When noe fyre , noe ayre , noe earth , noe water apeared , Confusd fyre , rude ayre , vast earth , dull water abyded . Water , th' earth and ayre and fyre extreamely defaced , And fyre , th' earth and ayre and water fowly deformed . For where water or earth , where ayre or fyre was abyding , Fyre , ayre , earth , water were also ioyntly remaynyng . Fyre and ayre and earth with a shapeles water abounded , And earth ayre and fyre , that shapeles water aforded , Eueryone was in all , and all was in euery one thing , Soe each one made all , made this rude All , to be nothing , Nothing els but a heape , but a masse , but a lump , but a cluster ; Cluster , lump , masse , heape , where seedes of things disagreeing Fyre , ayre , earth , water lay all confusd in a corner . Hoate things fled fro the colde , dry could not abide to be moystned , Hard contemned soft , and light fro the heauy retyred . Noe peace , noe concord , noe good conformable order , Nought but warrs and iarrs , all strife , and all on an vproare . Noe aire transparent , noe Sunne was cause of a daylight , Noe nights-light Phoebe was a chearfull guide to the darcknes ; Earth was not yet firme , fire could not yeeld any sparkles , Water would not flow : til sou'raigne God Demogorgon Ends these broyles , brings peace , setts euery thing in an order . Heau'n fro the earth he dyuides , and earth fro the water he parteth , And pure Christall skye from grosse thick ayre he remoueth . These things thus distinct , in seu'rall places he setleth , Light fyre mounteth aloft , and lyfts it-self to the heauen , Ayre next in lightnes , next him was placed in highnes , Grosse earth drew downeward , and stayd herselfe by the centre , Water cleaues to the earth , and there as a border abydeth . Fyre , ayre , earth , water were euery howre in an vproare , Whilst they lay on a heape , and all dwelt ioyntly togeather ; Fyre , ayre , earth , water were brought to a peacable order , When they lodged apart , each one in seueral harbor . Thus by a disioyning , Elements were mightily ioyned , And by disunyting vnyted fyrmely for euer . Each part thus placed , round earth was cast in a compas Lyke to a globe or a ball , that noe syde might be vnequall . Then were swelling Seas powrd foorth in places apoynted Here and there by the earth ; whose braunches duly dyuyded Kyngdomes from kyngdomes : then first came springs fro the mountayns , Pooles were pitcht in moores , and lakes lay downe by the valleys , Ryuers flowd by the fyelds with a thowsand slippery wyndings , Some suckt vp by the earth , some ran to the sea with a restles race , his shoare for a banck with billowes mightyly beating . Then fyelds stretcht themselues , then meddowes gan to be flowring , Greene leaues cou'red trees , and trees gaue shade to the forrests , Mountayns mounted aloft , and dales drew speedyly downewarde . Ouer sea and earth , the relenting ayre he reposed , And there foggs and mystes and clustred clowds he apoynted . Thence come thunder-clapps , thence lightnings , there be the blustring Wyndes , whose roaring blasts would teare this world in a thousand Peeces , might they rage at randon : but the prefixed Coastes are known , for these fowre brawling brethren apoynted . Eurus flew to the East , where Memnons mother ariseth , Sweete Zephyrus to the Weast , where Sunnes reuolution endeth , Cold Boreas to the North , whence frosts are dayly proceeding , Moyst Auster to the South , where showres are euer abounding . Next to the ayre , bright sky , as a royall throane he reposed , And eache parte thereof with starrelight all to beesprinckled . Thus was an ougly Chaos transformd at last to a braue worlde , Soe braue , that t' was a world soe woorthy a world to be seeing . Euery quarter of it with such lyue things was adorned , As were conuenyent and seemely for euery quarter . Gods dwelt in bright skyes , and Christall-mantled Olympus , Fowles did fly by the ayre , and Fishes swam by the waters , Mylde beastes fed by the fyelds , and wylde beasts rangde by the Forrests . But man was wanting , who might be the absolut owner , And haue perfect rule and iurisdiction ouer Mylde beasts and wylde beasts , and Foules and slippery fishes . At length Man was made of mould by the crafty Prometheus , Crafty Prometheus , whoe by degrees contriued a picture , And gaue life to the same with fyre that he stole fro the heauens . And , where other beasts lay poaring downe to the grownd-wards , Man with a greater state had a looke lyft vp to Olympus , Whence his better part was then but lately deryued . Thiswas an age of gold , then was Saturnus an Emprour , Sythe-bearing Saturne rul'de iustly without any iudges , Noe lawes , noe lawyers were then , yet noebody lawlesse , Noe theeues and robbers were hangd , yet noebody robbed , Noe bloody manqueller was kyld , yet noebody murdred . Vndissembled loue and playne symplycyty ruled , Vncorrupted fayth and pure synceryty raigned . Hart conceaud noe harme ; tong , harts interpreter only , Playnly without any glose or dissimulation op'ned Harts harmeles conceipts : hands , true and trusty to practyse , Did , what his hart contryu'd , or tong had truly delyu'red . Pinetrees pitcht vpon hills , gaue wonted grace to the hill-topp , Not with gaping gulfs of Auernus dayly bedashed , But with trickling showres of Olympus sweetly bedeawed . Euery man kept home , and where he receau'd a beginning , There did he make his graue , and drew his dayes to an ending . Noebodie was soe mad by the ragged rocks to be ranging , And with clowds , windes , seaes , nay heau'n and hell to be stryuyng , Only to spy and ly , and feede fooles eares with a wonder , How fro Geneua to Gaunt , from Gaunt he repair'd to Vienna , How fro the Turk to the Pope , fro the Pope to the Souldan of Aegipt , And at last came back fro the newfound world as an old foole , With fowre Dutch-french woords , with a strange-cutt beard , or a Cassock . Noe townes were walled , noe walls were loftyly towred , Noe towres were planted with diu'ls inuention ord'nance . Euery bush was a bowre , and euery rustical harbor Was sort sufficient , where noe force was to be feared . Deaths-forerunner Drum did sownd no dreadful Alarum ; Noe man-murdring man with a teare-flesh pyke , or a pollax , Or blood-sucking sweard was known by the name of a Sowldyer . Peace made euery man secure , securyty careles , Carelesnes causd myrth , myrth neuer dreeds any danger . Fruytefull ground vntorne , vntutcht , was free fro the plough snare , And self-sufficient , of her owne selfe yeelded aboundance . Noe new-found dishes were sought , noe costly deuises Farr-fetcht and deare bought : men simple lyued a simple Lyfe , vsd symple foode , sloe , nutt , plum , strawbery , apple , Ackorne falln fro the oake , and blackbery pluckt fro the bramble . Tygers were then tame , sharpe-tusked boare was obeissant , Stoordy Lyons lowted , noe woolf was knowne to be mankinde , Beares did bow at a beck , no serpent breathd any poyson . Spring was still-springing , whole yeare was wholly a spring-tyme , Eue-shyning sunne with clowds was neuer eclipsed , Euer-flowring flowrs with frosts were neuer anoyed . Lyfe-breathing Zephyrus with sweete blast charyly fostred Euery fruite , which th' earth of her owne free bounty aforded . Yea good-natur'd ground at last gaue plentiful haruest , Neuer sowd , still mowd ▪ not tyld , yet syld with aboundance . Then floods flowde with mylke , each wel-spring then was a wyne-spring , Euery greene-hewde tree bare sweete and sugered honny . H●ppy the age , and happy the men , that lyu'd in a happy Age : age all of gold , where noe bad thing was abyd●ng , All of gold indeede , where each good thing was abounding . But when good Saturne by force was dryu'n to Auernus , And vsurping Ioue did rule and raigne in Olympus , Golden dayes were gone , and siluer time was aproaching , New Lords made new lawes : th'owld spring tyme Iupiter altred , And chang'd it to a yeare , and new-made yeare he dyuyded In fowre parts , each part with a seu'rall season apoynted , Warme Spring , hoate Sommer , cold wynter , changeable Autumne . Then swelting doggstarre , then scalding breath of Apollo , Then northern Boreas causd better bowres to be builded . Then gro●●d gan to rebell , from a mother changd to astepdame , Naught but thorns and weeds of her owne accord she aforded , But by force constraind and by compulsion vrged : Now plow's chaynd to the yoake , and yoake bound fast to the oxen , Now are furrowes drawn , and seede cast into the furrowes . Iupiter of purpose made fruitefull ground to be fruyteles , And sowld nought for naught , and sweetenes mixt with a sowrenes , Least that too much ease might make men stil to be careles , Whereas want breedes care , and care coynes dayly deuises . Next came brazen tyme , whose hoate and furius of-spring With bould brazen face was greedily geu'n to reuenging , Yet not past all grace . Lastage was named of Iron , And her cursed brood in like sort framed of Iron , Merciles , hard , vniust , vnkinde , vntractable , hatefull , Ireful , of Ironful , yea too ful of ire , ful of Iron , Faith , and truth , and shame , for shame lay downe in a dungeon , And in-came whooredome , pride , robbery , treacherie , treason . Grownd with ditch and hedg was now exactly dyuyded , Shippe with waues , and sayles with wyndes were all to be tossed , Sea scowrd with rouers , land scowrged dayly by robbers , Myne , not thyne , came in ; Myne and thyne , quite was abandond . Corne is now contemnd , and fruitefull tree's but a tryfle , Their minde 's all on mynes of brasse , lead , copper , or Iron , Or gold , gold farre worse , then brasse , lead , copper , or Iron . Earth's very bowells now are torne eu'n downe to Auernus , All for gold , gold worse then a thousand feends of Auernus . First , was an age of gold , then golden goodnes abounded , Last , was an age for gold , for then gold only triumphed . Weake are thrust to the wall , and strong men striue to be mighty , Mighty men hope to be Kings , and Kings still looke to be emprours , Might rule 's right , lust law , rage reason , worlde 's at a world's ende , World runs all on wheeles : guest fear 's to be robd as he sleepeth , Hoast can skarce trust guest ; wife longs for death of her husband , Husband loath's his w●fe , and brethren skarcely be brethren . Infamous stepdames keepe cups with poyson abounding For theyr sons in law : and sons ( ô viperus of-spring ) Dayly before theyre dayes wish fathers dayes to be ending , All 's turnd vpside downe . At last Astraea departed , And from damnable earth , to the spotles skie she remoued . Then came gryesly Gyants , and needes would clymbe to Olympus With mounts on mountaines , till thundring Ioue in a fury Brake their scorched bones , and bullwarkes all to be battred : Whose congealed bloud transformd to a most bloody ofspring By th' earth theire mother that causd that desperat vproare , Stil contemned Gods , and heauens dayly maligned . Wherewith Ioue incenst , and moou'd of late , by Lycaons Owtrage , ouer-whelmd whole earth with a mightyly flowing All ouer-flowing water : soe that , not a man now , But good Deucalion was lyuing , and not a woeman , But good Pyrrha remaynd , which mankynde newly repayred , And , by casting stones , brought foorth soe stoany an ofspring .

THirsis hauing made an end of this tale to the content of the hearers generally ; Elpinus began thus to worke vpon it . Poets and Painters ( men say ) may well goe together , sith pen and pencill be both alike free , and doo equally challeng the selfe same prerogatiue . Cicero reporteth , that Fabius a famous Romaine , thought it an especiall commendation , to be surnamed Pictor . And , Antiquissimum è doctis fuit poetarum genus , saith the same Cicero . When I talke of Painters , I meane not the ridiculous fraternitie of silly Wall-washers : neither doe I euer once thinke of our loftie rimers , when I make mention of Poets . Yet a wall may bee colored by an elegant Painter , but the conceite and elegancie is more then the colour : and poets ( seeking as well to please , as to profit ) haue well made choyce of verse , yet the making of a verse is no part of Poetrie : otherwise , the sweete and inimitable poeme of Heliodorus , should be no Poeme , and euery vnreasonable rimer should weare a Lawrell garland . Both poetry , a speaking picture , and paynting , a dumbe poetry , were like in this , that the one and the other did vnder an amyable figure and delightsome veyle , as it were , couer the most sacred mysteries of auncient philosophie . Nay , Pythagoras himselfe by his symbolicall kinde of teaching , as also Plato by his conceited parables and allegoricall discourses in his bookes called , Phoedrus , Timoeus , and Symposium , may make any man beleeue , that as the learned Indians , Aethiopians , and Aegyptians kept their doctrine religiously secret for feare of prophanation , so the Grecians by their example , haue wrapped vp in tales , such sweete inuentions , as of the learned vnfolder may well be deemed vonderfull though to a vulgar conceit , they seeme but friuolus imaginations . Yea that song of the most wise Salomon , called for the excellencie thereof the song of songs , is altogether mysticall and allegoricall , least any man thinke my speech but a tale , in attributing so much to poeticall tales : which , mee thinkes , may well bee compared to sweete grapes couered with leaues and branches , or to the old Sileni , which being but ridiculous in shew , did yet inwardly conteine the sacred image of some God . He that cannot conceaue any sufficient cause which might induce antiquitie to deale thus warilie in matters of such importance , let him knowe , that rerum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the picturing , fashioning figuring , or , as it were , personall representing of things in verse after this manner , is most effectuall and auayleable , to moue mens mindes , to stirre vp delight , to confirme memorie , and to allure and entice our cogitations by such familiar and sensible discourses , to matters of more diuine and higher contemplation . Poeticall songs are Galeries set forth with varietie of pictures , to hold euery mans eyes , Gardens stored with flowers of sundry sauours , to delite euery mans sence , orchyards furnished with all kindes of fruite , to please euery mans mouth . He that is but of a meane conceit , hath a pleasant and plausible narration , concerning the famous exploites of renowmed Heroes , set forth in most sweete and delightsome verse , to feede his rurall humor . They , whose capacitie is such , as that they can reach somewhat further then the external discourse and history , shall finde a morall sence included therein , extolling vertue , condemning vice , euery way profitable for the institution of a practicall and common wealth man . The rest , that are better borne and of a more noble spirit , shall meete with hidden mysteries of naturall , astrologicall , or diuine and metaphysicall philosophie , to entertaine their heauenly speculation . That this is true , let vs make triall , and first in Saturnus and Chaos , offered vnto vs by Thirsis : whereof , before we speake , it shall not be amisse to note this generally , for the better conceauing of ensuing particularities . Iupiter , Iuno , Neptune , Ceres , with the rest , are therfore called Gods and goddesses , for that in the superior and fierie region of the ayre noted by Iupiter , in the inferior , represented by Iuno , in the bowells of the earth , figured by Ceres , in the deapth of the Seaes , shadowed by Neptune , and so in others , there is , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a certaine celestiall and diuine power , so called by Hippocrates , and by the ancient Poets more particularly expressed by the sundry titles of seuerall Deities proportionable thereunto . And , if the copulation or coniunction of these deified elements obserue the natural order of generation , it is called of the Poets a mariage of such a god and goddesse : if it swarue and degenerate from the wonted course of nature , they tearme it adulterie and libidinous loue , & the parties , louers , not man and wife , as in the former kinde of copulation : so that , no man hath cause to think it a ridiculous repugnancy & impossibilitie , when as Poets in their songs make mention of the loue , mariage , procreation , affinity , ofspring , pedegrees , and discents of their superior & inferior gods .

Now for the transformation of Thirsis his Chaos , true it is , that Ouid much after this manner discourseth of the creation of the world , of the reducing of the confused Chaos into distinct formes , of Prometheus his framing of man of the very earth it selfe : which things , no doubt , as also the distinction of times into foure seuerall ages , of gold , siluer , brasse , and yron , were taken , ( although in part mistaken ) out of the sacred monuments of Moyses . Leo Hebraeus , ●●t of some ancient Poet , whom he calleth Pronapides , reporteth another history of the same matter , albeit not after the same manner . Demogorgon , s●ith he , the great and terrible God of heauen and earth , accompanied only with Aeternitie & Chaos , perceaued on a time , an outragious vprore and tumult stirred vp in the bely and bowels of the forenamed Chaos : therefore , to ease her , he stretched forth his o●ne hand and opened her wombe , whence presently came forth a filthie and deformed ofspring , called Litigium , Strife : which no sooner apeared , but immediately it bred brabbles , made a foule stirre , stird vp contentions , and stroue to mount vp toward heauen , but that by Demogorgon he was ouerruled , and throwne downe to the lower partes & elementall regions . Chaos as yet had not ended her chile-bearing labor & trauaile , but was troubled with heauie burdens , fainty sweats , languishing groanes , & fierie tormenting agonies ; so that Demogorgon could not for pitie withdraw his helping hand , till by his assistance , she had brought forth Pan , with his three fatall sicters , and also Erebus , Aether , and Dies . Pan found such fauour , that Demogorgon committed vnto him the whole charge of his familie , commaunding his three sisters continually to waite and attend vpon him , as his handmaydes : And thus was Chaos at last deliuered , and eas●d of her childe-birth . By Demogorgon , or peraduenture , Demiurgon , is here vnderstood that one & only creator of al , to whom Aeternitie is inseparably conioyned , sith himselfe is , was , and will be eternall and euerlasting . Chaos , in his eternall societie obteineth the third place , because she is that common , confused , and vndistinct matter , which the ancient Philosophers made Coeternall with the Creator : calling the one , the Father , the other the mother of al things formed ; yet so , as they alwaies esteemed Demogorgon the chiefe and efficient , & Chaos only the subsequent and secondary cause in this procreation . The reason why they ioyned Chaos with the Creator as a companion from all eternitie , was this : they thought it proceeded from him by a certaine eternall generation : so proceeding , as eternall , because alwaies proceeding ; yet so eternall , as proceeding , because not of her selfe proceeding ▪ but from the procreator . And as they made Chaos proc●ede from Demogorgon eternally without limitation of time , so they affirmed , that he af●erwards framed all things of this vnformed Chaos , not eternally , but in time . The tumult and vprore styrd vp in the bowels of Chaos is her naturall inclination and desire of bringing forth things variable and disagreeing . The hand of Demogorgon , which opened her bely , is that celestiall power , reducing the vniuersall and confused possibilities of Chaos , to distinct formes and actuall particularities , and giueth vs also to vnderstand , that this first production of things , was not vsuall and accustomed ( as naturall generation is , which afterwards succeeded this supernaturall creation ) but strang and wonderful , & did therefore require the vse of Demogorgons hand , that is , the most mighty and effectuall instrument of all others . Strife came first forth : for from prima materia that ●irst and generall matter of all that was made , the diuision and distinction of things , which before were confused and vndistinct , proceeded : & this diuision is called strife ; sith it conuerseth among foure striuing & contrary elements , the one alwaies maligning & repugning the other . His face was ougly & deformed : for discord and diuision causeth defect , want , & imperfection , as vnion & concord , are the authors of blessednes , beauty , and perfection . Strife striuing to get vp to heauen , was thrown down to the earth for in the celestiall bodies there is noe discord , noe repugnancy , and therfore consequently , noe destruction or mortalyty , effects thereof : but only in these earthly and inferior matters , contynually subiect to infynite decayes and dissolutions , caused by oppositions and contrarieties . The burdens , sweatings , groanings , and agonies of Chaos , are the euer-strugling and contending natures of the fowre elements , heauy earth , moyst water , breathing ayre , and consumyng fyre : for pacification whereof , ●an was borne , which in Greeke s●gnifieth , All : and betokeneth that generall and vniuersall power of nature , ruling and gouernyng whatsoever proceeded from Chaos ; and quyeting those disagreeing qualities of the repugnant elements . Whereupon it is here sayd , that after Stryfe , came , Pan ; syth after discord , comes concord , and succeedeth in place therof . Togeather with Pan , the three fatall Ladies of Desteny , Clotho , Lachesis , and Atropos were borne , attending on Pan , the God of vniuersa●l nature . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , soe called of turnyng , noteth the continuall motion and reuolution of things present , and turneth and spinneth the present threede of lyfe . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the production and drawing foorth of that which is to come , preparing and keeping diligently the threede of lyfe which yet remaineth to be turned and spunne . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as if a man would say , irremeable , irreuocable , and immutable , representeth what is past , which neuer returneth : and this last Lady hath d●spatched , finished , and cut of the threede committed to her charge to be spunne . In Latine they are called Parcae à parcendo , of sparing , by the contrary , as some thinke , because they spare not , as lytle Iohn was called soe in iest , being a man of a wonderfull great stature . Scaliger lyketh not this conceipt , sith they spare indeed rather the otherwise , one of them only cutting of lyfe , whereas the other two maynteyn and preserue it . Varro thought they were in Latine called Parcae à pariendo of bringing foorth , whereupon their particular names were framed accordingly , of the tymes of byrth , the one being of the auncient Romayns called Nona , the other Decima , of the nynth and tenth moneth , in the which vsually by course of nature the childe is borne : yet , because whosoeuer is borne , is borne to dye , the third was named Morta of the Latyne Mors , which signifyeth Death , represented by the third fatall Lady . Claudian in his Poeme de raptu Proserpinae , maketh them all attend on Pluto , soe doth Fulgentius , because their dominion is most ouer these terrestriall and inferior bodies , figured by Pluto and his infernall kingdome . Agayne , th●se Ladyes drawe foorth the threede of mans lyfe , and mans lyfe is long or short , according as the body is framed of a strong or weake matter , which earthly matter is subiect to Pluto . The first hath care of mans byrth , the second of his lyfe , the third of death . The first is yong , the second of myddle age , the third very owlde : the yong Lady holdeth the distaffe and draweth the flaxe , the myddle hath a spyndle and windeth vp the threede , the owld sister with her Sheares snappeth the threede in two . Homer in his hymne to Mercury maketh them winged , for tyme flyeth , and death draweth on . They are here sayd to be borne of Chaos , sith in that first distinction and separation of things out of that confused heape and Masse , euery particular matter had his peculier desteny allotted vnto it : others would haue them to be borne of Erebus ( the most hidden and remote part of the earth ) and of Darcknes : that , by the obscurity of the father and mother , wee may imagine how difficult , nay how impossible a thing it is , to search out the hidden causes of Desteny . There bee also some that make them the daughters of Iupiter and Themis , the rulers and directers of fatall iustice and vniuersall prouidence . * * ●he first ●●cture of 〈◊〉 Desti . 〈◊〉 .

Plato in the tenth booke of his common wealth , maketh them the daughters of ineuitable Necessity , placing between their knees , the great Spindle of adamant , reaching from the arctike to the antarctike Pole : they sit on a throne , aequally distant one from an other , couered with white roabes , crowned with diademes , singing proportionably to the heauens harmony , things that are past , present and to come : they all ioyntly togeather with their mother Necessity , turne this spindle , Clotho with the right hand , Lachesis with the left , Atropos with both , as appeareth there in Plato more plentifully , in imitation wherof , as should seeme , Ouid in the last book of his transformations , bringeth in Iupiter talking with Venus concerning the immutable decrees of these inexorable Ladies , written in Iron , brasse , and Adamant .

Talibus hanc genitor : sola insuperabile fatum Nata mouere paras ? intres , licet , ipsa sororum Tecta trium : cernes illic molimine vasto , Ex aere , & solido rerum tabularia ferro : Quae neque concussum caeli , neque fulminis iram , Nec metuunt vllas tuta atque aeter●a ruinas . Inuenies illic incisa Adamante perenni Fata tui generis .

Hereupon doth Capella call them Ioues scribes ; for that they register his decrees in these euerlasting tables . Catullus in his wedding song of Peleus and Thetis ( which noteth the generation of things , for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is slyme , and Thetis water , where of all things are made , yet by an efficient ; and therfore all the gods were at that wedding , except Discord , the only cause of dissolution ) maketh their heads to be bound with a white fillet or lawne : some others giue them garlands of Daffadil . * * ●he second ●●●ture of 〈…〉 .

The sixt childe that Chaos brought foorth to Demogorgon , was named Erebus , a certaine naturall power incident to euery inferiour thing , and , as it were , cleauing and adhaerent thereunto : and this , in the terrestriall globe , is the very matter it selfe , wherof things are made , the only cause of generation , corruption & all other alterations in these inferior bodies : but in Man , the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or little world , it signifieth that naturall appetite , and continuall desire , which man hath to obteyne new matters ; whereupon the Poets haue also fayned , that this Erebus had many children , as Labour , Enuy , Feare , Deceipt , Fraud , Obstinacy , Pouerty , Mysery , Famyne , Lamentation , Sicknes , Death , and such like , whose mother they made Darknes , or Night , who bare to Erebus her husband this loathsome broode , according to those verses of Claudian in his first inuectiue against Rufinus .

Glomerantur in vnum Innumerae pestes : Erebo quascunque , sinistro Nox genuit foetu ; nutrix discordia belli , Imperiosa fames , laetho vicina senectus , Impatiensque sui morbus , liuorque secundis Anxius , & scisso moerens velamine luctus , Et timor , et caeco praeceps audacia vultu , Et luxus populator opum , cui semper adhaerens Infaelix humili gressu comitatur egestas , Faedaque auaritiae complexae pectora matris Insomnes longo veniunt examine curae .

The two last children of Demogorgon , were Aether and Dies , the superirior region of the ayre , and the brightnes of the day : who , of brother and sister , became man and wife , and begat Caelius or Caelus , the heauen : which name was first attributed to Vranius , Father of Saturnus , king of Creete . This Vranius , for his excellency , was deemed rather caelestiall , ( as his name importeth ) then any earthly creature : representing that aethereall purity by his diuine wisedome , and the caelestiall light and brightnes , by his vertuous conuersation : this is the historicall sence : now for the Allegoricall conceipt , it is most manifest : for Caelus , the heauen , including and concluding euery thing , is therefore called the sonne of Aether and Dies , for that his nature is aethereall by reason of his most subtile and spirit all perspicuity ; and also bright and lightsome by the plentifull and abundant light of those so many radiant starres wherewith it is sweetly garnished . And as Vranius himself for his vertue was called Caelus , heauen , soe Vesta his wife , because she was a fruitefull and happy mother , was called Terra , the Earth . Of these two , Saturnus was born , wholy addicted to husbandry and tilling of the earth , and of nature slowe and heauy , like the earth . Allegorically thus ; Saturnus is Sonne to Caelus , because he is the first Planete , and nearest to the highest heauen . He is also sonne to the earth , as in most of his naturall proprieties resembling the earth . First his color is pale and leaden , like the earth : Secondly , as the earth of all other Elements is most grosse and beauy , soe Saturne among other Planets is most slowe in finishing his reuolution , as requiring full thirty yeares for the accomplishing of the same ; whereas Iupiter endeth his in twelue yeares , Mars in two , Sol , Venus , and Mercury in one , and Luna , the Moone , in one moneth only . Thirdly Saturne by his influence worketh such a constitution and temperature in mens bodies , as is altogeather agreeable with the qualities of the earth , to wette , cold and dry , making them in whom he is predominant , sad , melancholicall , graue , heauy , pale , giuen to husbandry , building , and such like exercises . Whereupon he is figured as an olde man , sad , euil-fauoured , musing , badly cloathed , with a sithe in his hand , a fit instrument for his earthly practise . He afordeth a reaching wit , profound cogitations , perfect knowledge , sage and graue aduice , constancy of minde and perseuerance : by reason that the earthly nature of his mother is qualified and tempered with that of his caelestiall Father . Lastly , as of his Father he causeth perfection and excellency of minde , so by his mother he is the author of deformity and destruction of the body ,

His wife was called Ops , his owne sister , borne of the same Father and Mother . Allegorically , Opis signifieth help or assistance , noting the ayde and furtherance of the earth herself towards the tilling of fyldes , building of howses , and founding of Cities . Soe is she worthily both sister to Saturne , as borne of Caelus , whose influence is the best mainteyner both of husbandry and earthly habitations : and also wife to Saturne , for that as he is the agent , soe herself is the patient in husbandry and fortification . Saturne bereft his father Caelus of those instruments which are fit for generation : Cronos , that is , Saturne , is time , time is the measurer of the worlds motion ; therfore , as one world , soe one time , one Saturne ; and Caelus can get no more like him , sith all is now spen● and consumed vpon him . Saturne fearing the prediction of Oracles , that his owne sonne should expell him out of his kingdome , consulting with his brother Titan , resolued to deuoure all the sonnes , that his wife Opis should beare vnto him ; and for that intent commaunded her to shew him euery childe immediatly af●er the birth thereof . She first brought foorth Iupiter and Iuno : Iuno being a girle , and therefore not to be deuoured , was presented to her Father : but Iupiter was preserued from his rage and fury by the noyse of Cymballs & Taburs , which soe possessed Saturne his eares , that he heard not the yong infant Iupiter , cry . Saturne angrily and earnestly demaunding where he was , his wife gaue him a Stone wrapped in a cloth , insteede of the boy , which stone for haste and rage , he swallowed , and afterwards vomited it vp againe , euen as he did all such of his other sonnes , whom he had deuoured . The like policy she vsed in preseruing of Neptune , making his father beleeue , that it was noe childe , but a yong colte , whereof she was then deliuered , which Saturne thinking to be true , glutted the colt accordingly , Next to these were Pluto and his sister Glauca borne : but Glauca being only shewed to Saturne , Pluto escaped aliue : all the rest of his sonnes he first deuoured , and presently vomyted , as before is mencioned Allegorically , Titan the Sunne , and Saturne . Tyme , conspire together and resolue , that all things in tyme borne , shall also dye in time . For , as the deuouring continuance of outwearing time consumeth all things , so the life-giuing influence of the quickning sonne , is the chiefe cause of procreation : whereupon it is vsually said that Sol & homo generant hominem , The sunne and man beget man . His daughters he deuoured not : for , time consumeth indiuidua , this thing , and that thing , but not the roote and ground of things , figured by the femall sex . Iuno the ayre , with Iupiter the fire , and Neptune and Pluto the water and earth , are not deuoured : for , the foure elements continue still : but the rest are still subiect to continuall corruption : corruption I meane in part , which is alwais a generation , of some other particularitie , not a totall or generall destruction : which is the cause , that time cannot digest and vtterly consume , but is enforced to vomite and restore euen those very bodies which hee first deuoured , according to that ould ground which giueth vs to learne , that , as nothing can be made of nothing ▪ so nothing can be made to be nothing , Gigni è nihilo nihil , in nihilum nil posse reuerti .

Homer calleth Iupiter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , for that be sucked Goates milke , the reason is this , a Goate is euer climing and getting vpward , as Iupiter is , noting the fierie and highest part of the ayre . This ethereall and superior part of the ayre , was thought of the Pythagoreans ( by reason of the wonderfull celeritie and quick dispatch of his motion and reuolution ) to cause a most sweete and melodious harmonie : whereupon Iupiter was reported to be preserued by the tinkeling of Cymballs and sounding of taburs .

Iupiter is placed immediatly after Saturne in heauen , as Iupiter King of Creete , succeeded his father Saturne in his kingdome . This Cr●etish King Iupiter for his bountifull and liberall nature was called by the name of that most good and beneficiall planet Iupiter ; euen as his father , for the causes rehearsed , was named Saturnus . Hee that hath in his natiuitie Saturne predominant ouer Iupiter , is like to bee endued with no excellent qualities , especially those that vsually proceede from Iupiters influence , as Iustice , liberalitie magnificence , pietie , fauour , beauty , riches , promotion ▪ loue , and such like : all which by the maligning nature of this damnifying planet Saturne are altogether corrupted and depraued , as the Creetish Iupiter when he was but a tender i●fant , was faine to be secretly conueyed away from his sterne and cruell father Saturne , who sought his destruction . Saturne being imprisoned and chayned by the Titanes , was released by his dutifull and mercifull sonne Iupiter , who came with a mightie army to the succor of his father . Allegorically when the good and beneficiall Iupiter in any mans natiuitie ouer-ruleth preiudiciall Saturne , beholding the other planets with an amyable and fortunat aspect , which confoundeth the dead lookes and frowning face of Saturne , then is that man freed from th●se , ●aturnian chaynes of calamitie and miserie , which otherwise he were subiect vnto . These Titanes were the sonnes of heauen and earth , signifying the foure elements , which include in themselues a certaine terrene and earthly nature , and are therefore continually depressed and beaten downe by the power of the superior bodies : for , vapors by the heate of the sunne ( the sunne is called Titan ) are drawne vp , which when they approach neere the celestiall region , are repelled and driuen downe againe , or els resolued into pure and subtile ayre , and this mounting vp , and throwing downe is perpetuall .

Iupiter , when he had thus enlarged his father , vsurped his crowne and royall dignitie bannishing Saturne into hell , or the infernall regions . Historically , Iupiter hauing freed his father from thaldome , tooke vpon himselfe the dignitie and regiment of Creete , enforcing Saturnus to flie into Italie ; where he was honored liuing and dying as a God : for , such was the custome of that age to attribute diuine honors and titles vnto them as Gods , of whom they receaued any goodnesse : as they did indeede of this Saturnus , who taught them how to till and manure the ground , to coyne money of mettale , which before was of leather , to leaue bushes and caues , and liue more ciuily and orderly , and to obserue certaine lawes and constitutions by him inuented , as appeareth by Virgil. S. Aeneid . who therefore calleth that time , the Golden age . Now in truth Italy was then far inferior to Greece in Wealth and Dignitie , and might therefore be called the infernall region , or base and lowe countrey in respect of ●aturns florishing kingdome : as also , for that Italie is lower then Greece , as inclining more to the west ; and it is an vsuall thing , for men to call the East , the superior or higher region , and the West , he lower , downecast , and inferior ; or lastly , as Varro wil haue it , qd latet Italia inter praecipitia Alpium & Apennini : because Italie doth , as it were , lurke and lie hidden betweene the abrupt and high toppes of the Alpes & the Mountaine Apenninus . That this is true which I report , of his being in Italie , besides the testimonie of Virgil in the place aboue alleaged ( where he saith that Italie , was named Latium , a Latendo , because Saturne did lurke and lie there , to hide himselfe from his sonne Iupiter . ) Ouid also will beare me witnes , who in the first of his Fasti , concluding this matter , saith , that for an eternall memoriall of his arriuall and good institutions , the Italian posteritie in their money of mettale , figured the ship wherein he came vnto them .

At bona posteritas puppim formauit in aere , Hospitis aduentum testificata dei .

Allegorically , as before ; when in any mans action or natiuitie Iupiter is predominant , then doth he controle Saturne , depriuing him of his power and dominion , and driuing him out as his inferior . Sabinus thinketh that Saturne was therefore saide to be driuen into the infernal dungeons , for that he is of all other Planets , the most remote and furthest from the earth , making that infinite and vnmeasurable height of Heauen , to be this Tartarus , this infernall or strange and far remoued region . But the most conceipted allegory for this purpose , is that folowing : for although that in Saturns time and raigne , that is , by the in●luence and vertue of this Planet Saturne , the seede is preserued in the bowels of the earth , and congcaled or thickned in the bodies of sensible cretures at the first generation and conception ; yet when these things are brought forth and receaue increase and augmentation , then doth Iupiter shew himselfe to be King , and dealeth all in all , driuing out olde Saturne into corners , and blinde and obscure places , where the first seedes of things lie hidden , which only are subiect to Saturnus iurisdiction .

Time is swift and euerpassing without stay : which may bee the cause why Saturne is changed to a swift courser , when his wife tooke him dallying with Philyra , of whom he begat Chiron the Centaure as hereafter will appeare .

Thus haue wee the good olde Saturne in his raggs , with his foure children before him , his consuming syth in his right hand , and a stone couered with cloth put to his mouth , with the left hand .

Out of Eusebius , he may be thus also figured : himselfe couered with a long roabe : two eyes before , as many behinde : of which foure , two did euer watch , whilest other two slept : foure wings were fastned to his shoulders , two spread foorth , as though he were ready to flie , two pluckt in , as though he meant to stand still : he had also two wings at his head . The foure eyes and wings note , that Time , though it seeme to sleepe , yet alwaies watcheth , and yet so watcheth , as it seemeth still to sleepe : and , as it standeth , it flyeth away , and yet in flying , after a manner standeth still . The two wings at his head are said to represent the intellectuall facultie and reasonable power of mans minde , the old Philosophers being of opinion , that the soule receaued from Saturnes spheare , the gift of reason and intelligence . * * Saturnes two pictures .

Saturne his wife had diuerse names . Rhea , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à fluendo : either because euery thing floweth from the earth , as from a fountaine , or that the flowing raigne is made of vapors and exhalations from the earth . Vesta she is also called , because she is Vestita , that is , couered with corne and grasse as with a vesture : or , quia vistat , because she standeth by her owne force , quasi vista , according to that of Ouid in his Fasti.

Stat vi terra sua , vistando vesta vocatur , Causaque par graij nominis esse potest . Vt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , d●catur .

The other Vesta , Caelius his wife , differeth not much from this : but that she seemeth to figure the very essence of the earth ; and this , the fruitefull efficacy , operation , and assistance thereof , whereupon she was called Opis , as I saide before , of helpe or assistance : Cybele , of a Ph●igian Mountaine so called : or rather , as Festus Pompeius thinketh , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , signifying a Cube ; sith in olde time they did consecrate a Cube vnto here the reason was for that a Cube which way so euer it be throwne , standeth alwaies direct , representing therfore , the not remoueable stability of the Earth . Lastly she was called Magna mater , the great mother both of Gods and men , sith as well the Paegan Gods as men , being both mortall , must both acknowledge the earth their foundor and benefactor , whereof more in Tassoes Messagiero . She is couered with a Diadem bearing diuers turrets ; the circuit of her Crowne signifying the compas of the Earth , and her turrets , the stately buildings of the same , according to that of Lucretius lib. 1.

Muralique caput summum cinxére corona , Eximijs munita locis quòd sustinet vrbes .

Her garment is allwrought with flowers and bordered with branches , noting , that all such things proceede from the Earth . Her Chariot is drawne by Lions , o● foure wheeles : the foure wheeles giue vs to vnderstand , that although the Earth be immouable , yet all earthly things are in continuall motion and alteration , according to the foure seuerall constitutions and seasons of the yeare . The Lyons note the mightie and Lyonlike operation of the celestiall bodies vpon the earth : or , that husbandmens bodies must be strong like Lions : or lastly , that the stoutest were tamed , and must liue and dye on and in the earth . Her scepter is a signe of earthly pompe and dignitie . Round about her be emptie and vacant seates ; either , for that the earth hath alwaies places of habitation in store for succeeding people ; or , for that houses , cities , and countries become many times desolate by pestilence , famine , sword , fire , or otherwise ; or , because many regions were then thought to be vnhabitable . Isidorus maketh her hold a key in one hand ; for that the earth is , as it were , closed and shut vp in the winter , fostring then and cherishing in her lap the seede , till spring time come , and then she openeth her selfe ▪ and therefore is April so called of Aperio , quasi Aperilis , the open , or opening moneth , as Ouid doth expound it , Aprilem memorant ab aperto tempore dictum . Coribantes her priests stand round about her , al in armor : & so should euery man , priest , swaine , or whatsoeuer , be ready with life and limme to defend his natiue soyle . The noyse of Taburs had ( as Ouid also testifieth ) his beginning from Iupiters birth , who , as I said before , was by that meanes concealed from his father Saturne : some referre the roundnes of the Taburs , to the roundnes of the earth , & others there be who think that the Taburs and Cymballs did note the windes , stormes , clouds , & thunders ; al which come of the exhalations of the earth , mounting vpwards . Pinus is sacred vnto Cybele , for that Atis a sweet young youth who she loued , was by her transformed into the same for pitie , seeing the poore boy ( being reiected of her for violating his vowed virginitte ) plague his owne body , by cutting off those partes wherewith he had offended . This Atis ( saith Eusebius ) representeth flowers which are fayre in shew , but fade and fall away , before they bring forth any fruite , which is the cause , that he is said to be depriued of his fructifying members , the tale is sweetly told by Ouid in his bookes de Fastis . Another Vesta they made to be Saturns daughter , signifying that vitall heate , which , dispersed all ouer and through the bowells of the Earth , giueth life to all earthly things , On her seruice attended the Vestall Virgins in Rome , so called of their Mistres Vesta , of whom also Ouid in the same booke hath learnedly discoursed ; among other things , adding this , Nec tu aliud vestam , quàm viuam intellige flammam . * * Cy●●●s pictu●● .

In Saturns time , the harmeles simplicitie of his subiects gaue name to the golden age , as I said before ; which by degrees declining to siluer , and brasse , in the end became all of yron . Then did Astraea leaue the polluted earth , and setled her selfe betweene the Starres called Leo and Libra , the Lyon , and the Balance , couering her face in the cloudes for griefe to behold such impietie . Allegorically , Astraea , of Astrum , a Starre , is celestiall and heauenly Iustice : a Iudge must be stout and of good courage , as a Lyon , least for feare of menaces he spare the due execution of iustice : yet he must also weigh each thing in an vpright ballance , that affection or corruption doe not peruert iudgement : Her face is couered with clouds : for , a Iudge must not behold the parties with affectionat and preiudicat eyes , seduced by wrath or drawne away by Partialitie .

Astraea thus gone , the Giants began to rebell : a bloudie broade , borne of Coelus his bloud , falling on the earth , when Saturne his sonne depriued him of his virility . Some other make them to be borne of Neptune and Iphimedea : Neptunes broode is furious and vnruly by reason of the superaboundant store of vnbridled humors : and Ihimedea , is nothing else but an obstinat and selfe-wild conceite and desire grounded in the minde , and not remoueable . These allegorically are seditious and rebellious subiects in a common wealth , or schismaticall and haereticall seducers in the Church . Iupiter , the King or supreame gouernour : the Giants , rebells or heretikes : the hills , their aspiring deseignes and accursed stratagems : Ioues lightning , the iust plague and confusion of such attempts : their serpentine feete signifie their permicious and poysonable policies , and their monstrous and most degenerate deformitie in opposing themselues against the commonwealth . The battaile was fought in Phlaegra a sulphurus part of Thessalia , for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is to burne . There is yet extant a fragment of Claudian , entituled , Gigantomachia , the bataile of the Giants wherein many of their names are particularly set downe , the historicall truth is extant in Theagenes and Eudoxus . Of the Giants bloud came the bloud-thirsting Lycaon ; in truth a tyran of Arcadia , who first did violate the l●●res of truce and league by killing and sacrificing vnto Iupiter , a certaine hostage sent from the Molossi : whereon came the fable , that he set mans flesh before Iupiter , to trie , if he were a God or not . This Lycaon for his crueltie , is here transformed into a wolfe , which in Greeke is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , agreeable to his auncient name . That which foloweth of the generall deluge or ●●●●dation , is borrowed , by likelihood , out of Moyses , by adding thereunto the conceit of Deucalions and Pyrrhaes casting of stones behinde their backes for the renuing of our stony generation , For , both Lucian reporteth , that Deucalion entred an arke , and beasts and fowles with him : and Plutarch , that he sent forth a Doue , which returning , brought a signe of the decreasing waters , all which agree with the historie of Noe. As for Deucalion , he is said to haue raigned sometime in Thessalia , which being for the most part drowned by sodaine waters , himselfe and his wife Pyrrha assembled on Mount Parnassus all such as escaped : and by their wisdome ( figured by the oracle from Themis ) brought them to be sociable againe , and multiplie as they did in former times .

But all this while we forget the poore Prometheus , who yet lyeth groaning on the mountayne Caucasus , for stealing fyre from heauen to make his image lyue : and taketh it very vnkindely , that we haue , in this creation of the world , made noe mention of him , by whose bold enterprise , Man , the best part of the world , was both framed first , and quickned afterwards . Minerua , lyking Prometheus his woorke , bad him aske what he would that was in heauen , to furnish his begun woorkmanship : he aunswering , that , vnles he were there to see what was in heauen fit for his purpose , he could desire no certeyne thing , was brought vp thither by Minerua : where ; seeing euery thing quickned with fire , he dre●e secretly neere to the Chariot of the Sunne , and thence kindled a sticke , and with that fire gaue life to his image .

Historically , Prometheus is sayd to be the first who made any image of man , of clay , whence this poeticall imagination tooke his beginning , and by continuance of time grewe to this ( by the accustomed policies of the olde deceauing serpent , who is euer ready to further Atheisme and ●dolatry ) that Prometheus was honoured as a God , and had Temples dedicated , and Altars erected for his seruice accordingly . As apeareth by Pausanias , who reporteth , that in the Academy of Athens , there was an altar consecrated vnto Prometheus , and that at certaine times apointed for that purpose , diuers men came thither , and there lighted a number of burning brands , running with them one after an other all in a rowe to Athens , in such sort , that whosoeuer caryed his fire brand burning quite to the Citie , was reputed Victor : and if any mans brand were extinguished or put out by the way , he gaue place to his fellow folowing .

Allegorically , Prometheus is the fore-seeing and fore-knowing of thinges before they come to passe ( for soe the very woord importeth , ) as Epimetheus is the knowledge which we get by the end and euent of things already past & gone , whose daughter is Repentance . Prometheus was the sonne of Iapetus & Themis : Iapetus is nothing els ( saith Proclus ) but the most quick motion of heauen , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , of mouing and flying : An Eagle consumeth his hart , a wise mans minde is euerfull of meditations : as much as by the day the Eagle deuoureth , somuch the night restoreth againe ; soe , learned mens cogitations admit intermissions , but noe interruptions : he was bound to a piller , or columne ; The minde is bound fast to the body , and there chained for a while : some make him bound to the Mountaine Caucasus , for that there he obserued the reuolution of the heauens : The yeelding and giuing place to the succeeding fealowe or companion that runneth , meanes nothing els , but that the whole course of this present life , is full of woe and miserie , which when they are once ended , our race is ended also , and they that come after vs , take at our hands , as by tradition , the like fire brands of calamities , as we our selues sustained before . Remy Belleau bringeth in Prometheus lamenting in his Bergerie , Thus , Noble race de dieux , semence Titannine , Qui retires du ciel ta premiere origìne ,

And so foorth , as foloweth there in that his complaint : so passionate , as that I am sory not to repeat it , & yet so copious as that I haue no time to rehearse it ▪ especially hauing spent somuch of the day about this outworn Chaos , which , I hope , will therfore seeme pardonable , because the vnderstanding of all other poeticall tales and transformations by likelyhoode to be toulde , must needes receaue great light from that which hath beene spoken . Here good Elpinus pawsed awhile : and sith Pan had beene by him ef● soones mentioned in this his discourse , it was thought conuenient by the Lady Regent , that Menal●as his song should be spent on that subiect : who thus began accordingly .