The masque of queenes celebrated from the house of fame: by the most absolute in all state, and titles. Anne Queene of Great Britaine, &c. With her honourable ladies. At VVhite Hall, Febr. 2. 1609. Written by Ben: Ionson.

THE MASQVE OF QVEENES .

IT increasing , now , to the third time of my being vs'd in these seruices to her Maiesties personall presentations , with the Ladyes whom she pleaseth to honor ; it was my first & speciall regard , to see that the Nobility of the inuention should bee answerable to the dignity of their persons , For which reason I chose the argument , to be , A celebration of honorable , and true Fame , bred out of Vertue : obseruing that rule of the Hor. in Art. Poetic . best Artist , to suffer no obiect of delight to passe without his mixture of profit & example . And because her Maiestie ( best knowing , that a principall part of life , in these Spectacles , lay in their variety ) had commanded me to think on some Dance or shew , that might praecede hers , & haue the place of a foile or false Masque ; I was carefull to decline , not only from others , but mine owne steps in that kind , since the In the Masqu● at my L. Hadding . wedding . last yeare , I had an Anti-masque of Boyes : and therfore now , deuis'd , that twelue Women , in the habit of Hags , or Witches , sustaining the persons of Ignorance , Suspition , Credulity . &c. the opposits to good Fame , should fill that part ; not as a Masque , but a Spectacle of strangenes , producing multiplicitie of gesture , and not vnaptly sorting with the current , and whole fall of the deuise .

His Maiestie , then , being set , and the whole company in full expectation , the part of the Scene which first presented it selfe was an ougly Hell : which flaming beneath , smoaked vnto the top of the Roofe . And in respect all Euils are , morally , said to come from Hell ; as also from that obseruation of Torrentius vpon Horace his Canidia , Vid . Laeuin . Tor . Comment . in Hor. Epod . lib . Oae . 5. quae tot instruct a venenis , ex Orci faucibus profecta videri possit : These Witches , with a kinde of hollow and infernall musique , came forth from thence . First one , then two , and three , and more , till their number increased to eleuen ; all differently attir'd : some with Rats on their heads ; some on their shoulders ; others with ointment pots at their girdles ; All with spindles , timbrels , rattles , or other venefical instruments , making a confused noise , with strange gestures . The deuise of their attire was Mr. Iones his , with the inuention , & Architecture of the whole Scene , & Machine . Onely , I prescrib'd them their Properties of Vipers , Snakes , Bones , Hearbs , Rootes , and other Ensignes of their Magick , out of the authority of auncient and late Writers , wherein the faults are mine , if there bee any found ; and for that cause I confesse them .

These eleuen Witches beginning to dance ( which is an vsual See the Kings Maiest●es booke , ( our Soueraigne ) of Damonologie . Bodin . Remig . Delr●o . Mal : Maleft . And a world of others , in the generall : But let vs follow particulars . Ceremony at their Conuents , or meetings , where sometimes also they are vizarded , and masqu'd ) on the sodaine , one of them missed their Chiefe , and interrupted the rest , with this speech .

SIsters , stay , we want our Amongst our vulgar Witches , the honor of Dame ( for so I translate it ) is giuen with a kind of preheminence to some speciall one at their meetings : which Delrio insinuates , Disquis . Mag. Lib . 2. Qu . 9. quoting that of Apuleius . Lib . de Asin . anreo . de quadam taupena , Regina Sagarum . And addes , vt scias etiam tum quasdam ab ijs hoc ti●ulo honorata● . Which title M. Philippe Ludwigus Elich . Damonomagia . Quest . 10. doth also remember . Dame ; Call vpon her by her name , And the Charme we vse to say , That she quickly When they are to bee transported from place to place , they vse to annoint themselues , and sometimes , the things they ride on . Beside Apule . testimony , See these later . Remig , Demonolatria . lib . 1. Cap. 14. Delrio . Disquis . Mag. lib . 2. Quest . 16. B●din . Damonoman , lib . 2. Cap. 4. Barthol . de spina . quest . de Strigib , Philiope Ludovigus Elich . Quest . 10. Paracelsus in magn . & ●●cul● Philosophia , teacheth the confection . Vnguantum 〈◇〉 carne recent natorum infantium , in prelmenti forma coctum , & cum herbit semniseri● , qu●les sunt Papauer , Solanmn , Cicuta , &c. And Ioa . Bapti . Porta . lib . 2. Mag. Natur . Cap. 26. annoint , and come away . 1 CHARME . DAme , Dame , the Watch is set : Quickly come , we all are met . These places in their owne nature dire , and disinall , are reckon'd vp , as the sittest from whence such persons should come : and were notably obserued by that excellent Lucan , in the description of his Ericth● ; lib . 6. To which wee may adde this corollary out of Agrip . de o●cult . philosop . lib . ● . cap . 48 , Saturne conrrespendent loca quanis f●●tida , tenebrosa , subterranea , religiosa & fanesta , vt eamiteria , busta , & hominibus deserta habitacula , & veteslate ●aduca , loca obscura , & horrenda , & sol tarta antrae , cauerna , putei ; Praeterea piscina , stagna , paludes , & eiusmodi . And in lib . 3. cap . 42. speaking of the like and in lib . 4. about the end , Aptis●ma sunt loca plurimum expirtentia visionum , nocturnarumque in cursionum & constimilium phantasmaet●m , vt camiteria , & in quibus fieri solent executio & criminalis iudicij , in quibut recentibus annis publicae strages factae sunt , vel vbi occisor●m 〈◇〉 dauera , necedum expiata , nec ritè sepulta recentioribus annis subnumata sunt . From the lakes , and from the fennes , From the recks , and from the dennes , From the woods , and from the caues , From the church-yeards , from the graues , From the dungeon , from the tree That they dye on , here are we . Comes she not yet ? Strike another heate . 2 CHARME . THe weather is faire , the winde is good , Vp Dame , o' your Delrio . Disq . Mag. lib . 2. Quest . 6. has a sto●y out of Triezius of this horse of wood : but that which out Witches call so , is sometimes a broome-staffe , sometime à reede sometime a distaffe . See Rom●g . Daemonol . lib . ●● cap . 14. Bodin liv . 2. cap . 4. &c. horse of wood : Or else , tucke vp your gray frock , And saddle your The Goat is the diuel himself vpon whom they ●ide often to their sole●mities , as ap● pea●es by their confessions in Rem . and Bodin . ibid . His Maiestie also remembers the storie of the Diuels appearance to those of C●licut , in that forme . Damenol . lib . 2. cap . 3. Goat , or your greene Of the greene Cock , we haue no other ground ( to confesse ingenuously ) than a vulgar fable of a Witch , that with a Cock of that colour , and a bottome of blew thred , would transport her selfe through ●●aire ; and so escaped ( at the time of her being brought to execution ) from the hand of Iustice . It was a tale when I went to schoole , And somewhat there is like it , in Mar. Delr . Disqu● . Mag. lib . 2. Quast 6. of one Zijto , a Bohemian , that , among other his dexterities , aliquoties equis rhedarijs vectum , gallis gallinaceis ad ●p●nkedium sisum alligatis , subsequebatur . Cock , And make his bridle a bottome of thrid , To rowle vp how many miles you haue rid . Quickly come away ; For we , all , stay . Nor yet ? Nay , then , Wee 'll try her agen . 3. CHARME . THe Owle is abroad , the Bat , and the Toad , And so is the Cat-a-mountaine ; The Ant , and the Mole sit both in a hole , And Frogge peepes out o' the fountaine ; The Dogges , they do bay , and the Timbrels play , The All this is but a Per●phrasis of the might , in their charme , and their applying themselues to it with their i● struments , whereof the Spindle in An tiquitie , was the cheife ; and beside the testimonie of Theocritus , in Pharmaceutria , ( who onely vs'd it in amorous affaires ) was of speciall act to the troubling of the Moone . To which Martiall alludes , lib . 9 ept . 30. Q●anunc Thess●l●●o lunam deducere rhombo , &c. And lib . 12. Epig . 57. Cum secta Colcke Luna vapalat rhom●● . Spindle is now a turning ; The Moone it is red , and the Starres are fled , But all the Sky is a burning : The This rate also of making a d●tch with their nailes , is frequent with our witches●… whereof see Bodin . Remig . Delrio . Malleus Mal . Godelmā●… lib . 2. de lamijs , as also the antiquitie of it most viuely exprest by Horac . Satir . 8. lib . 1. where he mentions the pictures , and the blood of a black Lamb ; All which are yet in vse with our moderne witchcraft . Scalpere terram ( speaking of Canidia , & Sagana ) Vnguibus , & pullam duellere mordicus agnam Coeperunt : Cruor in fossam confusus , vt inde Maneis elicerent animas responsa daturas . Lanea & effig●es erat , altera cerea ; &c. And then , by and by , Serpentesatque videres Infernas errare caneis , Lunamque rubentem , Ne foret his testis , post magna lerere se pulchra . Of this ditch Homer makes mention in Circes speech to Vlysses : Odiss K. about the end . {αβγδ} . &c. And Ouid , Metam . lib . 7 in Medeas Magick Hond procul egestâ scrobibus tellure duabus Sacra facit , cultrosque in gut ture velleris atri Conijcit , & patulas perfundit sanguine fessas . And of the waxen Images , in Hypsipyles epistle to Iason , where he expresseth that mischiefe also of the needles Deuouet absentes , simulocraque cerea fingit , Et mise●… rum tenues in iecur vrget acus . Bodin . Daemon . lib . 2. cap . 8. hath ( beside the knowne story of King Duffe ou●… of Hector Boetius ) much of the witches later practise in that kind , and reports a relation of a Frent 〈…〉 Ambassadours , out of England , of certaine pictures of wax found in a dungh●ll , neere Isl●ngton , of our lat●… Queenes , which rumor I my selfe ( being then very young ) can yet remember to haue bene ●●trent . Ditch is made , and our nayles the spade , With pictures full , of waxe , and of wooll ; Their liuers I sticke , with needles quicke ; There lackes but the bloud , to make vp the flood . Quickly Dame , then , bring your part in , Spurre . spurre , vpon little Their litle Martin is be that calls them to their Conuenticles , which is done in a humane voyce bu●… comming forth , they find him in the shape of a great Back●goat , vpon whom they ●●●e to their meetings Delrto . Disquis . Mag. Quast , 16. lib . 2. And Bod . Demonom . lib . 2 cap . 4. haue both the same relation from Paulus Grillandus , of a Witch . Adueniente nocte , & horà euocabatur vo●e quadam velut humana abipso Do●… mone , quem non vocant Daemonem , sed Magisterulum , alia Magistrum Martinettum siue Martinellis● . Quae sic euocata●… mox sumebat pyxidem vnctionis , & liniebat corpus suum in qu●●usdam partibus & membris , que limto exibet ex dom●… & inuenrebat Magisterulum suum in forma hircr illam expectantem apnd ostium , super quo mulier equi●abat , & appl●… care solebat fortiter manus ad arineis , & station hircus ille adscendebat per aërem , & breuissimo tempore defereb at ip●… sam , &c. Martin , Merely , merely , make him saile , A worme in his mouth , and a thorne in 's taile , Fire aboue , and fire below , With a whip i' your hand , to make him go . O , Now shee 's come ! Let all be dumbe .

AT this , the This Dame make to beare t●… person of Are , 〈…〉 Mischiefe ( for 〈…〉 I interpret it ) o●… of Homers descri●… tion of her Ilia●… I. where h●… makes her sw●… to hurt Mankin●… strong , and sou●… of her feete , a●… Iliad . T. walki●… vpon mens hea●… in both places vsing one , and the same phrase to signifie her power , {αβγδ} Ladens home●es . I present her ●are footed , and he fr●●k ruck'd , to make her seeme more expedite , by Horace his anthotity . Set . 8. lib . 1. Succinct●m vadere palla Canidiam pedib●s nudis , p●ssoque capillo . But for her haire , I rather respect another place of his , Epod . lib . Ode . 5 , where she appeares Canidia breuibus imp'icata viperis Crineis , et incomptum caput . And that of Lucan . lib . 6. Speaking of Erictho's attire . Discolor , & vario Fur●ialis cultas amictu Induitur , vultus què aperitur crine remoto , Et coma vipereu substringitur horrida sertis . For her Torch , See Remig . lib . 2 , cap . 3. Dame enter'd to them , naked-arm'd , bare-footed , her frock tuck'd , her haire knotted , and folded with Vipers ; In her hand a Torch made of a dead mans arme , lighted ; girded with a Snake . To whom they all did reuerence , and she spake , vttering , by way of question , the end wherefore they came : which if it had beene done either before , or otherwise , had not beene so naturall . For , to haue made themselues , their owne decipherers , and each one to haue told , vpon their entrance , what they were , and whether they would , had bin a most pitious hearing , and vtterly vnworthy any quality of a Poeme : wherein a Writer should alwayes trust somewhat to the capacity of the Spectator , especially , at these Spectacles ; where men , beside inquiring eyes , are vnderstood to bring quicke eares , and not those sluggish ones of Porters , and Mechanicks , that must be bor'd through , at euery act , with narrations .

DAME . HAGGES . WEll done , my Hagges . And , come we fraught with spight , To ouerthrow the glory of this night ? Holds our great purpose ? HAG . Yes . DAM But wants there none Of our iust number ? HAG . Call vs one , by one , And then our Dame shall see . DAM . In the chayn●… g of these vices make , as if one ●… ke produc'd a●… other , and the ●… ame were born ●… ut of them all ; 〈…〉 , as they might ●… y to her , Sola to 〈…〉 scelerum , quic●… d possed●mus om●… . Nor will it ●… peare much vi●… ac'd , if their Series be considered , when the opposition to all vertue begins out of Ignorance . That Ignorance beget 〈◇〉 Suspition ( for knowledge is euer open , and charitable ) That Suspition Cred●lity , as it is a vicetor being a vertue , and free , it is opposite to it : but such as are iealous of then selues doe easily credit any thinge of others whom they hate . Out of this Credulity springs Falshood , which begets Murmure ; and that Murmure presently growes Malice , which b●gets Impudence ; and that Impudence Slander ; that Slander Execration : Execration Bitternesse ; Bitternesse Fury ; and Fury Mischiefe . Now , for the personall presentation of them , the Authority in Poetry is vniuersall . But in the absolute Claudian , there is a particular and eminent place , where the Poet not onely produceth such persons but almost to a like purpose . in Ruf . Lib . 1 , where Alecto , enuious of the times , infernas ad li●●ina totra sorores , Concilium deforme vocat , glomerantur in vnum I ●numeraepstes Erebi , quascunque s●●● stro Nex genu● f●●●u : nutrix Discordia belli , Imperiosa Fames , leto vicina Senectus , Impatiensque sui Merbus , L●●que secundu Aum●● & scisso moerens velamine Luctus , Et Timor , & caeco praecept Aadacia vultu ; with many others , fit to disturb the world , as ours the night . First , then , aduance My drousie seruant , stupide Ignorance , Knowne by thy scaly vesture ; and bring on Thy fearefull Sister , wild Suspition , Whose eyes do neuer sleepe ; Let her knit hands With quick Credulity , that next her stands , Who hath but one eare , and that alwayes ope , Two-faced Falshood , follow , in the rope ; And lead on Murmure , with the cheekes deepe hung ; She Malice , whetting of her forked tongue ; And Malice Impudence , whose forhead's lost ; Let Impudence lead Slander on , to boast Her oblique looke ; and to her subtle side Thou , black-mouth'd Execration , stand apply'd ; Draw to thee Bitternesse , whose pores sweat gall ; She flame-eyd Rage , Rage Mischief . HAG . Here we , are all . DAM . Here againe , by way of irritation I make the Dame pursue the purpose of their comming , and discouer their natures more largly : which had bin nothing , if not done as doing another thing , but Moratio circa vilen pat●lu●que ●rborn . Then which the Peet cannot know a greater vice ; he being that kind of Artific●● , to whose worke is required so much exactnesse , as Indifferency is not tollerable . Ioyne now our hearts , we faithfull Opposite● To Fame , and Glory . Let not these bright nights Of Honour blaze , thus , to offend our eyes . Shew our selues truely enuious , and let rise Our wonted rages . Do what may be seeme Such names , and Natures . Vertue , else , will deeme Our powers decreast , and thinke vs banish'd earth , No lesse then heauen . All her antique birth , As Iustice , Faith , she will restore ; and bold Vpon our sloth , retriue her Age of Gold . We must not let our natiue manners , thus , Corrupt with ease . Ill liues not , but in vs. I Hate to see these fruites of a soft Peace , And curse the pietie giues it such increase . Let vs disturbe it then , These powers of troubling Nature , are frequently ascrib'd to Witches , & chaleng'd by themselues , where euer they are induc'd , by Homer , Ouid , Tibullus , Pet : Arbiter , Seneca , Lucan , Claudian . to whose authorities I shall referre more anone . For the present , heare Socrat . in Apul . de Asin . aures . lib . 1. describing Meroe the Witch . Saga , & Diuinipotens coelim deponere , terram suspendere , fontes durare , monteis diluere , Manes sublimare , Deos infimare , Sydera extinguere , Tartarum ipsum illuminare . And lib . 2. Byrrhena to Lurius , of Pamphile . Maga primi nominis , & omnis carminis sepulcral● Magistra creditur , quae surcul● & lapillu , & id genus friuolis inhalatis omnem istam lucem mundi syderalis , imis Tartari , & in vetustum Chaos mergit . As also this latter of Remigiut , in his most elegant Arguments , before his Damonolatria ▪ Qu● possint euertere fundit●●t orbem , Et Maneis superis miscere , has vnica cura est . And Lucan . Quarum , quicquid non creditur , a●● of . and blast the light ; Mixe Hell with Heauen , and make Nature fight Within her selfe ; loose the whole henge of Things ; And cause the Ends runne backe , into their Springs . HAG . What our Dame bids vs doo We are ready for . DAM . Then fall too . This is also solemne in their witchcraft , to be examined , either by the Diuell or their Dame , at their meetings , of what mischiefe they haue done ; and what they can conferre to a future hurt . See M. Philippo-Ludwigus Elich . Damonomagia lib . Quast . 10. But Remigius , in the very forme . Lib . 1. Demonolat . Cap , 22. Quemadmodum solent Heri in ●●lli . is procuratoribus , cum corum rationes expendunt , segnitiem negligentiamque durius cast●gare ; Ita Daemon , in suis co●●●ijs , quod tempus examinandis c●iusque rebus atque actiontbus ipse constituit , eos pessimè habere consuent● , qui nihil afferunt , quo se nequiores ac flagitijs cumulatiores doceant . Nec cuiquam adeo impune est , si à superiore conuentu nullo ●se scelere nouo obstr●●ern●t ; sed semper op●rtet , qui gratus esse volet , in alium , nouum aliquod fa●inus fecisse . And this doth exceedingly solicue them all , at such times , lest they should come vnprepared . But wee apply this examination of ours to the particular vse ; whereby , also , we take occasion , not alone to expresse the Things ( as Vapors , Liquors , Hearbs , Bones , Flesh , Blood , Fat , and such like , which are cal'd Media magica ) but the Rites of gathering them , and from what places , reconciling ( as neere as we can ) the practise of Antiquity , to the Neotericke , and making it familiar with our popular Witchcraft . But first relate me , what you haue sought , Where you haue beene , and what you haue brought .

HAGGES . 1. 1 For the gathering peeces of dead flesh . Cor . Agrip . deoccul . Philosop . lib . 3. Cap. 42. and Lib . 4. Cap. vlt . obserues that the vse was to call vp Ghost● and Spirits , with a sumigation made of that ( & bones of carcasses ) which I make my Witch , here , not to cut her selfe , but to watch the Rauen , as Lucan's Erichthe . Lib . 6. Et quodcunqué iapet nuda tellure cad auer , Ante feras volucresque sedet : nec carpere membra Vult ferro manibusque suis , morsusque luporum Expectat siccis raptura à sau●ibus artus . As if that peece were sweeter which the Wolfe had bitten , or the Rauen had pick'd , and more effectuous : And to do it , at her turning to the South , as with the praediction of a storme . Which , though they be but minutes in Ceremony , being obseru'd , make the act more darke and full of horror . I Haue bene , all day , looking after A Rauen , feeding vpon a quarter ; And , soone as she turn'd her beake to the South , Isnatch'd this morsell out of her mouth . 2. 2 Spuma Canum●… Lupi crines , nodus Hyena , ocult Draconum , Serpen●… t is membrana , Aspidis aures are a●… mention'd by th●… Antients , in witc●… craft . And Luc●… particularly ● li●… 6. Huc quicqui●… foetu genuit Natu●… finistro Miscetur , non spuma canum , quibus vnda timoriest , Viscera non Lyncis ; non durae nodus Hyenae Defuit : &c. A●… Ouid . Metamorphos . lib . 7. reckons vp others . But for the spurging of the eies , let vs returne to Lucan , in th●… same booke , which peice ( as all the rest ) is written with an admirable height . Ast vbi seruantur saxu , quib●… intimus humor Ducitur , & tracta durescunt tabe medullae Corpora , tunc omneis auide desanit in artus , Immersitque m●… nus oculis , gaudet que gelat●s Effodisse orbeis , & sicca pallida rodit Excrementa man●● . I Haue bene gathering Wolues haires , The mad Dogges foame , and the Adderseares ; The spurging of a dead Mans eyes , And all since the Euening starre did rise . 3. 3 Plinle writing of the Mandrake , Nat. Hist . lib . 25. cap . 13. and of the digging it vp , hath this ceremony , Cauent effossur● contrarium ventum , & tribus cir●ulis antè glad●●●rcumscribunt , postea fodiunt ad occasum spectantes . But we haue later tradition , that the forcing of it vp is so fatally dangerous , as the grone kils , and therefore they do it with Dogs , which I thinke but borrowed from Iosephus his report of the root Baaras . lib . 7. de Bel . Iudaic . Hows●euer , it being so principall an ingredient in their Magick , it was fit she should boast to be the plucker vp of it her selfe . And , that the Cook did crow , asludes to a prime circumstance in their worke : For they all confesse that nothing is so crosse , or balefull to them , in their nights , as that the Cock should crow before they haue done . Which makes that their little Masters , or Martinets , of whom I haue mention'd before , vse this forme in dismissing their conuentions . Eia , facessite proper● hinc omnes , nam iam galli canere incipus●t . Which I interpret to be , because that Bird is the messenger of light , and so , contrary to their acts of darknesse . See Remig . Demonolat . lib . 1. cap . 4. where he quotes that of Appollonius . de vmbra Achillu , Philostr . lib . 4. cap . 5. And Eus●● . Casariens . 〈◇〉 confutat . contra Hierecl . 4. de Gallicinio . I , Last night , lay all alone O the ground , to heare the Mandrake grone ; And pluckt him vp , though he grew full low , And , as I had done , the Cocke did crow . 4. 4 I haue touch'd at this before , in my none vpon the first , of the vse of gathering Flesh , Bone● , and Sculs : to which I now bring that piece of Apuleius . lib . 3. de Asino aurto . of Pamphile . Priusque apparatu solito instruxit feralem officinam , omne ge●●●●r omatis . & ignorab●●●iter laminis literat●● , & infoelicium n●tuium durantibus clauis defletorum , sepultorum etiam , cadauerum expositis ●●●ltis ad●●odum membru , me nares , & digiti , illic carn●si claut pendentium , alibi trucidatorum seruatus cr●or , & ex●orta dentibus serarum trunca caluarta . And , for such places , Lucan makes his Witch to inhabit them . Lib . 6. Deserta que busta Incolit , & tu●m●l●s expulsis obtines ●●brts . ANd , I ha' beene choosing out this scull , From Charnell houses , that were full ; From priuate Grots , and publique Pits , And frighted a Sexten , out of his wits . 5. 5 For this rite , see Barthel . de spina . Quaest. de Strigibus . cap . 8. Mall . Mallesica . Tom . 2. where hee disputes at large the transformation of Witches to cattes , and their sucking both their spirits , and the bloud , calling them Striget : which Goldelman : lib . de Lamijs . would haue á stridore , & auibus fadissimis eiusdem nominis , which I the rather incline to out of Ouid's authority . Fast . lib . 6. where the Peet ascribes , to those birds , the same almost that these doe to the Witches . Nocte volant , pucrosque potunt nutricis egenteis , Et vitiant cunis corpora rapta suis : Carpere dicuntur lactentia viscera rostris , Et plenum pote sanguine guttur habent . VNder a cradle I did creepe , By day ; and , when the child was asleepe , At night , I suckd the breath : and rose , And pluckd the nodding Nurse by the nose . 6. 6. Their killing of infants is common , both for confection of their oyntment ( whereto one Ingredient is the fat boylde , as I haue shew'd before out of Paracelsus , & Porta ) as also out of a lust to doe murder . Sprenger in Mall . Malesic . reports that a Witch , a Midwife in the Diocoese of Basil , confessed to haue killd aboue forty infants ( euer as they were new borne , with pricking them in the braine with a needle ) which she had offered to the Deuill . See the story of the three Witches in Rem . Daemonola lib . cap . 3. about the end of the chapter . And M. Philippo-Ludwigus Elich . Quaestio . 8. And , that it is no new rite , reade the practise of Can●dia . Epod . Horat . lib . Ode 5. and Eucan . lib . 6. whose admirable verses I can neuer bee weary to transcribe . Noc cessant à cade manus , si sanguine ●viu● Est opus , erumpat inguloqui primus aperto . Nec refugitcades , vinum s●saer ●cr●o●em Extaque funerea poscunt trepidantia mensa . Vulnere si ventris , non qua Natura vocabat Extrahitur part●● calides pone●●lus in aris ; Et qu●tiet sa●i● opus est 〈…〉 Ipsafanit Man●● . 〈…〉 om●is in vsu est . I Had a dagger : What did I with that ? Kill'd an infant , to haue his fat . A Piper it got at a Church-ale , I bad him , againe blow wind i' the tayle . 7. 7. The abuse o● dead bodies in their witch-craf● , both Porphyrie , and Ps●llus are graue Authors of . The one Lib . de sacrif ca● de vere cultu . The other h●●de d●m● . which Apuleius toucheth too , lib . 2. de Asin . a●reo . But Remigius , who deales with later persons , and out of their owne mouthes Damonola . lib . 2. Cap. 3. affirmes . Hec & nostra a●atismaleficis hominibus moris est facere , prasertim si cuius supplicio affecti cadauer exemple d●tumest , et in crucem sublatum . Nam non solum inde sortilegijs suis materiam mutuantur : Sed et ab ipsis carnisocinae instrumentit , reste , vinc●lis , palo , ferramentis . Siqwdem ijs vulgs etiam opinione inesse ad i●cantationes magi●as vim quandam at potestatem . And , to this place , I dare ●●t , out of Religion to the dinine Lucan , but bring his verses from the same booke . Laqueum , nodosque nocenteit Ore suo rupir , pendentia corpora carpsit , Abrasit que cruies , percussaque viscera n●mbis Vulsit , et incoctas admisso sole medullas . Insertum manibus chalibe● nigramque per artus Stillantis tabs sani●● , virusque coa●tum Sust●●it , & ner●o morsut retine●●● perpen●●t . A Murderer , yonder , was hung in chaines , The Sunne , and the wind had shrunke his vaine● ; I bit of a sinew , I clipp'd his haire , I brought of his ragges , that danc'd i' the ayre . 8. 8 These are Cani●●as furniture in Hora . Epoa . lib . Ode . 5. Etvncta turpis ●●a rana sanguine , Plumamque nocturnae strigis And part of Medeas confection in Ouid . Metamorp . lib . 7. Strigis infamet , ipsis cum carnibus , alas . That of the skin ( to make a purse for her Fly ) was meant ridi●●lo●s , to mock the keeping of their Familiars . THe Scrich-owles egges , and the fethers black , The bloud of the Frogge , and the bone in his back I haue beene getting ; and made of his skin A purset , to keepe Sir Cranion in . 9. 9. 〈◇〉 , Hyos●y ●●us , Ophi●gloss●n , Sol●●um , Martagon , Dor●nicum , Aconitum are the common ve●eficall ingredi●nts , remembred by Par●c●lsus , Pert● , Agrippa , & others ; which I make her to ha●e gather'd , as about a Costle , Church , or some rast building ( kept by Dogges ) among ruines , and wild heapes . ANd I ha ' beene plucking ( plants among ) Hemlock , Henbane , Adders-tongue , Night-shade , Moonewort , Libbards-hane , And twise , by the Dogges , was like to be tane . 10. 10. Ossa abere rapta ieiuna canis Horace giues Canidia , in the place before quoted . which ieiuna I rather change to Gard'nets , as imagining such persons , to keepe Mastifes for the defence of their grounds , whether this Hagge might goe also for simple● : where meeting with the bones , and , not content with them , shee would yet do a domesticke hurt , in getting the Catt's braices ; which is another speciall Ingredient , and of so much more efficacy , by how much blacker the Catte is . If you will credit Agrip . cap . de suffitibus . I , From the iawes of a Gardiners Bitch , Did snatch these bones , and then leap'd the ditch , Yet went I back to the house againe , Kill'd the black Cat , and here 's the brayne . 11. 11. These also , both by the confessions of Witches , and testimony of writers , are of principall vse in their Witchcraft . The Toad● mention'd in Virg . Geo . lib . 1. In● neutusque ca●i● Bufo . Which by Plinie is call'd Rubeta . Natu . Histo . lib . 32. cap . 5. and there celebrated for the force in Magick . Iuuenal touch ●th at it twise , within my memory . Satir . 1. & 6. And of the Owles eyes , see Cor . Agrip . de occult . Philos . lib . 1. Cap. 15. As of the Bats bloud , and wings , there : and in the 25. chapter . with Bapt . Porta . lib . 2. cap . 26. I Went to the Toad breedes vnder the wall , Icharm'd him out , and he came at my call ; I scratchd out the eyes of the Owle , before , I tore the Battes wing ; what would you haue more ? 12. 12. After all their boasted labors , and plenty of Materialls ( as they imagine ) I make the Dame not only to adde more , but stranger , and out of their meanes to get , ( except the ●●●st Papauer cornutum , which I haue touch'd at in the cousection ) as Sepulchris caprificos erutas , & cupressos funebreis , as Horace cals them , where he armes Canidia . Epod . lib . Ode . 5. Then Aguricum Laruis of which , see Porta . lib . 2. de Nat. Magi . against Plinie . And B●silist● , quem & Saturni sangui em vocant venefi●i , tantasque vires habere ferunt . Cor . Agrip . de occult . Philos . lib . 1 Cap. 42. With the viper , remembred by Lucan . lib . 6. and the skim of Serpents . Innataque rúbris Aequori●●● custos pretiosae viperae conchae . Aut viuentis adhuc Lybicae membrana cerasta . And Ouid . lib . 7. Nec defuit illis Squamea Cimphei tenuis membrana chelidri . YEs , I haue brought ( to helpe our vowes ) Horned Poppy , Cipresse boughes , The Fig-tree wild , that growes on tombes , And Iuice , that from the Larch-tree comes , The Basiliskes blood , and the Vipers skin : And , now , our Orgies let 's begin .

DAME .

HEre , the Dame put her selfe in the midst of them , and began her following Inuocation ; wherein she tooke occasion to boast all the power attributed to Witches , by the Antients : of which euery Poet ( or the most ) do giue some . Homer to Circe , in the Odyss . Theocritus to Simatha , in Pharmaceutria . Virgil to Alphesiboeus , in his . Ouid to Dipsas , in Amor . to Medea , and Circe , in Metamorph . Tibullus to Saga . Horace to Canidia , Sagana , Veta , Folia . Seneca to Medea , and the Nurse , in Herc . O Ete . Petr . Arbiter to his Saga , in Frag . and Claudian to Megaera . Lib . 1. in Rufinum ; who takes the habite of a Witch , as these do , and supplies that historicall part in the Poeme , beside her morall person of a Fury : Confirming the same drift , in ours .

These Inuocations are solemne with them , wherof we may see the formes , in Ouid . Meta . lib . 7. in Sen. Trag . Med . in Luc . lib . 6. which of all is the boldest & most horrid : beginning Eumemdes , Stigiumque nefas , paenaeque nocentum , &c. YOu Feinds , and Furies ( if yet any bee Worse then our selues ) you , that haue quak'd to see These The vntying of their knots is , when they are going to some fatall businesse , as Sagana is presented by Horace . Exp●dita , per totam domum Spargent Auernaleis aquas , H●rre● capillis , vt marinus asperis , Echinus , a●● curren● Aper . knots vntied ; & shrunk when we haue charm'd . You , that ( to arme vs ) haue your selues disarm'd , And to our powers , resign'd your whips and brands , When we went forth the scourge of Men , and Lands . You , that haue seene me ride , when Hecate Durst not take chariot ; when the boistrous sea , Without a breath of wind , hath knock'd the sky ; And that hath thundred , Ioue not knowing why : When we haue set the Elements at warres , Made Midnight see the Sunne , and Day the Starres ; When the wing'd Lightning , in the course , hath staid ; And swiftest Riuers haue run backe , afraid , To see the Corne remoue , the Groues to range , Whole Places alter , and the Seasons change . When the pale Moone , at the first voice , downe fell Poison'd , and durst not stay the second Spell . You , that haue oft , beene conscious of these sights ; And thou Hecate , who is called Triuia , & Triformis , of whom Virgil . Aeneid . lib . 4. Tergeminamque Hecaten . tria vergi nis ora Diana . She was beleeu'd to gouerne in witchcraft ; and is remembred in 〈◇〉 their inuocations See Theoc . in Pharmaceut . {αβγδ} & Medea in Sene Meis vo●ata sacrnoctium sidus veni . Pessimos induta vultus : Front● novna minax . And , ● richt . in Luc . Pers●phone , nostraque He catis part vltima &c. three-formed Starre , that , on these nights Art onely powerfull , to whose triple Name Thus we incline ; Once , twice , and thrice the same ; If now with rites prophane , and foule inough , We do inuoke thee ; darken all this roofe , With present fogges : Exhale earths rott'nest vapors , And strike a blindnesse through these blazing tapers . Come , let a murmuring Charme resound , The whilest we This Rite , o●… burying their Materials , is ofte●… confest in Remig●… and describ'd amply in Hor. Sat 8 lib . 1. Utque Lupibar bam var●a cundente colubrae Abdiderint furtim terris &c , bury all , i' the ground . But first , see euery The Ceremony also , of baring their feete , is expressed by Ouid . Metamorph . lib . 7. as of their haire . Egro ditur tectis vestes induta recinctas , Nuda pedem , nudos humeris infusa capillos . And Horac . ibidem . Pedibus nud passoque capillo . And Senec , in Tragad . Med . Tibi more Gentis , vinculo soluens comam Secrota nud● nemora ●●stra●●ped . foote be bare ; And euery knee . HAG . yes , Dame , they are . 4. CHARME . DEepe , Heere they sreake as if they were creating some new feature , which the Diuell perswades them to bee able to do , often , by the pronouncing of Words , and powring out of Liquors , on the Earth . Heare what Agrip . saies , De oceul . Phil . lib . 4 neere the end . In ●●●tation : bus vmbrarum furnigam●●● cum senguine recenti , cum ossibus more tuorum , & carne , cum onis , lacte , w●elle , olee , & simito li●us , quae aptun inedi●● tribnunt animabus , ad secunda corpora ; and a little before , Namque anima cognitis medijs , per quae quondam corporthus su●● coniungebantur , per similes vapores , liquores , nidere , ● facile alliciuntur . which doctrine he had from Apuleius , without all doubt , or question , who in lib . 3. de Asin , aure● . publisheth the same . Tune decantatis spirantibus fibris ●●at vario latice , nunc rore fontane , nunc laecte vaccine , nunc melle montano , libat & mulsâ Sicilles capillos in ●n●tuo● nexue obditor , atque nodatos , cum multis ●doribus das viuis carbonribus adolendos . Tunc protinus inexpugnabili Magica Disciplmas potestate , & caca numinum coactorum violentia , illa corpora quorum fumabant-stridentes capills spiritum mutuentor humanum , & sentiunt , & audiunt , & ambulant . Et qui nidor suarum ducebat exuuiarum veni●●ns . All which are meere arts of Sathan , when either himselfe will delude them with a false forme , or troubling a dead body makes them imagine these vanities the meanes : as in the ridiculous circumstances that follow , he doth dayly . O deepe , we lay thee to sleepe ; We leaue thee drinke by , if thou chance to be dry ; Both Milke , and Bloud , the Dew , and the Floud . We breath in thy bed , at the foote , and the head ; We couer thee warme , that thou take no harme : And when thou dost wake , Dame Earth shall quake , And the houses shake , And her belly shall ake , As her backe were brake , Such a birth to make , As is the blew Drake : Whose forme thou shalt take . DAME . NEuer a Starre yet shot ? Where be the Ashes ? HAG . Here 's the pot . DAM . This throwing vp of ashes , und sand , with the fline stone , crosse sticks , and burying of sage &c. are al vs'd ( and bele●'d by them ) to the rayling of storme . and tempost . See Remig . lib . r . daemon cap . 25. Nider . F●rmaen● ri . cap . 4. Bodin . Damon . lib 2 cap . 8. And heare Godchmanilib . 2. cap . 6. Nam quando damoni grandines ciends potestatem facit Deus , tum Maloficas inst , uit , vt quandeque filices post tergum in occidentem versme proijciant , a liquande vt arenam aqua terrent is in acrem concijcoant . plerumque scopas in aqu●● intingant , cal●mque versús spargant , vel fossulâ factâ & lotie infuso , vel aqu● digi●●● moneant : sub●ndà in ella percorum pelos bulliant , nonunnquam trabes vel ligna in ritâ transnerse collocent , & alia id ge●●s delmamenta effi●●● . And when they see the succesie , they are more confirm'd , as if the enent followed their working . The like illusion is of their phantasie , in sayling in Egg. shels , creeping through Augur . holes , and such like , so valg or in their confessions . Cast them vp ; and the Flint stone Ouer the left shoulder bone : Into the west . HAG . It will bee best . 5. CHARME . THE Sticks are a crosse , there can be no losse , The Sage is rotten , the Sulphur is gotten Vp to the sky , that was t' the ground . Follow it then , with our rattles , round ; Vnder the bramble , ouer the brier , A litle more heat will set it on fire : Put it in minde , to do it kind , Flow water , and blow wind . Rouncy is ouer , Robble is vnder , A flash of light , and a clap of thunder , A storme of raine , another of hayle . We all must home , i' the Egg-shell sayle ; The mast is made of a great pin , The tackle of c●bweb , the sayle as thin , And if we go through and not fall in — DAME . Th●s stoppe , or interruption shew'd the better , by cansing that general silence , which made al the following Noyses enforced in the next Charme , more direfull , first imitating that of Lucan . Maratur Erichtho Hayfain licuisse meras ; irataque morti Verberat immotum viuo serpente cadauer , and then their barking , howling , hissing , and confusion of noyse expressed by the same Author , in the same person . Tune vox Lethaeos cunctis pollentior herbis Excantare deos , confodit murmura prim●●m Disson a 〈◇〉 human a multum discordia lingua . Latratus habet illa camim , gemitusque luporum , Quod repidus bubo , quod strin nocturna queruntur , Quod strident vlulantque ferae , quod sibilat anguis Exprimit , et planctus illisae cautibus vnda , Silnarumque sonum , frastaque tonitrua nubis , Tot rerum vox vnafuit , See Renig . too , Damon●lat . lib . 1. cap . 19. Stay . All our Charmes do nothing winne Vpon the night ; Our labour dies ! Magick-feature will not rise ; Nor yet the storme ! We must repeate More direfull voyces farre , and beate The ground with Vipers , till it sweate . 6. CHARME . BArke Dogges , Wolues howle , Seas rore , Woods rowle , Cloudes crack , all be black , But the light our Charmes do make . DAME . NOt yet ? My rage beginnes to swell ; Darkenesse , Diuells , Night , and Hell , Do not thus delay my Spell . I call you once , and I call you twise ; I beat you againe , if you stay my thrise : Thorough these cranyes , where I peepe , This is one of their common menaces , when tho●● Magick recoiues the least st●ppe . Heare Erichtho againe , thiddibi pessime mundi Arbiter immittam rupt's Titana cauernis Etsubito feriere die . And a little before to Proserpina , Eloquar immenso terta sub pordere qua t●… Coutmeant , Enuaea●… dapet , &c. I 'le let in the light to see your sleep . And all the secrets of your sway Shall lie as open to the day , As vnto me . Still are you deafe ? Reach me a Bough , That wither'd streight , as it sho● out , which is called Ramus feralu , by some , and n●istu , by Senec . Trag Med . that nere bare leafe , To strike the aire ; and A deadly poisonous heat be fain'd by Ouid . Metamo , lib . 7. to spring out of Corberus hi● foame . Plinie giues it another beginning of name . Nat. H●st . lib . 27. cap . 3. Nascitur in nudis cautibus , quas aconas vocant , & inde aconitum dixere , un●●o iuxtâ ne puluere quidem nutriente . Howsoeuer the iuice of it is like that liquor which the Diuell giues Witches to sprinkle abroad & do hurt , in the opinion of all the Magick-masters . Aconite , To hurle vpon this glaring light ; A rusty knife I rather giue her , then any other , as firtest for such a diuelish Ceremony , which Seneca might meane by sacre cultro in the Tragedy , where he armes Medea , to the like rite , ( for any thing I know ) Tibi nudatopectere M●nas , sacro ferians Brachia cultro : Manet noster sang●u ad aras . A rustie knife , to wound mine arme ; And , as it drops , I 'le speake a Charme , Shall cleaue the ground , as low as lies Old Shrunk-vp Chaos , and let rise , once more , his darke , and reeking head , To strike the World , and Nature dead , Vntill my Magick birth be bred . 7. CHARME . BLacke goe in , and blacker come out ; At thy going downe , we giue thee a shout . These shouts and clamors , as also the voice Har , Har , are very particular with them by the testimony of Bodin . Remig . Delrio and M Phil . Ludwig us . Elich , who out of them reports it , thus . Toru turbā co●●nuies{que}ue pessimo-feseannines in homer●m Damen●w cautat absaniss mes : Haocasit Has . Har . Illa . Diabole , Diclo le , salta huc , salta illue ; Aliera , lude hic , bade illic ; Alie , Sabaath , Sabaath . &c. 〈…〉 , sibilo , vlulations , popysmis , furit , ac debec hatur : puluer 〈◇〉 , ●el veaenis accepto qu● hominil as , peoudibusque spargart . Hoo ! At thy rising againe , thou shalt haue two , And if thou dost what , we would haue thee doe , Thou shalt haue three , thou shalt haue foure , Thou shalt haue ten , thou shalt haue a score . Hoo . Har . Har . Hoo ! 8 CHARME . ACloud of pitch , a Spurre , and a Switch , To hast him away , and a whirle wind play , Before , and after , with thander for laughter , And stormes for ioy , of the roaring Boy ; His head of a Drake , his tayle of a ●nake . 9. CHARME . About , about , and about , Till the mist arise , and the lightes fly out , The Images neither be seene , nor felt ; The wollen burne , and the waxen melt ; Sprinkle your liquors vpon the ground , And into the ayre ; around , around . Around , around , Around , around , Nor do they want Musiqu●● , & in strange manner giuen them by the Diuel , if we credit their confessions in Rovig . Daem . lib . 1. cap . 19. Such as the Sy●benan Quires were , which Athenaeus remembers out of Clearchus , Deipnos . lib . 15. where euery one sung what he would , without hearkeing to his fellow ; like the noise of diuerse Oares , falling in the water . But be patient of Remigius relation . Miris modu illie miscentur , ac●urbanture omnia , nec vlla oratione satis expr●●i queat , quam strepant sonis inconditu , absurdis , as discrepaniobus . Canit hic Damon ad tibiam , vel verties ad contuns , out baculam aliqu●● , quod fertè humire● pertum bucca ceu tibiam admouct . Ille pro lyra equi caluariam pussat , ac digitis conerepat . Alius fuste vel clauâgra miore quercum ●undat , vnde exauditur sonus , ac boaties veluts tymp●ntrum vehementius pulsatorum . Intercinunt ran●●de , & composite ad litui morem clangore Daemones ; ipsumque coelnm fragosa aridaque voes feri●n . Till a Musique sound , And the pase be found , To which we may daunce , And our Charmes aduance .

AT which , with a strange , & sodayne Musique they fell into a The manner also of their Dancing is confest in ●●●m . lib . 2. cap . 4. And Remig . lib . 1. cap . 17. and 18. The Sum of which M. Philippo . Lud . Elich relates thus , in his Damonom . Quast . 10. Tripisdijs interdum inter satit sacie liborâ & apertâ , interdum obducta laru . i , linteo , ●ortice , reticulo , poplo vel alio velamine , ant fa●●●nari● excermculo inuolieta . And a little after . Omnta fiunt ritu absurdissin●o , & ab ●mni consisetudine hominum alienissimo , do●sis inus cem abuersis , & in orbem iunctis n●anibus , saitando circumeant , perinde sua iactantes capita , vt qui oestro agitantur . Remigiu● addes out of the confession of Sibilla Morelia , Gyrum semper in laeuam progreds . which Plinte obsernes in the Priests of Cybele , Nas . Hist . lib . 28. cap . 2. and to be done with great religion . Bodm addes , that they vse broomes in their hands , with which we arm'd our Witches ; and here we leaue them . Magical Daunce , full of praeposterous change , and gesticulation , but most applying to their property : who at their meetings , do all things contrary to the custome of Men , dauncing back to back , and hip to hip , their hands ioin'd , and making their circles backward , to the left hand , with strange phantastique motions of their heads , and bodyes . All which were excellently imitated by the maker of the Daunce , M. Hierome Herne , whose right it is here to be named .

IN the heat of their Daunce , on the sodaine , was heard a sound of loud Musique , as if many instruments had made one blast ; with which , not onely the Haggs themselues , but the Hell , into which they ranne , quite vanished , and the whole face of the Scene altred , scarse suffering the memory of such a thing : But in the place of it , appeared a glorious , and magnificent Building , figuring the House of Fame , in the top of which , were discouered the twelue Masquers , sitting vpon a Throne triumphall , erected in forme of a Pyramide , and circled with all store of light . From whom a Person , by this time descended , in the furniture of Perseus , and , expressing herotque , and masculine Vertue , began to speake .

HEROIQVE VERTVE . SO should , at FAMES loud sound , and VERTVES sight , All darke , and enuious Witcheraft fly the light . The An●ient , expressed a ●raue and mastuline Vertus in three figures ( Of ●ercules , Perseus , & Beilerophon , ) Of which wee choose hat of Perseus , arm'd as wee haue describ●d him , out of Hestod . Soute . Here See Appo●l● . dor , the Gramma . ●●an . lib . 2. de Persee . I did not borrow Hermes wings , nor aske His crooked sword , nor put on Pluto's caske , Nor on mine arme , aduanc'd wise Pallas shield , ( By which , my face auers'd , in open field I slew the Gorgon ) for an empty name : When Vertue cut off Terror , he gat Fame . And , if when Fame was gotten , Terror dy'de , What black Erynnis , or more Hellish pride , Durst arme these Hags , now she is grown , and great , To thinke they could her glories once defeat ? I was her Parent , and I am her Strength . Heroique Vertue sinkes not vnder length Of Yeares , or Ages ; but is still the same , While he preserues , as when he got good Fame . My Daughter , then , whose glorious House you see Built all of sounding brasse , whose Columnes bee Men-making Poets , and those well made Men , Whose strife it was , to haue the happiest pen Renowne them to an after-life , and not With pride , to seorne the Muse , and dye forgot ; She , that inqu●reth into all the world , And leath , about her vaulted Palace , hoorld All rumors and reports , or true , or vaine , What vtmost Lands , or deepest Seas containe ; ( But onely hangs great actions on her file ) She , to this lesser world , and greatest I le , To night sounds Honor which she would haue seene In yond' bright Beuie , each of them a Queene . Eleuen of them are of times , long gone . Penthesilea , the braue Amazon , Swift-foote Camilla , Queene of Volscia , Victorious Thomyris of Scythia , Chast Artemifia the Carian Dame , And faire-hayr'd Beronice , Aegypts fame . Hypsicratea , glory of Asia , Candace , pride of Aethiopia . The Brittanne honor , Voadicea , The vertuous Palmyrene , Zenobia , The wise , and warlike Goth , Amalafunta , And bold Valasca , of Bohemia . These , in their liues , as fortunes , crown'd the Choyce Of Woman-kind , and gainst all opposite voyce Made good to Time , had after death , the clame To liue aeternis'd in the House of Fame . Where hourely hearing ( as , what there is old ? ) The glories of BEL-ANNA so well told , Queene of the Ocean ; How , that she alone Possest all vertues , for which One by One They were so fam'd ; And , wanting then a head To forme that sweet , and gracious Pyramede Wherein they sit , it being the sou'raigne place Of all that Palace , and reseru'd to grace The worthtest Queene : These , without enuy ' , on her , In life , desir'd that honor to conferre , Which , with their death , no other should enioy . She this embracing with a vertuous ioy , Farre from selfe-loue , as humbling all her worth , To him that gaue it , hath againe brought forth Their Names to memory ; and meanes , this night , To make them once more visible to light : And to that light , from whence her truth of Spirit Confesseth all the lustre of her merit . To you , most royall , and most happy King , Of whome , Fames house , in euery part , doth ring For euery Vertue ; But can giue no' increase : Not , though her loudest Trumpet blaze your Peace . To you , that cherish euery great Example Contracted in your selfe ; and being so ample A Feild of Henor , cannot but embrace A Spectacle , so full of loue , and grace Vnto your Court : where euery Princely Dame Contends to be as bounteous of her Fame To others , as her Life was good to her . For , by their Liues , they onely did confer Good on themselues ; but , by their Fame , to yours , And euery Age , the benefit endures .

HEre , the Throne wherein they sate , being Machina versatilis , sodainly chang'd ; and in the place of it appear'd Fama Bona , as she is describ'd ( in Iconolog . di Cesare Ripa ) attir'd in white , with white wings , hauing a collar of gold about her neck , and a heart hanging at it : which Orus Apollo , in his Hierogl . interprets the note of a good Fame . In her right hand , she bore a Trompet , in her left an Oliue branch : And for her State , it was , as Aeneid . 4. Virgil describes her , at the full , her feet on the ground , and her head in the cloudes . She , after the Musique had done , which wayted on the turning of the Machine , cal'd from thence , to Vertue , and spake this following speech .

FAME . VIrtue , my Father , and my Honor ; Thou That mad'st mee good , as great ; And dar'st auow No Fame , for thine , but what is perfect : Ayde , To night , the triumphes of thy white-wing'd Mayde . Do those renowned Queenes all vimost rites Their States can aske . This is a Night of nightes . In mine owne Chariots let them , crowned , ride ; And mine owne Birds , and Beastes in geeres appli de To draw them forth . Vnto the first Carre tye Farre-sighted Eagles , to note Fames sharpe eye . Vnto the second ; Griffons , that designe Swiftnesse and Strength , two other gifts of mine . Vnto the last , our Lyons , that implye The top of graces , State , and Maiesty . And let those Haggs be led as captiues , bound Before their wheeles , whilst I my trumpet sound .

AT which , the loud Musique sounded , as before ; to giue the Masquers time of descending . And here , wee cannot but take the opportunity , to make some more particular description of their Scene , as also of the Persons they presented ; which , though they were disposed rather by chance , then election , yet is it my part to iustifie them all : And then , the Lady that will owne her Presentation may .

To follow , therefore the , rule of Chronologie , which I haue obseru'd in my verse , the most vpward in time was PENTHESILEA . She was Queene of the Amazons , & succeeded Otrera , or ( as some wil ) Orithya ; she liu'd , and was present , at the warre of Troy on their part , against the Greekes , and ( as Iustine giues her testimony ) Inter fortissimos viros , magna eius virtutis documenta extitere . She is no where nam'd , but with the preface of honor , and vertue ; and is alwaies aduanced in the head of the worthiest Women . Hist . lib . 2. D●odorus Sculus makes her the Daughter of Mars . She was honord in her death to haue it the act of Achilles . Of which Lib . 3. Eleg . 10. Propertius sings this Triumph to her beauty . Aureacui postquam nudauit cassida frontem , Vicit victorem candida forma virum .

Next , followes CAMILLA , Queene of the Volscians , celebrated by Aen●d . Lib . 7. Virgil , then whose verses nothing can bee imagin'd more exquisite , or more honouring the person they describe . They are these , where hee reckons vp those , that came on Turnus his part , against Aeneas .

Hos super aduenit Volsca de gente Camilla , Agmen agens equitum , & florenteis aere cateruas , Bellatrix . Non illa colo , calathisue Mineruae Femineas assueta manus , sed praelia virgo Dura pati , cursuque pedum praeuertere ventos . Illa vel intactae segetis per summa volaret Gramina , nec teneras cursu laesisset aristas : Vel mare per medium . fluctu suspensa tumenti , Ferretiter , celereis nec tingeret aequore plantas .

And afterward tels her attire . and Armes , with the admiration , that the Spectators had of her . All which if the Poet created out of himselfe , without Nature , he hee did but shewe , how much so diuine a Soule could exceed her .

The third liu'd in the age of Cyrus , the great Persian Monarch ; and made him leaue to liue . THOMYRIS , Queene of the Scythians , or Massagets . A Hero●ne of a most inuincible , & vnbroken fortitude . Who , when Cyrus had inuaded her , and , taking her onely sonne ( rather by trechery , then warre , as shee obiected ) had slaine him ; not touch'd with the griefe of so great a losse , in the iuster comfort shee tooke of a greater reuenge , pursued not onely the occasion , and honour of conquering so potent an Enemy , with whom fell two hundred thousand Souldiers : but ( what was right memorable in her victory ) left not a Messenger suruiuing , of his side to report the massacre . She is remembred both by In Cho . Herodotus and Epit . lib . 1. Iustine , to the great renowne , and glory of her kinde : with this Elogie . Quod potentissimo Perforum Monarchae bello congressa est , ipsamque & vita & eastris spoli●uit , ad iustè vlciscendam filij eius indignissimam mortem .

The fourth was honer'd to life in the time of Xerxes , and present at his great expedition into Greece ; ARTRMISIA , the Queene of Caria : whose vertue In Poly●● . Herodotus , not without some wonder , records . That , a Woman , a Queene , without a husband , her sonne a ward , and shee administring the gouernement , occasion'd by no necessity , but a meere excellence of spirit , should embaique herselfe for such a Warre ; and there , so to behaue her , as Xerxes beholding her fight , should say : Herod . is Vrania . Viri quidem extiterunt 〈◇〉 feminae , feminae autem vtri . She is no lesse renowned for her chastity , and loue to her Husband , Mausolus , Val . Max. lib . 4. cap . 6. and A G.l. ●●b . 10. cap . 18. whose bones ( after hee was dead ) shee preseru'd in ashes , and drunke in wine making herselfe his Tombe : and , yet , built to his memory a Monument , deseruing a place among the seuen wonders of the World , which could not be done by lesse then a wonder of Women .

The fifth was the faire-hair'd daughter of Ptolomaeus Philadelphus , by the elder Arsinoe ; who , maried to her brother Ptol●maeus , surnamed Euergetes , was after Queene of Egypt . I find her written both BERONICE , & BERENICE . This Lady , vpon an expedition of her new wedded Lord into Assyria , vowed to Venus , if hee return'd safe , and conquerer , the offering of her haire ; which vow of hers ( exacted by the successe ) she afterward perform'd : But , her Father missing it , and therewith displeas'd , Conon , a Mathematician , who was then in household with Ptolomaee , and knew well to flatter him , perswaded the king that it was ta'ne vp to heauen , and made a Constellation ; shewing him those seuen Starres , ad caudam Leonis , which are since called Coma Beronices . Which story , then presently celebrated by Callimachus , in a most elegant Poeme , Catullus more elegantly conuerted ; wherin they cal her the Magnanimous , euen from a Virgin : alluding ( as Astrono● . lib . 2. in Leo . Hyginus sayes ) to a rescue she made of her Father in his flight , and restoring the courage and honour of his army , euen to a victory . Their words are Catul . de Coma Ber●ni● . Cognoram à parua virgine magnanimam .

The sixth , that famous wife of Mithridates , and Queene of Pontus , HYPSICRATEA , no lesse an example of vertue then the rest ; who so loued her husband , as shee was assistant to him in all labors , and hazards of the warre , in a Masculine habite . For which cause ( as Lib 4. cap . 6. de Amor . conug . Valerius Maximus obserues ) shee departed with a chiefe ornament of her beauty . Tonsis enim capillis , equo se et armis assuefecit , quo facilius laboribus & periculis eius interesset . And , afterward , in his flight from Pompey , accompanied his misfortune , with a minde , and body equally vnwearied . She is solemnely registred , by that graue Author , as a notable president of Mariageloyaltie , and loue : vertues , that might raise a meane person to equality with a Queene ; but a Queene to the state , and honour of a Deity .

The seuenth , that renowne of Aethiopia , CANDACE : from whose excellencie , the succeeding Queenes of that Nation were ambitious to be called so . A woman , of a most haughty spirit against Enemies , and a singular affection to her Subiects . I finde her celebrated by Hist . Rom. lib . 54. Dion , and Nat. Hist . lib . 6. cap . 29. Plinie , inuading Egypt in the time of Augustus ; who , though she were enforc'd to a peace by his Lieutenant Petronius , doth not the lesse worthily hold her place here ; when , euery where , this Elogie remaines of her Fame : That she was Maximi animi multer , tantique in suos meriti , vt omnes deinceps Aethiopum reginae eius nomine fuerint appellatae . She gouern'd in Meroe .

The eight , our owne honor , VOADICEA , or BOODICEA ; By some BVNDVICA , and BVNDVCA : Queene of the Iceni . Ap●ople , that inhabited that part of our Iland which was called East-anglia , and comprehended , Suffolke , Norfolke , Cambridge , and Huntington Shires . Since she was borne here at home , we will first honor her with a home borne testemony ; from the graue and diligent Reu●no of Time . Spenser .

— Bundoca Britonesse , Bunduca , that victorius Conqueresse , That , lifting vp her braue Heroique thought Boue womans weaknesse , with the Romans sought ; Fought , and in field against them thrice preuaild : &c.

To which , see her Orations in story , made by Annal . lib 14. Tacitus , and Ey● lo●● . Xiph● 〈◇〉 . in Nor . Dion : wherin is expressed all magnitude of a spirit , breathing to the libertie and redemption of her Country . The later of whom , doth honest her beside , with a particular description . Bunduica , Britanica femina , or ta stirpe regia , quae non solum eis cum magna dignitate praefuit , sed etiam bellum omne administrauit ; cuius aninius virilis , potius quam muliebris crat . And afterwards , Femina , forma honestissima , vuliu seuero , &c. All which doth waigh the more to her true praise , in comming from the mouthes of Romanes , and Enemies . Shee liu'd in the time of Nero .

The ninth , in time , but equall in same , and ( the cause of it ) vertue , was the chast ZENOEIA , Queene of the Palmyrenes , who , after the death of her husband Odenatus , had the name to be reckoned among the xxx . that vsurped the Romane Empire , from Galienus . She continued along and braue warre , against seuerall Chiefes ; and was at length triumphed on by Aurelian : but , easpecie , vt nihil pompabilius . P. Rom. videretur . Her Chas●ity was such , Vt ne virum suum quidem sciret , nisi tentatis conceptionibus She liu'd in a most royall manner , and was ador'd to the custome of the Persians . When she made Orations to her souldiers , she had alwayes her caske on A woman of a most diuine spirit , and incredible beautie . In In trigin , Tyrann . Trebellius Pollio , reade the most noble description of a Queene , and her ; that can be vtter'd , with the dignity of an Historian .

The renth , succeeding , was that learned , and Her●ique AMALASVNTA , Queene of the Ostrogothes , Daughter to Theodorick , that obtained the principallity of Rauenna and almost all Italy . She draue the Burgundians , and Almaines out of Liguria , and appear'd in her gouernement rather an Example , then a Second . She was the most eloquent of her Age , and cunning in all Languages , of any Nation that had commerce with the Romane Emptre . M. Amon . Coo● Sabel . ( out of Ca 〈…〉 sied ) Enmad , 7. 〈◇〉 ● . It is recorded of her , that , sine veneratione eam viderit nemo , pro miraculo fuerit ipsam audire bequentem . Tantaque ill● in decernendo grauitas , vt ●rim●nis conuicti , cum plecterentur , nihil sibi acerbum pati viderentur .

The eleuenth was that braue Bohemian Queene , VALASCA , who for her courage , had the surname of bold : That to redeeme her selfe and her Sexe , from the tyranny o● men , which they liu'd in , vnder Primislans , on a night , & at an houre appointed , led on the women to the slaughter of their barbarous Husbands , and Lords . And , possessing themselues of their Horses , Armes , Treasure , and places of Strength , not onely ruled the rest , but liued many yeares after , with the libertie , and fortitude of Amazons . Celebrate a by In Geograp . lib . 7. Raphael Volaterranus , and in an elegant tract of an Italians Forcia . Qua●●● in Latine , ( who names himselfe Philalethe● , Polytopiensis ciuis ) inter prastantissimas faminas .

The twelu'th , and worthy Soueraigne of all I make BEL-ANNA , Royall Queene of the Ocean ; of whose dignity , and person the whole Scope of the Inuention doth speake throughout : which , to offer you againe here , might but proue offence to that sacred Modesty , which heares any testimony of others iterated , with more delight , then her owne praise . She being plac'd aboue the need of such ceremony , & safe in her Princely vertue , against the good , or ill , of any witnesse . The Name of BEL-ANNA I deuis'd , to honor hers proper by ; as adding to it , the attribute of Fatre : And is kept by me , in all my Poemes , wherein I mention her Maiesty with any shadow , or figure . Of which , some may come forth with a longer desteny , then this Age , commonly , giues to the best Births , if but help'd to light by her gratious , and ripening fauour .

But , here , I discerne a possible obiection , arising against me ; to which I must turne : As , How I can bring Persons of so different Ages , to appeare properly togethers or , why ( which is more vnnaturall ) with Virgil's Mezentius , I ioyne the liuing with the dead ? I answere to both these , at once . Nothing is more proper ; Nothing more naturall . For these all liue ; and together , in their Fame : & so I present them . Besides , if I would fly to the all-daring power of Poetry , where could I not take Sanctuary ? or in whose Poeme ? For other obiections , let the lookes and noses of Iudges houer thick ; so they bring the braines : or if they do not , I care not . When I suffer'd it to goe abroad , I departed with my right : And now , so secure an Interpreter I am of my chance , that neither praise , nor dispraise shal affect me .

There rests , only , that we giue the description ( we promis'd ) of the Scene , which was the House of Fame . The Structure , and Ornament of which ( as is profest before ) was entirely Mr. Iones his inuention , and designe . First , for the lower Columnes , he chose the Statues of the most excellent Poets , as Homer , Virgil , Lucan , &c. as being the substantiall supporters of Fame . For the vpper , Achilles , Aeneas , Caesar , and those great Heroes , which these Poets had celebrated . All which stood , as in massy gold . Betweene the Pillars , vnderneath , were figur'd Land-battayles , Sea-fights , Triumphs , Loues , Sacrifices , and all magnificent subiects of honor : in brasse , and heighten'd with siluer . In which , he profest to follow that noble description , made by Chaucer , of the place . Aboue were sited the Masquers , ouer whose heads he deuis'd two eminent Figures of Honor , & Vertue , for the Arch. The Freezes , both below , & aboue , were filld with seueral-color'd lights , like Emeralds , Rubies , Saphyres , Carbuncles , &c. the reflexe of which , with other lights , placed in the Concaue , vpon the Masquers habits , was full of glory . These habits had in them the excellency of all deuice , and riches ; and were worthily varied by his inuention , to the Nations , whereof they were Queenes . Nor are these , alone , his due ; but diuers other accessions to the strangenesse , and beauty of the Spectacle : as the Hell , the going about of the Chariots , the binding the Witches , the turning Machine , with the presentation of Fame . All which I willingly acknowledge for him : since it is a vertue , planted in good natures , that what respects they wish to obtaine fruitfully from others , they will giue ingenuously themselues .

By this time , imagine the Masquers descended ; and againe mounted into three triumphant Chariots , ready to come forth . The first foure were drawne with Eagles , ( whereof I gaue the reason , as of the rest , in Fames speech ) their foure Torchbearers , attending on the Chariot sides , and foure of the Hagges , bound before them . Then followed the second , drawne by Griffons , with their Torch-bearers , and foure other Hagges . Then the last , which was drawne by Lyons , and more eminent ; ( wherein her Maiesty was ) and had sixe Torch-bearers more , ( peculiar to her ) with the like number of Haggs . After which , a full triumphant Musique , singing this Song , while they rode , in State , about the stage .

SONG . H●lpe , helpe all tongues , to celebrate this wonder : The voice of FAME should be as l●●d as thonder . Her House is all of echo made , Where neuer dyes the sound ; And , as her browes the cloudes inuade , Her feete do strike the ground . Sing then good Fame , that 's out of Vertue borne : For , who doth Fame neglect , doth Vertue sco●ne .

Here they lighted from their Chari●ts , and daunc'd forth their first Daunce ; then a second , immediatly following it : both right curious , and full of subtile and excellent changes , and seem'd perform'd with no lesse spirits , then of those they personated . The first was to the Cornets , the second to the Vyolenes . After which , they tooke out the men , and daunc'd the Measures ; entertaining the time , almost to the space of an houre , with singular variety : when , to giue them rest , from the Musique which attended the Chariots , by that most excellent tenor voyce , and exact singer ( her Maiesties seruant , M. Io . Allin ) this Ditty was song .

SONG . WHen all the Ages of the earth Were crown'd , but in this famous Birth ; And that , when they would boast their store Of worthy Queenes , they knew no more : How happier is that Age , can giue A Queene , in whom all they do liue !

After it , succeeded their third Daunce ; then which , a more numerous composition could not be seene : Graphically disposed into Letters , & honouring the Name of the most sweete and ingenious Prince , Charles , Duke of Yorke . Wherein , beside that principall grace of perspicuity , the Motions were so euen and apt , and their expression so iust ; as if Mathematicians had lost Proportion , they might there haue found it . The Author was M. Tho . Giles . After this , they daunc'd Galliards , and Corrantos . And then their last Daunce , no lesse elegant ( in the place ) then the rest . with which they tooke their Chariots againe , and triumphing about the Stage , had their returne to the House of Fame celebrated with this last Song ; whose Notes ( as the former ) were the worke , and honor of my excellent friend , Alfonso ●errabosco .

SONG . WHo , Virtue , can thy power forget , That sees these liue , and triumph yet ? Th' Assyrian pompe , the Persian pride , Greekes glory , and the Romans dy'de : And who yet imitate Their noyses , tary the same fate . Force Greatnesse ad the glorious wayes You can , it soone decayes ; But so good Fame shall neuer : Her Triumphs , as their causes , are for euer .

To conclude which , I know no worthier way of Epilogue , then the celebration of who were the Celebraters .

The QVEENES MAIESTY . The Co. of ARVNDELL . The Co. of DERBY . The Co. of HVNTINGTON . The Co. of BEDFORD . The Co. of ESSEX . The Co. of MONTGOMERY . The Vico . CRANBORNE . The La . EL . GVILFORD . The La . ANNE WINTER . The La . WINDSORE . The La . ANNE CLIFFORD .

The end .