The
glory
of
Man
,
Consisting
in
The
Excellencie
and
Perfection
of
WOMAN
.
CHAPTER
I.
Of
the
Creation
of
WOMAN
,
and
Her
Perfection
.
HOwbeit
THVCYDIDES
,
Gorgias
Leontanus
,
and
And
,
therefore
,
according
to
my
slender
Skill
,
and
abilitie
,
I
vow
to
doe
my
best
herein
:
though
I
presume
nor
to
bee
called
absolutelie
the
Author
hereof
;
but
by
way
of
gathering
together
,
and
truelie
translating
,
of
learned
mens
just
Tryalls
,
and
sound
Iudgementes
,
in
the
prayse
of
so
rare
,
glorious
,
comelie
,
wyse
,
louelie
,
perfect
,
amiable
,
and
precious
a
Creature
,
as
is
WOMAN
,
the
Crowne
,
and
Glorie
,
of
MAN
,
even
the
Mother
of
all
living
Soules
.
Neyther
will
I
speake
onlie
of
late
tymes
,
since
the
dayes
of
Annacus
,
or
NOw
,
it
is
sayd
in
the
first
and
second
Chapters
of
Genesis
,
That
the
LORD
created
the
first
man
[
Adam
]
even
of
the
dust
and
slyme
of
the
earth
,
breathing
into
his
nostrils
the
breath
of
lyfe
:
and
so
he
became
a
living
soule
;
being
innocent
,
and
perfectlie
holie
,
even
according
to
the
Image
of
GOD.
Then
,
marke
,
That
Man
was
made
of
a
dead
lumpe
,
and
of
the
worst
of
the
earth
.
And
,
when
GOD
had
put
His
owne
Spirit
therein
,
and
made
it
a
comelie
,
fayre
,
yea
,
holie
,
and
divine
Creature
;
then
,
out
of
the
same
purified
substance
,
Hee
made
a
more
excellent
Angelicall
Creature
;
even
EVAH
,
the
Woman
,
and
Mother
of
vs
all
.
Here
might
justlie
be
showne
innumerable
Testimonies
,
for
the
Honour
and
Prayse
of
Women
,
from
the
verie
creation
,
vntill
this
day
:
1.
That
everie
worke
of
GOD
exceedeth
,
excelleth
,
and
out-reacheth
each
other
,
in
greatnesse
,
and
goodnesse
;
and
still
the
last
,
for
to
bee
best
.
2.
That
Man
was
the
cause
of
the
Womans
fall
;
by
neglecting
her
companie
.
3.
That
the
Woman
made
denyall
,
to
eate
of
the
forbidden
Fruit
;
and
was
overcome
,
by
great
and
subtile
temptations
:
and
,
that
Man
,
verie
impudentlie
,
and
vnadvysedlie
,
without
anie
gayn-saying
,
at
the
first
offer
,
tooke
,
and
ate
;
and
so
verie
rashlie
brake
the
LORD'S
Commandement
.
4.
That
whereas
the
Scripture
sayeth
,
that
Wyues
should
bee
subject
to
their
Husbands
;
is
not
meaned
,
That
therfore
,
the
Men
are
better
than
Women
:
but
in
respect
of
Her
Fall
.
5.
That
the
fall
of
Evah
,
was
greatlie
to
the
manifestation
of
the
Glorie
and
Power
of
GOD
:
yea
,
and
a
most
happie
Fall
,
to
the
Elected
people
of
the
LORD
.
These
,
I
say
,
with
thousandes
moe
,
might
heere
,
truelie
,
and
playnlie
,
bee
proven
:
but
I
omit
the
rest
,
vntill
my
second
worke
of
this
qualitie
:
which
,
(
if
this
bee
jangled
agaynst
)
shall
shortlie
compeare
,
even
to
the
vtter
shame
of
all
the
Fame-stayners
of
Women
.
And
thus
I
proceede
in
Their
due
and
just
Prayse
.
Now
,
it
is
sayd
,
(
Genes.
3.
)
that
the
seed
of
the
Woman
,
should
bruize
the
head
of
the
Serpent
.
And
by
this
Seed
,
is
meant
our
gracious
Redeemer
,
IESUS
,
our
Saviour
:
Blessed
for
ever
:
Amen
.
And
,
who
so
would
rightlie
vnderstand
what
Woman
is
vnto
Man
;
Shee
is
,
in
verie
deed
,
the
first
&
chiefe
essentiall
Good
,
and
Perfect
Benefit
of
GOD
,
vnto
Man
.
For
,
without
that
goodlie
Creature
,
Man
had
never
bene
perfected
:
but
in
more
miserable
state
,
on
earth
,
than
anie
beast
:
for
each
of
them
had
his
Maike
,
for
his
solace
,
recreation
,
and
procreation
.
Thus
,
to
conclude
our
first
Chapter
,
let
none
denye
,
But
that
Woman
is
Man's
Equall
(
and
more
)
in
every
good
poynt
;
and
formost
part-taker
of
every
Heavenlie
Gift
and
Grace
from
Aboue
:
Being
,
as
sayd
is
,
composed
both
of
the
more
excellent
Substance
,
and
Q●alities
.
And
,
in
Her
,
as
in
a
rare
,
sumptuous
,
costlie
,
and
precious
Boothe
,
or
Shop
,
(
and
from
Her
)
doe
shyne
the
beams
of
Beautie
,
Comelinehe
,
Constancie
,
Vertue
,
Prudencie
,
Pietie
,
Charitie
,
and
practise
in
good
manners
:
Farre
exceeding
grosse
Man
:
except
,
indeed
,
in
strength
,
wherein
he
exceedeth
Woman
mightilie
,
to
commit
all
manner
of
Crueltie
and
Naughtinesse
:
and
Shee
the
weaker
Vessell
,
both
in
bodie
and
mynd
,
to
commit
anie
evill
.
And
,
though
Man
seeme
to
brag
of
his
strength
,
yet
let
him
know
,
That
what
Man
holdes
,
hanges
but
by
slender
Twyne
.
By
sudden
chance
the
strongest
thinges
declyne
.
CHAPTER
II.
Of
the
fayre
and
goodlie
Priviledges
,
granted
and
given
vnto
Women
,
even
from
the
Beginning
.
ALtho
WOMEN
had
no
farder
Advantage
of
Men
,
than
sayde
is
alreadie
;
to
wit
,
That
Shee
is
made
in
fayre
Paradyse
,
and
Man
there-out
:
and
,
Of
a
good
,
purified
,
and
liuelie
substance
;
and
hee
of
a
grosse
,
heavie
,
and
dead
matter
:
This
,
I
saye
,
might
bee
sufficient
,
to
stop
the
injurious
wicked
mouthes
,
of
such
calumniators
,
as
are
not
worthie
to
be
called
The
Sonnes
(
but
The
Shame
)
of
Women
.
And
yet
there
will
remayne
a
worlde
full
moe
of
perfectious
Excellencies
,
and
vertuous
Qualities
,
to
be
found
in
Women
,
farre
excelling
the
grosse
,
and
churlish
conditions
of
Men.
The
smallest
part
whereof
,
to
collect
together
,
and
set
downe
in
Print
,
would
be
a
Labyrinthiall
,
and
Herculean
Travell
.
Neyther
could
all
the
Paper
in
the
worlde
contayne
Their
Worthinesse
;
nor
the
worlde
contayne
the
Bookes
,
which
,
rightlie
,
might
be
written
,
In
Their
just
Prayse
.
And
,
therefore
,
I
request
you
,
at
this
tyme
,
to
accept
onelie
of
this
my
little
Knot
,
drawne
out
of
other
mens
great
Gardens
:
No
more
but
to
signifie
vnto
the
worlde
,
the
pretence
of
my
good
Will
,
if
possiblie
my
Power
could
bee
amounted
to
the
Spheare
of
my
soaring
Mynd
.
Then
,
for
Brevities
cause
,
hearken
well
vnto
these
few
(
yet
notable
)
Remembrances
,
of
Honourable
Women
,
in
tymes
past
;
even
to
the
encowragement
of
our
gracious
Matrons
now-a-dayes
,
yea
,
and
to
Succession
hereafter
:
together
with
a
strong
Confutation
of
all
gracelesse
Vilependers
of
this
renowned
Sexe
of
Women
.
Which
sort
of
men
,
may
fitlie
be
compared
with
the
worst
sort
of
Serpents
,
or
Vipers
:
which
,
after
generation
,
having
receaved
lyfe
,
in
their
mothers
bellies
,
gnaw
,
and
eate
thorow
their
mothers
side
,
and
so
come
foorth
:
whereby
,
of
necessitie
,
shee
loseth
her
lyfe
.
Firstlie
,
then
:
There
was
never
such
a
wicked
,
and
vnjust
Deed
,
wrought
,
by
all
the
Women
that
ever
were
,
as
was
showne
on
our
Saviour
;
flat
,
and
directlie
contrarie
,
to
the
will
,
counsell
,
and
disposition
of
Women
.
Reade
,
consideratiuelie
,
&
beholde
,
how
the
Women
advertised
,
fore-warned
,
yea
,
exhorted
the
Men
,
and
expresslie
forbade
them
,
To
lay
handes
,
or
haue
adoe
,
with
JESVS
:
proclayming
and
avowing
Him
,
To
be
righteous
;
even
as
the
trueth
was
indeed
.
Yet
,
vnhappie
men
would
giue
no
credence
to
the
Trueth
:
but
,
most
madlie
,
wickedlie
,
and
impudentlie
,
even
agaynst
all
equitie
,
justice
,
and
reason
,
they
furiouslie
proceeded
in
their
madnesse
:
and
did
not
onlie
Lay
handes
vpon
the
Just
,
as
it
were
,
to
hold
Him
:
but
,
for-sooth
,
they
bound
Him
,
buffeted
Him
,
mocked
Him
,
spitted
vpon
Him
;
and
,
with
all
the
spyte
the
could
,
they
crowned
Him
even
with
a
Crowne
of
sharpe
Thorns
:
Yea
,
and
left
not
off
,
till
,
as
shamefullie
,
and
with
the
greatest
ignominie
they
could
invent
,
They
crucified
the
LORD
of
Glorie
;
even
betwixt
two
evill-doers
,
Hee
Himselfe
having
done
no
evill
at
all
:
but
was
vnjustlie
accused
,
by
such
false
men
as
themselues
,
whome
they
had
suborned
to
be
false
witnesses
.
Hearken
well
,
ye
Monsters
:
because
your
sex
rejected
CHRIST
,
betake
you
to
your
brother
Barabbas
;
who
beeing
guiltie
,
yee
saved
,
and
condemned
the
innocent
IESUS
;
who
is
the
Brother
of
WOMEN
.
For
they
cryed
,
Saue
Him
,
saue
Him
:
but
yee
cryed
,
Crucifie
Him
,
crucifie
Him
.
Yee
prowde
,
faynt-hearted
men
!
Matth.
chap.
26.
verse
69.
70
71.
72.
73.
74.
Marke
chap
14.
verse
66.
67
68.
69.
70.
71.
Luke
chap.
22.
verse
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
Iohn
chap.
18.
verse
17.
18
25.
26.
27.
what
thinke
yee
?
Was
it
a
fit
tyme
for
His
Disciples
to
forsake
Him
in
the
Garden
?
And
did
not
His
moste
boasting
Disciple
,
Peter
,
denye
Him
thryse
in
short
tyme
?
yea
,
with
cursing
,
and
swearing
,
that
he
knew
Him
not
.
2.
The
Innocencie
of
Women
,
and
Guiltinesse
of
Men
,
in
this
exceeding
great
Wickednesse
,
is
yet
verie
probable
,
by
these
folowing
Consequents
.
Because
the
men
were
found
too
light
,
and
vnworthie
,
therefore
the
LORD
made
choyse
of
Women
,
to
be
the
first
Proclaymers
,
and
sounding
Trumpets
,
of
His
Glorious
Resurrection
.
The
meane
tyme
His
Men-disciples
beeing
too
too
forgetfull
of
what
CHRIST
had
sayde
vnto
them
manie
tymes
before
,
concerning
His
Resurrection
:
yet
were
they
saythlesslie
forgetfull
,
and
believed
not
.
But
,
on
the
contrarie
,
His
Women-Disciples
had
great
sayth
,
remembred
well
His
words
,
wayted
earnestlie
for
His
rysing
agayne
,
and
departed
not
from
the
Graue
:
when
as
Marke
chap.
16.
verse
12.
13
of
them
would
not
belieue
that
the
LORD
was
risen
from
the
dead
▪
when
it
was
tolde
them
of
the
rest
:
no
,
not
when
they
saw
the
LORD
Himselfe
;
except
they
put
their
handes
into
His
precious
wounds
:
and
so
,
if
it
had
bene
3.
Beholde
still
the
fayre
Priviledges
of
Women
,
by
the
example
of
Rachel
,
Leah
,
and
manie
others
;
who
were
preferred
before
their
husbands
▪
&
had
the
preeminence
to
name
their
children
even
as
pleased
themselues
:
the
great
Patriarch
Jaakob
himselfe
,
father
of
the
twelue
Tribes
,
and
many
other
Worthies
,
being
thereto
silent
.
4.
How
can
I
worthilie
anough
expresse
the
prayse
of
Jaill
,
the
wyfe
of
5.
Gracious
Deborah
judged
Israe●
6.
Look
how
farre
more
excellentlie
7.
See
wyse
Iudeth
,
howe
cowragiouslie
,
8.
Hearken
,
yet
,
vnto
the
true
Recordes
,
of
the
Royall
Priviledges
of
Women
.
Looke
to
the
Countrey
of
Campaigne
;
where
that
excellent
order
is
yet
,
from
ancient
tymes
;
That
if
it
please
a
Gentle-woman
to
marry
with
anie
meane
man
,
by
force
of
that
marriage
he
is
inacted
a
Gentle-man
.
But
if
a
Gentle-man
marrie
with
a
meane
woman
,
it
is
nothing
so
.
9.
Also
,
worthie
Plutarch
reporteth
,
Gallia
Celtica
,
(
to
the
Honour
of
Women
)
in
respect
of
a
League
,
betwixt
Hanniball
&
the
Celts
;
That
,
when
as
a
Celt
,
or
Gall
,
should
complayne
of
anie
injurie
done
vnto
them
by
a
Carthagenian
,
the
lords
of
Carthage
were
obliedged
,
to
heare
the
cause
,
and
make
restitution
for
th●
wrong
.
But
,
on
the
contrarie
,
when
Carthagenian
had
wronged
a
Gall
,
o●
Celt
,
the
Celtish
women
were
judge
therein
,
even
according
to
their
worthie
Discretion
.
Thus
were
they
ho●den
in
high
and
deserved
Honour
,
an●
moste
worthilie
preferred
before
th●
men
of
that
Countrey
.
10.
More-over
:
The
Troglodites
of
Aethiopia
,
though
a
barbarous
people
(
as
sayeth
Bohem
)
yet
,
being
governed
11.
Here
(
to
the
prayse
of
women
)
I
cannot
omit
to
rehearse
what
one
truelie
speaketh
of
the
moste
Happie
Reygne
of
our
Sacred
Soveraygne
,
ELIZABETH
,
Queene
of
England
,
France
,
and
Ireland
true
Defender
of
the
Fayth
,
&c.
Blessed
Queene
ELIZABETH
(
sayeth
hee
)
a
Princesse
of
Immortall
Fame
,
the
Admiration
of
Her
Sexe
,
the
Helper
of
all
Nations
,
the
Patterne
of
Princes
,
the
Delight
of
Her
People
,
and
Terrour
of
Her
Enemies
:
Borne
to
weare
a
temporall
crowne
on
earth
,
and
to
bee
crowned
with
Eternall
Glorie
in
Heaven
:
Restored
,
and
mayntayned
,
the
true
Religion
constantlie
:
Reposed
Her
onlie
Trust
in
GOD
confidentlie
:
Held
the
Iesuits
,
all
Papists
,
and
other
Hyrelinges
,
at
the
Staffs
ende
steadfastlie
:
Put
Her
Lawes
in
Execution
resolutelie
,
(
and
yet
without
all
crueltie
:
)
Reygned
manie
years
gloriouslie
:
Departed
this
lyfe
peaceablie
:
And
liveth
in
Heaven
triumphantlie
.
HER
EPITAPH
.
The
Griefes
,
the
Feares
,
the
Terroures
,
and
the
Toyles
:
The
Sleightes
,
Trickes
,
Snares
,
that
for
Her
lyfe
were
layd
:
Popes
,
Prisons
,
Poysons
,
Pistoles
,
bloodie
Broyles
:
All
these
incompast
Her
,
poore
harmlesse
Mayd
.
But
Shee
still
trusting
in
Her
Maker's
Ayd
,
Was
aye
defended
,
by
His
Power
Divyne
.
Her
Glorie
,
and
Her
Greatnesse
,
were
displayd
,
As
farre
as
Sunne
and
Moone
did
ever
shyne
.
GOD'S
mingled
Service
,
Shee
did
re-refyne
,
From
Romish
Rubbish
,
and
from
Humane
Drosse
.
Shee
yearlie
made
the
Pryde
of
Spayne
declyne
:
France
and
Belgia
,
Shee
saved
from
Losse
.
Shee
was
Artes
Patterne
,
t'
Armes
Shee
was
a
Patron
.
Shee
liv'd
and
died
a
Queene
,
a
Mayd
,
a
Matron
.
CHAPTER
III.
Of
the
Excellencie
of
WOMEN
,
whom
GOD
hath
made
the
first
Mothers
of
VERTVE
,
and
Instrumentall
Finders-out
,
of
the
most
excellent
,
and
needfull
things
,
in
the
world
.
MARCVS
VARRO
1.
The
Unitie
,
and
Fellowship
,
to
dwell
together
,
in
Townes
,
Villages
,
Freedomes
,
and
Congregations
.
2.
That
WOMEN
were
the
first
Inventers
of
LETTERS
,
and
Arte
of
Writing
.
3.
That
WOMEN
are
the
first
In-bringers
and
Ordayners
,
of
Lawes
,
and
Statutes
;
Politicke
,
Civill
,
and
Morall
.
4.
That
the
comelie
Arte
of
Barbarizing
,
Shearing
,
or
Trimming
of
mens
heads
,
and
beards
,
first
begunne
with
Women
,
in
Sicilia
;
and
brought
from
thence
,
to
Rome
,
by
Tirinius
;
Rome
having
then
beene
inhabited
554
yeares
,
without
the
seemlinesse
of
this
Arte.
5.
That
WOMEN
are
the
first
Inventers
of
Horologies
,
Dialls
,
and
Clockes
;
which
most
comfortablie
measure
vnto
vs
the
Day
and
Night
,
into
24
parts
,
Winter
and
Summer
.
Then
,
next
vnto
GOD
,
to
the
glorie
of
Women
bee
it
sayde
,
That
no
more
excellent
,
and
worthie
things
,
than
these
,
can
bee
in
the
world
.
What
can
bee
more
precious
vnto
vs
,
than
LETTERS
;
For
,
without
Letters
,
the
lyfe
of
man
,
yea
,
and
his
whole
pilgrimage
on
earth
,
would
bee
but
a
continuall
death
,
and
an
oblivious
buriall
.
Because
nothing
can
bee
done
without
Letters
.
Letters
are
the
pillars
of
everlasting
Memorie
.
Letters
keepe
fresh
to
our
rememberance
to
day
,
what
hath
beene
done
so
manie
thousand
yeares
agoe
.
Letters
preserue
all
thinges
done
in
our
tymes
,
even
vnto
our
posterities
posteritie
,
for
ever
.
Had
it
not
beene
for
Letters
,
Socrates
,
Plato
,
Aristotle
,
Cato
,
Theophrastes
,
Virgill
,
Ovid
,
Cicero
,
with
the
rest
of
the
goodly
fellowship
of
Philosophers
;
yea
,
most
holie
and
wyse
Fathers
,
had
not
so
highly
beene
in
estimation
with
the
world
,
nor
the
world
haue
reaped
such
great
beneficiall
knowledge
,
as
it
hath
pleased
GOD
,
(
next
vnto
His
great
Mercies
)
by
their
paynfull
studies
,
(
to
our
great
ease
)
to
bestow
vpon
vs
.
But
what
neede
I
to
speake
of
mortall
men
?
and
of
late
tymes
?
Are
not
the
workes
of
GOD
,
even
from
the
beginning
,
and
His
miraculous
Wonders
,
yet
extant
amongst
vs
?
yea
,
together
with
His
revealed
Word
and
Will
;
and
all
by
the
meanes
of
Immortall
Letters
?
whereof
it
pleased
GOD
to
make
illustrious
WOMEN
the
first
If
anie
would
heere
alleadge
,
that
And
Saynct
Hieronymus
confesseth
And
Aristotle
sayeth
,
that
as
Man
To
proceede
,
then
,
in
the
just
praise
of
women
.
Women
haue
not
onelie
beene
the
first
instrumentall
finders
of
such
things
as
are
indeede
the
Royall
Ornaments
of
Mankynds
inward
vnderstanding
,
(
as
were
Letters
aforesayde
:
)
but
also
manie
other
necessaries
;
without
the
which
,
man
had
yet
lived
,
as
in
former
tymes
;
that
is
,
more
lyke
brute
beasts
,
than
reasonable
creatures
,
had
it
not
beene
for
the
wittie
helpe
,
and
painfull
hand
,
of
vertuous
woman
.
For
not
onlie
from
the
Creation
,
till
Noah
;
but
long
after
the
Deludge
,
Man
lived
on
Achornes
,
rootes
,
barkes
of
trees
,
and
meale
of
such
lyke
thinges
.
Till
,
at
the
last
,
Dame
Ceres
Greece
,
Italie
,
and
Sicilie
.
And
therefore
was
shee
called
a
Goddesse
;
yea
,
and
holden
for
the
same
of
all
our
learned
Poëts
,
even
till
this
day
.
Moreover
,
it
is
soothlie
sayde
of
the
same
Dame
Ceres
,
that
shee
was
the
first
ordayner
of
good
Statutes
,
and
maker
of
Civill
Lawes
:
without
the
which
,
no
Kingdome
,
Common-wealth
,
Congregation
,
or
Housholde
,
could
stand
.
And
yet
all
this
commeth
immediatelie
from
GOD
,
vnto
Woman
;
and
GOD
maketh
her
the
Destributer
thereof
,
vnto
man
,
her
other
halfe
.
And
for
my
proofe
concerning
Dame
Now
,
as
the
Corne
,
and
Meale
making
,
&
Bread
baking
,
was
first
found
by
a
Woman
,
Dame
Ceres
,
as
said
is
,
so
More-over
,
in
the
beginning
Men
lived
most
Barbarouslie
,
Grosslie
,
and
Brutishlie
,
having
not
wherewith
to
cover
their
nakednesse
,
but
the
Shins
of
wilde
Beasts
,
and
barks
of
Trees
:
vntill
the
time
that
the
Women
found
out
the
making
of
Cloath
.
In
which
Arte
Dame
Tannaquil
,
(
or
,
as
some
the
Goddesse
of
good
House-wyues
.
But
the
first
that
ever
began
to
spinne
Wooll
,
was
a
comelie
,
fayre
,
and
vertuous
Virgine
,
in
the
Countrey
of
Lydia
,
called
Arachne
:
as
testifieth
Plinius
,
But
I
know
not
what
would
haue
become
of
sillie
Man
,
had
not
Dame
Pallas
found
our
Flax
and
Hempe
,
and
And
,
I
neede
not
to
make
much
adoe
,
to
proue
,
that
the
Women
are
,
in
no
degree
,
so
greedie
,
and
avaricious
,
as
are
vnhappie
Men.
And
thus
I
durst
appeale
to
everie
honest
Mans
Conscience
:
yet
,
never-the-lesse
,
I
can
hardlie
passe
by
heere
,
to
tell
you
how
Queene
Semiramis
approved
this
Who
so
desireth
gold
,
&
silver
much
,
(
such
.
Breake
down
this
Tombe
,
&
he
shall
find
all
And
,
as
King
Darius
happened
to
come
that
way
,
and
beholding
the
Tombe
,
and
reading
the
superscription
,
hee
caused
open
the
same
:
and
on
the
innerside
of
the
same
stone
was
written
thus
;
Thou
Gracelesse
Man
,
and
full
of
Greedinesse
,
That
Women
doe
surpasse
thee
,
now
confesse
.
Hadst
thou
beene
other
,
but
a
catiue
Wretch
.
Thy
Hands
on
dead
Mens
Tombes
thou
wouldst
not
stretch
.
And
so
finding
nothing
within
,
but
dust
and
clay
,
and
seeing
himselfe
so
farre
deceaved
,
this
greedie
Gluttonous
Man
departed
,
looking
as
angrielyke
,
as
a
March-Hare
.
Eusebius
,
in
his
Church
Histories
,
Yet
,
before
I
conclude
this
Chapter
,
I
must
rehearse
vnto
you
two
worthie
Women
,
who
in
excellencie
of
learning
,
and
Governament
,
were
not
behinde
anie
Men
that
ever
wee
reade
of
.
The
first
of
these
was
a
Woman
borne
in
England
,
of
Heroicke
Parents
,
and
her selfe
of
a
loftie
spirit
,
and
subtill
ingenious
wit
:
and
having
passed
the
English
Schooles
,
at
home
,
shee
departed
from
England
,
in
Mans
Cloathing
and
came
to
Athens
;
which
Citie
at
that
tyme
,
flowrished
,
aboue
all
others
,
in
Learning
,
and
Policie
:
in
which
she
extraordinarilie
studied
,
and
profited
exceedinglie
,
calling
her selfe
Another
rare
,
wise
,
and
excellent
Woman
,
was
Theodosia
,
Empresse
of
Constantinople
:
who
through
the
basenesse
of
the
Emperour
,
her
Husband
,
who
,
seeing
Disturbances
lykelie
to
fall
out
,
in
his
Empire
,
cowardlie
,
left
all
,
betooke
himselfe
to
a
Closter
,
and
became
a
Monke
:
and
lykewyse
her
Brother
Zoc
beeing
slaine
,
shee
governed
the
Empyre
her selfe
;
and
that
so
valiantlie
,
and
judiciouslie
,
that
she
was
(
out
of
measure
)
beloved
of
her
Subjects
,
and
feared
of
her
Enemies
,
all
the
dayes
of
her
lyfe
:
and
departed
this
lyfe
in
peace
,
about
the
yeare
of
CHRIST
1050.
And
,
to
conclude
this
Chapter
,
I
speake
thus
much
,
with
pardon
to
the
Women
of
these
tymes
,
to
follow
the
Vertue
of
these
their
aforesayde
predecessours
.
To
Vertue
,
and
to
Honour
,
once
in
Rome
,
Two
statelie
Temples
there
erected
was
:
Where
none
might
vnto
Honours
Temple
come
,
But
first
through
Vertues
Temple
they
must
passe
.
Which
was
an
Embleme
,
and
a
Document
,
That
wee
by
Vertue
must
true
Honour
win
;
And
that
,
that
Honour
shall
be●
permanent
,
Which
onlie
did
from
Vertue
first
begin
.
Then
sith
these
Women
haue
tru●
Vertue
wun
,
See
yee
with
them
the
paths
of
Vertue
run
.
CHAPTER
IV.
Of
the
Valiantnesse
,
Boldnesse
,
and
Cowrage
of
Women
;
and
of
their
Victorious
Battells
;
farre
surpassing
the
engine
,
or
Cowrage
of
Man
.
SUch
Striplings
as
take
pleasure
,
as
farre
as
they
may
,
to
impeach
the
Honour
and
Credit
of
Women
,
and
to
denye
their
rare
perfection
in
everie
excellent
thing
,
even
aboue
Man
;
let
such
stand
abacke
,
I
say
,
and
withdrawe
themselues
,
vnto
these
learned
Authors
,
who
preferre
the
Valour
,
Cowrage
,
and
bold-heartinesse
of
Women
,
to
all
the
Men
that
ever
were
:
and
,
for
this
purpose
,
let
them
,
with
great
reverence
,
reade
Ammianus
Marcellinus
,
Trogus
Pompeius
,
Justinus
,
Orosius
,
Diodorus
Siculus
,
Plinius
,
Herodotus
,
Curtius
,
Solinus
Pomponius
,
Mela
,
and
manie
others
,
in
the
renowned
Histories
of
the
Amazones
;
where
it
is
clearlie
showne
,
that
the
just
praise
of
Women
,
in
Martiall
affaires
also
,
farre
aboue
Men
,
hath
sounded
through
the
World
.
Now
,
these
Amazones
dwelt
in
Scythia
;
this
Scythia
lying
in
North
-
Asia
;
the
which
,
now-adayes
,
is
called
Tartaria
;
whereby
it
is
knowne
from
that
Scythia
which
lyeth
in
Europe
.
And
the
Amozones
having
no
King
,
but
a
Queene
,
called
Orithie
,
together
with
Now
,
this
Hercules
,
beeing
pricked
with
Ambition
,
jealous
of
Honour
,
&
greedie
for
preferment
,
(
as
,
commonlie
,
Men
haue
ever
beene
)
hee
assemall
the
forces
that
hee
might
:
and
taking
with
him
Theseus
,
and
other
mightie
Friends
,
and
assistants
,
they
imbarked
themselues
to
sayle
towards
Scythia
,
agaynst
the
Queene
of
the
Amazones
:
and
after
great
Skaithe
of
their
owne
people
,
are
returned
without
victorie
;
not
daring
to
bide
bargaine
,
when
the
Queene
in
proper
person
came
to
giue
them
Battell
:
but
destroyed
some
of
the
Countrey
with
fire
,
and
so
fled
away
,
lyke
Men.
But
soone
after
that
,
the
Queene
,
and
her
Forces
,
followed
over
,
into
Europe
,
to
bee
avenged
on
the
Gricks
,
and
on
Euristeus
;
where
they
made
such
havock
,
on
the
Borders
,
and
Frontures
,
of
the
Athenians
,
that
their
King
was
faine
to
compone
with
the
Queene
,
and
to
buy
her
out
of
his
Countrey
;
Great
Hercules
being
slayn
:
In
token
whereof
,
the
Athenians
hold
him
for
their
Patron
till
this
day
.
And
a
long
time
,
thereafter
,
the
Grecians
going
into
Asia
,
agaynst
the
Trojanes
,
and
Penthesilia
,
then
beeing
successiue
And
,
whether
for
feare
,
or
loue
,
I
know
not
,
yet
Alexander
never
molested
the
Amazones
;
but
helde
their
Queene
in
great
estimation
,
and
reverence
.
But
,
after
her
decease
,
when
Men
,
forsooth
,
came
to
governe
the
Amazones
,
all
thinges
went
backwards
agaynst
them
:
so
that
their
Enemies
prevayled
:
and
,
within
short
tyme
,
that
Kingdome
was
brought
to
nothing
.
Againe
,
the
Emperour
,
Claudius
the
second
,
having
Warres
agaynst
the
Gothes
:
and
on
a
day
,
beeing
victorious
over
them
in
Battell
,
himselfe
in
proper
person
perceaved
some
valiant
fighting
Souldioures
amongst
the
Gothes
,
exceeding
manie
others
,
in
cowrage
:
which
hee
caused
take
aliue
,
as
prisoners
;
but
onlie
ten
in
number
.
And
when
their
Armour
was
laide
off
,
these
ten
were
perceaved
to
bee
Women
.
Whereat
the
Emperour
stood
greatlie
amazed
,
and
gaue
them
great
praise
,
and
rich
Gifts
,
judging
them
to
haue
beene
descended
of
the
valiant
Amazones
.
And
,
lykewyse
,
the
Countrey
of
Francia
Antartica
,
is
extraordinarilie
well
governed
,
and
defended
,
even
by
Women
,
till
this
day
:
as
wryteth
Thevet
Hearken
yet
vnto
Lactantius
,
who
famouslie
commendeth
the
women
of
Lacedemonia
;
who
issued
foorth
of
their
Citie
,
when
their
Enemies
had
most
stronglie
besiedged
them
:
and
behaved
themselues
so
victoriouslie
,
that
few
of
their
Enemies
escaped
.
In
testification
whereof
,
those
worthie
Lacedimonian
Women
,
even
of
the
Golden
Treasure
of
their
Enemies
,
they
made
a
large
Image
of
Venus
,
in
compleat
Armour
,
in
token
of
their
Victorie
;
to
an
everlasting
remembrance
,
and
encowragement
,
to
all
succeeding
Ages
.
Neyther
ought
wee
to
passe
by
the
Valiantnesse
,
and
Cowrage
,
of
the
Women
of
Cimber
;
who
,
although
their
men
were
slayne
,
to
the
number
of
one
hundreth
fourtie
thousands
,
by
Catulus
,
and
Marius
of
Rome
;
yet
the
Women
proved
more
valiant
,
and
avenged
the
death
of
their
Husbands
;
choosing
,
rather
,
with
them
,
to
die
,
than
to
bee
deflored
of
their
Enemies
.
And
this
came
to
passe
more
than
90.
yeares
before
the
comming
of
Christ
.
Yet
to
proceede
,
in
the
just
prayse
of
Women
:
Petrus
Cirnitus
,
writing
of
And
Aeneas
Sylvius
,
who
afterwardes
was
Pope
,
and
great
Bishop
of
the
holie
Citie
of
Rome
,
called
Pius
the
second
,
declareth
at
length
,
that
the
land
of
Bealme
was
long
time
happilie
governed
by
Women
.
But
,
because
all
Histories
,
both
Spirituall
,
and
Temporall
,
as
well
olde
,
as
new
,
make
so
much
mention
,
of
the
Valiantnesse
,
&
Cowrage
of
Women
,
I
neede
not
to
tarrie
anie
longer
heerevpon
;
but
to
goe
forewardes
,
in
the
due
prayse
of
Women
;
declaring
to
the
World
,
their
other
rare
perfections
,
also
;
even
to
the
astonishment
and
bashfulnesse
,
of
all
their
Gainsayers
whatsoever
:
And
so
I
conclude
this
Chapter
,
proceeding
to
another
,
with
this
great
encowragement
,
to
the
Women
now
of
our
tymes
,
and
hereafter
for
ever
.
Let
their
Example
bee
a
Spurre
to
you
,
That
yee
their
worthie
Vertues
may
persue
.
Women
they
were
,
and
you
are
even
as
much
:
They
were
Victorious
,
you
may
even
bee
such
.
They
had
great
Cowrage
,
guarded
with
good
Skill
:
Which
Skill
and
Cowrage
,
Fortune
,
Grace
,
and
Will
,
I
doe
implore
th'
Almightie
to
bestow
,
On
each
of
you
,
the
High
,
and
eke
the
low
.
CHAPTER
V.
Of
sundrie
good
Women
,
who
wittilie
,
and
valiantlie
,
haue
cleansed
whole
Countreys
,
and
Congregations
,
of
cruell
Tyrants
,
and
Heretickes
.
ANd
if
men
haue
obtained
anie
prayse
and
glorie
on
earth
,
by
mayntayning
their
Kingdomes
,
Countreys
,
Townes
,
and
other
thinges
of
this
world
,
by
the
losse
of
limbes
and
lyues
;
then
,
I
am
assured
,
that
our
worthie
women
haue
deserved
farre
more
happie
fame
,
prayse
,
and
renowne
,
who
haue
not
spared
their
vttermost
endevours
,
painful
travels
,
their
goods
,
children
,
limbes
,
nor
lyfe
,
in
the
defence
of
things
Aboue
,
as
GODS
true
Religion
,
and
the
holie
Gospell
of
IESUS
CHRIST
.
It
is
sayde
in
the
Booke
of
Judeth
,
that
when
the
pryde
of
Nabuchodonozor
was
puffed
vp
even
to
the
Heavens
,
giving
commandement
vnto
Olofernes
(
chiefe
captayne
of
his
armie
)
to
bring
the
whole
world
vnder
his
subjection
.
Where
was
ever
heard
tell
of
such
lyke
pryde
in
Women
?
But
what
followed
?
Forsooth
,
the
LORD
sent
holie
Judeth
,
into
the
campe
of
the
Assyrians
,
(
lying
before
Bethulia
)
and
tooke
off
the
head
of
the
tyrant
Olofernes
,
even
with
his
owne
sword
:
whereby
shee
discomfited
the
hudge
armie
of
the
enemies
of
GODS
People
,
and
preserved
her
citie
.
But
,
because
I
haue
sayde
somewhat
heereof
,
and
of
Deborah
,
&
Jael
,
before
,
in
my
second
Chapter
;
therefore
I
goe
forwards
,
to
others
moe
;
whose
number
is
so
infinite
,
that
this
little
volume
can
not
contayne
the
hundreth
part
:
onlie
I
shall
recite
a
few
,
and
so
proceede
to
another
subject
,
even
in
the
just
prayse
of
Women
bee
it
sayde
.
Abimelech
,
that
Arch-tyrant
,
murdered
his
threescore
and
ten
Brethren
,
destroyed
the
Citie
of
Sechem
,
burnt
In
this
same
manner
died
also
King
Pyrrhus
:
who
lying
in
siedge
before
the
Towne
of
Argoes
,
a
woman
threw
a
stone
vpon
his
head
.
And
being
blinded
with
blood
,
a
woman
caused
a
Souldiour
,
called
Zopyrus
,
to
run
him
thorow
with
a
Speare
.
And
Plutarch
,
in
his
booke
of
famous
Women
,
speaketh
verie
laudably
of
Aretaphilia
;
who
marvelouslie
,
and
Stand
yet
abacke
,
yee
Despysers
of
WOMEN
,
and
take
example
by
Cyrus
the
Emperour
:
who
(
as
long
as
his
Emperesse
lived
)
being
a
good
and
mercifull
Prince
,
afterwards
became
a
cruell
&
vnmercifull
Tyrant
.
But
what
followed
?
The
Historie
sayeth
,
that
Thomyris
,
Queene
of
Scythia
,
waged
Battell
Satisfie
nowe
thy selfe
with
blood
;
which
,
here-to-fore
,
thou
couldst
never
get
anough
.
More-over
:
Amongst
the
rest
of
worthie
Women
,
let
vs
speake
somewhat
of
Ieane
of
Orleans
,
or
of
Arke
,
But
yet
,
as
the
English-men
were
alwayes
valourous
Conquerours
:
so
also
haue
they
ever
beene
knowne
to
bee
verie
mercifull
Enemies
,
and
friendlie
Foes
.
For
,
though
they
had
conquered
all
;
yet
,
of
their
courtesie
,
they
suffered
the
King
of
France
to
possesse
Bourdeaux
,
with
some
other
adjacent
little
Townes
,
for
his
mayntaynance
:
whereby
hee
might
spende
everie
day
a
Sheepe
,
(
at
the
least
)
and
two
Capons
,
besides
Leekes
,
Salats
,
&c.
as
sayeth
Iohn
Marconville
,
in
his
book
of
the
Prayse
of
Women
,
chap.
7.
Now
,
I
will
not
lose
my
tyme
,
for
the
prseut
,
to
argue
the
matter
,
(
with
William
Bellay
of
Lange
,
in
his
learned
Booke
Deremilitari
)
concerning
the
aforesayd
Ieane
,
(
named
from
Vacolours
,
and
called
The
Mayd
of
France
,
or
The
Mayd
of
Helpe
)
whether
thorow
the
hand
of
GOD
,
or
by
Witch-Craft
,
she
brought
such
great
things
to
passe
.
How-so-ever
,
true
it
was
,
that
France
,
by
her
meanes
,
was
set
free
at
that
tyme
,
all
,
except
Cales
,
which
the
English-men
kept
still
,
from
the
dayes
of
Philip
of
Valoys
,
till
the
Reygne
of
Heurie
the
second
:
which
was
two
hundreth
,
and
eleven
yeares
.
But
at
last
,
the
English
Armie
lying
in
siedge
before
the
citie
of
Campaigne
,
and
Jeane
making
her selfe
thither-wardes
,
to
relieue
the
French-men
,
shee
was
betrayed
by
John
of
Luxemburgh
,
and
delivered
vnto
the
English
;
who
burnt
her
to
powder
at
Rowane
,
in
the
moneth
of
May
,
1340.
To
testifie
Shee
had
done
good
,
Her
deeds
were
sealed
with
her
blood
.
And
therefore
,
Let
FORTVNE
smyle
,
or
frowne
,
bee
still
content
:
In
all
Essayes
beare
still
an
Heart
true
bent
.
CHAPTER
VI.
Of
the
wonderfull
goodnesse
of
GOD
,
towardes
Man
,
whicth
He
hath
wrought
by
Religious
Women
:
And
how
by
a
Woman
,
Britayne
first
receaved
the
Christian
Fayth
.
IT
is
manifest
vnto
all
men
,
who
are
not
bereaft
of
their
wits
,
and
altogether
voyd
of
Understanding
,
That
the
greatest
Benefite
vnder
the
Sunne
,
is
THE
GIFT
OF
FAYTH
,
and
TRVE
BELIEFE
;
whereby
wee
come
neare
vnto
GOD
,
frame
our selues
to
loue
and
feare
Him
;
and
so
attayne
to
the
knowledge
of
His
just
Iudgements
,
and
tender
Mercies
.
And
this
great
and
excellent
Gift
of
GOD
,
is
manifested
vnto
Mankynde
,
(
next
vnto
His
Sacred
Word
)
even
by
chosen
&
holie
Women
;
whom
it
pleased
GOD
to
make
the
first
Heraulds
of
Christ's
Glorious
Resurrection
,
as
sayde
is
before
,
in
our
second
Chapter
.
And
also
manie
worthie
Ecclesiasticall
Writers
testifie
,
That
Marie
Magdalene
,
Martha
,
&c.
did
first
publish
the
Gospel
,
and
preached
CHRIST
Crucified
,
and
His
Resurrection
,
and
Ascension
,
in
the
Countrey
of
Illyrica
,
which
is
nowe
called
Slavonia
,
and
also
in
the
Land
of
Provence
:
where
they
converted
the
people
,
and
brought
them
to
the
true
Fayth
.
Wee
reade
of
Apollos
,
a
learned
Jew
of
Alexandria
,
an
eloquent
Man
,
and
mightie
in
the
Scriptures
:
And
altho
hee
was
alreadie
well
instructed
in
the
way
of
the
LORD
;
yet
Aquila
,
by
the
Priscilla
,
,
his
wyfe
,
expounded
vnto
him
the
way
of
GOD
more
perfectlie
,
than
ever
hee
knew
of
before
.
And
,
the
great
King
Agrippa
was
But
,
to
the
contrarie
,
GOD
had
mercie
on
good
Lydia
,
opened
her
Reade
the
Chronicle
of
fayre
England
,
and
you
shall
vnderstand
,
that
in
the
dayes
of
King
Egilbert
,
the
whole
Realme
was
infected
with
the
damnable
Heresie
of
Pelagius
.
And
Saynct
Augustine
comming
thither
,
to
preach
the
Christian
Religion
;
by
mediation
of
the
Queene
,
after
great
,
and
serious
paynes
,
and
loving
intreatie
,
the
King
gaue
eare
,
and
was
converted
,
together
with
his
People
.
See
,
thus
did
England
,
first
receaue
the
true
Fayth
,
by
the
meanes
of
a
Woman
;
sayeth
Gaguinus
.
Hermigidus
,
King
of
Gothes
,
beeing
Also
,
thorow
the
earnest
travell
,
of
Clotildis
Queene
of
Perthan
,
the
King
Clowis
,
her
Husband
,
was
baptized
,
and
greatlie
rejoyced
,
with
thanksgiving
vnto
GOD
,
who
had
brought
him
from
Darknesse
,
to
Light
,
and
that
by
the
meanes
of
a
Woman
,
sayeth
John
Marconville
.
Amongst
aboundance
of
other
worthie
Authors
,
it
is
manifest
by
Plutarch
,
Boccace
,
and
Symphorian
Champer
,
That
manie
men
,
both
mightie
and
wyse
,
haue
gotten
their
best
Education
even
by
Women
;
and
receaved
from
Them
,
next
vnto
GOD
,
their
best
and
most
wholsome
Benefites
:
as
well
concerning
the
good
of
the
Soule
,
as
the
profit
of
the
bodie
.
And
this
was
more
than
manifest
on
Flavius
Clemens
,
in
the
dayes
of
Domician
the
Emperour
.
But
now
I
will
not
tarrie
vpon
such
an
extraordinarie
Subject
,
lest
our
pievish
Disgracers
of
Women
,
should
run
mad
,
and
altogether
despare
of
their
Pardon
,
for
their
misbehaviour
in
chatting
agaynst
Women
.
Mercurius
Trismegistus
,
duelie
considering
the
wonderfull
Goodnesse
of
GOD
towards
Man
,
in
Women
,
sayth
,
That
such
a
Man
,
as
in
all
manner
of
wayes
,
showed
not
his
full
indevour
in
the
Honour
,
yea
,
service
of
Women
,
let
him
bee
accursed
.
And
,
that
such
a
Man
,
as
avoydeth
the
Companie
of
Woman
,
let
him
bee
buried
quicke
.
But
,
foolish
,
senselesse
,
and
irregular
Man
,
who
will
not
bee
perswaded
neyther
by
Reason
,
nor
Trueth
,
to
shun
his
objections
,
That
they
are
but
Men
,
and
dead
long
agoe
,
whom
I
cite
for
my
Warrandize
,
in
the
just
prayse
of
Women
;
let
him
hearken
then
,
what
GOD
sayeth
vnto
Righteous
Abraham
,
In
all
that
Sarah
sayeth
vnto
thee
,
hearken
vnto
her
voyce
,
sayeth
the
Lord
.
Then
,
thou
that
wilt
not
hearken
vnto
the
voyce
of
thy
Gracious
Wyfe
,
I
denye
thee
to
bee
a
sonne
of
Abraham
,
but
rather
of
Satan
,
the
Enemie
of
all
Loue
,
Concord
,
and
good
Connsell
.
Thus
doe
we
find
,
that
Women
,
in
all
things
,
Health
,
happines
,
vnto
the
man
still
brings
:
And
yet
envious
vnbelieving
Man
,
His
hardned
heart
,
hee
never
settle
can
,
For
to
implore
the
Heavens
,
to
be
so
kinde
,
To
keepe
her
state
,
according
to
her
minde
,
CHAPTER
VII
.
Of
the
Wisedome
,
Learning
,
Discipline
,
and
good
Manners
;
wherein
Women
haue
proven
farre
more
excellent
,
and
perfect
,
than
Man
.
THE
great
Studie
,
Care
,
&
Pains
,
which
sillie
man
hath
bestowed
,
to
attayne
vnto
Wisdome
,
Knowledge
,
Learning
,
and
Good
Manners
;
whereby
their
Names
and
Honours
,
might
bee
immortalized
;
is
nowayes
to
bee
compared
with
the
wyse
,
curious
,
zealous
,
vpright
,
pious
,
and
religious
industrie
of
Women
.
For
,
indeed
,
Women
haue
excelled
and
exceeded
,
not
onlie
the
Men
of
late
tymes
,
and
our
recent
Doctors
;
but
also
the
eldest
,
and
wysest
Fathers
,
and
Philosophers
;
the
which
,
to
the
just
prayse
of
Women
,
I
dare
take
in
hand
to
proue
,
as
thus
:
And
,
because
the
Sybills
are
of
the
most
Renowned
Rememberance
,
from
ancient
Tymes
,
therefore
,
I
thinke
it
not
amisse
,
for
the
present
,
to
giue
them
heere
,
the
first
place
,
and
that
verie
shortlie
,
since
Lactantius
,
Eusebius
,
Hieronymus
,
Now
,
the
word
Sybilla
,
is
not
the
name
of
anie
particular
Woman
;
but
doeth
signifie
,
Prophetesse
,
or
Soothsayer
,
or
,
as
Thomasius
sayeth
,
a
Woman
And
of
these
Sybillaes
were
ten
in
number
;
the
first
was
called
Persica
,
2.
But
,
amongst
these
Sybills
,
there
were
two
farre
more
renowned
than
the
other
,
to
wit
,
Cumana
,
and
Erythrea
.
Aulus
Gellius
speaketh
of
an
olde
Besides
these
Sybills
,
wee
ought
to
keepe
in
rememberance
the
worthie
Queene
of
Sheba
,
which
some
call
Nicaula
,
and
others
Mangueda
;
who
Now
,
this
Queene
of
Sheba
,
(
or
of
the
South
)
put
the
wyse
Salomon
to
his
vttermost
shifts
in
disputation
:
for
shee
reasoned
with
him
,
from
the
Hysope
branch
,
vnto
the
Cedar
trees
:
that
is
,
concerning
the
vertue
and
qualitie
of
the
smallest
Herbs
,
to
the
tallest
trees
in
Lebanus
.
And
yet
I
proceede
in
this
subject
,
to
the
just
prayse
of
Women
,
thus
.
The
learned
writings
of
Pythagoras
Queene
Areta
was
so
wonderfullie
well
learned
,
that
her
sonne
Aristippus
,
had
no
other
to
teach
him
,
but
her selfe
:
and
therefore
was
hee
called
Metrodidactus
;
that
is
to
say
,
Taught
of
his
Mother
.
Hortensia
,
the
daughter
of
the
renowned
Oratour
Hortensius
,
made
such
a
learned
Oration
publicklie
in
the
Citie
of
Rome
,
and
with
such
a
comelie
gesture
,
and
excellent
modest
behaviour
,
that
shee
is
registrated
in
the
imperiall
Annalls
of
statelic
Rome
;
even
to
the
example
of
all
ensuing
Ages
,
Thus
may
wee
know
,
That
Good
Women
,
then
,
were
never
yet
combynde
;
But
evermore
haue
borne
as
braue
a
mynde
,
As
did
the
men
in
Ages
whatsoever
.
Their
Cowrage
,
Skill
,
and
Will
,
was
conquer'd
never
.
Therefore
I
'll
forwardes
,
in
our
Mothers
prayse
,
Of
whom
,
next
vnto
GOD
,
wee
holde
our
lyfe
and
dayes
.
CHAPTER
VIII
.
Of
Women
,
who
not
onlie
surpassed
Men
in
Poësie
:
but
also
overthrew
the
learned
Doctors
,
and
Philosophers
,
in
Disputation
.
And
Ladie
Leantia
overcame
that
great
Philosopher
Theophrastus
,
in
Disputation
.
Now
,
because
Plato
saw
,
that
Wisdome
,
Learning
,
and
Knowledge
,
grew
to
such
an
height
in
Women
,
hee
envyed
their
aspyring
estate
;
and
procured
a
Law
,
and
Ordinance
;
That
no
Woman-kynde
should
frequent
the
Schooles
,
or
bee
brought
vp
in
learning
.
But
,
sillie
man
,
that
hee
was
!
the
meanes
that
hee
made
to
hinder
women
of
learning
,
proved
but
a
Motiue
,
to
stirre
them
forwards
therevnto
.
For
then
,
more
eagerlie
than
before
,
manie
worthie
Virgins
,
(
such
as
Lascenia
,
Ariota
,
and
others
)
neglected
Cornelia
,
the
wyfe
of
Scipio
,
was
so
Caria
and
Afrania
,
beeing
but
poore
Diodore
of
Sicilia
had
fiue
Children
,
But
,
to
shun
the
objections
of
the
Calumniatours
of
Women
,
who
may
seeme
to
say
,
that
I
produce
too
manie
examples
of
Heathen
Women
:
and
the
Heathen
set
their
onlie
Felicitie
,
and
Summum
Bonum
,
in
the
attayning
to
the
perfection
and
knowledge
of
thinges
of
this
lyfe
:
therefore
,
I
turne
againe
,
to
the
worthie
testimonies
of
our
Ecclesiasticall
Wryters
,
and
good
examples
of
Christian
Women
.
The
worthie
Eusebius
witnesseth
,
in
Alexander
Severus
,
had
such
an
earnest
zeale
to
Godlinesse
,
Learning
,
and
Vertue
,
that
she
sent
to
Antioch
,
desiring
holie
Origen
Tecla
,
a
Mayde-Disciple
to
Saynct
Saynct
Katharine
,
a
Virgin
of
Alexandria
,
Amia
,
and
the
foure
daughters
of
In
the
dayes
of
Saynct
Jerome
,
were
aboundance
of
learned
,
wyse
,
and
religious
Gerontia
,
Fabiola
,
Furia
,
Marcella
,
Demetridis
,
Salvia
,
and
manie
others
:
vnto
whom
Saynct
Jerome
wrote
manie
learned
Epistles
;
and
they
to
him
againe
.
Heere
may
Dumea
Angia
,
a
Virgin
,
Latine
,
Greeke
,
Hebrew
,
Chaldaicke
,
and
Arabicke
.
So
that
that
Pope
seeing
her
to
be
such
an
excellent
Scholler
,
indeede
,
was
faine
to
vse
the
helpe
of
interpreters
:
otherwyse
,
it
had
beene
vnpossible
for
him
to
haue
sent
her
any
goodlie
Answeres
.
This
happened
about
the
yeare
of
GOD
1548.
And
in
those
dayes
dwelt
a
Spanish
woman
in
Rome
,
called
Isobell
Rosier
;
Scotus
Subtilus
:
who
in
those
dayes
was
holden
for
the
subtilest
Fellowe
in
the
world
.
Also
we
reade
of
manie
Noble
Women
,
yea
,
and
of
Queens
,
who
haue
so
highlie
excelled
in
Learning
,
and
so
skillfull
in
sundry
Languages
,
that
they
themselues
answered
the
Ambassadours
sent
from
anie
Nation
whatsoever
.
Which
their
block-headed
Husbandes
could
not
doe
:
and
therefore
must
holde
themselues
as
mute
,
as
doe
the
Myce
in
presence
of
the
Cat.
And
thus
,
in
the
just
prayse
of
Women
,
I
conclude
this
Subject
,
hastening
towardes
another
:
for
Their
excellent
Perfections
are
so
manie
,
great
and
wonderfull
,
that
I
must
needes
confesse
,
The
more
I
gaze
agaynst
the
Sunnes
cleare
light
,
The
more
am
I
distracted
of
my
sight
.
CHAPTER
IX
.
Of
the
Chastitie
,
Modestie
,
and
Temperancie
in
WOMEN
,
both
Wyues
and
Mayds
:
to
the
example
of
luxurious
,
vitious
,
and
libidinous
Men.
AS
amongst
the
innumerable
Imperfections
of
men
,
there
be
some
more
gross
and
shamefull
,
than
others
:
Even
so
amongst
the
beautifying
perfectious
Graces
in
WOMEN
,
there
are
some
more
laudable
,
and
of
greater
estimation
.
And
as
Leacherie
is
a
capitall
Imperfection
in
Man
,
and
ruleth
in
him
as
a
Prince
of
all
other
Vices
:
Even
so
CHASTITIE
in
WOMAN
,
is
the
greatest
poynt
of
Her
Perfection
,
and
ruleth
in
Her
,
as
the
Princesse
of
all
other
Vertues
.
Xenocrates
sayeth
,
that
although
a
Yea
,
Chastitie
is
a
Womans
owne
element
,
without
the
which
shee
cannot
bee
substantiall
,
no
more
than
the
fowles
without
ayre
,
and
the
fishes
without
water
.
For
as
long
as
a
Woman
hath
Chastitie
,
(
sayeth
an
Ancient
Father
)
she
hath
all
good
things
,
and
is
all
thinges
:
but
wanting
That
,
shee
hath
no
good
thing
,
nor
is
nothing
.
And
,
this
is
almost
the
saying
of
chaste
Lucretia
,
that
in
Woman
all
vertues
And
,
it
is
true
,
that
Lucretia
spake
not
this
in
an
vnadvysed
manner
,
or
lightlie
,
in
a
spleane
,
or
that
shee
sayde
the
thing
shee
thought
not
:
no
,
no
;
for
shee
sealed
her
words
,
even
with
her
owne
Blood
,
GOD
wots
,
after
that
But
,
our
Christian
Women
haue
no
fayrer
example
of
cleanlie
Chastitie
,
than
in
Susanna
;
who
choosed
rather
Also
,
it
is
steadfastlie
affirmed
in
the
Chronicles
of
England
,
that
one
of
their
Kings
,
at
the
sight
of
the
fayre
Countesse
of
Salisburie
,
desired
her
,
to
his
lustfull
appetite
,
her
Husband
being
in
France
.
But
,
that
good
Woman
,
beeing
readier
to
ende
her
lyfe
,
with
a
Dagger
,
than
to
satisfie
his
filthie
desire
,
the
King
stayed
her
hand
.
Then
shee
besought
the
King
,
that
she
might
first
slay
her
Husband
;
and
then
shee
would
bee
readie
to
pleasure
him
in
anie
thing
.
Thy
Husband
,
sayde
the
King
,
is
in
France
.
Nay
,
quod
shee
,
hee
is
lodged
here
in
myne
Heart
;
therefore
let
mee
kill
him
,
that
hee
bewray
vs
not
.
Which
wordes
,
and
chaste
behaviour
of
the
Countesse
,
put
the
King
in
astonishment
;
so
that
hee
feared
GOD
,
left
off
his
Devilish
purpose
,
and
helde
that
Ladie
in
Honour
all
his
dayes
.
The
Tyrant
Maxentinus
,
(
sayeth
Yea
,
the
same
holie
Eusebius
,
writeth
And
not
onlie
is
this
probable
of
Christian
Women
:
but
also
amongst
the
verie
Heathen
,
and
Pagans
,
are
registrated
aboundance
of
Women
,
who
did
,
farre
rather
,
lose
all
the
World
,
yea
,
lyfe
,
and
all
,
before
they
would
lose
their
Honour
.
Sainct
Hieronymus
,
wryting
against
And
a
Mayde
of
Theban
,
beeing
ravished
,
by
a
Macedonian
,
corbed
her
heavie
passions
,
for
a
day
or
two
,
till
shee
got
occasion
to
slay
him
:
which
shee
valourouslie
performed
with
her
owne
hands
.
Then
,
rejoycing
greatly
,
that
GOD
had
given
her
strength
to
bee
avenged
on
such
a
Villane
,
shee
with-drew
her selfe
to
the
Wildernesse
,
where
she
lived
solitarilie
all
her
dayes
.
Chiomara
,
the
wyfe
of
Ortiagent
,
was
Thou
wicked
woman
,
wherefore
hast
thou
committed
this
treason
?
Trueth
and
fidelitie
ought
to
bee
kept
with
our
verie
enemies
.
Yes
,
quoth
she
,
you
say
true
:
but
it
is
neyther
Trueth
nor
Honestie
for
me
,
to
let
anie
man
liue
that
hath
lyen
with
mee
,
except
myne
owne
Husband
.
Then
her
Lord
vnderstanding
the
matter
rightlie
,
he
loved
her
the
more
entirelie
;
and
he
,
together
with
the
whole
Countrey
,
hold
her
in
great
honour
,
all
her
dayes
.
A
Lacedemonian
Wyfe
being
straitlie
persued
by
a
leacherous
Lubber
,
answered
him
,
that
shee
could
not
giue
that
which
was
never
her
owne
:
For
,
quod
shee
,
whyle
I
was
a
Damosell
,
my
Virginitie
pertayned
to
my
Parentes
,
and
now
it
is
myne
owne
Husbandes
.
So
this
leacherous
Logger-head
left
off
his
sute
,
and
tooke
his
Leaue
without
Farewell
,
looking
as
though
his
nose
had
beene
bleeding
.
Reade
,
I
pray
you
,
Munsterus
,
in
Wherein
haue
Women
not
surpassed
Men
,
In
Good
?
They
'll
answere
mee
I
know
not
when
.
CHAPTER
X.
Of
the
great
and
wonderfull
Wisdome
in
WOMEN
:
to
the
high
Glorie
of
GOD
,
and
great
Benefit
of
Man
.
ANd
if
our
wicked
,
wayward
,
and
witlesse
Vilependers
of
Womans
Sexe
,
could
yet
at
last
begin
to
consider
,
and
looke
to
the
Right
hand
;
casting
off
that
blind-board
wherewith
Satan
,
the
fat
her
of
Envy
,
hath
so
long
over-syled
&
blind-folded
the
eies
of
their
Understanding
;
then
might
they
happilie
,
even
to
their
owne
credit
and
advantage
,
clearlie
beholde
and
confesse
the
singular
Grace
of
GOD
,
in
every
degree
,
and
in
greater
measure
,
proceeding
more
from
WOMEN
,
than
from
Men.
And
so
beeing
come
to
themselues
,
and
acknowledging
their
haynous
transgression
agaynst
this
Angelicall
Sexe
of
Women
,
they
would
not
fayle
to
imitate
the
Poët
Stesichoris
,
who
vnadvysedlie
Nowe
,
amongst
all
other
gracious
Ornaments
,
and
ornamentall
Heavenlie
Graces
,
wherewith
Women
are
accompanied
,
is
WISDOME
,
and
wherewith
even
from
the
Cradle
they
are
still
decored
and
cloathed
,
as
is
moste
manifest
as
well
by
the
sacred
Scriptures
,
as
all
other
true
Histories
,
both
Ecclesiasticall
and
Civill
.
And
the
rayling
of
men
agaynst
women
,
showeth
them
to
be
the
sonnes
of
cursed
cursing
Shimei
,
who
rayled
on
blessed
blessing
David
.
And
as
David's
Blessing
returned
to
himselfe
,
even
so
did
Shimei's
Cursing
returne
vnto
himselfe
also
.
And
so
bee
it
vnto
all
those
cursed
men
,
who
implore
not
the
Heavens
,
that
All
Blessing
bee
vpon
WOMAN
,
that
MAN
may
get
part
.
Looke
to
the
wisdome
of
Rebecca
,
the
elder
must
serue
the
younger
.
Nowe
,
the
men
may
stay
their
boasting
agaynst
Women
,
(
even
by
this
example
of
Iaakob
and
Esau
)
in
pleading
the
elder
must
serue
the
younger
.
For
they
solde
their
birth-right
,
for
thirtie
pieces
of
Silver
,
and
so
became
portioners
with
Barabbas
,
that
laudable
seditious
Murderer
.
Agayne
,
if
Antiquitie
of
men
may
beare
anie
sway
agaynst
women
,
I
am
assured
the
Devill
is
more
ancient
than
men
,
being
before
them
.
And
,
as
much
as
man
can
thinke
himselfe
better
than
woman
,
because
he
was
first
,
I
thinke
the
Devill
may
as
well
think
such
like
,
because
Hee
was
before
man
.
I
will
say
nothing
heere
of
the
Antiquitie
of
the
Pope
,
and
Popish
Religion
,
till
these
mistie
muggie
vnwholsome
vapours
of
Idolatrie
which
infect
my
brayne
,
bee
somewhat
disabled
by
the
reflex
of
Titan
from
his
highest
Spheare
.
But
let
vs
goe
on
to
our
Purpose
,
in
showing
this
great
Gift
of
Wisdome
in
Women
.
Wyse
Abigaill
is
highlie
to
be
commended
,
and
her
churlish
husband
Naball
greatlie
to
bee
condemned
,
for
his
vncharitable
dealing
with
David
in
his
great
necessitie
.
Wherby
he
had
almost
brought
Destruction
to
himselfe
,
and
all
his
Familie
,
yea
,
and
a
horrible
sinne
There
was
a
wyse
woman
in
the
besiedged
Citie
of
Abell
of
Bethmaachah
,
sayeth
the
Scripture
,
who
delivered
The
Emperour
Theodosius
,
called
the
Youngest
,
was
so
foolish
,
that
hee
would
put
his
Seale
and
subscription
vnadvysedlie
to
anie
Wrytinges
that
were
brought
vnto
him
,
without
eyther
reading
or
hearing
the
same
.
Which
his
Sister
Plucheria
wyselie
considering
what
great
evill
might
ensue
thereby
,
she
bethought
her
,
how
she
might
happilie
prevent
all
occasion
of
offence
which
might
happen
thorow
her
brother's
simplicitie
,
and
to
ingraff
in
him
more
deepe
and
solid
vnderstanding
.
So
this
Plucheria
caused
a
fayre
wryter
should
be
disherited
of
all
her
Dowrie
,
and
stripped
of
all
fayre
Cloathing
;
and
being
wrapped
in
sacking
,
should
lye
in
a
darke
Dungeon
seaven
years
.
And
if
shee
lived
that
long
,
then
was
shee
ordayned
,
to
worke
naked
amongst
the
chayned
slaues
,
all
the
rest
of
her
dayes
.
This
Decree
the
Emperour
too
rashly
subscribed
,
which
was
presentlie
delivered
vnto
his
Sister
,
who
came
speedilie
therewith
vn-him
,
desiring
him
that
her
name
might
also
be
incert
in
that
Decree
,
for
companie
;
for
shee
vowed
to
take
a
part
of
all
thinges
with
the
Empresse
,
as
well
evill
as
good
,
woe
as
weale
,
yea
,
and
to
liue
and
die
with
her
.
The
Emperour
beeing
amazed
to
heare
his
sister
speake
thus
,
sayd
,
My
loving
Sister
,
what
meane
you
?
I
meane
,
quoth
she
,
to
liue
and
die
with
thy
Wyfe
,
whom
thou
hast
cruelly
condemned
,
without
knowing
or
asking
the
cause
why
.
And
,
as
one
in
a
great
furie
,
throwing
the
wryting
at
him
,
sayd
moreover
,
Haue
there
thyne
own
hand
and
Seale
:
it
can
not
now
be
mended
:
but
wryte
downe
my
name
also
,
and
we
will
goe
to
prison
together
:
for
nothing
but
Death
shall
be
able
to
part
vs
.
And
when
hee
saw
,
and
vnderstood
the
matter
consideratiuelie
,
hee
cryed
with
a
lowde
voyce
,
desiring
GOD
&
Man
to
forgiue
him
,
sent
for
the
Empresse
,
and
on
his
knees
,
(
shee
falling
about
his
neck
halfe
dead
)
hee
besought
her
to
forgiue
him
:
which
she
willinglie
granted
.
And
giving
them
both
great
thanks
,
he
never
did
so
agayne
.
The
Duke
of
Castilia
being
imprisoned
Plutarch
maketh
mention
of
Pythius
But
afterwards
Pythius
took
ever
his
wyues
counsell
about
him
,
employed
his
people
in
Husbandrie
,
and
all
manner
of
Vertue
,
made
Golde
also
,
were
Traffiquers
with
other
Nations
,
and
so
became
a
most
flowrishing
Countrey
.
And
all
by
the
wisdome
and
fore-sight
of
his
worthie
WYFE.
Thus
Golde
,
and
All
,
good
Women
can
subdue
,
And
proue
at
all
tymes
to
their
Husbands
true
.
CHAPTER
XI
.
Of
the
constant
steadfastnesse
in
Women
,
not
onlie
suffering
cruell
Tormentes
,
but
also
horrid
Death
,
for
the
Testimonie
of
IESVS
CHRIST
.
THe
Allmightie
,
our
GOD
,
who
is
the
beginner
of
every
good
work
doeth
often
tymes
make
choyse
of
weake
Instruments
,
and
such
as
vnwyse
men
count
fooles
;
ever
to
manifest
His
great
Power
,
and
make
His
Glorie
knowne
to
all
the
worlde
;
By
abasing
the
worldlie
wyse
,
and
turning
their
wisdome
into
follie
;
By
putting
downe
the
mightie
from
their
seate
,
and
exalting
the
humble
and
meeke
;
By
sending
the
rich
empti●
away
,
&
filling
the
hungrie
with
good
things
,
&c.
Which
is
more
than
manifest
by
an
innumerable
number
of
women
:
who
altho
by
nature
they
bee
but
weak
vessels
;
yet
thorow
influence
from
Aboue
,
manie
of
them
haue
proven
more
strong
and
steadfast
in
the
worthiest
and
greatest
Matters
,
than
anie
men
that
ever
were
:
and
especiallie
in
mayntayning
&
defending
of
the
true
and
Christian
Fayth
:
yea
,
and
suffered
for
the
same
,
not
onlie
tyrannicall
torments
,
but
also
cruell
Death
it selfe
,
notwithstanding
of
the
womanlie
tendernesse
of
their
most
comlie
proportionable
featurall
personages
.
A
Christian
Mayd
in
France
,
named
Blandine
,
in
the
great
Persecution
of
I
am
a
Christian
,
I
am
a
Christian
:
looking
vp
,
and
calling
earnestlie
to
the
GOD
of
Heaven
,
to
giue
her
strength
and
patience
,
that
shee
might
bee
worthie
to
finish
her
lyfe
to
the
Glorie
of
His
Name
.
Now
,
her
torments
lasted
so
long
,
and
shee
endured
so
steadfast
,
that
the
verie
Executioner
stood
amazed
,
and
cut
off
her
head
.
The
spectators
bewayled
her
with
manie
tears
:
and
manie
at
that
same
houre
believed
,
and
were
casten
inte
deepe
Dungeons
.
Another
Virgine
called
Maxima
,
Maximine
was
a
cruell
Persecuter
of
the
Christians
:
and
tooke
his
chiefe
pleasure
in
devysing
new
tormenting
Instruments
,
to
perplexe
them
with
a
languishing
death
.
But
he
was
not
busier
to
invent
their
Sorrow
,
than
they
were
earnestlie
readie
to
suffer
all
that
hee
could
imagine
.
But
especiallie
the
Women
:
Amongst
whom
were
Dorothea
And
the
same
GOD
which
strengthened
these
Women
in
all
kynde
of
Martyrdome
,
(
yea
,
and
in
the
pangues
of
Death
)
for
His
Names
sake
,
wroght
also
in
the
heart
of
this
Tyrant
,
that
he
was
overcome
with
the
constant
steadfastnesse
in
the
Religion
of
these
Women
:
In
so
much
,
that
hee
caused
publish
an
Edict
,
and
proclaymed
through
all
his
Empyre
,
That
none
should
molest
them
in
anie
thing
,
vpon
poene
of
Death
.
Thus
wee
clearlie
beholde
the
extraordinarie
great
loving
Mercies
of
our
GOD
towards
Woman
Sexe
:
who
hath
stil
so
mightily
assisted
them
even
with
His
Divine
Strength
,
to
suffer
all
whatsoever
could
bee
layd
vpon
them
,
without
shrinking
,
vnto
the
last
period
of
Breath
:
no
,
not
in
Death
it selfe
.
And
thus
wee
proceede
.
The
Church
Historie
maketh
mention
of
an
ancient
Virgine
of
Alexandria
,
whom
the
persecutioner
tooke
,
and
drew
out
all
her
teeth
,
and
then
About
which
tyme
also
was
a
religious
Woman
,
called
Coïnth
,
vnnaturallie
,
Socrates
telleth
,
that
a
Temple
was
This
chiefe
Captayne
seeing
the
Woman
so
resolutelie
bent
,
with
her
little
one
,
to
suffer
for
the
Name
of
CHRIST
,
returned
with
his
souldiors
,
to
the
Emperour
,
tolde
him
what
the
Woman
had
sayde
,
and
desired
,
rather
to
suffer
Martyrdome
himselfe
with
the
Christians
,
than
to
worke
anie
thing
agaynst
them
.
Whereby
the
Emperour
was
put
from
his
hellish
purpose
.
The
Arch-bishop
of
Saleucia
had
a
Sister
,
called
Tharbua
;
who
because
she
And
vnder
the
Reygne
of
Emperour
Adrian
,
there
was
an
holie
,
&
wyse
Matron
,
called
Sophia
,
who
had
three
daughters
,
But
,
seeing
it
is
not
possible
for
me
,
nor
none
else
to
registrate
all
the
steadfast
&
constant
Women
,
in
Godlinesse
,
Vertue
,
Wisdome
,
Learning
,
Knowledge
,
Cowrage
,
Chastitie
,
and
manie
other
excellent
perfections
:
(
for
,
indeed
,
such
a
taske
would
fill
the
world
full
of
Bookes
,
and
yet
never
bee
ended
)
Therefore
,
at
this
tyme
,
I
thinke
to
conclude
this
my
little
Essay
,
(
to
the
Honour
of
GOD
,
and
good
Women
,
)
with
the
ecclesiasticall
Historie
of
the
Maccabees
.
Wee
reade
,
that
two
Women
were
brought
in
,
and
accused
,
for
not
observing
the
manners
of
the
Gentiles
;
because
,
according
to
the
Law
of
GOD
,
they
had
circumcised
their
little
ones
;
which
,
hanging
on
their
Mothers
breasts
,
they
hurried
them
,
shamefullie
,
round
about
the
Citie
;
and
then
,
both
Women
,
and
Infants
,
were
throwne
headlongs
downe
from
the
Wall
.
Agayne
,
a
Mother
,
with
her
seaven
Sonnes
,
were
cruellie
,
and
vnhumanelie
,
tortured
,
and
also
put
to
Death
,
because
they
would
not
forsake
the
Law
of
GOD
,
and
their
fathers
.
And
this
part
of
Scripture
testifieth
,
That
the
Woman
was
marvelous
aboue
all
,
and
worthie
of
honourable
memorie
,
for
when
shee
saw
her
seaven
Sonnes
slayne
,
within
one
dayes
space
,
shee
bare
it
with
a
good
cowrage
,
because
of
the
hope
which
shee
had
in
the
LORD
.
But
,
to
vnderstand
this
Historie
the
better
,
I
pray
you
reade
the
seaventh
Chapter
of
the
second
Booke
of
Maccabees
,
where
it
is
alreadie
most
excellentlie
set
downe
,
even
by
the
Spirit
of
GOD
:
vnto
whom
I
consecrate
my selfe
for
ever
,
&
recommend
all
good
Women
;
vnto
whom
,
next
vnto
God
,
I
dedicate
my
mynde
,
since
my
might
is
not
able
to
performe
what
my
Muse
would
fayne
amount
vnto
:
And
to
excuse
my
brevitie
,
I
must
conclude
with
Master
Taylor
,
That
The
shortest
Writ
,
the
greatest
Wit
affordes
:
And
greatest
Wit
,
consists
in
fewest
wordes
.