SVCHE IS THE condicion of Venus derlynges , so longe as they be styrred with pleasant affections , they be still insensible in the feelynge of Sapience . Ye all do knowe Candidus , kynsman to Aureliane the emperour that nowe is , an honest yonge gentylman , well lerned and courtayse , soo that his noblenesse doth appere in his maners . Yesterday dyd I see hym deuysyng with ladies , wherby I coniected that he was a louer , and therfore I lamented . And as he hapned to come by me , I rouned hym in the eare and sayde to hym softely : Beware noble yonge man , I perceyue ye be gyued , plucke out your legges er the boltes be ryueted . Therat he smyled , and layinge his hande vppon myne , he sayde to me priuely : I wot what ye meane . I pray you be to morowe with me at Tiburtum , whiche is but a lyttell out of the citie , where I haue a fayre and commodiouse lodginge , there shal we soupe with some other gentylmen . And there wyll I vanquishe your wylfull opynion conceyued agaynst women : or elles I beinge vanquished with sufficient reason , wyl from henseforth leaue al mine affection . And so departed he from me . This is Tiburtum , for yonder is the palayce of Hadrian . well Candidus wyll not be longe , his noble nature wyl not let him breke promyse . for lacke of faythe defaceth al vertues . CANDIDVS . Ye spake neuer a more true sentence , nor a more honest . for vndoubtedly Fayth , which some do call trust , is of iustice so gret a portion , that without it neyther god maye be pleased , nor any weale Publyke may be surely stablished . And they which do lacke it them selfes , with a lyttell touche broken be not a little offended . CANINIVS . It is truely spoken , and nowe to talke of the matter , for the which ye willed me to mete with you here is nowe happened a ryghte good occasyon . CANDI . Ye meane the matter concernnge women , which we two now haue taken vpon vs. CANINI . Euen the same master Candidus . CANDI . Goo to on goddes name : what haue ye to charge with all women ? CANI . Nay fyrst I praye you tell me one thynge that I wyl aske of you . Be not ye of that sect of Philosophers called Pirhonici ? CANDI . What meane ye therby ? I know not that secte : yet haue I sene a good part of philosophye . CANI . It is the sect which affirmeth , that nothing is in dede as it seemeth to be , sayinge , that snowe is blacke and not whyte , the erthe is not stable but euer mouinge , & many an other frowarde affection , contrary to truth and al common reason . CANDI . No no Caninius , I neuer fauoured suche vayne opinion . CANI . yet many one dothe , chaungynge onely the termes . for sens snowe is so often times sene , they feare to say that it is blacke , leste they shulde therfore be laughed to scorne . But vertue , who is not so commonlye seene , and of soo many men loked on , is nowe of dyuerse men so peruersely estemed , that it is of some called foly , of many men fantasy , and of some curiositie . Also the fauourers therof are lyttell sette by , as persones vnprofytable and nothynge worldely . But to our purpose , I asked of you , if ye were of the secte called Pirhonici , for if ye so were , I wolde thynke it vayne to reason thenne with you . But ye saye , ye be not of that secte , than is it as I sayde at my fyrst comming hyther . CANDI . What is that I praye you ? CANI . ye that be louers be dull and insensyble in feelynge of Sapience . for althoughe ye be infourmed by dayely experyence , that in woman kynde faythe neuer rested , yet be you styll as blind as your litel god Cupide . for the chyldishe affections whiche ye beare to your ladyes , causeth you to thynke the thynges which ye se , to be nothyng but vanities . CAN . Nowe in good faith that is merily spoken . CA . Wel yet , some haue repented them bitterly , fyndyng the lynke sodainly broken , and in the stede of fayth falshode & trechery . CAN . Nay ye now do but rayle I promyse you truely . In dede both by reading & heresay I haue found women moch blamed for theyr inconstancy : but for mine own knowlege I neuer perceyued any suche lacke to be in them , but rather the contrary . CA . Syr by the consent of al auctours my wordes be confirmed , and your experience in comparison therof is to be lyttell estemed . CANDI . I perceiue ye be of the company , which dyssapoynted somtime of your purpose , are fallen in a frenesy , and for the displesure of one , do spryng on al women the poyson of infamye . But nowe Caninius , sense ye be wise and wel lerned , subdue your passion . for vnpacient hering , with wordes hastely & vnaduisedly spoken , is a signe of foly and litel discretion . wherfore now here me speke thoughe it shal not sauour to your opinion . The authors whom ye so moche do set by , for the more part were poetes , which sort of persons among the latines & grekes were neuer had but in smal reputation . For I could neuer rede that in any weale publike of notable memory , Poetes were called to any honorable place , office , or dignite . Plato out of the publike weale whiche he had deuysed , wolde haue all poetes vtterly excluded . Tulli , who next vnto Plato excelled all other in vertue and eloquence , wolde not haue in his publyke weale any poetes admitted . The cause why they were soo lyttell estemed was , for as moche as the more parte of theyr inuencions consysted in leasynges , or in sterynge vp of wanton appetytes , or in pourynge oute , in raylynge , theyr poyson of malyce . For with theyr owne goddes and goddesses were they so malaparte , that with theyr aduoutries they fylled great volumes . Iupiter , whom they cal kynge of goddes and of men , they brynge hym out of heauen to his harlottes transfourmed somtyme in to a bull , an other tyme lyke a ramme , a stynkynge gote or a serpente . His queene Iuno lyke a cowe , Mercurius lyke a wulfe . Ne they lefte heauen vnpolluted , fainynge that the god Mars made Vulcane cokeolde , commyttynge aduoutrye with Venus , wyfe to Vulcanus . But Vulcane was a wyly pye and sayde nothynge , but beinge a smythe , he made such suttell manakles , that er the two louers were ware , he tyed theym so faste to gether , that they moughte not be seuered : and than called he the hole route of goddes and goddesses , and made them to se Mars and Venus where they lay naked , wherat they al lewghe , but Mars was angry and Venus almoste ashamed . Other poetes there be , whiche in theyr moste lamentable and wofull ditties so doo humble them selfes to theyr maistresses , as they wolde lycke the duste frome theyr slyppers , and as sone as eyther by age , or with hauntynge of brothelles , the flame of carnalitie is throughly quenched , or elles if women do constantly refuse theyr vnhonest desyres , anone arme they theyr pennes and tunges with serpentyne malyce , obiecting against al women most beastly conditions . Wherby they more detect their propre inconstancy than womens vnfaythefulnesse . CANI . Nowe in good faythe ye haue well circumscribed your maysters properties . CANDI . Whom call ye my maysters ? CANI . Mary poetes . for in theyr warkes is the onely study of you that be louers . for that boke , which lacketh complayntes with wepynges and sighinges , is to you men that be amorouse wonderfull tediouse . CANDI . Truely Caninius ye are moche abused , takynge me to be of that sorte of wantons . Nay truely , Trewe louers , of which company I confesse my selfe to be one , are in no parte of theyr conditions . for onely delityng in the honest behauour , wisedome and gentylnesse of ladies , or other matrones or damselles , we therfore desyre to be in theyr companies , and by mutuall deuisinge to vse honest solace . But shewe me Caninius , what other auctorytie haue ye , to proue that in womenne lacketh fidelitie . CANI . Why set ye so lyttell by poetes and poetry ? CANDI . Ye whan they excede the termes of honestye . But if they make verses conteynynge quicke sentences voyd of rybauldry , or in the commendation of vertue , some praty allegory , or do set forthe any notable story , than do I set by thē as they be well worthy . CANI . If ye wyl gyue no credence to poetes , what saye ye to philosophers and writers of stories , with whome ye maye fynde suche abundaunce of examples and sentences of the fals hode of women and theyr vnhappinesse , that if they shuld be rehersed , I trowe ye wold not abyde it , I knowe soo your shame fastnesse . CANDI . Truely none of theym , which were them selfes honest and continente , haue wrytten in dysprayse of the hole kinde of women . What hath Plato , Xenophon , Plotinus , and Plutarch , or other philosophers lyke vnto them wrytten in that matter , wherby they haue made them inferiour to men ? or if they haue in womenne any thinge blamed , it may appere to be but in some , and not in the more parte , if it be wel and syncerely considered . And also in stories where one woman perchaunce is for some fault dispraysed , that is counterpeysed with a great numbre for theyr vertue commended . Now I pray you , was Helene , for whom Troy was destroyed ( beinge rauished by Paris ) so moch to be blamed , as Hercinia the wyfe of Romulus , and more than a thousand of het companions , are to be praysed , whiche in the rage of batayle ioyned betwene their husbandes and parentes , so reconciled theym , that with one consent they inhabited one citie , and lyued to gether in perpetu all vnitie ? Ought the vnchastitie of any woman to be so remembred , as the continence of queene Penelope oughte to be honored , who in the absence of Vlixes her husbande , the space of .xx. yeres , kept her honour and fame vncorrupted , notwithstandinge that with many diuerse wowers she was dayely assaulted , but by no maner of meane moughte she be founden , by dede word nor countenance in her chast purpose vnconstant . And to resist carnall affections , she was alway sene , althoughe she were a queene and a kniges doughter , vertuouslye occupyed . What cause founde Paris to forsake his first lady Oenone , but only that the beaulty of Helene was moche more famous ? And yet his cruell vnkyndenesse mought not exclude loue from her gentyll harte , but she remayninge styll continente , after that Paris was slayne by Achilles , she with exclamations & effusions of teres entred into the charlotte where his carcaise lay , and when she had bained her fayre lyppes in his putrified woundes , and had saciate hir selfe with mortall solace , fynallye she there died oppressed with heuinesse . But bicause these be of some men taken for fables , I wyl briefly declare the faythfulnesse of dyuerse womenne rehersed in stories . In the host of the noble kynge Cirus , was a great prince ( as Xenophon wryteth ) whose name was Abratades , whoo had to his wyfe a fayre lady named Panthea of excellent beaulty , this prynce beinge slayne in batayle , she attaynynge his body , and with her owne handes washynge the woundes , and imbaulminge it after the facion of her owne countrey , she in the presence of Cirus , with a knife , which she had priuely hydde , semynge in wordes and counteance desirous to be with her husband , whom she mooste tenderly loued , she perced her owne harte , and with him was buried : not withstandynge that of kynge Cirus , whom her husband had moche praysed a lyttel before , she was in mariage desyred . Porcia , doughter to the wise Cato , and wyfe vnto Brutus , whan she had harde of the deathe of her husband fynding occasion to be alone from her seruantes , she takyng the hote burnynge coles out of a chymnay , deuoured them hastely , and forthwith died . Also whan Seneca by the sentence of the cruell Nero the emperour , was condemned to die , his wife called Paulina , desyrous to be continuall companion with her olde husbande , caused also her veines to be perced , & so wold haue died , had not Nero commaunded her vaynes to be bounde , and the bloude to be stopped , she notwithstandynge afterwarde lyued in sorowe contynuall more paynefull than deathe , and durynge her lyfe , her dedly pale colour declared to all men , whiche before knewe her , the bytter sorowes , whiche for her husbande she alway susteyned . In the tyme of the cruell confederacy of Lepidus , Octauiane , and Antony , a gentylman called Ligaryus , was by his wife and a mayden seruant , kept at Rome in his house priuely : but what for feare of punishemente , and hope of rewarde , he at the last was discouered , whom beinge ledde to be beheded , his louynge wyfe continually folowed , desyrynge the ministers to put her also to death with her husband , allegyng that also to die she had wel deserued , for as moche as she had kepte her husbande at home , after that she knew that he was attainted : but seinge that no man dydde take regarde to her harty requeste , she returned home to her house , & shuttynge fast all the doores , and absteynynge from all meates and drynkes , fynally with sorowe and famyne she ended her lyfe , and departed to her husbande , whom she so moche loued . But leste we shuld be to longe from our supper , I wil cesse to recite any mo stories , wherof there be no lytel numbre , declarynge the constance of ladyes and damselles . And if ye wolde saye , that there hath ben and is a moche greatter numbre of theym that are yll , and full of vnfaythfulnesse , yet if that were true , than must ye consider , that in al kyndes of thinges , are commonly founde more warse than better , or elles shoulde good thynges lacke theyr estimation , as it shall appere by this conclusion . for he that neuer hath seene any other metall than golde , maruayleth not at it , nor in his estimation setteth moch by it . And where there be none other stoones founde but Diamandes , Saphires , Emerauldes , and Rubyes , there men do treade on theym , and sell them for trifles . But if one shulde come to a coutreye , whiche semed barrayne , couered with an infynyte numbre of stones ragged , of yl colour and facion , if he chaunce to fynde here and there a poynted Diamande , well proporcioned and orient : I dare saye , he wyll laye vp those fewe Diamandes as a great treasure , and not remembryng the ragged stones , in the beholdynge of theym take noo lyttell pleasure . Semblably althoughe a greatte numbre of women perchance were viciouse , yet oughte not a man reproche therfore the hole kynde of women , sense of them vndoubtedly many be vertuouse . CANINI . Ye haue wel assembled thinges for your purpose . But what saye you to Aristotel , whom ye haue skypte ouer , in the namynge of philosophers ? he sayth , that a woman is a worke of nature vnperfecte . And more ouer , that her propertie is to delyte in rebukyng , and to be alway complayning , and neuer contented . Nowe take heede mayster Candidus . Perfection is euer constante and neuer chaungeth , but a woman is a creatue vnperfite , she therfore may neuer be stable or constante . ye knowe this fourme of argument , for I espy by your talkyng ye ar lerned in logike . More ouer , rebukynge is a mislykynge , and no man myslyketh the thynge that he loueth , but all that he loueth he fauoureth and lyketh , but women of theyr nature do delite in rebukynge , and the thynge wherin any person deliteth , he coueteth , and coueitynge it he wil at the last ( if it be in his power ) execute it . Women therfore lackinge some other , on whom they maye practise theyr propertie , wyll rebuke some time theyr husbandes , whom perchaunce they loued : and than mislyketh she the thing that she erst loued . wherfore ye muste graunte , that she is vnconstante . Also who that is neuer contente , maye neuer be constant , the cause why is to all men apparant . Wherfore there nedeth not any more argument , women for these reasons that I haue rehersed , be of theyr nature alway vnconstant . is it not thus ? Nowe knacke me that nut mayster Candidus . I trowe it be to harde for your teth , although ye were as wel tothed as Curins Dentatus , which as men say , helde faste a shyp with his tethe vntyl it was taken . CAN . In good faythe Caninius ye are a mery companyon . But althoughe my tethe be not so strong , yet shal I soo vse my tunge in the stede of my tethe , that I wyll therwith open your cobnut , that to all theym that wyl be contented with reason , it shall appere well , that it is pypped . CANINI . In faythe ye be a mete aduocate for women , sense ye haue tethe in your tunge , for lykewise haue they all , if they be tothlesse . CANDI . And it semeth that ye lacke teth to hold in your tunge that it go not to lauesse . But nowe wyll I assay to knacke your nutte maister Caninius . Where ye sayd , that of a purpose I skypt ouer Aristotel , there ye sayde truely , In good faith so did I. And here haue at your blockehouse , oute of the whiche is shot agaynste women al this artillery . Syr whan I affyrmed , that none of the philosophers which were honest and continent , wrate any thynge in dysprayse of womankynde , I remembred euen than your master Aristotel , and iuged hym not worthye to be of that numbre , but his reporte moch lesse to be regarded , than the fayninges of poetes , whom I haue rehersed , and for this intente . For Poetes wrate agaynste women in wanton ditties , to content men with newe fangled deuises . But the reproche to women , giuen by Aristotel , was in treatynge of matter wayghty & seriouse , wherby it appereth , that the saide wordes so spytefully spoken , proceded only of cankred malyce , whervnto he was of his own nature dysposed , whiche maye be of them shortly perceyued , that beholdeth in his warkes , none other philosopher escape vnrebuked . Ne trewelye he was ashamed to rente with rebukes the immortall fame of Plato his mayster , of whose diuine mouthe he had twenty yeres sucked the moste swete hony of noble philosophye , whiche malyce grewe of this occasion , as auncient authors haue made therof mention . For as moche as where he was more curyouse in his apparayle and deckyng , than was conuenient to his profession , also more lyght in countenaunce , and dissolute in lyuyng , than became an instructour of vertue and wisedome , Plato therfore preferred other his scholers before hym , which he very displesauntly takynge , soughte occasion to rebuke his master whan he was dead , which he neuer darst while he was lyuynge . That Aristotel was dissolute and also inconstante , it may appere by this , whiche is writen of him . for to Hermia whiche was his concubine he dyd sacrifice , & made solemne hymnes whyle she was lyuynge . Canne ye compare any madnesse or folye , to this mans abuse and vnconstancy ? Maye there be so great an abuse , as to gyue dyuyne honours to a mortall creature , also to an harlot and common synner ? what vnconstancy was in hym , whiche calleth that a creature vnperfyt , to whom he dyd solemne sacrifice , sange deuoute hymnes , and often tymes kneled ? To blaspheme so his goddesse , ought not this great philosopher be foule ashamed ? Wherfore Caninius by myne aduise , do ye not leane more to his authorite , than vnto truthe , vertue , and honestie , but consider his nature inclyned to malyce , his fonde errour and vayne curiosite , and that whiche ye disprayse in women , apparante inconstancy . CANINI . Ye haue a great affection to Plato I perceyue veryly : but wyl ye deny , that a woman is of her nature vnperfecte ? CANDI . ye mary wyll I. for wherin do you note her to be vnperfyte ? Is it in the soule or in the bodye ? CANI . In bothe of them trewely , for they be weaker than men , and haue theyr flesshe softer , lasse heare on theyr visages , and theyr voyce sharper , and as I haue redde , they haue in some partes of theyr bodyes , theyr boones fewer . And as concernynge the soule , they lacke hardynes , and in peryles are tunerouse , more delycate than men , vnapte to paynfulnesse , except they be therto constrained , or steryd by wylfullnesse : And the wytte , that they haue , is not substanciall but apyshe : neuer flory shynge but in vngraciousenesse , or in trymmynge them selfes with praty deuyses , or excusynge theyr faultes with vnstudyed answeres , or in praty mockes or scorneful dalyaunce , or to inuent mischieues to saciate theyr malice . In other thinges it is vnapt vnto knowlege , excepte one or two , which I haue red of , who in Rome hath pleaded as Oratours . But that is not to be maruayled at , sens they beinge instructed in eloquence , theyr domesticall exercise , I wyll not say chydynge , maketh them bolde to contende in pleadynge . In the partes of wisedome and ciuile policy , they be founden vnapte , and to haue litell capacitie . But theyr moste vnperfection is theyr inconstancye , whiche procedeth of theyr sayd naturall debilitie . For where as the affection of moche dreade or moch loue aboundeth , stabilitie lacketh , and wytte lyttell preuayleth . Contrary to this I dare wel say , ye can make none euasion . CAN . yes , and dysproue all your malyciouse conclusion . But I praye you Canimus , let me aske you a question . be all the bookes of your mayster Aristotel of equal authoritie ? CA . ye that be they veryly . CAN . In the instytution of householde kepynge , called Oeconomice , Aristotel wryteth in this wise . The company moste accordynge to nature , is that whiche is ordeyned of manne and woman , which was constitute , not to the intente onely to brynge forth their semblable as other beastes {per}ticipatours of nature & with out reason , but for loue specially , & mutual assystence . And he sayth also in the same boke , and not far from thense . This company is not bycause that eche of them hath in euery thynge and the same al their vertues lyke profytable , but some of theyr vertues seme to be contrary one to an other , and yet in conclusion they agree to one purpose . for nature made man more strong and couragiouse , the woman more weake fearefull and scrupulouse , to the intente that she for her feblenesse shulde be more circumspecte , the man for his strengthe moche more aduenturouse . Be not these the wordes of your maister ? howe saye you ? CANI . Where ye saye truthe I wyl not deny you . it is of his sentence the very pythe and effect . for he wrate in greke ye know well ynough . wherfore they be not in the same wordes as ye do speke them . CAN . It maketh no matter if I do truely interprete them . But nowe to our purpose . Is perfection and vnperfection in thynges , any thynge elles , than abundaunce and lacke of that , whiche is expedient to the ende whervnto nature hath ordeyned them ? CA . Naye in good sothe , for I thynke that a true difinition . CAN . But let me see , where I called it abundaunce , Abundance . I mought better haue named it sufficience . Sufficience for abundaunce dothe properly signifie more than is necessarye . Sufficience descryueth the thyng with boundes and limittes , the excesse wherof is called superfluitie , and the lacke may be named necessitie . CANI . In faythe ye be to curiouse . Perdy the worde neyther made nor marred any thynge of our purpose . for abundaunce and sufficience is commonly taken for one thyng . CAN . ye and that hath subuerted the order of al thynge . for truely wordes vsed in theyr proper signification , do brynge thinges to a playne vnderstandynge . And where they be moche abused and wrested frome theyr trewe meanynge , they cause sondry errours and perpetual contention . But let vs nowe retourne to our question . Klaye is a kynde of erthe softe and clammy , and for those qualyties serueth to make walles for houses , and to that ende hath his perfection : Althoughe a stone be a matter harde and consolidate , and serueth also for walles , and maketh them stronger to serue for municion . The horse hath moche strengthe , and therfore is apte for iourneys & burdens : the shepe is feble and fearefull , & maye therfore easely be shorne . And yet eche of these in his kynde hath his perfections . To men nature hath gyuen puissaunce in membres , braunes hard and consolidate , the skyn thicke , perchance mo bones as ye say , to susteyne outwarde labours . And to seme the more terrible , moche heare on theyr visage . To women she hath gyuen the contrary : to thende and intente whiche your maister rehersed , that her debilyte shuld make her more circumspect , in the kepynge ( sayth he ) at home suche thynges as her husbande , by his puissaunce hath gotten . for those wordes also he added to thē , whiche are before spoken . Is not that a company accordynge to nature , where the one dylygentelye kepeth that , whiche the other by labour prepareth ? for what profiteth it to prepare , where saulfe kepinge lacketh ? Gettynge & kepynge In preparynge is labour or study , of kepynge commeth vse and commodytie , and therfore to speke indifferently , it deserueth moche more prayse than the geatinge . But nowe tel me one thyng . wherin suppose you dothe a man excell all other creatures ? is it in greatnesse or puissance of body ? CANI . No veryly . CAN . Than wherin suppose ye ? CANI . In that that his soule is adourned with reason . CAN . Stop there I praye you a lyttell season , what call ye reason ? CANI . Why be ye nowe to lerne , what thynge is reason ? CAN . Ye by my holy dome . And this is the cause . for many men leane to their synguler opinion , iudgyng al that is contrary , to stande with no reason . wherfore I pray you make me therof a true definition . CANI . I wyll , to content with your fantasy , although that ye can do it I knowe well moche better than I. Reason . Reason is the principall parte of the soule diuine and immortal , wherby man dothe discerne good from yll . this thyng whyles it discerneth or seuereth the one frome the other , it is called Discretion : Discretion . whan it taketh the one and leaueth the other , it is named Election , Election iugement of some men . The exercise therof is called Prudence , of some Circumspection . Prudence Circunspection . And yet is euerich of these thinges nothyng but reason , whiche to man is so propre , that lackinge it , he loseth his denomination . CAN . In good faith ye haue made of reason a ryght good description . And now I perceyue that the thynge , wherby man excelleth all other creatures , is reason onely . CANINI . Ye veryly . CANDI . What thynke you , is reason onely in men ? is it not also in womenne suppose you ? CA . yes , that is it naturallye , for the worde Man , whiche I named , includeth as well woman as man , whan it is written or spoken so generallye . CAN . I am glad that I haue founde you so reasonable in talkynge of Reason . But what saye you by sharpenesse of wytte , Wytte . doth it not betwene man and beast make lyke dyuersitie ? CANI . No suerly . for wytte is of the parte of manne that is mortall , and that is founden by dayly experyence . For where the vapours in the body be pure and suttell , whiche do ascend into the brayne , the wyt becometh sharpe and delycate : And where they be grosse ponderouse and smoky , the wytte is dull and nothynge pleasant . And therfore phisicious haue experienced by clarifying and temperating the corporal humours , to correcte the wytte , whiche is eyther with grosse matter oppressed , or with adust vapours smouldred or choked . But reason mought neuer be brought into a beaste , whiche by nature lacketh it . And yet in dyuerse of them haue bene perceyued soo suttill wyttes , that therin men haue semed to be of them vainquished . CANDI . I thynke it to be true that ye say . Than in whom reason moste dothe appere , ye wyll affyrme , dothe moste excell a beast in his nature . CANI . ye mayster Candidus , that maye ye be sure . CANDIDVS . And ye were agreed while ere , that to kepe diligently that whiche is gotten , is worthy more prayse than in the gettynge . CANI . ye , for there cometh more effecte of the kepynge . CANDI . And so ye conclude , that the power of reason is more in the prudente and diligent kepynge , than in the valiaunt or politike geatyng : And that Discretion , Election , & Prudence , whiche is all and in euerye parte reason , doo excell strengthe , wytte , and hardinesse : And consequentely they , in whome be those vertues , in that that they haue them , do excell in iuste estimation them that be stronge , hardy , or politike in geattynge of any thynge . CA . ye haue well gathered to gether all that conclusion . CANDI . Beholde Caninius , where ye be nowe : ye haue soo moche extolled reason , that in the respecte therof bodely strength remayneth as nothynge : for as moch as the corporall powers with powers of the soule can make no comparison . And ye haue not denyed , but that this worde Man , vnto whom reason perteyneth , doth imply in it both man and woman . And agreinge vnto Aristotels sayinge , ye haue confirmed , that prudence , whiche in effect is nothyng but reason , is more aptly applied to the woman , wherby she is more circumspecte in kepynge , as strengthe is to the man , that he maye be more valiaunt in geattynge . And lyke wise ye haue preferred the prudence in kepinge , for the vtilytie therof , before the valyauntnesse in geattynge : And semblably them whiche be prudent in kepyng , before them that be only stronge and hardy in geattinge . And so ye haue concluded , that women , which are prudent in keping , be more excellent than men in reason , whiche he onelye stronge and valiaunt in geatynge . And where excellency is , there is moste perfection . Wherfore a woman is not a creature vnperfyte , but as it seemeth is more perfyte than man . CANI . Why , haue ye dalyed herefore with me all this longe season ? CAN . Suerlye I haue vsed neyther dalyaunce nor sophistry : but if yeconsyder it wel , ye shal fynd it but a natural induction , and plaine to al them that haue any capacitie . But yet haue I some what more to saye to you . Ye sayde more ouer Caninius , that the wyttes of women were apte onely to trifils and shrewdenes , and not to wisedome and ciuile policie . I wyll be plaine to you , I am sory to fynde in your wordes suche maner of leudenesse , I crye you mercye , I wolde haue sayde so moche vngentylnesse , and in your owne wordes so moche forgetfulnesse . CA . What meane ye therby ? CANDI . ye haue twyse graunted , that naturall reason is in women as well as in men . CA . ye and what then ? CAN . Than haue women also Discrecion , Election , and Prudence , which do make that wisedome , whiche perteyneth to gouernaunce . And perdy , many artes and necessarye occupations haue ben inuented by women , as I wyll brynge nowe some vnto your remembrance . Latine letters were fyrst founden by Nicostrata , called also Carmentis . The .vii. liberall artes and poetry by the .ix. maydens called the Musis . Why was Minerua honored for a goddesse ? but bycause she founde fyrste in Grecia , plantynge or settynge of trees : also the vse of armour : & as some doo testifye , she inuented makynge of fortresses , and many necessary and notable sciences . Also that the wittes of women be not vnapte to laudable studies , it apereth by Diotuna and Aspasia two honest maydens , whiche in al partes of philosophy were so well lerned , that Socrates , master to Plato , nothynge disdayned to come to theyr lessons , and called Diotima alwaye his mastresse . Cleobulina , the doughter of Cleobulus , one of the seuen wise men of Greece , wrate diffuse and mistycall questions in heroicall versis . Also Leontium a woman , excelled al menne of her tyme in wysedome and eloquence , in so moche as she wrate agaynste Theophrast , the most eloquent disciple of Aristotel , in womennes defence , whiche boke if it nowe had remayned , shuld haue ben sufficyent to haue put you to silence . If the lernynge and wysedome of the lady Cassandra , doughter to king Priamus , had ben regarded more than the counsayl of flatterers , the citie of Troye and kyngedome of Frigia , hadde lenger remayned , And Priamus with his noble succession hadde many yeres rayned . Beholde our progenitours the ancient Romayns in al extreme dangers , whan other counsayle vtterly fayled , dyd not they resort to the bokes of Sibylla Cumana , called also Amalthea ? & pursuing her aduise , which she had there declared , dyd they not escape the perils whiche thanne were imminente ? Hundredes of suche women are in storyes remembred , but for spede of tyme I wyll passe them ouer , sens I trust that these be suffyciente to proue , that the hole kynde of women , be not vnapt vnto wisedome as ye haue supposed . As concernynge strength and valyante courage , whiche ye surmise to lacke in them , I could make to you no lesse replication , and by old stories and late experyence , proue , that in armes women haue ben found of no lyttell reputation , but I wyl omit that for this tyme , for as moche as to the more parte of wyse menne it shal not sound moch to theyr commendation : Sauynge that we nowe haue one example amonge vs , as well of fortitude as of all other vertues , whiche in myne opinion , shall not be inconueniente , to haue at this tyme declared , and so of this matter to make a conclusion . CANINI . And I haue myne eares therto prepared . CAN . The best matter is euer good to be spared , vntyl the tale be almoste at an ende , and than shal the herers with the length therof be lytel offended . Syr there dwelleth here by me a lady , late a greate queene and wyfe to Odenatus kynge of Palmyry , whiche is a citie and countreye in Surry , her name is Zenobia : she hath had of our host victory twise , and nowe late was taken prisoner by Aurelian the emperour , all be it for her nobylitye vertue and courage , she was pardoned of her life , and a fayre house is appoynted to her in this village . she is well lerned in greke , and doth competently vnderstand latine , but excellently the Egiptian language . She her selfe techeth her chyldren good letters , and beinge nowe vacante frome other busynesse , wrytcth as they saye of Alexandria and the orient eloquent stories . I haue boden her to supper , it wyll not nowe be longe or she come hyther . And whan ye doo here her , I dare well saye , ye wyll be chaunged frome your opinion , and confesse , that in womenne is bothe courage , constance , and reason . CANINIVS . But I pray you of this matter say to her nothynge . CANDI . Ah , I see well ye be loth to come to a rekenynge . Thus do they all that be of your fascion , In wyse womens absence speke reprochefullye , and whan they be present , flatter them plesauntly . But lo where she commeth , let vs mete with her . Your ladyshyp is very hartely welcome . ZENO . Ye haue caused me to do , that I haue vsed verye seldome . CANDI . What is that madame ? ZENO . To be out of myne owne house at this tyme of the nyghte . CAN . I thanke therfore your ladyshyp . for I thinke the same , but I wyll promyse you , nothyng shal come to your herynge or syghte , but that bothe to here and see may stand with your worshyp . ZENO . That I hartely praye you , for the remembrance of my princely astate maye not susteyne wordes of dishonesty . And bycause I am nowe as a priuate personne , I feare the common successe of famylyaritie . CAN . What is that madame I praye you hartely . ZENO . For I drede infamy , I tell you playnely , more than euer I didde the losse of my lyberty . CAN . No such thyng shall happen madame I promyse you trewely . for here ye shal fynde nod men but of honeste condicion . ZENOBIA . Yet some in deuising with ladies , reioysynge to be therfore hadde in a certayne suspition , wyll by the way of dalyaunce conney from them some thynge , whiche beinge shewed , do ingender in the beholders some dishonest opynion . Dyuerse be not ashamed , to make theyr aduant , that they haue receyued , whiche of her that they speke of , was neuer ones profered . These thynges master Candidus haue made me afrayde , to come to suppers and bankettes . CANI . Mary that is well sayde . And yet some tyme suche thinges haue ben sene offered . CANDI . Perchance of some yonge maydens which did it of courtesy . yet moch more haue ben asked that haue ben denayed . I haue knowen it my selfe , I promyse you faythfully . ZENOBIA . Truely I lyke not suche maner of foly , I haue ben brought vp in other study . CANDI . I praye you madame , let me aske you a question : but fyrste pleaseth it you to syt downe and reste you ? for I trowe your supper is not yet redye . ZE . Nowe what is your demaunde , speke on hardily ? CAN . Of what age was your ladishyp , whan first ye were maried ? ZENO . Twenty yeres and aboue . CANDI . It was great pitie , that ye soo longe taryed . ZENO . But it was the more for my commodytie . for I knewe the better what longed to my duety . CANDI . Your duety madame , what meane ye therby . ZENOBIA . For by my studye in moral philosophy , wherin I spent the yeres betwen syxtene and twenty , I perceyued , that without prudence and constancy , women mought be broughte lyghtely into errour & foly , and made therfore vnmete for that companye , whervnto they were ordeyned : I meane , to be assistence & comfort to man through theyr fidelitie , whiche other bestes are not excepte they be by the force of man therto constrayned . I found also , that Iustyce teacheth vs womenne , to honour our husbandes nexte after god : which honour resteth in due obedience , wherby mutuall loue betwyxte theym is in a more feruence . for vndoubtedly no woman hym loueth , whose hate or displeasure she nothynge feareth . Also Iustice restrayneth vs to doo any thynge , Iustyce . whiche is not semely . By Fortitude are we styll kept in a vertuouse constancy , Fortitude . as wel in resisting affections and wanton persuasion , as also to susteyne ( whan they do happen ) afflyctions pacyently . But in a woman , Tēper●●… in women no vertue is equall to Temperaunce , wherby in her wordes and dedes she alway vseth a iust moderation , knowynge whan tyme is to speke , and whan to kepe silence , whan to be occupyed and whan to be merye . And if she measure it to the wyll of her husbande , she dothe the more wysely : except it may tourne them bothe to losse or dyshonestye . yet than shuld she seme rather to giue him wise counsaile , than to appere dissobedient or sturdy . In euery of these thynges consisted my duety , whiche I shulde not soo well haue knowen , if to my husbande I had soner be wedded . CANI . In dede ye had ben paste lernynge therof , whan ye ones had ben bedded . ZE . In good fayth ye saye trewely . for whan I had ben out of the dreade of my father ( who kepte me in this study continuallye ) and had ones tasted the pleasaunt deuises , whiche are prouyded for queenes and other great ladyes , ye maye well suppose I shulde sone haue loste , that delectation , whiche I had in study . CAN . Ye saye euen truthe by the faythe of my body . but madame , after that ye were maryed , what profite was to you , the know lege of letters ? ZENO . Moche , mayster Candidus I promyse you veryly . for durynge the lyfe of my noble husband of famouse memory , I was neuer harde or sene , say or do any thynge , whiche mought not contente hym , or omytte any thynge , whiche shulde delite hym . such circumspection , good lerning minystred vnto me , that in huntynge and other pastymes , I retayned alway suche grauitie , that of any dyssolute appetyte , none coulde conceyue of me any suspicion : and yet my lernynge was had of none honeste man in any derysyon . But after the deathe of my husbande , I founde of lernynge a meruaylouse treasure . For whan I consydered the state of thynges , whiche thanne hapned to gether , what daunger was to the realme immynente for lacke of a gouernour , and that my chyldren for theyr tender youthe , shulde be lyttell regarded , and I beinge a woman , shoulde nothynge be feared . Also what tutours my chyldren shulde haue , it was verye vncertayne . Ambicion alway raigninge in euery countrey , whiche can not gladly suffer in any one personne suche maner of souerayntie , that vnder the name of protection , he shulde haue in subiection all the nobilitie . And althoughe that suche one mought happen to be , yet hauynge in remembraunce as wel auncient histories as late exaumples , I dradde , Ambition . Auarice . leste in soo greatte authoritie Ambition and Auarice mought cause men to forget theyr obedience truste and fydelytie . I considered also , that the realme of Palmyry , was enuironed with ennemyes . for on the one syde was the hoste of the Romaynes , which alwaye awayted to fynde oportunitie , to inuade my realme , and to subdue it vnder their Empire . The theues of Araby were on the other syde , whiche all redye were entred the marches , and spoyled the countrey . The kynge of Media , to be discharged of his trybute , ioyned with our ennemyes , wyllynge to brynge my realme in perpetuall captiuitie . Was it any meruayle , if all these thynges dyd excedyngly trouble me ? CAN . But fynally madame , what remedye founde ye ? ZENO . After that I hadde a lyttell bethoughte me , I determyned to prepare remedies quickely , and to susteyne fortune at al times paciently . And to the intente that the name of a woman , shulde not amonge the people be had in contempt , I vsed so my procedynges , that none of them mought be sayd , to be done womanly . Wherfore I sate alway abrode amonge my nobles and counsaylours , and sayde myne opinion , so that it seemed to theym all , that it stode with good reason . I came often times among the people , and remembred vnto them , the libertie and honour whiche they had receyued , by the excellent prowesse of my noble husband , shewynge to theym my chyldren , whiche for tender age thanne were but feble , exhortynge theym with sondry orations to reteine theyr fidelitie . I visited al the hole realme and the marches , reedified fortressys , and newe made also sondrye municions . More ouer , I caused good lawes to be publyshed , obset uynge them fyrste in myne owne householde , and caused them in al other places to be well executed . I made Iustice chiefe ruler of myne affection , and in all consultations wolde I be present , where I herde all other speke fyrste , that I wolde not be ignorant : and than shewed myne aduise , wherin I semed , not to be negligente . Touchynge my seruauntes I vsed such a dilygent scrutiny , that they were alway personnes of synguler honestye . By this maner industry I quietly go uerned the realme of Palmyrye . And also added moche more to myne Empire , not soo moche by force , as by renoume of iuste and politike gouernaunce , whiche all men had in suche admyration , that dyuerse of our said ennemies , whiche agaynste the realme erste dyd conspyre , and had inuaded my iurisdyction , chase rather to leaue theyr hostilitie , and to remayne in our subiection , than to retourne to theyr owne countrey . to the whiche wysedome and polycy I attayned by the study of noble philosophye . Also therby I acquired such magnanimitie , that nowe I kepe in as strayt subiection al affections , and passions , as the Romaynes doo nowe me and my chyldren . Al this considered , my studye was to me moche more commodious bycause it was so longe or I were maryed . Wherfore I maye conclude that I had well taryed . CAN . Ye haue sayde very well by the fayth of my body . And all that ye haue spoken I haue before hard as wel of your frendes as of your ennemies confessed . Howe saye you Canmius , be you any thynge chaunged in your opinion ? CANI . I wolde neuer haue loked for suche a conclusion , I see well inoughe , that women beinge well and vertuously brought vp , do not onely with men participate in reason , but som also in fidelitie and constauncie be equall vnto them . CANDIDVS . Madame , your supper is redye , may it lyke you to enter in toward it . ZE . With ryght good wil : but yet if this gentylman hath aught to saye agaynste women , I am not vnprouided for to defende them . CANI . Noo madame , I am by your ladyshyp all redy satisfied , he is wyse that with reason is shortely contented . And where Reason serueth not , sylence is praysed . ZENOBIA . Yet a good mynde , in sylence , is euer well occupyed . CANDIDVS . And he that thynketh well , and speketh treuthe is moste to be loued . Madame I wil leade you the waye into my house . ZENOBIA . With good wyll I folowe you . CANI . The conclusion is good , where bothe partes are pleased . And if they bothe be wyse , it maketh no matter though fooles be offended .