irritated: It would no sooner attack them, but they shun fighting it: It would no sooner destroy them, but they promot its designs: By a weakness unworthie of them, they yeeld the Victorie to this airy thing: And by a Precipitous action, without knowing often what they do, they quit the Irons, in abandoning their lives, whose sweetness they only loved, without being able to endure the bitter. For me, my Daughters, who am of an other opinion; I mantain that they who live with Glorie, should die as slowlie as possible: And that to speak rationallie, a sudden death is rather a sign of Remorse of Repentance, and Imbecillitie, then of great courage. It may be, some will say to me, that I am of a Race which should never carrie Irons: That since Cleopatra would not follow Augustus his Chariot, I should never have followed that of Aurelian: But there is such a difference be∣tween that great Queen and me, that all her Glorie consisted in her death: And I made mine consist in my life. Her reputation had not been advantagious to her, if she had not died by her own hand; And mine should never have been at the height it is come to, if I had deprived my self of the Glorie, of knowing to carrie Irons, with such Grandure of Courage, as if I had Triumphed over Aurelian, as he did of me: If Cleopatra had followed Augustus his Chariot, she would have seen a hundered odious objects in her traversing Rome, which would have reproached her of her former Imprudences: The People would have certainlie caused her understand by their murmurings a part of her wanting conduct: But for me, I was verie certain, that I could see nothing about the Chariot which I followed, but men whom I had formerly con∣quered and witnesses of my Valor and Vertue. I was, I say, assured to hear no Contumelie, and to Understand no Speeches but of my present misfortune, and of my former Victories. Behold, said the People, the Va∣liant Zenobia: Behold the Woman who did gain ma∣nie

Victories: Admire her constancy in this encounter: Might it not be said, that these chains of Diamonds, which she carries, do rather seen to adorn then bind her; And that she leads the Chariot which she follows? In fine, my Daughters, in the time I was all loaded with Irons, or to name them better, Chains of Gold and Jewels, like a Noble Slave; In the time of all that Magnificent Triumph, which is undoubtedlie the most unpleasant day of Bondage; I was at freedom in my heart, and had my minde quiet enough, to see with pleasure, that my constancie, drew tears from some of my enemies, Yes, my Daughters, Vertue hath so strong charmes, that their Roman austeritie could not resist them; And I saw some among them weep for Aurelians Victorie and my misfortune: Moreover, none should be so cowardlie, as to let the minde be troubled, with things that do not at all touch it, if they be perfectlie wise. All the great preparations that are made for these Triumphs should not fright a rationall Soul: All these guilded Chariots, these chaines of Diamonds, these Trophies of Armes, and the multi∣tudes of People who flock together, to see that fatall Ceremonie, should not make a Generous Person time∣••ous, It is true, my chains were weightie; But when they hurt not the minde, they do not much incomode the armes that carrie them: And for me in that deplorable state, I manie times thought that as fortune had made me follow a Chariot, I my self had done it for Triumph; By that same Revolution which be∣falls all things in the World: You may perhaps one day have Scepters made to you, of these same chains which I carried. But in fine, if this should not come to pass, afflict your selves moderatlie: Be more care∣full to approve your selves worthie of the Throne; Then to remount it: For in the humor I am of, I have more esteem of a simple slave, if he be faithfull, then of the most potent King in the World, if he be not Generous. Think then my Daughters, of indur∣ing your Bondage with more constancie: And be∣lieve certainlie, that if I have been conquered by Au∣relian: Mine surpassed fortune, it may be seen through all the course of my life, that death did not fright me, if I could have had Glorie by it: I have seen it a hun∣dered

times under a more terrifying countenance then the most desperate have ever seen: Cato his dag∣ger, Brutus his sword, Porcias burning coals, Mithra∣dates his poison, nor Cleopatras aspes, are anie way so fearfull. I have seen greeles of darts and arrowes fall upon my head; I have seen the points of a hundered lances presented to my heart; And all this without anie thoughts of fear. Think not then, if I had be∣lieved death could have been Glorious to me, but that I could have found it by my own hand. It was accusto∣med to conquer others; And it would have broken my Irons if I would: But I thought my shaire of Glorie would be greater, to carrie them without weep∣ing, then to spill my Blood through feebleness or despair. They whose satisfaction onlie consists in themselves, quits the Throne with less regrate then others: They who encounter nothing but content∣ment in their minds, are constrained to seek their hap∣piness, in things that they are strangers to. It may be then you will ask me, what remains for Princesses to do, who have lost their Empire and Libertie? I shall answer you reasonablie, that since the Gods were desir∣ous to give your courage so Noble a Subject, you are oblieged to use it well: And to make all the World know, by your Patience and Vertue, that you merit the Scepter which is taken from you; And that the Irons which were given you, were unworthie of you, This, my Daughters, is what remains for you to do: And if you could let your selves be moved by my example and reasons; You should find that your life might yet be pleasing and Glorious to you. At least you have this advantage, that in the condition your Fortune is, it cannot become worse then it is: So that if you can but once accustome your selves to it, nothing can after∣wards trouble your repose. Remember that of the manie millions of men whom the World contains, there are not an hundreth who carrie Crowns: And do you believe, my Daughters, that all these men are unhappie, and that there is no pleasure but on the Throne? If it be so, O how you are deceived! There is no condition of life, but hath pain and pleasure: And it is true Wisdom, to know how to use all equallie, if Fortune bring you to the triall of it. They who kill

themselves, know not that while People are living, they are in a state of acquiring Glorie: There is no Tyrran can hinder me from Immortalising my name everie day, if he let me live, and if I be Vertuous: And if my verie silence, do make me suffer anie pu∣nishment, while I endure it with constancie, it shall not forebear to speak of me. Let us live then, my Daughters, because we can do it with honour: And because we also have the means left us of testifying our Vertue, the Scepter, the Throne, the Empire which we have lost, were they not given us by Fortune: But con∣stancy comes directlie from the gods. It was from their hands I received it: And for that cause you ought to imitate it: It is the true sign of Heroes, as despare is of the weak or inconsiderat. Trouble not your selves then, for what posteritie will say of me? And do not fear that the day of Aurelians Triumph, hath obscur∣ed my Victories; Since as I said to you, it was the most Glorious of my life. And moreover I know that Aure∣lian hath made a picture of me at his speaking to the Se∣nate which shall make me known to Posteritie: Preserve it then, my Daughters, that when I shall be no more, the remembrance of what I have been, may oblidge you to be alwaies what you ought. Behold the culores wherewith Aurelian hath painted his tablet: I have learned (said he) that I be not reproached of do∣ing an action so little worthy of great courage, by Triumph∣ing over Zenobia: But they who blame me, knows not what Praise I Merit, if they knew what a Woman she was: How well advised Counsells she had: How cou∣ragious she showed her self, and constant in keeping good Order: How Imperious and Grave she was among Soul∣diers: How Liberall when her affaire oblidged her: And how severe and exact, when necessity constrained her: I could say it was by her assistance, that Odenat conquered the Persians, and pursued the King Sapor to Ctesiphont: I could affirme that this Woman had so possest all the East and Aegypt with the terrour of her armes: That neither the Arabians, Sarasians nor Ar∣menianes dared to move. Let them who are dis∣pleased with these Actions be silent; For if there be no honour in having Conquered and Triumphed over a Woman what will they say of Galienus in contempt of

whom she mantained her Empire. what will they say of Claudius a Holy and Venerable Prince; Who being employed in the War with the Gothes, by a laudable Prudence, suffered her to reign; To the end, that this Princess employing her armes elsewhere, he might with the greater facility accomplish his other enterprises. Behold my daughters, what my conqueror hath said of me, though I followed his Chariot. Have the same Equity, I conjure you: And believe that whosoever liv∣eth thus, need not kill himself to Immortalise his Name.