THis History , Tale , or tell-troth , ( take it in which sence you please ) is dedicated to the World , whither all discourses wander , to the reformation of vice , which is Good mens wishes , and to the aduancement of vertue , which is the ayme of all honest affections so that making my summe iust with mine account , I doubt not but I shall discharge my selfe , of that which I owe to posteritie , to the ruine of sinne , and the immortall safe-guarde of piety .

But you will tell me , to detect sinne is to teach sinne , the discouery of vice like Hydras heads , doth rather increase then decrease the vitious , for vertue is seldome found to spring from Lacedemonian Tables , and chastity much lesse from Aretines pictures ; that wicked persons , and wicked actions , should rather bee damn'd in obscuritie , then preserued for eternity , that it is a sinne against piety , to giue wickednesse any life of memory , for so the villaine became lost that set fire on Diana's Temple , and Manlius was forgot in Rome , that did iniury to Rome : wicked names dishonour fayre report , and if by compulsion the pen must glance vpon them , they ought euer to be accompanied with curses , and execrations ; vnrepentant sinne is the Deuils Godsonne , and when we talke of capital wickednes , we ought to giue it no other name but deuill ; Yet Brutus and his confederates are not forgot in Liuie ; Sinon liues in Virgil , and Pandarus in Homer , we haue a Layis memorable in Corinth , a Lamia in Athens , and a Lestrigon in great Brittaine , why should we then loose this Eutopian Legend of Britanica Hollandia , who exceeds all in insolence , instructs all in impudence , and runnes through a World of damnable actions , with improuidence ; no , as she is without paralell in her profession , so I wil striue to delineate her to the life , that she may euer liue hatefull to all after succession .

In the Kingdome of Eutopia , nere the fayre citie of Maugsun , some fewe Leagues distant , their liued a Gentleman of indifferent Fortunes , neither so high that ambition did assaile him , nor so low that contempt might follow him , but Anchoring in a smooth low tyde , and a safe harbor , made himselfe content only with things necessary ; he marryed a wife sutable to his estate , and agreeable with his affections , for shee had comelinesse enough to content an honest eye ; cleanlines sufficient for a chast bed , or a frugall Table , and discretion at will to gouerne and dispose all things committed to her Steward-shippe ; These had issue one daughter whom they named Britanica Hollandia , Hollandia her birth . by reason of some neere allyances betwixt them and the Neather-lands . A mayd in the time of her innocence , and ignorance , so accomplished and accomodated with all the ornaments of Nature and education , that shee farre surpassed all those of her rancke , and might without the offence of modesty challenge equalitie with those which were accounted excellent ; for shee had a fayre Eye , full of strong inchauntment ; a modest cheeke , rich with bashfulnesse ; and a face so generally clothed with beauty , & blushes , that there was an infinite promise of much ensuing vertue : her stature was but low , yet compos'd with such true Cymetrie , and so agreeable with euery other lineament through the whole Fabricke of her body , that had Appelles beheld her , he would haue forsworn his Idol to haue made her his goddesse ; but to leaue off all further circumstance , let it suffice me to say shee was truely handsome , exceeding hopefull , and had not the Deuill beene too ambitious , shee might have bin most happy , but where the house is cleanest , there Sathan desires to entersoonest ; and if the guard of Grace be Idle or vnwatchfull , repentance may follow , but it cannot prevent surprizall , and so it fares with this Creature , for as heaven had bestowed vpon her all outward imbelishments to attract vertue vnto ▪ her , so had some sinister power , or the corruption of her owne flesh married to those bodily beauties , such a wicked spirit , that all goodnes became to her an vtter stranger ▪ shee was of such a proud , haughty , and disdainfull nature , so Masculine in her disposition , and so mad to encounter any crosse to her best loued cogitations , that like the Spider , which turneth all things to poyson which it tasteth , so she became an vtter Athiest , and would acknowledge no God but her own pleasure ; She had from mens prayses , womens envies , and her glasses plain-dealing , her parents tendernesse , her friends carefulnes , and her companions amazednesse , got such a true knowlege of her handsomnesse , that she did not onely beleeue it , and loue it , but mightily doated vpon it ; neither did this foolishnesse of selfe-affection so bind her to the admiration of her owne beautie , as a proud and furious conceire of the excellency of her wit , ( aboue the sphere of other womens capacities ) did bind and slaue her to imbrace to her selfe this conclusion that she only was excellent

Now she begins to grow in hate with her fathers house , the Country is vnpleasant , vnhabitable , obscure and durtie , that house-wifely imployments , were slauish ingagements ; to live with parents , was but to lye with bondage , that al comman dements were curses , and obedience only a figure of simplicitie , and ignorance ; shee would often say within her selfe , what is beautie , if not seene , what seene , if not admired , what admired , if not desired , and what any , or all if not enioyed ; and where shall these bee gathered from the blossomes of trees , heaps of stones the ouerflowes of fountains , or the dul rabble of Clownes and heards-men ? No , it is the City that is the spheare of beauty , there are her Temples , there live her votaries , and there burnes her sacrifice , the Countrie is but a rotten chest that conceales holy reliques , let me live in the Citie , where if I cannot out-shine all , or at least equall all , yet a tworst I shall be hidde in an handsome Cabinet .

Vpon these , and the like resolutions she throws her-selfe into a deepe melancholie : all meates are but course for her dyet , shee forsakes them ; sleepe is too neere a kinseman to death , she hates it ; all company seemes rude , shee loathes it ; all discourses are vnpollish't , her eare will not receiue them ; and to conclude , as an exanimated carcasse , she walks with no soule , and but halfe a motion .

Her parents quickly perceiue this alteration , and like noble Phisitians labor to find out the cause to make the cure more easie , more speedie , more certaine ; but she that had a lockt vp soule in a fort impregnable , what through disdaine , the handmaid of Pride , & Pride it selfe the Lord of stubborne resolution , she became so impenitrable , that sooner might they bring the Poles together , then separate her from one tittle of her private resolution , so that finding her fixed , they leaue to molest her , onely obserue all occasions , and all circumstances , euery passage , and euery Action , that might give any light to those designes on which shee laboured with such difficultie ; in the end , finding her set one day in a priuate Roome , without any companion , but solitude & her owne thoughts , her Father stealing within the distance of her speeches , might heare her vtter these wordes . O life , which hast deceiued so many , seduced so many , blinded so many , thou art nothing at thy beginning , thy light is nothing but a shaddow , thou art but smoake at thy height , thou art sweet to fooles , thou art bitter to the wise , who loueth thee , knowes thee not , who knoweth thee , contemnes thee ; and here with a deepe sigh shee made a full period , when her father pressing vpon her , demanded the cause of this quarrell betwixt her and life , vrging her with much ingratitude , to condemne that , from which her selfe had receiued so much luster , applying her beauty , her youth , her wit , and all her inward , and outward faculties , as vnrefellible arguments of infinite beholdingnesse to life , who had brought them into the World , & made them beloued of the World ; but she with a silent bashfulnesse ( fuller of deceit then innocence ) forbearing to reply gave him occasion to assaile her with all the strength that nature , loue , & a fathers authority could collect together , and did so vrge her to display , and lay open the Cabinet of her deerest counsells , that she either vnwilling to loose so faire an opportunity , or to apparel her envious griefe in the robes of obedience , with a seeming vnwilling willingnesse , did disburden her heart of that loade of griefe , which so long had afflicted her : yet not without many disguises , and false habits , as not being weary of the Countrey for it's solitude , but carefull to discharge him of much cost , and incumbrance ; that the City was more hopefull for her aduancement , because the two columbes of posteritie , honorable Mariage , and wealthy imployment had there a setled residence , and threw away their fauors blindfold , like the children of Fortune .

There did need small debatement , Her comming to the City . When both the parties did agree vpon one proposition , for he seemed to outrun her in willingnes , and as if their thoughts had bene cast in one mould , an equall diligence made preparation for her speedy departure , the mothers consent was not wanting , so that all drawing by one linke without hinderance , strife or aduantage , the work was in a trice effected , the daughter was brought to the City , and setled in an honest Magnificos seruice .

Here , after the expence of some small time , liuing as it were in a Burse of resort , where men and their minds were continually trucking for new commodities , it was impossible for this rich Iewell , which was without foyle ; because it knew no Art , and without fraud by reason of an innocent ignorance , should either stand gaping for a chap-man , or like an idle prentise , with his hands hid in his cap , cry , Sir , what lacke you ; No , vnsullied beauty like the Sunne will giue light to a whole Hemyspheare ▪ and this damosell had so shot her beames through euery corner of the City , that her Suitors were like Coriscas smockes , infinite in number , many in good opinion , and but one at one time in imployment , yet with such seuerity she gouerned her passions , that the strictest eye of modesty could hardly detect her gouernment , and she was the rather induced to this Austerity , by beholding the pictures of two famous Curtezans , which did hang in her Masters Gallery ; the first , which was lesse faire , but more fortunate , had this inscription , Si non Caste tamen Caute , the other which was farre beyond all for beauty , and inferior to none for Miserie , had written ouer her . Nec caste , Nec caute ; on these two plaine songs her resolution made sundry descants , but the close of euery strain was , That to sinne wisely , was to sinne safely , that after-thoughts were foolish , and had I wist childish ; hence it came that amongst the vn-numbred number of her Suitors , she chose one whom shee knew honest , Her marriage . by all mens report , frugall in her owne experience , industrious in his affaires , and painefull in euery circumstance of his profession , one that was handsome enough to loue , and stout enough to controle , yet such an Idolater to her beauty , & such a slave to her commandements , that neither his eyes , nor eares could carry credit beyond her sufferance ; of this man she made a husband , and had not the deuill and womans weakenesse conspir'd to make ship wracke of her vertue , they might have liued and dyed with faire reputation ; but now shee shakes handes with bashfulnes , and feare , & the manlinesse of her courage , Her falling from vertue . meeting with the libertie of a bold wives rudenes , she dare both intice and lend an eare to inticements . 'T is true , that loue in her friends , made them call impudence an high spirit , and losenesse a pleasant behauiour , but those which had beene brought vp in the same schoole where shee learnt her complement , knew that the gate was wide enough , and the way plaine enough which leade to the ruine of her vertue .

Many assault were giuen to this faire Fort , Her subtiltie . but some she with-stood , to gaine an opinion of goodnesse , and they were great ones ; some she durst not entertaine for feare of after repentance , and they were loose ones , some she held at a distance to draw on benefit , and they were the rich ones , and some she scorn'd , and they were fooles , Fidlers , or base ones : But behold , at last , the deuill himselfe fearing to lose so rich a prize , which hee knew would not come to his kingdome alone with her owne lading , but with the spoyles , and triumphs of a world of vnfortunate creatures of both sexes , he sent to assaile her one Ignatius a Puritane Iesuite ; The first that made her a whore . a fellow , whom Lucifer had so instructed , and adorned with all the deceiuable qualities and inchauntments of a seeming goodnesse , that vertue herselfe could hardly have discouered him , without the vse of her diuinest spectacles ; he had al the amiablenesses of a good face , and a well-shap'd body , which he made more glorious with grauity & good cloathes , he had an excellent wit , prompt and ready , which he witnessed in his discourses , being full of delight and learning , he was full of Bounty , and liberalitie ; a world of poore deceiued people ( especially women ) maintaining his exchequor , and when the fire of lust was kindled in him by the deuils bellowes , he was so full of delicate Petulance , and inchaunting dallyance , that a cold halfe buried Anchorite would haue ingendred a flame from his embers .

This great General for Hel ( not alone in this , but in a world of other damnable actions ) com's with his Legions of inchantments to besiege this Redoute , or weake Sconce , euen at the time when there was a mutynie raised betwixt her and her best souldiers ; for indeed , Modestie was in disgrace , and accus'd for a Coward , Chastity was scorn'd as a shaddow & no substance , Bashfulnesse was reputed weake and childish , Honour a Chimera , Good-fame a dreame ; and indeed , all the Vertues stood cashired as enemies vnto Pleasure ; so that there was left none to withstand him but Frailtie , a Cannon-law , and a Penall Statute .

Against these hee rais'd such a battery of sweet discourse , and inchanting perswasions , that she stood amazed , and staggering at the first on-set , till feare of the Law , and a little loue to good report , stept betwixt her and the enemy , and beat him backe with these , or the like arguments . First , that her Reputation ( not God or his Iudgements ) were so deare and tender vnto her , that she durst not give eare to his sorceries : but he with a smile ( wherein a good eye might haue discerned scorne ) asked her what Reputation was ; She told him it was the very Manna , and Nepenthe of generous Spirits , the Goddesse of great courages , and the triumph of all Noble Actions ; she sayd it was a thing so delicate , so pure , and so vnspotted , that the least excesse did blemish it , any vniust action dishonour it , indiscretion , negligence or Idlenesse deface it , but Prostitution that did wholly ruine it ; it is a constant friend that will follow and go with any good action , but if once forsaken , no inquisition , no search , no prayers , or teares , can euer againe find it : Beleeve it Sir , ( said she ) there is no such misery as to outlive Reputation , nor any follies like that which puts it in hazard . But he , to whom Blasphemy was familiar , & Atheistical propositions more frequent , then holy sentences , had soone brought her to a Non-plus ; so that forsaking her guardians , she was content to hearken to composition . This capitulation assuring him of future conquest , he now began to sing his owne triumph ; and to make his conditions more glorious , the assurance of her affections more serious , and his laciuious pleasures , of a long liv'd indurance , he began to discourse vnto her the liues & Legends , ( but not the deaths and disasters ) of divers famous and renowned Courtezans ; The tale of Lol●ca Paulina . but especially aboue all the rest , and as a History best agreeing , and paralelling with her owne Fortunes , as also seeking to couer his owne luxurious wickednes , and the wickednesse of his owne coate and calling , vnder a greater mans wantonnesse , he insisted most vpon the life and fortunes of Lollea Paulina , the greatest Courtezan , the basest Whore , and the deceitfullest Bawde , that euer Rome did acknowledge ; But here you must vnderstand , that this subtile Enginer , playd but the flattering Historian , for he only toucht at her felicities , but either forgot , or leapt ouer her infinite miseries ; he shewed how she was borne in the City of Fano in Italie , Rome . of good , but poore parentage : how after her Fathers death , necessitty brought her to seeke shelter , being accompanied with nothing but a diuine beauty , an vnmatchable personage , a boundlesse wit , and an infinite spirit .

Here Hipolito the great Cardinall of Est , and brother to the Duke of Ferara , beholding her , grew enamored on her , bought her at an infinite price , and maintained her aboue the ranck of the greatest Princes : Insomuch that at an enterview of Ambassadors , before the Pope , in Mounte Angelo ( being by torchlight ) she came amongst the Ladies so couered , and onercouered with Dyamonds , and the richest Iewelry , that excepting her face , ( which the Sun it selfe was not able to darken ) there could nothing be discerned but a mouing flame of most glorious fire ; and those which had skill did value her at more then a Million .

It is not to be exprest with what greedines of spirit , and earnest delight , Britanica's eares drunke in this Story , for she was infinitly couetous ; not as Misers to cram her chests , but as a discreete Prodigall to fill her pockets , placing her delight in giuing , and spending , Ryot , Reuels , Playes , Feasts , and all manner of wastful delights , were to her such deare companions , that rather then loose them , she would lay both life and soule in pawne for their ransome ; nay , she was such a true admirer of pleasure , that albe shee knew there was no true pleasure vpon earth , and that only Griefe Went vp & downe , couered in pleasures out-side , yet was her soule so rauisht with delight , that she became dead flesh , and would not feele vexation as long as her eyes stood fixt on Pleasures garments .

This Ignatius saw , this he knew , and finding her Spirits take fire at his words , he againe pursued his Story , and shewed her how Paulina hauing nothing but the reuenue of Lustre , a little beautie , was three times the richest , the greatest and the most respected Lady of all Rome ; and here he paul'd , for had he followed the truth of the Story , it would have shewed him that she was three times also the poorest , the most deiected & basest , miserable , despised creature that Rome , or the world had euer reserued for memory : nay , so exceeding hatefull was her condition , & so infinite her contempt , that she gaue her body in prostitution to the common hang-man , for one meale to sustaine her ; and in the end dyed without pitty , and was buried without Ceremonie , had he amplified any thing vpon this Text , he had mar'd his owne market , and made a Conuertite : But they were whites beyond his Ayme ; confusion was only within the reach of his Arrow , and that he hit , for his wordes did so well please her , and his rich promises so assure her , that freely she gaue him her body in possession ; and he inioyed her for some short space , with out competitor .

But Lust is a Gangrene , Her multiplicity of prostitutions . & hauing once poisoned a member , neuer leaues spreading till the whole body be confounded , she hath now broken one linke in the golden chaine of Chastity , and she cares not though all the rest be molten with confusion ; hence it com's that she entertaines more deuils , variety is pleasant , one ship yelds small custome , great Nauies fil large Treasures , & her reuenues came in with such full Tydes , that false Pleasure made her beleeue there would neuer come ebbing .

In this vnchast Progresse , she took an essay or tast of all degrees , all professions , and all conditions , from the Noble , to the Gentile , from the Camp to the City , her eares had heard al languages , her purse had receiued all Coynes , and had not her fortune bin more fauourable then her affections , her body had bin confounded with all manner of putrifactions .

But in the end , She determines to turne Bawd looking back into her selfe , and beholding into what a crasie and rotten Barke she had shipt her selfe , on a rough and tempestuous Sea , where infinit diseases lay gaping vpon her , the terrour of the lawes ready to deuoure her , shame and beggerie striuing to ouertake her , and lastly the cursse of all curses , to make her last will on a dunghill , or at the best in a Spittle , this did so perplexe her , that being cloyd with saciety , and sin as weary of her , as she was weary of sinning , she began to turne ouer the leafe of her wickednesse , and though she had no thought of amendment , yet she wil take a new course for the safety of her health and person .

She will no more be a Layis , but a Lena , no more a bewitching Whore , but a deceiuing Bawd , the Sinnes of others shall maintaine her Sinne , she will no more trust her-selfe on the Surges , but wil traffique by Factours , and according to the wealth of her Wares , so shal be the encrease or decrease of her Reuenues .

She had no sooner setled her selfe in this resolution , and sealed it before Hell and her owne evill Conscience , but presently she puts it in execution , and that she might frame all accomodations sutable to her deseigne ; she lookes forth for a better house , for her owne wanted elbow roome , she must haue many Meanders , and many passages , many holes , and many hides , deedes of darkenesse doe euer require many darke corners .

At last she lights vpon an old ruined Castell newly repaired , so commodiously placed both for her home-bred customers and Forreine visitants , as well for the Hawke , or Buzzard , that Hyes by day , as the Owle , or Bat , that flutters in the night , that her heart could not wish a place of better convenience ; The Sea on one side did beare against the walles , and both tall Shippes , Flye-boates , and Pinnaces , might there Anchor in a safe Harbour ; on the other side , it had some sleight intrenchments , which albe they were but weake and assayleable , yet the Sea vpon all assaults , did grant her both Munition , victual , and avoydance . And that a good Name might patronize her many euill actions , she caused it to bee called by a good old Dukes Title . As we say Dukes place Duke Humfrey , or the like .

Of this house by contract , she got possession , and her purse being well filled , and wide open , emptied it selfe to giue it adorment , there wanted nothing for State , nothing for Magnificence , nothing for Delight , nothing for Beauty , nothing for Necessity , howsoeuer the bones that lodg'd in it were rotten and vnwholsome , yet the Monument it selfe was wondrous Gaudie , and hansome ; there was nothing now for her to search for , but liuing furniture , and that she diuided into three stations .

The first , A Bawdes furniture a stout Ruffian to guard her , the second , lustie strong Queans , to supply offices , and the third , petulant painted , and halfe guilt Mimicks , to giue entertainment ; The first of these shee saued from the Gallowes , the second she hired from the Stews , and the last , she had bought vp by whole sale from the Countrey : there needed not much search , sin is found in euery corner , and these creatures like troublesome water-men plying a rich fare , will thrust themselues into the deuills armes beyond hope , With whom she trades . beyond redemption .

There was not a Carrier that had a crackt piece , but she had coyne to exchange it , there was not a Poulterer , that brought vp a yong or tender pullet , but it was bought for her dyet , she had charmes to intice the simple , money to bewitch the needy , rich clothes to adorne proud spirits , ease for Idlenesse , pleasure for wantens , and indeed any thing , or all things to keepe her Common-wealth from falling .

Being thus accommodated , and her Mart proclaimed , there was no doubt of customers , euery man hath a penny for a new Tauerne , and euery Letcher hath a Dollor for a renowned Brothell , and then this , there was none so famous ; and her visitants came flocking so fast for entertainment , that her Kitchin was like Aetna , euer flaming , her Hall was like Augeus stable , euer stinking with broken meate , and Mary-bones , her dining-roome , was like Babell , a mixture of nothing but confused noyses , and her inward and priuate Lodgings , like Hell it selfe , where wicked creatures lay bathing themselues in Lust , as the damned soules doe in Sulphur , thus she continued her ryot for a long season , boasting her-selfe in the strength of her wickednesse , and not grieuing for any thing more , then that she could bee no more wicked .