A
certaine
Relation
of
the
Hogs-face
Gentlewoman
,
called
Tannakin
Skinker
,
who
was
borne
at
Wirkham
,
a
neuter
Towne
betweene
the
Emperour
and
the
Hollander
.
PRodigies
have
bin
in
many
or
the
most
times
,
and
prodigious
births
almost
in
all
ages
.
For
the
first
,
the
best
Authors
affirme
,
that
when
the
Tarquins
were
banisht
Rome
,
a
Serpent
was
heard
to
barke
,
and
a
Dogge
to
speake
;
and
that
in
the
second
punick
Warre
,
an
Oxe
pronounced
these
words
,
Cave
tibi
Roma
.
Three
Suns
were
seene
at
once
▪
when
Spurius
Posthumus
and
Quintus
Nimutius
were
Consulls
;
and
three
Moones
when
Curius
Dometius
,
and
Lucius
Aneus
bore
the
like
Authority
:
Milke
and
blood
,
Wooll
,
and
peeces
of
Flesh
have
dropt
from
the
Clouds
upon
the
earth
in
severall
showers
;
burning
Shields
have
bin
seene
in
the
ayre
;
shattering
fire
from
the
setting
of
the
Sun
,
to
the
breake
of
day
;
with
a
noise
of
the
clashing
of
armour
,
and
the
sound
of
Trumpets
,
and
other
Military
instruments
.
&c.
And
in
the
Mutinensian
Fields
,
two
great
Mountaines
removed
the
one
towards
the
other
,
and
fought
a
terrible
combate
;
fire
and
smoake
being
seeing
to
issue
from
either
,
in
whose
meeting
all
the
neighbour
and
adjacent
Villages
,
were
not
onely
shaken
,
but
utterly
demolisht
;
and
all
the
Animals
both
men
,
and
beasts
,
within
many
furlongs
of
that
prodigious
conflict
,
were
exeminated
and
slaine
.
Infinite
almost
are
the
Histories
of
the
like
presidents
,
which
for
brevities
sake
I
omit
;
let
therefore
these
few
suffice
for
many
.
I
come
now
to
prodigious
Births
,
of
which
this
woman
now
in
agitation
is
the
sole
Argument
;
and
that
it
may
appeare
the
more
probable
,
to
any
that
shall
call
the
truth
thereof
in
question
;
I
shall
intreate
such
but
to
looke
backe
into
the
Histories
of
the
times
past
.
Herodatus
,
and
divers
Authors
have
left
recorded
;
that
when
Xerxes
first
prepared
his
Invincible
Army
to
invade
Greece
,
a
Mare
instead
of
a
Colt
,
brought
forth
an
Hare
,
which
was
a
presage
of
his
flight
,
and
base
defeate
.
In
the
yeare
of
Grace
one
thousand
foure
hundred
fifty
sixe
,
Calixtus
the
third
,
then
being
Pope
,
a
Cow
brought
forth
a
Calfe
with
two
heads
,
and
bodies
incorporate
in
one
;
and
in
the
Isle
of
Cous
in
Greece
,
an
Ewe
,
of
the
flocke
of
one
Nicippus
an
Heardsman
,
eaned
a
Lion
;
which
was
as
a
prediction
that
he
should
attaine
to
the
Soveraignty
thereof
,
which
accordingly
hapned
;
neither
neede
wee
much
to
question
these
,
when
our
owne
Native
soyle
,
and
these
our
Moderne
times
,
have
produc'd
the
like
brutish
monsters
;
publickly
to
be
seene
in
all
parts
of
the
City
and
Suburbes
,
&c.
But
I
come
now
to
humane
Births
,
beginning
with
those
forraigne
,
and
ending
with
the
domesticke
;
about
the
beginning
of
the
Marsick
Warre
,
one
Alcippe
,
a
woman
of
especiall
note
,
at
the
time
of
her
childing
,
was
delivered
of
an
Elephant
;
and
another
(
whose
name
is
not
left
unto
us
of
)
a
Serpent
.
In
Thessaly
,
one
was
brought
to
bed
of
an
infant
which
had
the
shape
of
an
Hypocentaure
,
and
expired
the
same
day
that
it
received
breath
.
And
in
the
yeare
that
Haniball
beseiged
and
utterly
subverted
Sagunthus
:
a
woman
of
the
same
City
brought
forth
a
Son
,
which
was
no
sooner
borne
,
but
voluntarily
and
of
its
owne
accord
,
crept
backe
into
the
mothers
wombe
.
Albertus
Magnus
writes
of
a
woman
in
Germany
,
who
brought
into
the
world
from
her
owne
body
fifty
sonnes
,
five
at
a
birth
,
but
not
any
of
them
lived
to
be
three
quarters
of
a
yeere
old
.
And
Avicen
telleth
us
of
another
who
was
delivered
of
two
and
twenty
abortive
Children
at
severall
times
,
of
all
which
not
one
of
them
breathe
one
vitall
Aire
.
I
fall
now
immediatly
upon
the
party
before
propounded
.
In
a
place
in
Holland
,
called
Wirkham
,
being
a
neuter
Towne
;
as
lying
betwixt
Holland
and
those
parts
belonging
to
the
Empire
,
on
the
River
Rhine
,
lived
on
Ioachim
Skinker
,
whose
wife
name
was
Parnel
,
a
man
of
good
revenue
,
but
of
a
great
estate
in
money
and
cattle
:
these
two
having
very
lovingly
lived
together
,
without
any
issue
,
to
succeed
them
in
their
goods
and
inheritance
:
it
being
,
no
small
griefe
unto
them
,
that
either
strangers
,
or
some
of
their
owne
ungrateful
Kindred
should
after
death
enjoy
those
meanes
,
for
which
they
had
so
laboriously
travail'd
:
when
they
were
in
their
greatest
despaire
,
it
hapned
thus
,
she
found
her selfe
conceived
with
childe
,
which
was
a
greater
joy
and
comfort
to
her
and
her
husband
:
But
whether
they
were
unthankful
for
such
an
unexpected
blessing
,
or
what
other
thing
was
the
cause
,
I
am
not
able
to
determine
:
but
so
it
hapned
,
that
in
the
yeere
1618
,
she
was
safely
delivered
of
a
Daughter
,
all
the
limbes
and
lineaments
of
her
body
,
well
featur'd
and
proportioned
,
only
her
face
,
which
is
the
ornament
and
beauty
of
all
the
rest
,
had
the
Nose
of
a
Hog
,
or
Swine
:
which
was
not
only
a
stain
and
blemish
,
but
a
deformed
uglinesse
,
making
all
the
rest
lothsome
,
contemptible
and
odious
to
all
that
lookt
upon
her
in
her
infancie
.
If
the
joy
of
the
parents
was
great
in
the
hope
of
a
Childe
,
how
much
greater
may
wee
conjecture
their
sorrowes
were
,
to
be
the
parents
of
such
a
monster
:
but
considering
with
themselves
what
Heavens
would
have
,
they
had
not
power
to
hinder
,
and
studying
(
as
farre
as
in
them
lay
)
to
conceale
their
shame
,
they
so
farre
mediated
with
the
Mid
wife
and
the
other
women
that
were
present
at
the
delivery
,
that
they
should
keepe
it
as
close
and
secret
as
it
was
possible
to
doe
:
and
they
called
the
name
of
it
Tannakin
,
which
is
as
much
in
English
as
Anne
,
or
Hann●h
.
This
prodigle
Ravisius
Textor
also
remembreth
us
of
a
female
Monster
called
Marin
,
who
from
the
navill
upward
,
had
the
effigies
of
a
faire
and
beautifull
woman
,
but
from
thence
downward
had
the
true
shape
of
a
well
proportioned
Mare
,
with
foure
feet
,
a
taile
,
and
every
limbe
and
member
corresponding
to
an
Equinall
figure
,
who
lived
an
hundred
23
yeeres
.
In
the
Bishopricke
of
Colen
a
woman
,
some
thinke
a
Witches
Curse
,
some
otherwise
,
brought
forth
into
the
World
at
one
birth
one
hundred
threescore
and
five
children
:
all
which
though
they
were
of
wondrous
small
stature
,
yet
they
were
borne
with
life
,
and
christned
,
and
a
monument
remaynes
for
them
to
this
day
,
her
prayer
or
curse
being
,
that
shee
might
have
as
many
children
at
one
birth
,
as
there
were
dayes
in
the
yeere
.
Monsters
have
been
borne
within
these
few
yeeres
in
Virginia
,
New
England
,
and
other
Colonies
of
our
own
Plantation
,
of
which
it
is
now
too
long
to
insist
.
And
the
like
prodigious
is
now
,
that
a
Gentleman
of
quality
within
these
moneth
died
,
who
being
opened
,
in
his
heart
was
found
a
worme
in
the
forme
of
a
Serpent
,
which
stretched
out
,
was
found
to
be
sixteene
inches
long
.
But
if
we
shall
be
any
way
jealous
of
the
trruth
of
reverent
Antiquity
,
let
us
but
looke
backe
upon
our selves
,
I
will
give
unto
you
a
few
instances
for
many
:
not
to
speake
of
those
which
have
preposterously
come
into
the
world
with
their
Feet
forward
,
and
born
with
Teeth
in
their
head
,
as
Richard
the
Third
of
that
name
King
of
England
,
and
others
.
Twin
Children
have
beene
borne
amongst
us
with
two
heads
and
bodies
from
the
Gird
lested
upward
,
and
but
two
legs
and
feet
to
support
them
both
,
and
when
one
of
them
dyed
,
the
other
survived
,
but
not
many
houres
after
:
A
Scotch
childe
,
about
two
yeeres
since
,
was
to
bee
seen
in
Barthlomew
Faire
,
a
Girle
about
the
age
of
seven
yeeres
,
who
was
so
hairy
,
hands
,
armes
,
face
,
and
body
,
that
you
would
have
thought
Orson
to
have
bin
her
Father
,
and
some
she
Beare
her
mother
,
yet
had
she
her
speech
,
sences
,
and
all
other
deportments
of
a
child
of
her
age
;
who
had
bin
well
educated
and
instructed
.
But
to
leave
all
digression
and
come
to
the
purpose
now
in
hand
,
I
will
onely
remember
unto
you
a
very
handsome
young
man
,
late
(
if
not
now
)
in
Towne
,
whose
picture
hath
bin
publickely
set
out
to
the
common
view
,
and
himselfe
to
bee
seene
for
money
;
who
from
one
of
his
sides
hath
a
twin
brother
growing
,
which
was
borne
with
him
,
and
living
still
▪
though
having
sence
and
feeling
,
yet
destitute
of
reason
and
understanding
:
whence
me thinkes
a
disputable
question
might
arise
,
whether
as
they
have
distinct
lives
,
so
they
are
possessed
of
two
soules
;
or
have
but
one
imparted
betwixt
them
both
:
but
of
this
let
the
Philosophers
,
or
rather
the
Divines
argue
and
Define
,
being
I
must
ingeniously
confesse
an
Argument
much
above
my
element
.
This
prodigious
birth
though
it
was
knowne
to
some
few
,
yet
was
it
not
made
popular
&
spoken
of
by
all
,
which
the
Father
and
mother
,
for
their
owne
reputations
and
credits
were
very
carefull
to
maintaine
;
so
that
it
was
never
seene
by
any
(
being
an
infant
bare-fac'd
)
but
vaild
and
covered
,
and
so
brought
up
in
a
private
Chamber
,
both
fed
and
taught
by
the
Parents
onely
;
and
her
deformity
scarce
knowne
to
any
of
the
Servants
:
and
as
the
daughter
grew
in
stature
,
so
the
Father
also
increased
with
wealth
;
so
that
he
was
accounted
to
be
one
of
the
richest
men
in
all
that
Country
.
Now
how
she
came
to
be
borne
with
such
deformity
,
there
be
divers
and
sundry
conjectures
;
but
if
we
may
Judge
the
cause
by
the
effect
,
and
of
the
preceedent
by
the
subsequent
;
most
probable
it
is
that
it
came
by
Witchcraft
:
And
that
there
be
such
,
we
have
manifest
proofe
;
for
in
Skedam
in
Holland
,
there
is
scarce
a
man
or
woman
but
they
are
either
Magi
,
or
Sagae
;
that
is
,
men
or
women
witches
:
but
for
the
last
wee
neede
no
further
witnesse
,
then
that
of
the
Lancashiere
witches
some
few
yeares
since
;
of
which
I
make
no
doubt
,
but
this
whole
City
hath
taken
especiall
notice
of
.
&c.
Now
whether
Witches
have
power
to
effascinate
an
inant
in
the
wombe
of
the
mother
,
may
be
a
question
;
of
which
after
some
illustrations
by
knowne
examples
(
without
any
tedious
Deviation
)
I
hope
to
gaine
the
Reader
ample
satisfaction
.
History
tells
us
that
the
Witch
Circe
,
the
daughter
of
Sol
,
and
the
Nimphe
Persae
,
who
dwelt
not
farre
from
Caietu
,
a
City
of
Campania
,
by
her
sorcerous
Spells
and
Incantations
,
changed
divers
of
Vlisses
his
companions
into
Swine
:
if
she
had
such
power
over
the
whole
,
no
wonder
then
if
a
Witch
in
these
dayes
,
by
the
helpe
of
her
Father
the
Divell
,
cannot
disguise
the
face
which
is
but
a
part
.
It
hath
beene
knowne
also
in
our
knowne
Country
,
when
a
Gentlewoman
of
good
discent
and
quality
hath
brought
an
infant
into
the
World
with
a
live
Snake
wrapt
about
the
necke
and
body
:
in
memory
of
which
,
that
Noble
Family
in
the
emblazon
of
their
Armes
,
give
the
Snake
ever
unto
this
day
:
which
accident
is
quite
against
nature
,
and
therefore
can
be
conferr'd
upon
nothing
but
Diabolicall
Sorcery
and
Witchcraft
.
I
could
tell
you
of
the
like
prodigious
things
done
by
Medea
,
Micale
,
Erecto
Magun
,
Dipsas
,
Aeriphala
,
Locusta
,
Guthurna
,
Canidia
Neopolitana
,
Sagana
,
Vera
,
Folia
,
and
infinite
others
:
but
though
I
study
brevity
,
give
mee
leave
to
give
thee
this
short
Character
.
Their
power
is
by
the
permission
of
the
higher
powers
,
and
instigated
by
the
malice
of
the
Divells
,
to
transhape
men
into
beasts
;
make
barren
fields
,
blast
Corne
,
unfructify
Trees
,
parch
and
wither
Grasse
and
Hearbes
;
bring
scabs
and
diseases
upon
men
,
and
murraine
and
rot
upon
Heards
and
Flockes
:
effascinate
the
eyes
,
weaken
the
hands
,
benumbe
the
feete
&c.
Now
to
prove
that
this
Child
was
bewitched
in
the
wombe
,
there
be
these
pregnant
reasons
following
.
It
is
credibly
reported
,
that
this
Burgers
wife
having
conceived
,
an
old
woman
suspected
for
a
Witch
,
came
to
begge
of
her
an
Almes
,
but
she
being
at
the
busied
about
some
necessary
affaires
gave
her
a
short
and
neglectfull
answer
;
at
which
she
went
away
muttering
to
her selfe
the
Divells
pater
noster
,
and
was
heard
to
say
;
As
the
Mother
is
Hoggish
,
so
Swinish
shall
be
the
Child
shee
goeth
withall
:
which
is
a
great
probability
that
the
infants
deformity
came
by
the
malitious
Spells
,
and
divelish
murmurations
of
this
wicked
woman
;
who
after
for
the
like
,
or
worse
practises
both
upon
men
women
and
children
,
whom
shee
had
bewitched
unto
death
,
being
brought
within
the
compasse
of
the
Law
;
and
after
to
suffer
at
the
stake
:
amongst
many
other
things
confessed
as
much
as
I
have
before
related
;
yet
either
out
of
her
perverse
obstinacy
would
not
,
or
else
(
the
Divell
forsaking
her
in
extreamity
,
as
he
doth
all
his
other
servants
)
in
her
deficiency
of
power
,
could
not
uncharme
her
:
yet
by
this
means
that
which
was
before
kept
so
private
,
was
now
publickly
discovered
to
the
World
;
insomuch
that
much
confluence
of
people
came
to
see
the
progedy
,
which
wearied
the
Father
,
and
cast
a
blush
upon
the
cheekes
of
the
good
woman
the
mother
:
some
desirous
to
heare
her
speake
,
whose
language
was
onely
the
Dutch
Hoggish
Houghs
,
and
the
Piggs
French
Owee
,
Owee
,
for
other
words
she
was
not
able
to
utter
;
which
bred
in
some
pitty
,
in
others
laughter
,
according
to
their
severall
dispositions
.
Others
were
importunate
to
see
her
feede
,
then
milke
and
the
like
was
brought
unto
her
in
a
silver
Trough
;
to
which
she
stooped
and
eate
,
just
as
a
Swine
doth
in
his
swilling
Tub
;
which
the
more
mirth
it
bred
in
the
Spectators
,
increased
in
the
Parents
the
more
melancholy
:
insomuch
that
he
bethought
himselfe
to
finde
out
some
meanes
,
(
if
it
were
possible
)
either
to
mend
or
end
his
sorrowes
.
And
to
that
purpose
,
hearing
of
a
famous
Artist
,
who
was
both
a
Mathematician
,
and
an
Astrologian
(
whose
name
was
Vandermast
)
and
lived
not
farre
from
him
;
a
man
who
was
suspected
to
have
bin
well
verst
in
blacke
and
hidden
Arts
▪
to
him
he
repaired
,
and
when
he
had
made
knowne
his
griefes
by
every
circumstance
;
he
desired
of
him
some
present
remedy
,
for
which
hee
would
bee
no
way
ingratefull
.
Who
after
some
pause
told
him
,
that
after
some
houres
attendance
he
would
returne
him
an
answer
,
the
one
way
or
the
other
;
wch
gave
him
some
smal
satisfaction
,
though
not
full
to
his
expectation
:
but
having
waited
his
leasure
,
hee
returned
according
to
the
time
prefixt
,
told
him
that
hee
could
wish
him
to
marry
her
at
any
rate
whatsoever
;
for
whilst
she
continued
in
the
estate
of
a
Virgin
,
there
was
no
hope
of
her
recovery
;
but
if
then
she
received
any
helpe
,
or
he
comfort
,
though
both
seemed
beyond
all
hopes
;
yet
he
advised
him
patiently
to
attend
the
successe
,
but
howsoever
not
to
match
her
unto
Clowne
,
Bore
,
or
Pesant
;
but
to
a
gentleman
at
least
.
In
which
answer
though
he
could
presume
of
nothing
(
being
so
mistericall
and
doubtfull
,
)
yet
there
was
no
reason
for
him
to
despaire
of
any
thing
:
so
that
having
bountifully
rewarded
the
Artist
,
hee
repaired
backe
to
his
owne
house
,
and
acquainted
his
wife
with
the
passage
of
the
whole
businesse
;
where
they
long
consulted
betwixt
themselves
,
what
were
best
in
this
difficult
case
to
bee
done
.
After
much
reasoning
Pro
and
Con
,
they
concluded
to
put
her
into
very
rich
and
costly
habit
(
but
her
face
still
vaild
and
covered
)
and
to
give
out
that
what
gentleman
of
fashion
or
quality
soever
,
would
take
her
to
his
bed
after
loyall
Matrimony
,
(
for
she
was
at
this
time
betwixt
sixeteene
and
seventeene
yeares
of
age
,
and
therefore
marriageable
)
should
receive
for
a
Dowry
with
her
,
forty
thousand
pound
,
payed
downe
in
Starling
and
Currant
money
.
This
was
a
baite
sufficient
to
make
every
Fish
to
bite
at
,
for
no
sooner
was
this
publickely
divulged
,
but
there
came
Suitors
of
all
sorts
;
insomuch
that
his
Gates
were
thronged
as
at
an
Outcry
,
or
rather
as
a
Lottery
,
every
one
in
hope
to
carry
away
the
great
Prize
of
forty
thousand
pound
;
for
it
was
not
the
person
,
but
the
prize
at
which
they
aimed
.
One
thinkes
with
him selfe
,
so
the
body
bee
handsome
,
though
her
countenance
be
never
so
course
and
ugly
,
all
are
alike
in
the
night
;
and
in
the
day
time
,
put
her
head
but
in
a
blacke
bagge
,
and
what
difference
betwixt
her
and
another
woman
.
Another
comforteth
him selfe
thus
:
That
if
shee
cannot
speake
,
shee
cannot
chide
;
and
therefore
hee
shall
be
sure
not
to
have
a
scold
to
his
wife
.
Another
apprehends
,
That
if
shee
feede
but
one
wash
and
the
like
,
shee
will
not
be
very
chargeable
to
him
for
her
Dyet
;
and
therefore
hee
shall
have
a
good
bargaine
by
the
match
.
These
and
the
like
inducements
were
so
farre
prevalent
with
them
,
that
they
came
from
divers
places
,
and
Countries
,
to
solicite
her
for
marriage
:
some
from
Italy
,
some
from
France
,
some
from
Scotland
,
some
from
England
,
and
every
one
of
them
howsoever
debosht
in
their
meanes
,
and
more
studdying
upon
her
meanes
then
the
maide
,
put
all
their
Fortunes
upon
the
hazard
of
an
handsome
suite
,
to
appeare
like
gentlemen
;
because
otherwise
they
could
have
no
admittance
into
her
company
.
But
to
give
you
better
information
,
then
by
these
suppositians
,
or
rather
stupid
conceits
for
her
order
of
Diet
;
She
doth
eate
all
those
meates
which
commonly
we
doe
feede
on
,
and
doth
digest
it
very
naturally
;
onely
shee
doth
feede
in
a
Silver
Trough
,
or
Bole
;
which
is
alwayes
carried
with
her
wheresoever
shee
doth
remove
:
and
if
shee
doth
want
any
thing
that
shee
hath
a
mind
unto
,
bee
it
Apparrell
,
or
Dyet
,
she
doth
write
her
mind
;
and
by
that
meanes
,
(
as
wee
are
given
to
understand
,
by
those
which
have
seene
her
)
she
hath
all
things
to
her
desire
.
Amongst
some
Sutors
came
a
Scotch
man
being
a
Captiane
,
who
having
hazarded
the
greatest
part
of
a
months
pay
uppon
one
Suite
of
Cloaths
,
was
desirous
to
see
this
Gentlewoman
,
and
was
received
by
the
Parents
;
who
thinking
him
to
be
some
great
Leard
in
his
Country
,
gave
him
generous
entertainement
:
she
was
brought
unto
him
with
her
face
covered
,
and
in
an
habit
which
might
well
have
fuited
the
greatest
Lady
in
the
Land
;
who
admiring
her
feature
and
proportion
,
was
much
inamoured
of
her
person
,
but
desirous
to
see
her
face
discovered
,
when
hee
beheld
it
;
hee
would
stay
no
other
conference
,
but
ran
away
without
further
answer
,
saying
;
they
must
pardon
him
,
for
hee
could
indure
no
Porke
.
Next
came
a
Sowce-man
,
borne
in
England
having
accomodated
himselfe
for
the
same
adventure
,
and
presuming
that
loving
Sowce
so
well
,
no
Hogs-face
could
affright
him
;
he
presently
at
the
sight
of
her
could
endure
her
company
no
longer
,
and
at
his
farewell
,
said
,
so
long
as
I
have
known
Rumford
,
I
never
saw
such
a
Hogsnout
,
but
whensoever
my
stomack
shall
serve
for
any
such
dish
,
I
will
never
venter
upon
any
raw
,
but
I
will
be
sure
it
shall
be
either
well
boyled
or
rosted
.
A
Taylor
came
,
having
borrowed
(
whether
with
leave
,
or
without
I
know
not
)
a
costly
suite
of
one
of
his
best
customers
:
and
he
vowed
notwithstanding
,
all
impediments
whatsoever
interdicting
him
,
hee
would
enjoy
her
,
and
marry
her
,
and
sleep
with
her
close
as
Hogs
in
pease-straw
,
but
though
hee
liked
her
feature
when
her
face
was
discovered
,
he
gave
back
,
and
vowed
he
would
not
go
through
stitch
with
any
such
businesse
.
I
should
but
lose
my selfe
in
writing
,
and
tyre
the
Reader
in
turning
over
many
Voluminous
leaves
of
paper
,
to
shew
you
here
many
severall
men
and
of
sundry
conditions
,
came
in
a
kinde
of
jealousie
one
of
another
,
to
purchase
this
masse
or
magazine
of
money
:
every
one
ambitious
after
the
portion
,
but
not
one
amongst
them
amorous
of
the
person
,
whose
countenance
was
so
farre
from
seeming
lovely
to
them
,
that
it
appeared
altogether
lothsome
,
and
so
I
will
leave
her
in
this
exigent
,
to
acquaint
you
with
a
short
story
,
that
the
carriage
of
the
one
,
may
make
the
other
appeare
more
probable
,
they
being
of
like
affinity
.
My
Authour
is
Iohn
Gower
,
and
thus
it
hapned
.
A
noble
and
warlike
Knight
,
Cousin
to
the
Emperour
Claudius
,
of
a
spirit
undaunted
,
and
honour
unquestioned
,
named
Florentius
,
as
he
rid
upon
an
adventure
,
was
taken
prisoner
by
a
Captain
of
a
Castle
,
whose
sonne
hee
had
before
slaine
in
battell
,
willing
they
were
to
put
him
to
death
,
but
they
much
feared
the
indignation
and
revenge
of
the
Emperour
his
Uncle
:
and
hee
being
then
in
their
power
,
they
held
a
consultation
amongst
themselves
what
was
best
to
be
done
,
and
where
divers
projects
were
laid
:
the
mother
to
this
Captaine
,
and
Grandmother
;
to
Bruncus
before
by
him
slaine
,
said
,
That
shee
had
a
plot
to
make
him
accessary
to
his
owne
death
without
any
displeasure
from
the
Emperour
or
any
of
his
noble
Allies
,
nay
,
that
he
himselfe
should
assent
thereunto
without
the
least
taxation
of
any
injustice
.
And
to
that
purpose
,
she
sent
for
him
out
of
prison
,
and
thus
said
:
Though
for
the
death
of
my
Grand
child
,
Bruneus
both
his
Father
and
my selfe
might
take
just
vengeance
of
thee
,
since
thy
life
is
forfeited
into
our
hands
.
Yet
upon
condition
,
that
thou
wilt
resolve
me
of
one
question
,
which
I
shall
propound
thee
:
thou
shalt
have
liberty
for
three
moneths
,
but
if
not
in
that
space
thou
canst
not
give
a
full
solution
of
my
demand
,
thou
shalt
here
take
thy
personall
oath
as
thou
art
a
Knight
,
to
returne
back
again
unto
this
Castle
,
where
thou
art
now
our
prisoner
and
vassall
,
and
yield
thy selfe
up
to
a
voluntary
death
,
freely
acquitting
us
of
the
fact
to
thine
Uncle
the
Emperour
.
This
being
concluded
,
as
well
by
oath
as
obligation
in
writing
,
sealed
and
subscribed
,
the
question
was
,
What
thing
above
all
other
,
women
most
desire
?
Imagine
him
now
free
,
on
horseback
,
and
in
his
way
to
Court
,
where
being
arrived
,
and
demanding
of
the
wisest
and
gravest
Philosophers
,
and
others
to
be
resolved
in
this
point
,
and
withall
telling
them
of
his
own
danger
,
if
it
were
not
answered
.
Every
one
were
of
severall
opinions
:
one
said
Pleasure
,
another
Pride
,
some
that
they
desired
most
to
be
praysed
and
flattered
,
so
that
in
this
diversity
of
censures
,
he
was
forc'd
to
depart
thence
unsatisfied
:
now
he
whose
honour
was
more
precious
unto
him
then
the
preserving
of
a
thousand
lives
,
resolved
to
yield
up
his
body
according
to
covenant
,
and
riding
through
a
Forrest
,
some
few
leagues
distant
from
the
Castle
,
pondring
a
thousand
things
in
his
perplexed
head
,
he
casting
his
eye
aside
,
spied
an
old
withered
and
decrepit
Hag
of
the
most
ugly
and
lothsome
aspect
that
ever
his
eyes
beheld
,
who
stepping
unto
him
,
and
taking
his
horse
by
the
bridle
,
said
:
Florens
I
know
thee
,
and
that
thou
art
now
going
to
thy
certain
death
,
but
be
advised
by
me
,
and
(
upon
condition
)
I
will
save
both
thy
life
and
honour
:
Blame
him
not
,
if
being
now
in
his
flourishing
youth
,
he
gave
her
a
willing
care
,
and
cheerfully
,
demanded
of
her
what
gift
she
would
have
?
or
what
taske
impose
him
?
who
presently
answered
:
That
when
hee
had
resolved
the
Beldam
of
her
question
(
by
her
means
)
and
had
gained
his
life
and
liberty
,
hee
should
returne
to
that
place
where
hee
then
found
her
,
and
from
thence
beare
her
to
his
place
of
residence
,
and
make
her
his
wife
.
Which
when
he
heard
he
was
now
in
a
double
distraction
,
as
preferring
many
deaths
before
such
a
loathsome
and
unequall
match
:
and
so
left
her
without
reply
.
But
better
considering
with
himselfe
,
that
being
so
old
she
could
not
live
long
;
and
being
married
,
it
was
in
his
power
to
mew
her
up
from
the
sight
of
men
:
with
other
the
like
apprehensions
,
(
and
life
being
sweet
)
he
turned
backe
,
and
swore
by
his
Kinight-hood
,
he
would
doe
all
that
she
demanded
:
which
being
agreed
betwixt
them
,
she
told
him
,
that
when
the
question
was
againe
propounded
:
What
thing
above
all
other
,
women
most
desire
?
he
should
answer
,
To
have
their
Wills
,
and
the
Soveraignty
over
their
Husbands
.
Let
us
Imagine
that
by
this
he
was
acquit
,
though
to
the
great
indignation
both
of
the
Father
and
the
Grandam
,
and
came
backe
according
to
his
Covenant
,
where
he
met
with
the
former
Hagge
,
of
whom
my
Author
in
his
old
English
,
gives
this
description
.
She
was
the
loathedst
wight
That
ever
man
cast
on
his
Eye
:
Her
Nose
baas
,
her
browes
hye
;
Her
Eyes
small
,
and
deepe
set
,
Her
Cheekes
beene
with
teares
wet
,
And
rivling
as
an
empty
skinne
,
Hanging
downe
unto
the
Chin
:
Her
Lips
shrunken
bin
for
age
,
There
was
no
grace
in
her
visage
:
Her
Front
was
narrow
,
her
lookes
hore
;
She
looketh
forth
as
doth
a
More
,
&c.
In
whose
sight
she
was
so
odious
,
that
now
he
repenteth
him
that
he
had
not
suffered
Death
rather
then
to
bee
so
miserably
disposed
of
.
But
shee
still
urging
him
upon
his
Knightly
promise
,
he
was
forc't
in
her
torne
and
thred-bare
habit
to
take
her
up
behind
him
:
but
so
ashamed
of
his
burthen
,
that
he
only
travailed
either
through
woods
,
or
by
Owle-light
,
till
at
length
hee
came
to
his
owne
Castle
,
where
necessity
(
though
much
against
his
will
)
compelled
him
to
discover
her
unto
the
Ladie
his
sister
,
and
other
of
his
neare
Allyes
,
who
were
all
much
astonished
and
grieved
at
his
wretched
fortune
.
But
she
still
hastning
on
the
match
,
the
day
of
marriage
came
,
when
the
Ladyes
striving
to
tricke
her
up
in
the
richest
habite
and
best
ornaments
they
could
devise
,
the
more
they
strived
to
beautifie
her
,
the
more
ugly
and
deformed
she
appeared
.
Briefly
,
married
they
were
,
and
bed-time
came
,
heaven
knowes
to
his
small
comfort
,
and
lesse
content
:
the
Bride-chamber
was
prepared
,
and
the
rooms
,
according
to
the
Brides
appoyntment
stucke
full
of
lights
.
The
doors
are
shut
,
to
bed
she
goes
,
and
urgeth
him
to
make
haste
,
and
doe
the
office
of
an
husband
:
who
was
no
sooner
laid
by
her
side
,
with
as
much
distance
as
was
possible
,
shee
pluckt
him
by
the
arme
,
and
desired
him
to
reach
a
Light
;
and
if
shee
could
receive
no
other
favour
at
his
hands
,
yet
at
least
once
more
to
looke
upon
her
,
and
she
would
then
acquit
him
of
his
promise
.
This
seeming
to
be
an
easie
condition
,
he
takes
a
light
,
and
looking
stedfastly
upon
her
,
he
discovered
a
sweet
yong
Lady
of
an
incomparable
beauty
and
feature
,
the
like
to
whom
to
his
imagination
he
never
had
in
his
whole
life
time
beheld
:
at
which
strange
sight
being
much
extasied
,
he
grew
as
greatly
Inamoured
,
insomuch
,
that
he
beganne
to
court
her
,
and
offered
to
kisse
her
,
&c.
But
she
modestly
putting
him
backe
,
said
to
him
as
followeth
:
Sir
,
I
am
indeed
no
other
than
I
now
seeme
unto
you
;
and
of
these
two
things
I
give
you
free
choise
,
whether
I
shall
appeare
to
you
thus
as
you
now
see
me
,
young
,
faire
,
and
lovely
in
your
bed
,
and
all
the
daytime
,
and
abroad
,
of
my
former
deformity
:
or
thus
beautifull
in
the
day
,
to
the
sight
of
your
friends
,
but
in
your
armes
every
night
of
my
former
Age
and
Vglinesse
:
of
these
two
things
I
give
you
free
choise
of
,
which
till
you
have
resolv'd
me
,
there
can
be
no
other
familiarity
betwixt
in
:
therfore
without
pause
give
me
a
speedy
answer
.
This
more
then
all
the
rest
distracted
him
:
For
what
was
her
beauty
to
him
in
the
night
,
if
she
appeared
to
all
his
friends
so
loathsome
by
day
?
or
what
was
her
rare
feature
to
him
,
either
abroad
amongst
his
friends
,
or
at
board
,
if
she
were
so
odious
to
him
in
bed
?
therefore
he
said
unto
her
:
Sweet
and
delicate
Lady
,
I
am
confounded
in
your
question
;
nor
know
I
what
to
answer
;
but
into
you
owne
hands
and
choyse
I
give
the
full
power
and
soveraignty
to
make
election
of
which
you
best
please
:
At
which
words
shee
lovingly
turned
towards
him
,
and
said
:
Now
Sir
,
you
have
given
me
that
which
all
women
most
desire
,
my
Will
,
and
Soveraignty
;
and
know
I
am
the
Kings
daughter
of
Sicily
,
who
by
a
wicked
and
sorcerous
step-dame
was
thus
inchanted
,
never
to
returne
to
my
pristine
shape
,
till
I
was
first
married
,
and
after
had
received
such
power
from
my
Husband
▪
And
now
from
henceforth
I
shall
be
the
same
to
you
night
and
day
,
of
that
youth
and
lively-hood
which
you
now
see
mee
;
till
Time
and
Age
breed
new
alteration
,
even
to
the
last
period
of
my
life
.
At
which
,
how
incredible
his
joy
was
,
I
leave
to
the
opinion
of
the
understanding
Reader
,
who
I
hope
will
easily
conceive
what
affinity
this
story
may
have
with
the
former
.
I
should
have
spoken
something
of
her
residing
in
or
about
London
,
as
of
her
being
in
Black-Friers
or
Covent-garden
,
but
I
can
say
little
:
onely
abundance
of
people
doe
resort
to
each
place
to
enquire
the
truth
:
some
have
protested
they
have
seene
her
,
by
the
helpe
of
their
acquaintance
,
and
give
this
reason
why
she
will
not
as
yet
be
constantly
in
one
place
,
because
the
multitude
is
so
great
that
doe
resort
thither
,
that
they
dare
not
be
knowne
of
her
abiding
,
least
by
denying
the
sight
of
her
,
they
that
owe
the
house
should
have
it
pulled
downe
about
their
eares
.
Her
portion
is
very
large
,
it
being
40000
pounds
;
she
likewise
goeth
very
gallant
in
aparrell
,
and
very
courteous
in
her
kind
to
all
.
And
whosoever
shall
in
Pamphlet
,
or
Ballad
,
write
or
sing
otherwise
than
is
discoursed
of
in
this
small
Tract
,
they
erre
from
truth
:
for
what
is
here
discovered
,
is
according
to
the
best
,
and
most
approved
intelligence
.
FINIS
.