Greenes mourning garment giuen him by repentance at the funerals of loue, which he presentes for a fauour to all young gentlemen that wish to weane themselues from wanton desires. R. Greene. Vtriusq[ue] academia in artibus magister. Sero sed serio.

GREENES Mourning Garment .

IN the Citie of Callipolis seated in the lande of Auilath , compassed with Giho● and Euphrates two riuers that flowe from Eden , there sometimes dwelled a man called Rabbi Bilessi , lineally descended from the séede of holy Sem , ayming in his life to imitate his predecessors perfection , as he was alyed vnto him in parentage . This Rabbi Bilessi was a man vppon whom Fortune had powred out the Corn●copia of her fauours , and prodigally had wrapt him in the vestment of her riches , séeking as farre to excéede nature in excellence , as nature had ouer-reacht her selfe in cunning : For he was the chiefe G●●gamaster of the whole Citie : aged he was for the Palme trée had displayed her blossomes on his head , and his haires were as white as the silke that is sold in Tyre , honour had pitcht her pa●●lion in his tresses , and the tramelles of his haire were full of reuerence , his countenance graue as became his yeares , and yet full of leuitie that as the Eagle hath talents to stricke , and winges to shadowe , so his lookes carryed threates to chastice , and fauours to incourage . This olde man being thus grac'd by nature and fortune , hath the giftes of the minde so in●erlarded with the excellence of all vertues , that if Aristotle had béene aliue hée would haue confest this Rabbi to haue attayned vnto the perfection of his summum bonum . Thus euery way happy Fortune not content to inrich him with these fauours , that hee might be the Phenix of all ●●licitie , gaue him by one wise two sonnes iss●ed of such a trée as might discouer the trypartite fo●●e of his life .

The description of his Eldest Sonne .

THe Eldest whose name was Sophonos , was so behoulding vnto nature for the lyneamentes of his bodie , as hée could not wrong her with any default of cunning , for she had so curiously leueld euery ly●● as though she would present vertue a subiect wherein to flourish . His exteriour proportion was not more pleasing to the eye , than his inwarde perfection to the care , resembling the Panther in excellence of hue , and the Syren in harmony of vertues , young he was , for as yet the prime of his yeares was in the flower , and youth sate and basted him Calendes in his forehead . But as the Synamon trée looketh tawny when he is a twigge , and the Halciones most blacke when they are most young : so Sophonos in his tender yeares carryed graue thoughts , and in the spring of his youth such ripe fruites , as are found in the Autum of age : yet was he not Morosus tyed to austerne humours , neyther so cinicall as Diogenes , to mislike Alexanders royaltie , nor such a Timonist but he would familiarly conuerse with his friends , he counted Cato too seuere , and Cassius too sullen , and both too fond , not laughing once a yeare with Apollo , but houlding all honest and merry recreation necessarie , so it were not blemisht with any excesse : yet as he was indewed with these speciall qualities , nature was spotted with some little imperfections : the Phenix amongst all her golden plumes may haue one sicke feather , and yet a Phenix : the purest Pome granates may haue one rotten kernell , and the perfectest man is not without some blemish , and so was Sophonos : for as he was graue , wise , vertuous , and affable , yet he had that fault which Tully called defectum Naturae , and that was cowardize , fearefull hee was of his flesh , and thought it good sléeping in a whole skinne , he preferd the Oliue before the sworde , and the Doue before the Eagle , peace before warres : and therefore giuing himselfe to Marchaundize , hée remayned at home with his father .

The description of the yongest sonne .

THe yongest , who was called Philador was so beautified with exterior fauour , that Natura naturans which the philosophers call the exquisite former of features , séemed to set ( non vltra ) on his liniaments . When Nature had cast this curious mould , that she might triumph as the mistresse of al perfection , she infused such interiour and vitall spirites into this carkasse , that it séemed repollished with the puritie of the senses . For Philador had so pregnant a wit , and such a swift inséeing and reaching capacitie , as it séemed the graces in some Synode had powred out the plenty of their influence . Quicke it was and pleasant , fall of such wittie facetiae and affable sentences , that those Epithetons that Homer assigned to Vlysses , might very well haue béene ascribed to Philador : he was courteous to salute all , counting it commendable prodigalitie that grewe from the Bonnet and the Tongue , alluding to this old verse of Chawcer .

Mickle grace winnes hee That s franke of bonnet , tong , and knee .

To court amongest the beautiful Dames of Callipolis , he had such a ready insinuation of present prattle , powdred with such merry questions , sharpe replies , swéete tauntes , and delightfull iests , that as he was an Adamant to euery eie , for his beautie , so he was a Syren to euery care for his eloquence , drawing women desirous of his company , as Orpheus the Bachanals with his melodie . Fit he was for all companies , as a man that had wit at will , his countenaunce at commaunde , and his thoughts in his fist . He could with Cleanthes studie with a Candle , and with Brutus determine in the night , and yet with Salern● say , Balnea , vina , venus , &c. Haec nocent oculis sed vigilare magis .

With Diogenes he would eate Coleworts , with Aristippus delicates , with Aristotle he would allow Materia prima , with Moses , that there was no forma nor priuatio , but fiat . To be briefe , he could cretizare cum Cretensibus , and pay sterling where he had receiued money that was currant : he contrary to the disposition of his brother frequented such company as was agréeable , both to his yeares , and his thoughts , spending the time as pleasant as his wit could deuise , and his pursse maintaine , and would haue done more if olde Rabby Bilessy his father had not ouerlooked him with a carefull eye : but as the Storke when he sées his yong too forward to flie , beateth them into the nest , so Bilessy when he saw his sonne beginning to soare too high with Icaru● , he cried to him , Medium tutissimum , with a fatherly voice , so reclayming him from proouing too rauening . Philador féeling his father he is the reines of his libertie with a hard hand , and that if he bated neuer so little , he was checkt to the fist , thought to desire that he might trauell , and sée the worlde , and not to be brought vp at home like a meacocke : finding therefore one day his olde father sitting alone in an Arbour , he beganne thus :

Philadors request to olde Rabby Bilessy .

SIr , quoth he , when I consider with my selfe , what experience Vlysses got by trauersing strange Countries , what Aphorismes the Philosophers sought into , by séeking farre from home , I may either thinke your fatherly loue too tender , that limits me no further then your lookes , or mine owne ●olly great that couet no further trauelles . Tully saide , euerie Countrie is a wise mans natiue home , and Thales Milesius thought , as the Sunne doth compasse the worlde in a day , so a man should cut through the worlde in his life , and buy that abroade with trauell , which at home could be purchased with no treasure . If Plato had liued still in Greece , he had neuer fetcht his strange hieroglyphicks from the Egyptians , if Aristotle had still like a my●her béene stewed vp in Stagyra , he had neuer written his workes De natura Animalium to Alexander : Trauell ( father ) is the mother of experience , and for euery peny of expense , it returns home laden with a pound of wisedome . Men are not borne to be tyed to their Cradles , nor ought we with the Tortoise to carry our house vppon our backe : the Egles no sooner sée the pennes of their young ones able to make wing , but they pull their nests asunder , and let them fly . What ? Fortune hateth meacockes , and shutteth hir hand to such as feare to séeke where she is : here at home I deny not but I shall haue wealth , but gotten by your labours , and lands purchased by your trauels , so like a Droane shall I féede on that hony which others haue brought home vnto the Hiue : in Callipolis I may learne to traffique , and to take a turne vp and downe the Exchange , I may for pleasure take a walke about your pastures , and either with the hounde course the Hart , and with the hawke flie the Phesant : recreations they be , and fit for such as thinke no smell good , but their Countries smoake . But in trauelling forraine nations , and trauersing the Paralels , I shall sée the manners of men , the customs of countries , the diuersities of languages , and the sundry secrets the mother earth ministreth , I shal be able at my returne with the Geographers to describe the scituation of the earth , with Cosmographers to talke of Citties , Townes , Seas , and Riuers , to make reporte what the Chaldées be in Aegypt , the Gymnosophists in India , the Burgonians in Hetruria , the Sophi in Gretia , the Druydes in France , to talke as well as Aristotle of the nature of beastes , as well as Plinie of Trées and Plants , as Gesnerus of mineralles and stones : thus wit augmented by experience , shall make me a generall man , fitte any way to profite my Common wealth . Further , I shall haue a déepe insight into customes of all countries , I shall sée how the Gretians prise of learning , how they va●●●● Chiualrie , and practise their Youth in both , so shall I taste of a Scholler , and sauour of a Souldier , able , when I returne , in peace to apply my Booke , and in warre to vse my Launce . Séeing then ( sir ) I am in the prime of my youth , liuing at home , onely to féede your lookes , let me not so idlely passe ouer the flower of mine age , but giue me leaue to passe abroade , that I may returne home to your ioy and my countries comforte . Olde Rabby Bilessy hearing his sonne in this minde , beganne to wonder what newe desire , to sée strange countries , had tickled his sonnes humour , but knowing yong wits were wandring , he beganne to reclaime him thus :

Rabby Bilessies answere to his sonne Philador .

SOnne , quoth he , thou séest my yeares are many , and therefore my experience should be much , that age hath furrowed many wrinckles in my face , wherein are hidden many actions of déepe aduice , my white haires , I tell thée , haue séene many Winters , and further haue I trauelled then I either reaped wisedome or profite . Sonne , as yet thou hast not eaten breade with one tooth , nor hath the blacke Oxe troden vppon thy foote , thou hast onely fed on the fruits of my labours , and therefore dost thou couet to taste of straunge pleasures : But knowest thou Philador what a long haruest thou shouldest reape for a little corne ? What hie hazards thou shouldest thorough for little amends ? What large preiudice for small profite , thou wouldest say , Nolo tanti poenitentiam emere . First , ( my sonne ) note thou arte here in thy natiue country loued of thy friends , and feared of thine enemies , here hast thou plenty at commaunde , and Fortune daunceth attendance on thy will . If thou wilt be a Scholler , thou hast here learned men with whome to conuerse : if a traueller , and desirous to know the customes and manners of men , here by Iewes , Grecians , Arrabians , Indians , and men of all nations , who may sullie descipher to thée the nature of euerie climate , for the scituation of the world , thou hast Mappes , and maiest wander in them as farre with thine eie , as thou wouldest repent to trauel with thy foote . Séeing then thou maiest learne as much in Callipolis as Vlysses found in all his wearie & dangerous iornies , content thée with these helpes , and rest at home with thine olde Father in quiet , for ( my sonne ) in trauell thou shalt pocket vp much disparagement of humor , which I know will bée gréeuefull to thy patience : thou must fit thine humour to the place , and the person , be he neuer so base . If he wrong thée , thou must either beare his braue , or féele the force of his weapon , thou shalt be faine to content thée with the meridionall heate that scortcheth , and passe thorough the septentrional cloudes that fréeze , ofte in daunger of théeues , many times of wilde beastes , and euer of flatterers . In Creete thou must learne to lie , in Paphos to be a louer , in Greece a dissembler , thou must bring home pride from Spaine , lasciuiousnesse from Italie , gluttonie from England , and carowsing from the Danes . Thus ( my sonne ) packe thée foorth with as manie vertues as thou canst beare , thou shalt disourthen them all , and returne home with as many vices as thou canst bring . Therefore rest thée from that foolish desire to trauell , and content thée at home with thine olde father in quiet . All these perswasiue principles of the old Rabby could not disswade Philador from the intent of his trauels , but that he replied so cunningly , and so importunately , that the olde man was faine to graunt , and bade him prouide him all things necessarie for his iourney . Philador was not slacke in this , but with all spéede possible , did his indeuour , so that within shorte time he had all things in a readinesse : at last , the day of his departure came , and then his father bringing foorth in coine great store of treasure , deliuered it vnto his sonne as his portion , and then sitting downe with his staffe in his hand , and his handkercher at his eies , for the olde man wept , he gaue his sonne this farewell :

Rabbi Bilessies farewell to his sonne Philador .

NOw my sonne , that I must take my leaue of thée , and say farewell to him that perhaps shall fare ill , yet before we part , marke and note these fewe precepts which thy father hath bought with m●ny yeares , and great experience .

First ( my Sonne ) serue God , let him be the author of all thy actions , please him with prayer and pennance , least if hee frowne , he confound all thy fortunes , and thy labours be like the droppes of raine in a sandy ground .

Then forward let thine owne safetie be thy next care , and in all thy attemptes foresée the end , and be wise for thy selfe .

Be courteous to all , offensiue to none , and brooke any iniurie with patience , for reuenge is preiudiciall to a Trauailer . ●● and passed vp into the continent almost a whole day without discrying either towne , village , hamlet , or house , so that wearied , he allighted and walked a foote downe a vale , where he descryed a Shepheard and his wife sitting kéeping flockes , he of shéepe , she of Kids , Philador glad of this , bad his men be of good cheare for now ( quoth he ) I haue within ken a countrie swayne , and he shall direct vs to some place of rest , with that he paced on easely , and séeing them sit so me together , and so louingly , he thought to steale vpon them to sée what they were doing , and therefore giuing his horse to one of his boyes , he went afore himselfe , and found them sitting in this manner .

The description of the Shepheard and his wife . IT was néere a thickie shade , That broad leaues of Beach had made : Ioyning all their toppes so nie , That scarce Phebus in could prie , To sée if Louers in the thicke , Could dally with a wanton tricke . Where sate this Swayne and his wife , Sporting in that pleasing life , That Corridon commendeth so , All other liues to ouer-go . He and she did sit and kéepe , Flockes of Kids , and foul●es of shéepe : He vpon his pipe did play , She tuned voyce vnto his lay . And for you might her Huswife knowe , Uoyce did sing and fingers sowe : He was young , his coat was gréene , With weltes of white seamde betwéene , Turned ouer with a flappe , That breast and bosome in did wrappe , Skirtes side and plighted frée , Séemely hanging to his knée . A whittle with a siluer chape , Cloke was russet and the cape , Serued for a Bonnet oft , To shrowd him from the wet aloft . A leather scrip of collour red , With a button on the head , A Bottle full of Countrie whigge , By the Shepheards side did ligge , And in a little bush hard by , There the Sheapheards dogge did ly , Who while his Maister gan to sléepe , Well could watch both Kides and shéepe● The Shepheard was a frolicke swayne , For though his parrell was but playne , Yet doone the Authors soothly say , His cullour was both fresh and gay . And in their writtes playne discusse● Fayrer was not Tytirus , Nor Menalcas whom they call , The Alderléefest Swayne of all , Séeming him was his wife , Both in line and in life . Faire shée was as faire might bée , Like the Roses on the trée : Buxsane blie●● , and young I wéene , Beauteous like to Sommers Quéene , For her chéekes were ruddie hued , As if Lyllies were imbrued , With drops of bloud to make thée white , Please the eye with more delight , Loue did lye within her eyes , In ambush for some wanton pryse . A léefer Lasse then this had béene , Coridon had neuer séene . Nor was Phillis that faire may , Halfe so gawdie or so gay : She wore a chaplet on her head , Her cassacke was of Scarlet red , Long and large as straight as bent , Her middle was both small and gent. A necke as white as Whales bone , Compast with a lace of stone , Fine she was and faire she was , Brighter then the brightest glasse . Such a Shepheards wife as she , Was not more in Thessalie .

PHilador séeing this couple sitting thus louingly , noted the concord of Countrie amitie , and began to coniecture with himselfe what a swéete kinde of life those men vse , who were by their birth too lowe for dignitie , and by their fortunes too simple for enuie : well , he thought to fall in prattle with them had not the Shepheard taken his pipe in his hand and beganne to play , and his wife to sing out this Rondelay .

The Shepheards wiues song . AH what is loue is it a pretie thing , As swéete vnto a Shepheard as a King , And swéeter too : For Kinges haue cares that waite vpon a Crowne , And cares can make the swéetest loue to frowne : Ah then ah then , If Countrie loues such swéete desires do gaine , What Lady would not loue a Shepheard swayne . His flockes once foulded he comes home at night , As merry as a King in his delight , And merrier too : For Kinges bethinke them what the state require , Where shepheards carelesse Carroll by the fire . Ah then , ah then , If countrie loues such swéete desires gaine , What Ladie would not loue a shepheard swaine . He kisseth first , then sits as blyth to eate , His creame and curds , as doth the King his meate , And blyther too : For Kinges haue often feares when they do suppe , Where Shepheards dread no poyson in their cuppe . Ah then , ah then , If countrie loues such swéete desires gaine , What Ladie would not loue a shepheard swaine . To bed he goes , as wanton then I wéene , As is a King in dalliance with a Quéene , More wanton too : For Kinges haue many griefes affectes to mooue , Where Shepheards haue no greater griefe then loue , Ah then , ah then , If countrie loues such swéete desires gaine , What Ladie would not loue a shepheard swaine . Upon his couch of straw he sléepes as sound , As doth the King vpon his beds of downe , More sounder too : For cares cause Kinges full oft their sléepe to spill , Where wearie Shepheards lie and snort their fill , Ah then , ah then , If country loues such swéete desires gaine , What Ladie would not loue a Shepheard swayne . Thus with his wife he spendes the yeare as blyth , As doth the King at euerie tyde or syth , And blyther too : For Kings haue warres and broyles to take in hand , When shepheards laugh and loue vpon the land . Ah then , ah then , If countrie loues such swéete desires gayne , What Ladie would not loue a shepheard swayne .

The Shepheards wife hauing thus ended her song , Philador standing by , thought to interrupt them , and so beganne to salute them thus : My friends ( quoth he ) good fortune to your selues , and welfare to your flockes , being a straunger in this Countrie , and vncooth in these plaines , I haue stragled all this day wearie and thirstie , not hauing discryed towne or house , onely your selues the first welcome obiectes to our eyes : may I therefore of courtesie craue your direction to some place of rest , I shall for such kindnesse requite you with thankes . The Shepheard starting vp , and séing he was a Gentleman of some calling by his trayne , put off his bonnet and answered him thus : Sir , quoth he , you are welcome , and such courteous straungers as your selfe , haue such simple swaynes at commande with your lookes in greater matters then direction of wayes , for to that wee are by courtesie bound to euerie common Trauailer . I tell you sir , you strooke too much vpon the South , and so might haue wandered all day and at night haue béene glad of a thicket , for this way there is no lodging , but whereas me thought you sayde you were wearie and thirstie , first take my bottle and taste of my drinke , scorne it not , for we Shepheards haue heard tell , that one Darius a great King , being dry , was glad to swincke his fill of a shepheards bottle : hunger néedes no sauce , and thirst turnes water into wine , this we earne with our handes thrift , and this wee carowse of to ease our hearts thirst , spare it not sir , there s more mault in the floore . Philador hearing the shepheard in such a liberall kinde of phrase , set his bottle to his head , and drunke a heartie draught , thinking it as sauorie as euer he tasted at home in his fathers house : well , he dranke and hee gaue the shepheard thankes , who still went forward in his prattle thus : now that you haue quencht your thirst for the way it is so hard to finde , as how charely soeuer I giue you direction , yet vnlesse by great fortune you shall misse of the way , and therefore séeing it is night I will leaue my wife and my boy to fould the flackes , and I my selfe will guide you on to the view of a towne . Philador gaue him a thousand gramercies , and excepted his gentle proffer , and the shepheard hee telling his wife where to fould , went with Philador , and as they past downe the way there was a piller erected , whereupon stood the picture of a Storke , the young one carrying the olde , and vnder was ingrauen this motto in Gréeke , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Philador demanded of the Shephearde what this picture ment , marry ●ir quoth he , it is the representation of a Lombe , for here was buried a lustie young shepheard , whose name was Merador : who hauing a father that was so old as he could not goe , was so kinde to his olde syre , that he spent all his labours to reléeue his fathers wants , nourishing him vp with such fare as his flockes could yéeld or his penny buy , and when the man would couet to take the ayre euen to this place from his lodge would Merador bring him on his shoulders , resembling they say , herein the Storke , who when she sées the damme is so olde she cannot fly , the young takes him on his backe , and carries him from place to place for foode , and for that Merador did so to his father , after his death they buried him here with this picture : It was well done ( quoth Philador ) but if I be not gréeuous in questions what monument is that which standeth on yonder hill , our way lies by it ( quoth the shepheard ) and then I will tell you it . In the meane time looke you here quoth he , and with that he shewed him a stone lying vpon the ground , whereupon was ingrauen these words .

Non ridet periuria Amantum Iupiter .

Here was buried a shepheard , who in this place forswearing his loue fell mad , and after in this place slew himselfe , and was here buried , whereupon in memorie of the fact , the shepheards erected this monument as a terrour to the rest to beware of the like treacherie . By this they were come to the hill where Philador saw a Tombe most curiously contriued with stately architecture , as it séemed some cunning caruer had discouered the excellence of his workemanship , vpon it stoode the picture of a woman of wonderfull beauty naked only , her haire trussed vp in a caull of gold , and one legge crossing an other by art to shadowe that which nature commandes be secret , in her left hand she held a heart , where out issued droppes of bloud , in her right hand she held a piller , whereon stoode a blacke Swan and the old verse written about .

Rara Auis in terris nigróque simillima Cigno .

Philador séeing by the beautie of the Tombe , that it was some monument of worth , demaunded of the shepheard who was buryed there , at this the shephearde stayd , and with a great sigh , beganne thus , I will tell you sir , quoth hee , here was intombed the faire Thessalian mayde , so famozed in all writinges vnder the name of Phillis , for loue she dyed , and sith it is a wonder that weomen should perish for affection , being as rare a thing as to sée a blacke Swanne , they haue placed her here houlding a black-Swanne with the poesie , and sith we haue yet a mile , and more to the place whether I meane to bring you , I will rehearse you the course of her life , and the cause of her death , and so the shepheard beganne thus .

The Shepheards tale .

HEre in Thessaly dwelled a shepheard called Sydaris , a man of meane parentage , but of good possessions , and many vertues , for he was holden the chiefe of all our Shepheards , not onely for his wealth , but for his honest qualities : this Sydaris liued long without any issue , that he meante to make a sisters sonne he had , his heire , but Fortune that ment to please the olde man in his age , euen in the winter of his yeares , gaue him by a yong wife a yong daughter called Rosamond , which , as she was a ioy to the olde Shepheard at her birth , so she grewe in processe of time vnto such perfection , that she was the onely hearts delight that this olde man had . Rosamond went with hir fathers shéeepe to the fielde , where she was the Quéene of all the shepheards , being generally called of them all , Diana , as well for hir beauty as hir chastitie , hir fame grewe so great for the excellencie of hir feature , that all the Shepheards made a feast at Tempe , to sée the beautie of Rosamond , where all the Thessalonian Uirgins met , decked in the royaltie of their excellencie , al striuing to excéed that day in outward perfection : gallant they were , and glorious , wanting nothing that Art coulde adde to Nature , filling euery eie with admiration , but still they expected the comming of Rosamond , insomuch , that one Alexis a young Shepheard , who was the paragon of all proportions , aboue the rest saide , that when Rosamond came , she coulde not bring more then she shoulde finde : as he spake these wordes , in came olde Sydaris , and after him his daughter , who séeing such a company of bonny lasses , and Countrie swaines in their brauerie , bewraied her modesty with such a blush , that all the beholders thought that Luna & Tytan had iustled in hir face together for preferment : euery eie at hir presence stoode at gaze , as hauing no power to drawe themselues from such an heauenly obiect , wrapt their looks in the tramels of hir lockes , and snared them so in the rarenesse of hir face , that the men wondered , and the women hung downe their heades , as being eclipsed with the brightnesse of so glorious a Comet . But especially Alexis , he poore swaine , felt in him a newe fier , and such vncoth flames , as were not w●nt to broile in his breast , yet were they kindled with such delight , that the poore boy lay like the Salamander , and though he were neuer so nigh the blaze of the bauine , yet he did not Calescere plus quam satis . As thus all gazed on hir , so she glaunced hir lookes on all , surueying them as curiously , as they noted hir exactly , but at last she set downe her period on the face of Alexis , thinking he was the fairest , and the featest swaine of all the rest . Thus with lookes and chearing , and much good chat , they passed away the day till euening came , and then they all departed : Sydaris home with his Rosamond , and euery man else to his cottage , all talking as they went by the way , of the beautie of Rosamond , especially Alexis , who the more highly commended her , by howe much the more he was déepely in loue with hir . The affectes of his fancie were restlesse , and his passions peremptorie , not to bée pacified , vnlesse by hir perswasiue arguments , and therfore did Alexis finde sundry occasions to walke into the fields of Sydaris to méete with Rosamond : ofte would he faine he had lost one of his Ewes , to séeke amongest the shéepecotes of Sydaris , and if Fortune so fauoured him , that he met with Rosamond , then his piteous lookes , his glaunces were glased with a blush , his sighes , his silence , and euery action bewrayed the depth of his passion , which Rosamond espying , smiled at , and pittied , and so farre grewe into the consideration of his affects , that the thoughts thereof waxed in hir effectuall , for she began to loue Alexis , and none but Alexis , and to thinke that wanton Paris that wooed Enone was not like to hir Alexis , insomuch , that on a day Alexis méeting with her , saluted her , with a blush , and she abashed : yet the swaine imboldened by Loue , tooke her by the hand , sate downe , and there with sighes and teares bewrayed his loues , she with smiles and pretty hopefull answers , did comfort him , yet so , as she helde him in a longing , and doubtfull suspence , part they did , she assure● of hir Alexis , he in hope of his Rosamond , and many of these méetings they had , so secrete , that none of the Shepheards suspected any loue betwéene them . Yet Alexis on a day lying on the hill , was saide to frame these verses by Rosamond .

Hexametra Alexis in laudem Rosamundi . Oft haue I heard my liefe Coridon reporte on a loue day , When bonny maids do meet with the swaines in the vally by Tempe . How bright eide his Phillis was , how louely they glaunced , When fro th' Aarches Eben blacke flew lookes as a lightning , That set a fire with piercing flames euen hearts adamantine , Face Rose hued , Cherry red , with a siluer taint like a Lillie . Venus pride might abate , might abash with a blush to beholde hir . Phoebus wyers compard to hir haires vnworthy the praising . Iunoes state , and Pallas wit disgracde with the graces , That gracde hir whom poore Coridon did choose for a louemate , Ah , but had Coridon now seene the starre that Alexis Likes and loues so deare , that he meltes to ●ighes when he sees hir , Did Coridon but see those eies , those amorous eielids , From whence flie holy flames of death or life in a moment , Ah , did he see that face , those haires that Venus Apollo Basht to beholde , and both disgracde , did greeue , that a creature Should exceed in hue , compare both a god and a goddesse : Ah , had he seene my sweete Paramour the taint of Alexis , Then had he saide , Phillis , sit downe surpassed in all points , For there is one more faire then thou , beloued of Alexis .

These verses doe the Shepheards say Alexis made by Rosamond , for he ofte times sung them on his Pipe , and at last , they came to the eares of Rosamond , who tooke them passing kindely : for swéete wordes , and high praises , are two great arguments to winne womens willes , insomuch , that Alexis stoode so high in her fauour , that no other Shepheard coulde haue any good looke at hir hand . At the last , as Fame is blab , and Beautie is like smoake in the straw , that can not be concealed : the excellencie of Rosamond came to the Courte , where it was set out in such curious manner , and desciphered in such quaint phrases , that the King himselfe coueted to sée hir perfection , and therefore vppon a day disguised him selfe , and went to the house of Sydaris , where , when he came , and sawe the proportion of Rosamond , he counted Fame partial in hir prattle , and mans tongue vnable to discouer that wherein the eie by viewing might surffet : he that was wel skilled in courting , made Loue to hir , and found hir so prompt in wit , as shée was proportioned in body , insomuch , that the King himselfe was in loue with her . The Noble men that were with him , doated vpon hir , and each enuied other as iealous , who should court her with the most glaunces , but all in vaine , her heart was so set vppon Alexis , as she respected King nor Keisar in respecte of hir Countrie Paragon , in so much , that the King returned home with a flat denyall . This caused not his Noble men to cease fro their sutes , but they daily followed the chase , insomuch , that the house of Sydaris was a second court , some offred hir large possessions for hir dowrie , other , as great reuenues , some were caualiers , and men of great value . Thus euery way was she hanted with braue men , that poore Alexis durst not come néere the sight of the smoake that came out of the chimney , past all hope of his Rosamond , thinking women aymed to be supremes , that they prise gold before beauty , and wealth before loue , yet he houered a farre off , while the Courtiers fell together by the eares , who shoulde haue most fauour , in so much , that there arose great mutinies . Wherevpon the King fearing some manslaughter would grow vpon these amorous conuents , and that Rosamond like a second Helena would cause the ruine of Thessalie , thought to preuent it thus : he appointed a day , when all the Lords , Knights , and Gentlemen , with the countrie swains of his land , should méet , and there before him take their corporall oath , to be content with that verdicte Rosamond should set downe , which amongest them all to choose for hir husband , he to possesse hir , and the rest to departe quiet . Uppon this they were resolued , and sworne , and Rosamond set vpon a scaffolde , to take viewe of all , the King charging hir to take one , and , quoth he , if it bée my selfe ( swéete heart ) I will not refuse thée . Here Rosamond dying all hir face with a Uermillion blush , stoode , and viewed all : the King in his pompe commaunded all the Realme , and asked her if she woulde be a Quéene , and weare a Crowne : but she thought ouer high desires had often hard fortunes , and that such as reached at the toppe , stumbled at the roote , that inequalitie in marriage was ofte enemy to Loue , that the Lion , howsoeuer yoked , would ouerlooke al beasts but his phere , and therefore the meane was a merry song . Beautie , though she is but a flash , and as soone as that withers , the King is out of his bias , I must be loathed , and he must haue another lemman . Then she looked lower amongest the Lords , and considered how swéete a thing wealth was , that as riches was the mother of pleasure , so want and pouertie was a hatefull thing , yet quoth she , all is but trash , I shall buy Gold too déere , in subiecting my selfe to so high a husband , for if I anger him , then shall he obiect the basenesse of my birth , the newenesse of my parentage , and perhappes , turne me home into my former estate , then the higher was my seate , the sorer shall bée my fall , and therefore will I content me with meane desires , as I was borne , to lowe fortunes . Thus she surueyed them all , séeing many braue youths , and lusty Caualiers , that were there present for hir loue . But as she looked round about hir , a farre off on a hill sawe she Alexis sit with his pipe laide dawne by him , his armes folded , as a man ouergrowen with discontent , and vpon his arme hung a willow garland , as one in extreme dispaire to be forsaken , séeing so many high degrées , to snare the thoughts of his Rosamond , his lookes were such as Troilus cast towards the Gréekish tents to Cressida , suing for fauour with teares , and promising constancie wyth coutinuall glaunces , so sate poore Alexis , expecting when Rosamond should breathe out the fatall censure of his dispayring fortunes . Rosamond séeing hir louer thus passionate , comforted him thus . She tolde the King that she had taken a generall view of al the Thessalians , that Loue with hir alluring battes had presented hir with many shews of Beautie , and Fortune had there sought to inuegle hir with the enticing promises of dignities : but sir , quoth she , my parents are base , my birth low , and my thoughts not ambitious , I am neither touched with enuie , nor disdaine , as one that can brooke superiours with honor , and inferiours with loue . I am not Eagle flighted , and therefore feare to flie to nigh the Sunne : such as will soare with Icarus , fall with Phaeton , and desires aboue fortunes , are the forepointers of déepe falles . Loue , quoth she , is a queasie thing , and great Lordes hold it in their eies , not their hearts , and can better drawe it with a penseil then a passion . Helena shall be but a hang-by , when age ●its in her forehead . Beautie is momentanie , and such as haue onely loue in their lookes , let their fancies slip with time , and kéepe a calender of their affection , that as age drawes on , loue runs away . Séeing then high estates haue such slipperie fancies , let honors and dignities goe : Venus holdes the néedefull , but not necessarie , and welcome the meane estate , and the Shepheards loues , who count it religion to obserue affection : and therefore séeing I must choose one , and of al these but one , yonder ●its the lord of my loue , and that is the young Shepheard Alexis . With that he started vp , and the King and all the rest of the company looked on him , and sawe him the dapperest swaine of all Thessalia , being content to brooke the choice of Rosamond , for that they were bounde thereto by othe and promise , all accusing Loue , that had made so faire a creature looke so lowe . Well , home went the King with his traine , and Alexis a proude man garded with the Shepheards , went towards the house of Sydaris , where with great feasting the match was made vp . Alexis remaining thus the possessor of the fairest Nymph of Thessalie , went to his cottage , determining with himself when the wedding day should be . As thus he was about to resolue , it chaunced that Loue and Fortune armed themselues to giue poore Rosamond the frumpe , and that on this manner . Alexis going one day abroad , met with a shepheards daughter called Phillida , a maide of a homelie hue , nutbrowne , but of a wittie and pleasant disposition , with hir he fell in chat , and she , to tell you the truth , with her Alexis fell in loue . In loue did Alexis fall with this nutbrowne Phillida , that he quite forgote his ●●ire Rosamond , and Phillida perceiued that she had wonne the faire shepheard , lefte not to inuegle him with hir wit , til she had snared him in , that Alexis could not be out of hir sight , which at last came to the eares of Rosamond , but she incredulous , would not beléeue , nor Alexis confesse it , till at last Sydaris espied it , and told it to his daughter , wishing hir to cast off so inconstant a louer . But Loue that was setled in the centre of hir heart , made hir passionate , but with such patience , that she smothered the heate of hir sorrowes , with inward conceit pining away , as a woman forlorne , till on a day Alexis ouerdoating in his fancies , stept to the Church and marryed him selfe to Phillida : which newes for certaine brought vnto the eares of Rosamond , she cast hir selfe downe on hir bedde , and passed away the whole day and night in sighs and teares : but as soone as the Sunne gaue light to the worlde , she leapt from hir couch , and began to wander vp and downe the fieldes , mourning for the losse of hir Alexis , wearied at last with tracing through the fieldes , she sate hir downe by Tempe , and there wrote these mournful verses .

Hexametra Rosaemundae in dolorem amissi Alexis . Tempe the Groue where darke Hecate doth k●ep hir abiding . Tempe the Groue where poore Rosamond bewailes hir Alexis , Let not a tree nor a shrub be greene to shew thy reioicing , Let not a leafe once decke thy boughes and branches , O Tempe , Let not a bird record hir tunes , nor chaunt any sweete Notes , But Philomele , let hir bewaile the losse of hir amours , And fill all the wood with dolefull tunes to bemone hir , Parched leaues fill euery spring , fill euery fountaine , All the meades in mourning weede fit them to lamenting . Eccho sit and sing dispaire i' the vallies i' the mountaines , All Thessaly helpe poore Rosamond mournefull to bemone hir , For sh 'is quite bereft of hir loue , and left of Alexis , Once was she likte , and once was she loued of wanton Alexis : Now is she loathed , and now is she left of trothlesse Alexis . Here did he clip and kisse Rosamond . and vowe by Diana . None so deare to the swaine as I , nor none so beloued , Here did he deepely sweare , and call great Pan for a witnesse . That Rosamond was onely the Rose belou'd of Alexis , That Thessaly had not such an other nymph to delight him . None , quoth he , but Venus faire shall haue any kisses . Not Phillis , were Phillis aliue should haue any fauours . Nor Galate , Galate so faire for beauteous eiebrowes , Nor Doris that lasse that drewe the swaines to behold hir , Not one amongst all these , nor all should gaine anie graces , But Rosamond alone to her selfe should haue hir Alexis . Now to reuenge the periurde vowes of faithlesse Alexis , Pan , great Pan , that heardst his othes , and mightie Diana , You Dryades and watrie Nymphs that sporte by the fountaines , Faire Tempe the gladsome Groue of greatest Apollo , Shrubs , and dales , and neiboring hils , that heard when he swore him , UUitnes all , and seeke to reuenge the wrongs of a virgin , Had any swaine bene liefe to me but guileful Alexis , Had Rosamond twinde Myrtle boughes , or Rosemarie branches , Sweete Holihocke , or else Daffadill , or slips of a Baie tree , And giuen them for a gift to any swaine but Alexis : UUell had Alexis done t' haue left his rose for a giglot . But Galate nere lou'd more deare hir louely Menalcas . Then Rosamond did dearly loue hir trothlesse Alexis . Endimion was nere beloued of his Citherea , Halfe so deare as true Rosamond beloued her Alexis . Now seely lasse , hie downe to the lake . haste downe to the willowes . And with those forsaken twigs go make thee a Chaplet , Mournefull fit and sigh by the springs by the brookes by the riuers , Till thou turne for griefe , as did Niobe to a Marble , Melt to tears , poure out thy plaints , let Eccho reclame them , How Rosamond that loued so deare is left of Alexis . Now die , die Rosamond , let m●n ingraue o' thy toombe-stone , Here lies she that loued so deare the yongster Alexis , Once beloued , forsaken late of faithlesse Alexis . Yet Rosamond did die for loue false hearted Alexis .

These verses she wrote , and many daies after she did not liue , but pined away , and in most pittifull passions gaue vp the Ghost , hir death did not onely gréeue hir father Sydaris , but was bruted abroade vnto the eares of Alexis , who , when , he heard the effectuall essence of her loues , and entred in to consideration of his wrongs , hée went downe vnto the water side , and in a fury hung himselfe vppon a Willow trée . This tragicke newes came vnto the eares of the King , who being certified of the whole trueth by circumstaunce , came downe , and in mourning attire lamented for the losse of faire Rosamond , and , for that he woulde haue the memorie of such a Uirgine to bée kept , hée erected this Toombe , and set vp this Monument .

The shepheard had scarce ended his tale , but they were within ken of a towne , which gladded the heart of young Philador , for had not this Historie of Rosamund made the way somewhat short , he had béene tyred long before : well , the Towne once descryed , yonder ( quoth the shepheard ) sir , is your place of rest , a prettie Citie it is , and called Saragunta , good lodging you shall find , but the people within it are passing false , especiall ( if a plaine countrie mans counsaile might auaile ) take héede of the signe of the Unicorne , there sir is a house of great ryot and prodigalitie in youth , it is like rust in yron that neuer leaues fretting till it be consumed : besides there be thrée sisters , all beautifull and wittie , but of small honestie : their eyes are hookes that draw men in , and their wordes birdlyme that tyes the feathers of euerie stranger , that none can escape them , for they are as daungerous as the Syrens were to Vlisses . Some saies they are like Circes riches , and can turne vaine glorious fooles into Asses , gluttonous fooles into Swine , pleasant fooles into Apes , proude fooles into Peacockes : and when she hath done , with a great whip scourge them out at doores , take héede Master ( quoth the shephearde ) you come not there , vnlesse you haue the herbe that Vlysses had , least you returne someway transformed . Thus Maister I haue brought you to the foot of the hill , now will I take my leaue and home to my wife , for the sunne will set ere I can get to my little cottage . The Gentleman gaue the swaine heartie thankes both for his paines and his prattle , and rewarded him well , and so sent him away . The shepheard gone , Philador takes his way to the Citie , and for that he had heard him tell of the thrée sisters , he went to take vp his lodging there , and so make experience of the orders of the house , and qualities of the women : in he rode and inquired to the place , and there alighted : these merry mynions séeing such a frolick gallant come ryding in , thought that now their purses should be filled if his abiding were long there , and his coffers full of any crownes , his boy no sooner held his styroppe and he lept from his horse , but the Eldest of them all , a gallant and stately Dame , came and saluted him , and gaue him a heartie welcome , shewing him her owne selfe straight to his chamber , where he found all thinges in such order , that he thought he was not come into a common I●●e , but some stately pallace . Philador séeing so faire an Hoastis , and such good lodging , saide to him selfe the olde text .

Bonum est nobis esse hic ,

And so thought to set vp his rest for a wéeke or two , as hée was in a quandarie what he should doe , came in the seconde sister more braue then the first , a woman of such comely personage , and so swéete a countenance , that Philador turned his doubt to a peremptorie resolution , that there he would stay for a while : this cunning Courtesan gaue him friendly intertainment and a welcome with a smyle , and a cup of wine to wash downe , all which , Philador tooke kindly and desired her they might haue good cheare to supper , and to promise that both she and her sisters would be his guests , a little intreatie serued , and she made faithfull promise , which indéede was perfourmed : for when supper time came , and Philadors seruants had serued vp the meate , in came ( for the last dish ) the thrée sisters , verie sumptuously attyred , but the youngest excéeded them all in excellencie , vpon whom Philador no sooner cast his eye , but hée felt himselfe fettered . He that could his courtesie intertayned them all as gratiously , and welcomed them on this manner . Faire Gentlewomen ( quoth he ) I would by outward demonstration you could coniecture how kindly I take it , that all thrée of you would vouchsafe so friendly to come and heare a Gentleman and a straunger companie , now I haue no other meanes to requite you , but thankes , and such simple cheare as you haue taken paines to prouide , but where so euer I come I shall make report what fauourable intertainement I haue found in this place , and giue me leaue to seate you . The eldest straying backe a little , before she sate made this reply : I am glad sir if any waies we haue wrought you content , but sir I pray you thinke it not a common fauour that we vse to euerie straunger thus to beare him companie , for our custome is to attend belowe , and to be séene little aboue , especially altogether , in such equipage : if your fortune be better then the rest , then say you came in a luckie houre : but we are not so blinde but we can discerne of cullours , and though they be both christallaine , yet discouer a Diamond from a Saphir , and so sir I will take you this night for mine Hoast , with that she and both her sisters sate downe to supper . Philador séeing these , thought on the thrée Goddesses that appeared to Paris in the vale of Ida , and though he were passing hungry with long trauaile , yet had fedde his eyes with beautie , as well as he did his stomacke with delicates , so that euery sense for supper time was occupied . When he had well victualed himselfe , and that his belly beganne to be full , he thought to try their wits with chat , and therefore began thus . Now Gentlewomen doe I finde the olde Prouerbe true , better fill a mans belly then his eye , for your sauorie vituals hath staied my stomacke , but mine eye restlesse , takes such gréedie suruey of your beauties , as I feare by long looking he will surfet , but I am in good hope , if I should fall loue-sicke , I might finde you fauourable Physitions . It is sir ( quoth the eldest ) a daungerous disease , and we haue little skill in herbes , yet in what we might we would séeke to ease your maladie with weomens medecines : I pray you quoth Philador , let me aske you all a question without offence , you may sir ( quoth the eldest ) if it be not offensiue , and how if it be ( quoth Philador ) then pardon sir ( quoth she ) if we be as lauish to reply as you to demaund . Howsoeuer you take it ( quoth Philador ) then this it is , I pray you faire Ladies , are you all maides , at this they blusht , and the Eldest made answere they were . And so ( quoth Philador ) long may you not continue , for feare any of you should die with her virginitie , and leade Apes in hell , but it is no matter , maides or not maides .

Bene vixit qui bene latuit , Caute si non Caste.

The Cat may catch a mouse and neuer haue a bell hanged at her eare , & what néedes the hand a Taber when he meanes to catch the Hare , I beléeue and holde it for a principle that you are all maides : now then let me craue so much fauour at your handes , as to tell me if you were to chuse husbandes at your owne voluntarie , and it stoode in your frée election , what manner of husbandes would you chuse : I ( quoth the Eldest ) would haue one that were beautifull , the second saide , wittie : the youngest , valiant . We haue nothing to doe ( quoth Philador ) after supper , and therefore may it please you seuerally to shewe mee the reasons that doe induce you to this choyce . The Gentlewomen agréed to this , and the eldest began thus .

The discourse of the eldest sister .

I Hope sir ( quoth she ) you expect no Rhethoricall insinuation , nor no curious Circumquaque to fetch my exordium in with figures , onely you consider I am a woman , and therfore looke for no more but bare reasons without Sophistrie or eloquence . Such Philosophers generally as haue written de sensu as Aristotle and other Naturalistes , or such Physitions as by anotomizing haue particularly set downe the partes of man , affirme that the sight is the most pure , quickest , and busiest of all the senses , and therefore most curious in the choice of his obiect : and so precious a sense it is that nature to comfort it made all thinges vpon the face of the greene , because the sight aboue all , delighteth in that cullour . The eye being the suruayour of all exteriour obiects , pleaseth himselfe in those that are most beautifull , and coueteth that euery superficies be faire and pleasing , commending it straight to the phantasie as a thing of worth . For in flowers it alloweth with fauour of the fairest as the Carnation , the Rose , the Lyllie , and the Hiacynth . In trées the eye liketh of the tail Cedar , before the low Béech , and prayseth the stature of the Oake , before the smalnesse of other plantes . So in stones the Diamond is preferd before the flint , the Emerauld before the Marble , and the Saphir highlier estéemed for the hue , then the Porphuer for his hugenesse : and so by consequence in humanie creatures , loue being of all the passions in man the most excellent , allotteth her selfe to the eye of all the partes the most pure , thinking that the fight will be soonest imi●agled with the fayrest , and what fairer thing can there be then beautie : so that loue bringing a beautifull creature , presentes it to the eye , and that liking it for the propertie , conueyes the affect thereof to the heart , and there is knit vp the simpathie of desires . By these premises sir then I inferre that the eye is loues Cator , and who so pleaseth his eye contenteth his affectes , then why should not I choose a beautifull man to my husband , whose exquisite perfection euery way may content my fancie , for if the eie finde any blemish in deformitie , straight loue begins to waxe colde , and affection to take his farewell . A beautifull man why he is a pearle in a womans eye , that the lyneaments of his feature , makes her surfet with delight , and there can be no greater content then to enioy a beautifull and comely personage : and in my opinion by so much the more are well proportioned men to be loued , by how much the more they excell she deformed . In all things the perfection of the inward qualities is knowen by the exteriour excellence , the rose being the fairest of flowers , hath the most precious sauour , the brightest Diamonde the most déepest operation , the gréenest herbe the most secret vertue : nature hath euer with a prouident foresight harboured the most excellent qualities in the most beautifull carkasse : Diogenes had a deformed bodie , so had he a crooked minde : Paris welfauoured and full of courtesie . Thirsites ill shapen , and none ( sayth Homer ) full of more bad conditions , Achilles comely and courteous : if then sir , the more a man be beautifull , the more he is vertuous : Gratior est pulchro v●niens è corpore virtus .

Let me haue for my husbande , such a one as may content mine eye with his ●●●utie , and satisfie my sight with his proportion .

The discourse of the second Sister .

I Can not denie ( quoth the second ) but beautie is a precious thing , and Metaphusicall as being diuinely infused vppon man from aboue , but yet he that commended it most writt vpon it this distichon .

Forma bonum fragile est quantúmque accedit ad annos , Fit minor & spatio carpitur ipsa suo .

The fayrest Rose hath his canker , the brauest , braunch his Caterpillers , the brightest sunne his clowde , and the greatest beautie his blemish . Helena had a skar , Leda a wenne , Layes a spott in her brow , and none so faire but there is some fault : but graunt all these be graces , as Paris called Helens skar , Cos amoris , yet at length she looking in a glasse , sight to sée age triumphant in her forehead . There is none so faire but the sunne will parch , the frost nippe , the least sicknesse will change , or the least exteriour preiudice blemish , and then where is loue that growes from the pleasure of the eye , vaded , and vanisht , and turned to a colde mislike . But giue me that which is permanent that féedeth the eare with delight , and increaseth with age , and that is wit , farre excelling beautie , for by how much the more the interiour senses are more precious , and th● giftes of the minde more excellent then the exteriour organes and instruments of the bodie , by so much the more is wit to be preferred before the outward proportion of lineaments : wit is a simpathie of those perfections that growes from the minde , and what can delight a woman more then to haue a man full of pleasant conceites , wittie answeres , and eloquent deuises : were not the Philosophers for their wits fellowe companions to Kinges . Ouid that was the grand-master of loue , wanne he not Corinna more with his wit then his beautie : yes wée find that as the herbes are more estimated by the inward vertue , then the outward collour : so the glories of the minde are more then the glosses of the bodie , the Cedar is beautifull , yet lesse vaiued then the crooked Synamond , for that men measure the pro●ite more then the proportion , wéedes are gathered for their oper●tion , not for their outward excellence , and such stones , whose secret nature worketh most , are worth most , and so in men , Cicero was not so anuable , but he was eloquent , and that pleased Terentia , Vlysses whom Homer so highly commendes in his Odissea , wounded Ci●ces , not with his beautie , but with his wisedome , in so much that hee is called facundus Vlysses . How swéete a thing is it when euery word shall as a harmony ●all in a cadence to please the eare , euery sillable weighed with a pleasant wit , either turned is a graue sentence , or a pleasant ●est , hauing that salem ingenij which intangleth more the all the curious features in the world : Pallas helpt Pari● more then Venus , or else Helena had still remayned in Gréece , Mercurie was fame in all Amours to be Iupiters messenger , & to wi●ch more with his wit , then he could do with his Dietie . Therefore séeing wisedom is so pleasing a thing , if euer I marry God send me a witty husband .

The discourse of the third sister .

YOu haue saide well sisters , quoth the youngest , to haue made a good choice , both to please the eare , and the eie , in electing wit and beautie , as two obiects fit for such excellent senses , but yet to féede my fancie , giue me a man of valour , a Souldier , a Caualire , one , that with his sworde dare mainetaine right , and reuenge wrong . What is it for me to pinne a faire meacocke , and a wittie miski●p on my ●●éeue , who dare not answere with their swordes in the face of the ennemy ? Shall I braue mine ennemy with beautie , or threaten him with wit ? He will then either thinke I bring him a faire foole , or a wise Coward . Was it the wit of Alexander that won him so much fame , or his courage ? Was it Caesars penne , or his sworde that installed him Emperour ? Paris gote Helena , but who defended hir ? Hector . When the Gréekes lay before ●ro● might not Andromache stand on the walles , and sée Hector beating Achylles to his tent , with more honour then Helena Paris ●etting in his silkes . Yes , and therefore she rested her whole estate in his prowesse , and saide : Tu dominus , tu vir , tu mihi fraier eris .

The Oake is called Arbor Iouis for the strength , the Eagle king of Birds for his courage , the Lion for his valour , the Diamond is estéemed for the hardnesse , and men estéemed for their magnanimitie and prowesse . Hercules was neither famoused for his beautie , nor his wit , but his valiant resolution , made him Lorde of the worlde , and louer of faire Deianira . Thesus was a Souldier , and therefore Ledas daughter first liked him , and rewarded him with her virginitie . Tush , Venus will haue Mars to be hir paramour . Loue careth not for cowards , faint heart neuer wonne faire Lady , a man is the marke all wée aime at , and who is a man without valour ? Therefore a Souldier for my money , or else none .

Philador hearing them discourse so wittely , beganne to 〈◊〉 , and iumpte in with them thus . Gentlewomen , so mary heads so many censures , euery fancie liketh a sundry friend , and what is an Antidote to one , is an Aconito● to another : you like a faire man , you a wise , you a valiant , but tell mée , what if there came in a man indued with wealth , who like to Mydas could turne al to gold with a touch , should he be thrust out for a wrangler , or might he not rather displace beauty , disgrace wit , and put downe valour : I speake this for that I haue heard them say , that womens eyes are of the nature of Chrisocoll , that wheresoeuer it méeteth with gold , it mingleth with it , and their hearts like the hearbe Aurifolium , that if it be not rubbed with golde once a yeare , it dirth . I knowe sir , quoth the yongest , the conclusion of this induction , you would with these enigmaticall allusions prooue , that women are couetous , and care more for an ounce of giue me , then a pound of heare me . I deny it not sir , but wealth and women would be Relatiues , and therefore sir , in our choice , Quod subintelligitur non deest , when my sister chose a beautiful man , she meant he should be rich , and when the second spake of wit , she vnderstoode wealth , and thinke you me so simple sir , that I woulde haue a beggarly Souldier ? No , no sir , whether hée be beautifull , wise , or valiant , let this stand for a principle : Si nihil attuleris ibis Homere foras .

Gramercy for that , swéete wench , quoth Philador , giue vs one cuppe of claret more , in vino veritas . I sée women are no liers , they will tell trueth in those matters that require no conceited secrecie , so he drunke to them all : and for that it was late in the night , they all tooke their leaue of him , and went to bedde . Philador once being alone , beganne to commende his fortune that had brought him to so good a lodging , where , with thrée such wittie Wenches he might make his dinners and suppers with pleasant chat philosophica conuiuia , but especially he highly had in his thought the excellencie of the youngest , being already ouer the shooes in a little loue forsooth , taking but a little sléepe for his newe entertained fancie . The nexte morning he vp very early , and bade the Gentlewomen good morrow with a cuppe of hipocras , and after , calling the youngest aside , where he courted hir a great while , and at the first found hir coy , but at the last they ended with such a courteous close , that he commanded his horses to be put to grasse , intending for a time there to make his residence . The Gentlewomen séeing the foole caught , thought to be quicke Barbers , and therefore spared for no good cheare , and the more daintely they fared , the more he thanked them , so it might content his young Mistresse , on whose fauour depended his whole felicitie , he was not content in gluttonie to spend his patrimonie , but sent for such copesmates as they pleased , who with their false dice , were oft sharers with him of his crownes . Thus sought they euerie way to disburden him of that store with which he was so sore combred . Tush his purse was well lyned , and might abide the shaking , and therefore as yet hée felt it not . The young Courtesan his Paramour , thinking all too litle for her selfe , beganne as though she had taken care of his profite , to wish him , séeing he ment there to make some aboad , to liue with a lesse charge , and cassier some of his men , which Philador séeing it would spare him somewhat , and to please his Mistresse fancie and for his owne profite , put them all out of seruice but one boy . The Seruingmen séeing the vaine of their young Maister , were sorrie that hee tooke that course of life , to be ouer-ruled with women , but his will stood for a law , and though it were neuer so preiudiciall , yet would he be peremptorie , and therefore they brookt their discharge with patience , but one of them that before time had serued his father , hearing what farewell olde Rabbi Bileisi gaue him , thought to take his leaue with the like adew , and so being solitarie with his Mistresse at his departure , he tolde him thus : Sir ( quoth he ) I sée well if Vlisses stops not his eares , the Syrens will put him to shipwracke , if he carrie not Moly about him , Circes will inchaunt him , and youth if he bush not at beautie and carrie antidotes of wisedome against flatterie , follie will be the next Hauen he shall be in . I speake this by experience , as séeing the Syrens of this house following your eares with harmony that will bring you to split vpon a rocke , and here I finde be such Circes as will not onely transforms you , but so inchant you , that you will at last buy repentance with too déere a price . Ah Master doe you not remember the precepts that your father gaue you , especially against women , nay chiefely against such weomen as these , whose eyes are snares , whose words are charmes , whose hands are birdlime , whose deceipt is much , whose desires are insatiable , whose couetousnes is like the Hidaspis , that the more it drinkes , the more thirstie it is , whose conscience is like a Pomice stone , light and full of hoales , whose loue is for lucre , whose heart is light on your person , whose hand heauie on your purse , being Uultures that will eate men aliue . Ah master be not blinded with a Courtezan , there are more maydes then maulken , if you will néeds be in loue , loue one and marry , so shall you haue profite and credite , if not lie not here in a consuming laborinth , the idle life is the mother of al mischiefe , it fretteth as rust doth yron , and eateth as a worme in the wood , till all perish . Liue not here Maister without doing somewhat , Mars himselfe hateth to be euer on Venus lappe , he scorneth to lie at racke and maunger . Consider how the Caldes haue set downe in their writings , that from the first creation of the world idlenes was had in hatred , and man was commaunded to satisfie his thirst with his hands thrift . Adam tilled the earth , and fed himselfe with his labours : Iuball exercised Musike , and spent his time in practising the simpathy of sundry soundes : Tubalcaine did worke in mettalles , and was a graner in brasse : Noe hauing the worlde before him for his inher●●ance yet planted Uineyardes , tush , all the holy Israelites liued by their labours , and men hated to haue an houre idlely spent : Traian numbred not that day amongst the date of his life , which he had wholy consumed in idlenesse . If then this lasciuious kinde of life be so odious , shake off these Calip●es , trauell with Vlysses , sée countries , and you shall as he did returne to Ithaca with credite . Be a Souldiour , winne honour by armes : a Courtier winne fauour of some King with seruice , a Scholler , get to some vniuersitie , and for a while apply your booke , sit not here like Sardanapalus amongest women , be not bewitched wyth Hercules , to spinne by Omphales side , leaue all , yet may yée stop before you come to the bottome , but if you be so besotted , that no counsaile shall preuaile , I am glad that I may not sée your future misfortunes . Although these words of his man driue him into a dumpe , and made him call to remembraunce his fathers farewell , yet did he so doate on his yong loue , that he bade his man be iogging , and so went downe into the parlour to shake off melancholy with company . Thus did Philador lie in the fire , and dally in the flame , and yet like the Salamander not féele the fire , for this is an olde theologicall action .

Consuetudo peccandi tollit sensum peccati .

He counted fornication no sinne , and lust , why he shadowed that with loue , he had a vaile for euery vanitie , till that he might sée day light at euery hole . While thus he liued in his iollitie , there fell a great dearth in the land , corne was scant , and the poore were oppressed with extreame penurie , and in such sorte , that they dyed in the stréetes . Philador heard by the chapmen how the market went , and might perceiue by the crie of the poore , what famine was spread throughout the whole Countrey , but hée had gold , and want could not wring him by the ●ingar , the blacke Oxe could not treade on his foote , and therefore he stopped his eares , and prooued halfe mercilesse : onely his care was to spend the day as deliciously , as hée thought the night delightfull , hauing euer his paramour in his presence , whose finger was neuer farre from his pursse : tush , all went vpon whéeles , till on a day looking into his coffers , hée found a great want , and sawe , that his store was in the waining : whereupon he put away his boy , and solde his horses , he had enough of him selfe , and too many by one . This yongsters pursse drewe lowe , but as long as hée let angelles flie , so long they honoured him as a god . But , as all thinges must haue an ende , so at last his Coffers waxed empty , and then the post beganne to be painted with chalke . The score grewe great , and they waxed wearie of such a beggarlie guest . Whereuppon on a day , the eldest of them tolde him , that either hée must prouide money , or else to furnish him of a newe lodging , for there was a great dearth thoroughout the whole countrie , victualles were deare , and they coulde not pay the Baker and the Brewer with chalke . Upon this hée went vnto his truncke , and all his rich apparell and iewelles walked to the Broakers , and for that time he cleared the score . Which , when hée had done , he gote him into his Chamber , and sitting downe , beganne to call to remembrance the preceptes of his olde Father : but as soone as his young Mistresse was in sight , she banished all such thoughts out of his remembrance . Long it was not before he grewe déepely indebted againe in the house , and so farre , that he had not wherewithall to discharge it , and then very earely in the morning the thrée sisters came vp into his Chamber , seised of his truncke , and that apparell that was lefte : yea , so neare they went him , that they tooke his Doublet that was on his backe . Philador séeing the crueltie of his hostesse , and espetially , howe forward his Mistresse was to wrong him , rose out of his bedde , and putting on his hose , sitting on the bedde side , beganne thus :

Why ( Gentlewomen ) haue I béene so ill a guest , that I deserue such extremitie , or so bad a paie-maister , that so hardly you holde Bayarde in the Stable ? Are these the fauoures that I was promised at my first welcome ? Are womens courtesies such sharpe showers ? Nowe I doe sée , although too late , that all is not Golde that doth glister , that euerie Orient stone is not a Diamond , all Drugges that are deare , are not pretious , nor euerie woman that can flatter , is not faithfull . Did you at the first decke mée with Roses , and now doe you beate me with Nettles ? Did you present me with Perfumes , and nowe doe you stiffle mée with Hemblocke ? Did yoou say , I shoulde neuer want , and nowe doe you wrong me , when I doe want ? Then must I brooke it with patience , and accuse you of periurie . I haue spent my portion in this house , my reuenues are all fallen into your pursses , and now for a fewe pence will you séeke my preiudice ? Be not ( and with that hée looked on the yongest swéete Mistresse ) so cruell , if you cannot reléeue mée , yet intreate for me to your sisters , that they bereaue me not of my cloathes , to the disparagement of my credit : remember the fauours I haue shewed you in my prosperitie , and requite them with some courtesies in my aduersities , thinke what promisses and protestations haue passed betwéene vs . No sooner had hée spoken these wordes , but shée cryed out : What a beggarlie Knaue is this , quoth shée , for to challenge promisses at my handes ? and for to tell mée of fauours , If thou hast spent thy money , thou hast had meate , and penywoorthes for thy pence . Couldest thou not ( like a prodigall patch ) haue looked better into thine owne life , but thou must straine further then thy sléeue would reach ? Repentaunce is a whippe for such fooles● and therefore , were thy Hose off , thou shouldest goe in thy Shirte , vnlesse that thou doest paie the vttermost Farthing . Philador hearing this , fetched a verie greate sigh , and saide , Is there anie griefe to a troubled Soule ? Or anie mischiefe vnto the mischiefe of a woman ? Why ? insatiable are hir fetches . You haue had here my bloud , will you haue my heart ? My liuing you haue amongest you , and nowe doe you ayme at my life . Fie vppon such gripes as cease not to pray vppon poore Prometheus , vntil they haue eaten his very entrailes . What sister , quoth the youngest , shall wée suffer this Rascall for to ra●le against vs , and be in our debtes ? Come , let vs beate him out at the doores : with that they doe call vp the Seruantes , and so thrust him out of the Chamber , naked as hée was , and beate him sore , in so much , that they did shut him out comfortlesse and wounded . Being ashamed of himselfe , he durst not tarrie in the cittie where he was knowne , but in all the haste he gote him ●ut of the Gates and hied him farre from the cittie , least that he shoulde be discouered by some of his acquaintance . In the meane while , the thrée sisters beganne for to count what gaines they had gotten by their nouice : and as they did smile at his pelfe , so they laughed at his penurie , and wished that they might haue manie such guestes . Thus were they verie pleasaunt , whilest Philador like vnto a poore Pilgrime wandered on still vppon his waie , going nowe naked that ●arst came riding with such pompe , and séeing himselfe to be in the depth of miserie , that thought no frowne of Fortune coulde shake him from Felicitie : after that hée had wandered a long while , being wearie , hungrie , and thirstie , with griefe , hée sate him downe by a Brookes side , where hée did drinke his fill , and for verie sorrowe he fell asléepe , and when hée awaked , and entered into the consideration of his present misfortune , looking vpon himselfe , he melted into teares , and at last burst foorth into these passions .

Infortunate Philador , and therefore infortunate , because thou wouldest neither be directed by aduise , nor reclaimed by counsaile . Thy Father , whose yeares had reaped much experience , whose white haires were instances of graue insight , whose age contained a multitude of reuerent aduertisementes , foretolde these misfortunes , and with forepointing actions , gaue thée caueats of these most bitter Crosses . The Fawne dooth choose his ●oo●e by the laie of the olde Bucke : the Li●n dooth teach his young Whelpes : and the young Eagles make not flight , but as the olde ones do learne them to carrie wing , yet I instructed by my father , both flie from nature as a haggard , and refuse nurture as one that would euer prooue ran●ning . Selfeloue is a fault that followes youth , and like the ●●●ng of the Tarantala fretteth inwardly before it paineth outwardly : I thought my fathers counsaile to be good , but too graue for my young yeares , quoth I , these preceptes are too ●e●ere for the Kalendes of my youth . What ? hée doth measure my quicke coales by his dead ●●●ders , and thinketh that I shoulde ●ée in the prime as he is in the wane . No , his Aphorifanes are to farre fetcht for mée , and therefore , Quae suprae nos nihil ad nos : What ? I can sée what is good for my selfe , and also preuent a preiudice if it bée imminent . Thus did I flatter my selfe , vntill such tyme as too late Repentaunce hath giuen mée a Mouening Garment . Oh now I doe plainely sée , when my Father gaue vnto mée preceptes , he gaue me more then pence , for counsaile is more woorth then co●●● , but I did then ●ightly regarde it , and therefore do I now heau●ly repent it . Ah Philador , thou werte warned not to bée prodigall , and who more riotous ? Not for to straine aboue thy reach , and yet thou wou●●est néeds beyond the Moone . Nowe dooest thou sorrowe at thy ●osse , and they doe smile that haue gained : whilest that thou haddest Crownes ●rammed in thy coffers , thou haddest friendes enow at commaundement , and wert able to take many flatterers with trencher-flies , thou haddest such as soothed thée in thy follies , and fedde vppon thy fortunes , that did ordinarilie paie thée wyth a cappe and a knée , and that coulde tricke thée vp with Titles of honour . But nowe ( Philador ) nowe that thou arte in wante , they are all vanished like vnto an emptie Clowde : nowe that ther● is no wealth lefte , they are all lost , thy Golde is flowne , and they are fledde : thus ( ●●ore man ) sittest thou comfortlesse and friendlesse , hauing haught witte too deare , and onely gotten this verse for all thy golde : Nullus ad amissas ibit ami●●● 〈◊〉

Thus as Philador sate debating with him selfe of his former Fortunes , and present miserie , such melancholy entred into his thoughts , that he feared to fall in dispaire , and therefore rose vp and went trauelling into the Countrie , passing ouer thrée or foure dayes without any so●●e , that he was almost famished , till at last it was his good happe to méete a citizen that had a farme in the countrie , him Philador humbly saluted , and desired him of seruice , the Citizen looking earnestly vpon him , séeing he had a good face , p●ttied the extremitie of the poore yong man , and answered him thus : My friend ( quoth he ) thou éeest there is a generall dearth ouer the whole Countrey , and many perish through pe●●●●ie , ●●od is so scant that our seruants are readie to famish , and therefore euerie man coueteth to make his charge lesse , yet for that I pittie thy youth , and fauor ●y personage , I will place thée in a farme house of mine hard by adioyning , where thy labour shall be to féede my swy●e , wherein if thou shewest thy selfe 〈◊〉 , thy recompence shall be the greater . Philador glad of this , with teares in his eyes for ioy , made this answere . Master ( quoth he ) pe●●●ie is a sore pinch , and I thinke there is no sharper sling , then necessitie , therfore doubt not of my labour , for I will take any paines to please , and brooke any toyle to content , and so I beséech you to fauour me , as you shall finde me dutifull . With that the Citizen tooke him into seruice , and sent him to his farme house , where Philador kept the swyne , but himselfe had verie hard fare , in so much that for extreame hunger he eate the huskes with the hogges , & yet had not enough to satisfie his stomack . Sitting downe at last , and séeing the hogges féede , hauing a huske in his hande , he wept and blubbered out these passionate complaintes .

Ah hunger hunger , the extreamest of all extremes , now do I sée that high desires haue low fortunes , that thoughts which reach at starres , stumble at stones : that such as gase at the heauens , fall on the earth : that pride will haue a fall , and euery fault is punisht with the contrarie . Ah Philador thou that of late didst swimme in gluttony , art now pinched with penurie , thou that didst inuent what to eate , hast not now any thing to eate : thine eye could not be contented with meane cates , that now demisheth for want of any fare , where be thy dainties , thy excesse , thy wines , thy delicates , all past with Philexenus , through thy throat , and thou left to eate huskes with swine in the déepest extremitie of hungar : ah miserable Philador how art thou Metamorphosed , where be thy costly abyliments , thy rich roabes , thy gorgeous attyre , thy chaines & thy ringes , Omnia vanitas , they are ●allen to the Lombard , left at the Brokers , and thou here ●ittest poore and naked brooking this miserie as patiently , as thou diddest spend thy goods riotously . But now Philador , enter into consideration of thy hard happe , and sée into the cause of thy frowarde Fortunes . What shall I attribute it to my natiuitie , and say the Planets did calculate as much at my birth ? no , there is no necessitie in their influence , the starres determine , but God disposeth , tush Sapiens dominabitur Astris .

What then shalt thou accuse , ah nothing but the folly o● my youth , that would neither accept of aduice , nor vouchsafe of counsaile . Loue Philador loue , ah no , shadowe not vanitie with the vale of vertue , not loue but lust brought me to this bane , wanton affectes forced me to this fall , and the pleasure of mine eye procured these bitter passions . Beautie , ah beauty the bane that poysoneth worse then the iuyce of the Baaron . Beautie the Serpent that infecteth worse then the Basiliske . Beauty the Syren that draweth vnto death . Beautie that leadeth youth captiue into the laborinth , where resteth that mercilesse mynotaure . But rather fond man that delightest in such a fading flowre , in such a manifest poyson , in such an open preiudice . The Déere knoweth Tamariske to be deadly , and will not brouse on the branches , the mouse hateth the trappe , the Bee hemlocke , the Serpent the Oliphant : but man runneth gréedely after that which worketh his fatall disparagement . Ah Philador , did not thy father forewarne thee of weomens beautie , did he not say they were Adamants that drew , Panthers that with their painted skinnes doe al●ure , if my sonne ( quoth he ) thou surfetst with their beautie , thou drinkest Aconitum and so doest perish . Tush , but I little regarded his precepts , but now haue I bought his axiomes with déepe repentance : now doe I finde that their faces are painted sepulchres , whereas their mindes are tombes full of rotten bones and serpents , their browes containe like the Diamant , vertue to reléeue , and poyson to kill , their lookes are like Calendes , that can determine no certaintie , but as the leafe of the Liquonico when it lookes most moyst , is then most drie , so when they smyle , they imagine deceipt , & their laughters are tempered with enuie and reuenge . Ah Philador , what are weomens vowes ? wordes written in the winde : what are their promises ? carracters figured in the ayre : what are their flatteries ? figures grauen in the snowe , which are blowen with the winde or melted with the Sunne : what are their loues ? like the passage of a Serpent ouer a stone , which once past can neuer be séene . They will promise mountaines and performe moul-hilles , saye they loue with Dido , when they fayne with Cresida , and followe Demophon with Phillis , when they are more stragling then Luna , they haue teares at commaunde as the Crockadile to betray , and smyles at voluntarie to bewitch : as long as thou hast gould they are horse-leaches , and will not out of thy bosome : but they hat● an emptie purse , as the Hiena doeth the sight of a man , and will flie from thée when thou art poore , as the fowle from the Faulcon . Ah Philador mightest thou be the last who were intrapt by their loue , it were well , & happy wert thou to be an instance to all other gentlemen , nay might young youth bridle their follies by thy fall , they would ere day say to themselues : Faelix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum .

But alas Philador , Troilus fortunes could not make others feare the like foolish ende . Though Theseus bought Helens loue déere , yet Paris would not be warned , but brought her home to Troy , so thou art but one Swallowe , and makest not sommer : and yong gentlemen will say , thy folly will not be euery mans fortune : but when repentance shall couer them with a Mourning Garment , then they will say had I wist is a litle too late . But Philador why sitst thou here discoursing against loue , against women , against beauty , leaue them as refuse & things too low for thy lookes , and prouide for thy bodie , for thou art here almost famished , and sittest eating of husks with the hogs , whereas the meanest of thy fathers seruants , his hynd Mercenaries hath bread enough to eate , and thou sittest and féelest the extremitie of hunger . What shall I doe , shall I home ? will my father vouchsafe of such a prodigall sonne , who in so short a time hath consumed so large a portion : can he looke on him with fauour that hath committed such folly , or receiue him into his house , that hath despised his counsaile . Ah why not Philador , loue is more vehement in descent then in ascent , nature will pleade for me , if nurture condemne me , fathers as they haue frownes to chastice , so they haue smyles to pardon : as they can lowre , so they can laugh : and they are as readie to forgiue , as thou to be penitent . Then will I home to my father , and say to him , father , I haue sinned against heauen and before thée , & am no more worthie to be called thy sonne , make me as one of thy hired seruantes : with this hee fell into bitter teares , and in this resolution continued , and taking leaue of his master hied him home towardes the lande of Hauilath , by the way trauersing many Countries , and noting the maners of men , he sawe howe folly had wrapt many in the snares of weomens beauties , amongest the rest one day as he lay in a thicke to shrowde him from the heate of the sunne , hearing a great noyse , he heard the complaint of a forsaken louer , who exclaymed against the crueltie of weomen , that denyed to grant loue for loue , and grew so far into passions , that pulling foorth his rapier , there he resolued both to ende his loue and his life . As he was readie to haue fallen on his sworde , Philador stept out of the thicke , and caught hould of him : the Gentleman turning his head , and séeing such a poore snake to hinder his attempt , thought to check him with a frowne : but Philador vsed these spéeches vnto him . Sir , maruaile not that so meane a man hath dared to stay you from so bad a déede , for to this I am compeld by manhood , desperation is a double sinne , and finall impenitence hath no remission . There is no happe past hope , and therefore bewray your griefe , perhaps I may perswade with reason , or relieue with counsaile , measure me not by my ragges , ne estimate not my present fortunes , but thinke as the fowlest wéedes hath oft the most vertuous operation , so the hoode makes not the Monke , nor the apparell the man , but I may sooner apply a medicine for your meladie , then a séemelier Physitian . The Gentleman hearing such a sensible induction did straight coniecture that whatsoeuer his present estate was , his nourture had béene good , and there looking him in the face , and leaning on his rapier , he beganne to discourse vnto him how long time he had béene a votarie vnto Venus , and a seruant vnto loue , that he was snared in the beautie of a yong Damsell , who the more she perceiued him passionate , the lesse she was pittiful , and by how much the more he sought to shew manifest signes of his affection , by so much the more she made little regard of his fancie : in so much that wearied with loue , and séeing no hope of fauour , he thought with a momentarie death , to ende those passions wherein still to linger were worse then any death . At this Philador sell into a great laughter , and after into these tearmes : what ( quoth hée ) art thou so madde to die for loue , or so fonde to grieue thy selfe at the frowne of a woman . I tell thée sir ( quoth he ) if thou knewest howe Fortune fauours thée , and howe the starres agrée to make thée happie , thou wouldest count thy selfe not the most miserablest , but the most fortunate of all men : ah my friend diddest thou as well as I knowe the effectes of loue , and the wyles of women , thou wouldest say : O me felicem quantis me periculis fortunae mea eripuit .

If she be faire whom thou louest , first consider that beautie is a flower to day fitte for the eye , to morrowe withered and to be cast into the fornace : that loue which growes from such a fading obiect is momentarie , and subiect to euery accident : besides beautie bringes with it suspition , feare , and gelosie , séeing euerie mans eye will féede on a faire face , and euerie mans thought will séeke to be partner in thy fancies , and how weake vesselles weomen be , especially if they be beautifull : I referre thée to Helena and Cressida . But thou saiest she is coy , ah my friend , weomens faces are not the Christals of truth , nor their wordes Gospell , what she hates in outwardly , shée likes inwardly , and what she thrustes away with one finger , she will pull againe with both her handes : but as long as thou fawnest vpon her , she will be froward , but be but a litle absent and she wil wish thy presence : weomens thoughts are like babies fancies , that will and will not , proffer them meate , and they refuse it , offer it to an other , and they crie after it , so weane thou thy selfe but from hir for a while , and frequent the companie of some other as faire as she , and so eyther shalt thou drawe her on to be fonde , or else by such absence , shake off thine owne follie . But suppose loue and fortune fauour thée , that thou hast her loue , diddest thou knowe what a worlde of woes thou doest enter into by taking a wife , thou wouldest say , fie on loue , and farewell to weomen . Be she neuer so faire , thou shalt finde faultes enough in her face shortly to mislike : and besides , the fairest flower hath oft the most infectious sauour , the Cedar is beautifull , but beares no fruite , the Christolite of an orient hue , yet of a deadly operation : and so in the fairest proportion shalt thou finde oft the least perfection , and the swéetest face , the most preiudiciall qualities . Who was fayrer then Venus , but such a wanton as shee would neuer want one . Clytemnestra beautifull , but a giglot . I tell thée sir they are sullen , and be Morosae , as was Zenia the wife of Antisthenes , or scouldes as she that ouer-ruled Socrates , or froward , as Marpesia : deceiptfull , flattering , contentious , sicke with the puffe of euerie winde , and lowring at the shewe of euerie storme . These vices are insident by nature , though they séeme neuer so vertuous by nourture . Penelope had furrowes in her brow , as well as she had dimples in her chinne , Artemisia could frowne , as well as shee could smile , and Lucrece though she were chast , yet she could chyde . Sir , beléeue me , I speake it by experience , if thou marrie one faire and dishonest , thou weddest thy selfe to a worlde of miseries , if thou marriest one beautifull , & neuer so vertuous , yet thinke this , thou shalt haue a woman , & therfore in despight of Fortune a necessarie euill . At this period the passionate Gentleman put vp his Rapier into his sheath , and tolde Philador his medecine had somewhat eased his maladie , and his counsaile mittigate the force of his dispayring passions , in so much that his hoat loue was waren a little colde , and the heate of his fancie was qualified with the lenatiue plaisters that grew from his experience aduice . Therefore sir ( quoth he ) as the Date trée is not knowen by the barke , but by the bloomes : and the precious balme not by his cullour , but by the operation : so the outward shew did not alwaies manifest the inward man , but the effects of his vertues : and therefore not measuring your parentage by your present estate , nor your calling by your aduerse fortune , I first ( as one that coueteth not to be vngratefull ) render thankes for your Patheticall preceptes , and séeing you haue kindely reléeued me with your counsayle , as Terence wisheth : Remeate adiuuabo :

I will supply your want with my wealth , and change your Fortunes with my possessions , so that what I haue in treasure shall be parted betwéene vs with a friendly proportion . Philador gaue him great thankes for his courteous proffer , and tolde him , that such vrgent haste of his iourney called him away , as no alteration of his fortune howe beneficiall so euer , might stay him . My way ( quoth he ) is long , and my wearinesse great , I haue many places to tread , and many thoughts to meditate vpon , I goe laden with much sorrow , and little hope : yet dispaire I must not , for though my miseries be many , and my friendes few , yet do say in my selfe to salue my passion : O passi grauiora ? dabit Deus his quoque finem .

Therefore sir , if my counsaile haue done you any comfort , or my wordes béene so effectuall , as to mittigate your affects , thinke loue hath brought me to these Fortunes , and therefore beware of the like follies , for he that shunnes Scilla , and falles into Charibdis : that will accuse Circes for an inchauntresse , and yet wed himselfe to Calipso , that thinkes he may shake off fancie for a moment , and entertaine loue for a moneth , shall tread vpon glasse , and worke himselfe into a laborinth of ouerwéening fooleries . The sunne waxeth low and my Inne is farre hence , therefore must I leane you , and yet quoth he , because I sée you are willing to learne , take this scrowle as a president how to eschewe much preiudice , the only fauour that I request , is that you will be as readie to deliuer precepts of vertue , as I haue b●ene to set downe axiomes to you , with that he gaue him a paper soulded vp , and shaking him by the hande , bad him farewell . The Gentleman with great courtesie bad him adew , and so they parted , Philador towardes his fathers , and he towards his lodging : yet longing to sée what was in the scrowle , he sate him downe and vnfoulded it , where he found these strange Aphorismes .

The Contents of Philadors scrowle , Ouidius . Hei mihi quod nullis Amor est medicabilis herbis .

Loue is a thing I know not of what it commeth , I know not from whence : it groweth , but vnknowen whereof : goeth we know not whether , and beginneth and endeth I knowe not which way : yet a passion full of martyrdome , miserie , griefe , and discontent , hauing pleasures , but tempered with paines , and a short delight mixed with a long repentance .

The Hidaspis hath a faire skinne and a swéete breath , but his sting is fatal , gaze not too much least thou attempt to touch and so perish .

The Crockadile wéepes , but then she worketh wyles , for her teares pretende reliefe , but intende destruction , rue not her sorrowes , least when she reioyceth , thou repentest .

The Syrens fits and singes in a calme bay , but her seate to ●●uironed with rockes , beware of her melodie , for if it please the eare , it pincheth the heart .

When the Tigre hideth her clawes , then she menaceth for her pray , sée either her claw open , or hould her at thy rapiers point .

The eye of a Basiliske is as bright as a stone , but as preiuditiall as a thunder-bolte , whilest thou lookest with delight , it woundeth with death , holde thine eies from such obiects , least thou become an abiect .

Cyrce● amongst all hir potions had one most swéete , and that turned men to asses , taste not of that , without before thou chaw on Moly .

The Hiena will fawne on thée and smile , but if thou folow hir , she leades thée to a demie full of Serpentes , either shunne hir flatteries , or weare the horne of a Hart that driues away infectious vermine .

There are no Hawkes sooner manned then they of India , none eate more , and flie lesse , while she is full gorged she kéeps the fist , but kéepe hir lowe , and she proues rauening , either be not a Falconer , or beware of such foules .

Giue a Cammell store of prouender , and she will strike thée with hir foote , beate hir , and she will knéele till thou gettest vpon hir backe , for such a beast , weare a cudgell , then when thou séest it hir lift hir héele , thou maiest strike .

If these Aphorismes be too enigmaticall , become a Louer , and experience will quickely set thée downe a comment , but if thou canst , find them out , and be philosopher to thy selfe .

The Gentleman read these obscure principles , and perceiued they all tended to the discouerie of womens qualities , wherefore he helde them most pretious : but looking vpon the page , there he perceiued certaine verses , which were these .

Philadors Ode that he left with the despairing louer . When merrie Autumne in hir prime , Fruitefull mother of swift time Had filled Ceres lappe with store Of Uines and Corne , and wickle more , Such needeful fruites as do growe From Terras bosome here belowe , Tytirus did 〈…〉 A gawdy Chaplet on her head , A Chaplet that did shrowd the beames , That Phoebus on hir beautie streames : For Sunne it selfe desired to see So faire a Nymph as was shee , For , viewing from the East to West , Faire Galate did like him best : Hir face was like to Welkins shine , Christall brookes , such were hir eine , And yet within those brookes were fires , That scorched youth and his desires . Galate did much impaier Venus honour for hir faire● For stately stepping Iunos pace , By Galate did take disgrace : And Pallas wisedome bare no prise , Where Galate would shew hir wise . This gallant girle thus passeth by Where Tytirus did sighing lie : Sighing sore for loue straines More then sighes from louers vaines , Teares in eie , thought in hart , Thus his griefe he did impart . Faire Galate but glaunce thine eie● Here lies he that here must die , For loue is death , if loue not gaine Louers salue for louers paine . Winters seuen and more are past Since on thy face my thoughts I cast , When Galate did haunt the plaines , And fed her sheepe amongst the swaines● When euery shepheard left his flockes , To gaze on Galates faire lockes . When euery eie did stand at gaze . When hart and thought did both amaze . When heart from body would asunder , On Galates faire face to wonder . Then amongst them all did I Catch such a wound as I must die , If Galate ofte say not thus , I loue the shepheard Tytirus ● T is loue ( faire nymph ) that doth paine Say Galate , oft smile and saie , T were pitty loue should haue a naie : But such a word of comfort giue , And Tytirus thy loue shall liue : Or with a piercing frowne replie , I can not loue , and then I die , For louers nay is louers death , And heartbreake frownes doth stop the breath . Galate at this arose , And with a smile away she goes , As one that little carde to ease Tytir , paind with Loues disease . At hir parting Tytirus Sighed amaine , and saied thus : Oh that women are so faire , To trap mens eies in their haire , With beauteous eies Loues fires , Venus sparkes that heates desires : But , oh that women haue such hearts , Such thoughts , and such deepe piercing darts , As in the beauty of their eie , Harbor nought but flatterie : Their teares are drawne that drop deceit , Their faces , Kalends of all sleight , Their smiles are lures , their looks guile , And all their loue is but a wile . Then Tytir leaue , leaue Tytirus To loue such as scornes you thus : And say to Loue , and women both , What I liked nowe I do loath , With that he hied him to the flockes , And counted Loue but Venus mockes .

The Gentleman hauing read ouer this Ode , helde it as a treasure , and went home as frée from Loue as Tytirus was from affection , wondering what this poore pilgrime should be that had giuen him such enigmaticall precepts , and praying , that his fortune might be answerable to his qualities . Wel , leauing him thus , frée from his passion , againe to Philador , who wandering homewardes mette with many aduentures , and sawe many sights that had made him for to wonder at the follies of the worlde , at the last he came within the sight of his fathers house , the which he no sooner sawe , but it was such a piercing obiect to his eie , striking such remorse to his heart , that he sate him downe and melted into teares , thinking on the prosperity of his former estate , and the miserie of his present fortunes , as thus he sate in a déepe passion , lifting vp his eies , he saw where his aged Father was walking in the pastures to take the aire , although his aduerse fall were a meanes to make him bashful , yet the sight of his father kindled so the fewell of nature in him , that imboldned , he arose vp , and went towards him in those robes of distresse , that he was banished out of his Inne . And when he came neare , naked , and poore , he went to his father , and falling flat vpon the ground , saide : Father , I haue sinned against heauen and against thée , I am no more worthie to be called thy sonne . Olde Rabby Bilessy looking in his visage , and séeing it was his sonne , Nature that hath neuer such dead cindars , but there be Quaedam scintillulae certaine sparkles of secrete affection , beganne to draw remorse into his face , pity into his heart , and teares into his eies , that , throwing downe his staffe , he stepped to his sonne , and fell on his necke , wéeping bitterly , and yet with such an extasie , as the storme pretended both ioy and sorrow , the one for his hard fortunes , the other , for his happy recouery . Philador séeing his father thus passionate , tooke heart a grasse , and on his knée began thus .

Philadors submission to his father at his returne .

I Know not ( sir ) what insinuation to vse for your fauor , so many , & so monstrous are the number of my follies , nor can I pleade any excuse , the distresse of my present fortunes are so manifest , onely submission must sue to nature for a pardon , and my repentant sorrowes put in plea for some fatherly remorse . Ah the wanton desires of youth , why they be like to the giddinesse of rauening Hawkes , that bate at the sight of euerie bush : and the prime of yong age is as the flowers of the Pine trée , that are glorious to the sight , but vnsauourie , and without smell . Uanitie is the maske wherein it marcheth , and follie is the Page that waits attendance vpon the actions of youth , so that all his affects are slippernes , and the effects ful of preiuditiall disparagement , had I regarded the graue Aphorisms of your aduised counsaile on the golden preceptes deliuered from the experience of your yéeres , or the swéete actions that drop as balme from the siluer tr●sses of your haire , neyther had my fall béene such , my distresse so great , nor my fortune so miserable : fooles are they which say : bought wit is best , espetially , if it be rated at my prise . Counsaile is the swéete conserue , and aduise the purest antidote : happiest is he that is ware by other mens harmes , and such most miserable , that are wise by their owne woes .

Piscator ictus sapit .

But hard is his hap that flies from the viper for hir sting , that hateth the Tarantala , for that he hath felt hir venome , and infortunate is that man that can anotomise miserie by his own distresse : Ah father , had I reuerenced my God as I honored my goddesse , and offered as many Orisons to his deity , as I powred out passions for hir beauty : the● had I bin graced with as many fauours as I am crossed with misfortunes . But I thought he had not séen my faults , and therefore went forward , in hue I thought their faces to be Adamants , their beauties to be like the spots of deuouring Panthers , had I déemed them to be preiudiciall Syrens , had I beléeued what I was foretold , Philador had béene lesse miserable , & more fortunate . But I counted their beauties metaphisicall , their qualities diuine , their proportions heauenly , themselues Angelles : I thought , as the Phenix had none but pretious fethers , as the Myrrh trée hath no caterpillers , as the Topas hath no operation but excellent , so I thoght women to be such perfit creatures as had nothing in them but supernaturall . But at last I found the preceptes of Rabby Bilessy to bée authentical , that as the Sinamon trée , though it hath a swéet barke , yet it hath bitter leaues , & the Pirite stone , though it haue one vertue hath twenty preiudiciall operations , so women though they were neuer so beautifull , yet were they the painted continents of flattery , of deceit , inconstancie , and the very guides that leade men vnto the pernicious labyrinth of endlesse distresse . Had I thought prodigalitie superfluous excesse , my coffers had béene full of Crownes , and my heart void of cares , but I counted expense the empresse of a gentleman , and gifts the thing that graced a traueller : as Traian numbred not that day amongest the date of his life , wherein he had not done something worthy of memorie , so I did hold that Nefanda dies wherein I did not triumph in magnificall prodigalitie . Tush , I did thinke come to be called currant à currendo , golde , why I held it as drosse , and counted it the déepest dishonor to be counted frugall : Par symonia , why , quoth I it is pal●●y , and spa●ing it is the badge of a pesant . The Chaldes in their Hierogliphickes described a Gentleman with his hand alwayes open , meaning , that to giue was heroicall . And T●tus the Emperour said , giue , if thou wilt bée woorthy the worldes monarchy : I counted Cyancynatus the Dictator a foole for his frugality : I discommended the small diet of Ca●●s Fabritius , and sayd A●athocles was base-minded that drunke in earthen vessels . But for Lucullus , I commended his sumptuous fare , and the prodigall thoughtes of ●ulinus . Thus did I glorie in excesse , and thought not that measure was a merry meane . While thus I flowed in the conceit of my folly , I had many that like trencher ●●es waited vppon my person , more for the hope of my pursse , then for any perfect loue . And as the Doues fl●cke where the house is faire , so where the c●rrion is , thither such hungry Eagles resorte . I can best compare them vnto empty Uesselles that haue l●wde soundes , to painted sheathes that haue rusti●●●des , vnto glorious flowers that haue no smell , and so they pretend much friendship , and containe nothing but superficiall flatterie . For as soone as by drawing too o●te the well waxed drie , that my pursse beganne with so many purging glisters to waxe not onely laxatiue , but quite emptie : then these insinuating hangbies flew away like vapours , and left me vnto the déepe fall of my fortunes . This experience hath poore - Philador bought with much sorrowe , and this Witte hath hée purchased with great Repentance , in so much , that the loathsomnesse of my faultes is more then the pleasure of my follies , and the hate of such vanities is greater then the desire of such vices : 〈◊〉 , thou graunt pardon vnto him that is penitent , haue remorse vpon him that groaneth vnder the burthen of his sinnes , let thine eie beholde mée , and thy heart pittie the extreamitie of my dist●esse , And if my offences be so great that thou wilt not entertain me as a sonne , yet make me as one of thy hired seruants .

Rabby Bilessy hearing the penitent passion of his sonne , felte nature pleading for the reconciliation of so sorrowfull a Pilgrime , and therefore folding his armes about his necke , and wetting his chéekes with teares , he made this fatherly reply .

Rabby Bilessy his comfortable answere to his sonne .

I tell thée Philador , quoth he , though I haue teares in mine eies , yet I haue ioy in my heart , these droppes are not signes of sorrowes , but instances of content : I conceiue as much pleasure in thy penitence , as I reaped gréefe at thy disobedience . Ah Philador , haddest thou followed thy fathers counsaile , thou haddest not tasted of this care , and my preceptes suncke into thy heart , these misfortunes had not béene rewardes of thy follies . But to rubbe the sore afresh , by recounting thy offences , is but to make thée more passionate , and me déeper perplexed . Therefore omitting all matters that are past , hoping these protestations are not present sorrowes , but continuall penitence , I admit thée into former fauor , forgiuing and forgetting the follies of thy youth . With that lifting vp Philador he imbraced him afresh , couered him in a newe robe , but with a garment of blacke , as a man mourning at his hie faults and lowe fortunes , and so carried him home to his house , where he commaunded all his seruantes to make preparation for a solempne feast , which was done with all dilligence . Sophonos being from home , and at his returne hearing of this , had his face full of frowns , and his heart of griefe , that such a prodigall vnthrift sh●ulde so soone be reconciled , and so boldelie entertained , in so much , that discontent , he sate him downe at the doore , and woulde not come in . Newes was brought vnto Rabby Bilessy , that Sophonos was malecontent . With that the olde man stumbled out of the doores , and comming to his sonne , perswaded him to thinke nothing if hee gratiously accepted of his penitent brother . Sophonos wyth a lowring countenaunce made him this answere .

Sophones to olde Rabby Bilessy .

Why sir , quoth he , haue I not reason to frowne when I sée you so fond , and to be deepely discontent when I see you so diuers in your actions ? one while with Diogenes to exclaime against pride , an● straight with Aristippus to ●et in surcoats of golde , aged thoughtes should haue but one period , and the resolution of gray haires ought always to be peremptory : hath not Rabby Bilessy inueighed against the follies of youth ? and doth he not now mainetaine it in his owne son ? hath he not said , that a prodigall man is like to a floud that ouer floweth , which inforceth preiudice to the whole plains ? and now he welcoms him with feasting that hath spent all in riotous expence . What is this but to foster follie , and to nurse vp vice ? I speake not this as enuying my brothers reconciliation , but that Sophonos hath deserued more grace , and yet hath found lesse fauor . Ah sonne , quoth Rabby Bilessy , hast thou not heard that inexpected chances , are most welcome , that losses recouered are most swéet , that nature likes best seldoms séene ? Ah Sophonos , and art thou angry then with thine olde father , for entertaining his son that was lost , and is found , that was dead and is aliue again , for welcoming home of Philador , that returns backe poore , but penitent , crossed with ill fortunes , but careful for his faults , distressed , but vowed to deuotion , his mind hath altered with a strange Metamorphosis , he hath ( Sophonos ) bought wit , and now will beware , better late then neuer : Nunquam se●a est ad bonos mores via . Then ( my sonne ) if thou be sonne to Rabby Bilessy , and béest as kind as I am naturall , ●eme , and welcome home with me , thy brother Philador , gréete him with fauours , as I haue done with teares , be as glad to sée him come home , as thou werte sory to sée him depart , and for thy courtesie thou shalte haue his brotherly loue , and my fatherly blessing . With that Sophonos was content , and his olde Father carried him in : and then Sorphonos as kindly as his stomacke woulde suffer entertained Philador , and then frolickely they went to feasting . Olde Rabby reioicing at the great change of his sons manners , in that he went foorth ful of vanity , and returned home tempered with grauity : al the company were pleasant , and a feast it could not be without musike : the shepheards they came in with their Timbrelles and Cimballes , and plaide such melodie , as the Countrie then required : amongst them all one swaine slept foorth , and as they sate , reuiued them with this song .

The song of a countrie Swaine at the returne of Philador . THe silent shade had shadowed euery tree , And Phebus in the west was shrowded lowe : Ech hiue had home her busie labouring Bee , Ech bird the harbour of the night did knowe . Euen then , When thus : All things did from their wearie labourlinne , Menalcas sate and thought him of his sinne . His head on hande , his elbowe on his knee , And teares like dewe be drencht vpon his face , His face as sad as any Swaynes might bee : His thoughts and dumpes befitting well the place Euen then , When thus : Menalcas sate in passions all alone , He sighed then , and thus he gan to mone . I that fed flockes vpon Thessalia plaines , And bed my lambes to feede on Daffadill , That liued on milke and curdes poore shepheardes gaines , And merry fate , and pyp'd vpon a pleasant hill . Euen then , When thus : I sate secure and fear'd not fortunes ire . Mine eyes eclipst , fast blinded by desire . Then loftie thoughts beganne to lift my minde , I grudgd and thought my fortune was too lowe ; A shepheards life t was base and out of kinde , The taulest Cedars haue the fairest growe . Euen then , When thus : Pride did intend the sequell of my ruth , Beganne the faultes and follies of my youth . I left the fieldes and tooke me to the towne , Fould sheepe who list , the hooke was cast away , Menalcas would not be a countrie clowne , Nor shepheards weedes , but garments farre more gay , Euen then , When thus : Aspiring thoughts did followe after ruth , Beganne the faultes and follies of my youth . M●iutes were silke , my talke was all of state , ● stretcht beyound the compasse of my sleeue , The brauest Courtier was Menalcas mate , Spend what I could I neuer thought on griefe . Euen then , When thus : I lasht out lauish then beganne my ruth , And then I feit the follies of my youth . I cast mine eye on euery wanton fa●e , And straight desire did hale me on to loue , The louer like I prayd for Venus grace , 〈◊〉 ●he my mistresse deepe affects might moue . Euen then , When thus , Loue trapt me in the fatall bandes of ruth , Beganne the faultes and follies of my youth . No cost I spar'd , to please my Mistresse eye , No time ill spent in presence of her sight , Yet oft we fround● and then her loue must dye , But when she smyl'd , oh then a happie wight . Euen then , When thus , Desire did drawe me on to deeme of ruth , Beganne the faultes and follies of my youth . The day in poems often did I passe , The night in sighes and sorrowes for her grace , And she as fickle as the britt●e glasse , Helde sunshine showers within her flattering face . Euen then , When thus , I spied the woes that weomens loues ensueth , I sawe and loath , the follies of my youth . I noted oft that beautie was a blase , I saw that loue was but a heape of cares , That such as stoode as Deare doe at the gase , And sought their wealth amongest affectious thares . Euen such , I sawe , Which hoat pursute did follow after ruth , And fostered vp the follies of their youth . Thus clog'd with loue with passions and with griefe ,