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DUKE * UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

Treasure %oom

Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Duke University Libraries

http://www.archive.org/details/bentivoliouraniaOOinge

BENTIVOLIO

AND

URANIA,

IN

Six Books:

By Nathanael Ingelo D. D.

The Third Edition, with fbme Amendments.

Wherein all the Obfcure Words throughout the Boo\ are interpreted in the Margin, which mafys this much more delightful to read than the former Editions,

LONDON

Printed by T. R. for Richard Marriott ; and are to be fold by Benj.Tooke at the Ship in St.Pauh Church-yard,

and Jho.Savbridge at the three Flower de Luces in Little Britain.

mHdc lxxiii.

<*» **» **» **• ife ♦*» jpfe ;rt>» '-■*• 5*» » «*• «*» i C-jir Ti^ «5^ «»* *•?> *ji» **> «*» «$*» **» «*» •»» <

TO

THE HONOURABLE WILLIAM BRERETON E%

Eldeft Son of the Right Honourable

WILLIAM Lord BRERETON Of BRERETON in

CHESHIRE.

X4

fe-

5 7 #,

Have not plac'd your Name before thefe Papers, that from thence I might take an Occafion to flatter you with that fort of Javifh Praife by which ma- ny make their Epiftles Dedicatory, Romances. The Notices of your Generous Temper which I have received in your Acquaintance would forbid that Vanity, if nothing elfe hindred me ; For they have aflured me that you are rais'd far above fuch a Lownefs of Spirit as will be taken with Adu- lations. The worth which deferves higheft praife * doth moft fcorn Flattery. ,

Neither do I defign the Patronage of my Imper- fections by devoting to you the Book in which they are difcovered. If I mould have forgotten my {elf

A 2 fo

The Epiflle Dedicatory.

fo far as to have made fuch an unworthy Applicati- on of your Name, I fhould have abus'd you, I con- fefs : tor, as he faid, Nefi deve chiamar un Giove fer Padrino d'urf Pigmeo ,and my Expectation would have been fruflrate , for the world is not fb foolifli as to think it a part of the Homage which it owes to Illultrious Perfons, to judg every thing Excellent which hath put on their Livery.

My defire is to manifeft a fincere Refentment of the Civilities which I have received from you, and to reveal the inward Senfe of my Heart in which I do unfeignedly honour your True Worth, which is made up of a Great Wifdom and Much Good- nefs. Not that I prefume fb much upon the Value of thefe Leaves, as to think that they either carry any Obligation, or pay much refpedl: : but I lend them as Inftances of that Good will, which wanting more acceptable ExprefTions belpeaksyour favoura- ble Reception for thefe.

Iftheyhadany Worth, I fhould have thought none fitter to whom I might commend them than your felf, who have patroniz'd Wifdom with your Noble Choice, and honour'd Vertue with an Ex- emplary Life. As you are grae'd with the Nobility of your Birth,(b you are defer vedly loved by many who accompany their Affections with Judgment^ becaufe you have adorn'd your Quality with thofe Excellent Accomplishments, by whofe abfence No- bility is difhonour'd.

Thofe which unwifely lean upon the Fame of their Anceftors, and make boafts of Honour which is not (imported with their own Vertues, but only

derived

The Epiftle Dedicatory.

derived with the Bloud which they received from others, whilft they are themfelves deftkute of thofe Heroick Graces for which their Fathers or Grand- fathers were juftly admired; they overturn their Statues,prophane theirllrns, and blaft the Glory of their Memories by Ignoble Pradices ; as the Poet reprov'd the degenerate Roman,

Squalentes traducit Avos, emporque veneni Frangenda miferamfuneflat Imagine Geniem*

It affli&s Ingenuous Perfbns when they fee the Ancient Splendour of Great Families eclips'd by thofe which fhould make them more Illuftrious^eipe- cially when they confider thofe flight Motives by which they fuffer themfelves to be withdrawn from the Purfuit of true Glory. For, as the Philofbpher obferv'd concerning fuch in his Time^E/cnv S^Afj&m wo ajSgoiul©- <$« vfovifc, hm^wmv ^xwv, they are chea- ted with foft Pleafarer3Jj>ecioHs Evils. But no body muft tell them of it. For though they condemn, and it may be, punifh their own Sins, when they are committed by Peafants ;

At Tur

vor Trojugen<e vobis ignofcitis, & qudt rfia Cerdoni^Volefos Brulumque decebunt.

By which Means though they might in regard of the Advantages of their Higher Condition be moft like unto God , that is9 Saviours of their Country , which Title is not unjuftly given to fome: yet many flighting the Deferts of Noble

A 3 Vertaes

The Epiflk Dedicator).

Venues, augment theMHeries of the World both with the particular Harms which neccflarily go a- long with Vitious A&ions, as alio by the Contagi- ous Influence which falls from the evil Examples of Great Perfbns.

But what do I talk to you of this Mifchief, who have fo advanc'd your Mind by the Study of the beft Knowledge and perfected your Faculties with thofe Vertuous Habits which become a Chriftian and a Gentleman, that I may not only call you., as the Emperour modeftly limited his own Praifes, <h- koostfiag %03-gvla [xowjnly a Lover ofPbilofopby, but rather, in regard of your rare Attainments, the Love ofPbilofofhers ?

I will not be further troublefbme unto you. That you may enjoy a good Health and a long Life ; and that you may encreafe the Honour of your Family and promote the Good of your Country, and at length be received into the Regions of Immortal Glory, is the hearty Prayer of

Sir,

tour mofi Humble and AffeSionate Servant,

N. INGELO.

PREFACE

T O T H E

E A D E R,

CONCERNING The DESIGN of this BOOK.

\Tis jufily efieemed by thofe which know themf elves, as the ' only work that is worthy of wife men, fo to imploy their bet- ter faculties, and improve their time, that at lajl they may obtain an Endjn which they may rejsyce eternally : After & i fincere intention ofthv End, toprofecute it with a confkmt ufe of fit means, is the Character of a prudent and Goodman, . 7hofe which govern not their life by this Principle, do ei- ther faff er themfelves to be benumdwitb Idleness, or abttfe the activity of their Souls infome vain employment. J

the firft of thefe two out of their great love to do nothing, can make no better xcifh for the:nfehes, than that they might feep out the other half of their time ; and it is rational to dofo, if his rule were good for any thing, who (aid, He va- lues his life at a juft rate, who would be content to forgo it for a Dream.

The o t her make their bargain but a little better; for whtlft they entertain them- felves with things which correfpond not with the Dignity of Reafenable Souls infiead of perfecting thofe rare Capacities with which their Natures are in- vefied, by a generous endeavour to obtain that Uappinefs which God doth not envy us, they lejfen themfelves dip the wings of their Souls, andbring them down from thofe degrees of Excellency which they actually enjoy, and mate them degenerate into a brutijh incapacity, though many times they tal^c no notice of the weaknefs of their judgments : till they meet it in the miferable Conferences of their Actions.

It is not mypurpefe here to reckon up all the impertincncies of Mankind, which are the fever al inflames of the forementioned folly, I would only give a cha- ritable notice of one, viz. The Writing and Reading of Romances. This J

Odyfiejs, beginning and end, is but a Woman.

let they dote fo much upon that

The Preface.

■■ ' ■ — . ■* .

thatfubjccl, that they think with thofe amorous Trojans, that Helen was not o?>ly worthy of all the labours of Homer's Quill, but alfo of thefljarp contentions of the Greek andTrojmfwords.

To/>f /' eipipi yuvcux.'i <abhvv ^foroy n^yitt iia<y\v : t, e%

A ten years War is no unworthy fight, When Greece and Troy for fuch a Woman fight,

She wm a brave Woman indeed, and it was but ft that fo many Gallant men Jbould d'ejhoy <^e another in the Revenge and Defence of her Adultery. But Maximus Tyrius in his i $'h- Difjcrtation, doth jufily reprove the folly of their opinion, and condemn the unreajmablenefs of that lavijhpraife.

I am not ignorant that Homer wrote upon another defign, than to tell us many tales of Helen and Paris ; and that Horace hath [aid in his Commenda- tion,

Qui, quid fit pulchrum, quid turpe, quid utile, quid non, Plen'w ac melius Chryfippo & Cramore dicit : /. e.

He what is fair, what foul, what good, whatnot, Better then Grantor and Chryfippw wrot.

It may be Jo ; for though 'Chryfippus was fo great a man, that he was ejieemed the only fupport of the Stoick School, according to the Proverbial ffeech re- corded by Diogenes Laertius, eJ p» $ h x? vWo-©-, «« «? h Zto*. Yet quite contrary to the vert nous defign of prudent Socrates, he (poil'd the Do- Urine of good manners, and unwifely changed the fubflantial precepts of a moral life for the ufelefs fubtilties of nice difputation. Or what if Crantor, whom he yokes with him in the difparagement„ made no great proficiency either by Plato, to whofe School he belonged, or Homer himfelf wh^was his delight ? For all this fair verditf, which Horace hath faffed in favour of his Brother Poet, the Moral Vertues, which fo highly concern the felicity of the World, ought to be difcottrsd in another manner than be ufeth ; for he, as it may be faid alfo cf other Romancers, hath made the fabulous rind fo thick, that few can fee through it into the ufeful fenfe. I do not deny what P utarch fayes, that his Verfes were not written only for pleafure, *»£ $ &a-$C7it*< S?» ia<i>x.wf«/«^4*K©. ■xoiilmn, i. e. but that a deeper meaning is hid under his Poems ; he hath funk it fo deep, that very few can come at it. Jnd fame of thofe rvho applaud him for a Philofopher, confefs that fuch only can make again of him, that have already attain' d a mature judgment by long ftudy ; that is, fuch may ptfftbly learn of him, who are able to teach him : but he is fo unfit for others, that Plato defired they might not fee him, ?r« j/n ^i*'3»< tHmnh y^apny Tev"Hp«*, i.e. for fear they fhould think that the Hero wrote fables, which he had good reafon to expetl upon the prufal.

Be fides this, as many others do, he hath foformd the reprefentations ofVertue And Vice, that it is hard to fay, which is commended, and which reproved ; rvhil'Jl the Gods are frequently brought in p rati icing Immoralities, he doth at leaf} equal Vice to VerPue, and nourifh that which he fhould eradicate. For, why fhould men endeavour to be better than their Gods? So he in the Comedy made the Adultery of Jupiter an Apology for his lufil.

The Preface,

-Et quia confimilem luferat

jamoIimil!eluduni.

Ego homuncio hoc non facerem ? Terent. Eunuch.

By the fee and fuch like injliwces the Greek Fathers did convince the Heathens if the imperfection of their Left Authors. So one may perceive in feme Ro- mances^/? later date, that the pictures cf Heroes, which they have drawn, for exaCt patterns of the mejl raised venue, are often blotted vcith notorious defeCts, as Impatience, Revenge, and the like.

But this fert of Books is mofl to he blamed, becaufe for the greater part, as 1 [aid before, their chief Deiign is to put flefily Lufl into long fortes, and fometimes not without very unhandfeme mixtures, tending only tg the feervice of brut if} Concttpifecence, the nouri/bment of dif honourable affections, and by exciting in the Headers muddy fancies, to indiffofee them for their attendance upon God by their better part, For feome fuch reajon, Ifetppofe, the great Sidney before his Death charged his friend Sir Fulk Grevil, who had the only Copy of #/y Arcadia, that hefhould never permit it to be made publick .

The other pieces, which Jill up the intervals of the Jlory, andgrace it with pleafing varieties, are commonly frivolous devices of wit in feme contemptible matter \ and ferve but to feme fuch fight pur po fee, as doth the writing of Verfes in the form of an Egg or Hatchet, where the meafeures of words andfeenfee are conjlrain'd to feute with the odd proportions of fuch figures. The fee are fine rari- ties of no ufe, the intertexture of the by-accidents being as trivial as the principal Defign.

'Tistrue, fome of ' the fee Authors written in divers Languages, are applauded for the Elegancy of each particular Tongue, and are here and there inter- ffesd with good Sentences: but they are fee deeply infeded with noifome words, immodeft Tales and Difcourfes, which do fatally corrupt the manners of Youth, that I cannot but affent to the opinion of many wife men, who judge them, for all that, we 11 worthy of the fire. Neither do 1 thinkjt improper to ufee the words, which the old Sages of Troy filently mutter d,when they perceived the dangers which attended the beauty cf 'Helen, which the young men extoll'd as equal to that of the heavenly Goddefies.

MitJN' &(fiv roKUiai 1' Wxosa w^a Ktireflt, i. e.

But though She's fuch, let her return, and make An end of what we fuffer for her fake.

i could eafily name them, but that Labour is needle fes to fetich as know Books: and to thofe which do not, I ought not, by making a Catalogue, to give notice of fetich as I could wijh burnt. If they were, they would not be greatly mifes'd, as to that propriety offyeech unto which they lay claim, and for which they are magnified bv their Readers ; becaufee the befl Languages ufed in the world, may as well be learn d from Authors that are as Elegant as Chafe.

For thefee reafens I think the Noble Mountaigne^-z/^ a great proof of his early wifdom, in that, as hefeayes, Quant aux Amadis,& telles fortes d efcrirs, ils n'ont pas eu le credit d'arrefter feulement mon enfance, i. e. Amadis and fuch like trafh of Writings had not fp much credit with him, as to allure his Youth to delight in them. And upon the feame confederations one

may

The Preface,

may veell judge fome Excellent Wits thrown away in writing great Jlories of Aothing ■ and that others Ufe their unvaluable time whilfl they read them. And the rather, because, bejides the dire it lofs, they leave the Memory fofuH of fantaflical Images of things which are not, that they cannot eafly difmifs them , t/iel ancy being held in the amusement of tbofefoolifh Dreams, as we are in Sleep with the various reprefentations of fever al things-, which never were nor will be in fucb Ridiculous Conjunctions. And when the Reader confiders how prettily he hath abufed himfelf, yet cannot he prefently difpoffefs his fancy of tbofe vain Imaginations which he hath entertain d,but isfiillhauntedwith them, and much indiffos'din Mind for more worthy Confide rat ions ; as trouble fome D> earns often leave the Body not fo well affected.

There is no doubt but that moft Readers of fucb things, ingenuoufly exa- mining what beneficial ufe they could make of the gains reaped from their Studies would find themfelves hard put to it to name a better than the Great Wit was fore d to, who faid, When he thought to retire from his Extrava- gancies, androrepofe his wearied Spirit, and it (till pefter'd him with an orderlefs rabble of trouble fome Chimeras, hei'efolv'd to keep aRegifter of them, hoping by that means one day to make it afham'd, and blufiiat it felf.

It is no wonder that thefe Fooleries are not eafily thrown off, becaufe of that deep iwpreffion which they make upon the affectionate part, through the cunning inveglements of I ancy. For men having indulgd Imagination, and play d ear elefly with its Fantafms, unawares take vehement pie afur e m things which they do not believe, and weep for fucb inconfiderable reafons, that afterward they laugh at themselves for it ; and read Fables with fucb affections, as if their own- er their friends bejl inter eft were wrapp'd up in them. What fir ong Expecta- tion have they for the Iff He of a doubtful Defgn ? How unfatisfied are they till the End of a paper-Combat ? What fears foffefs them for the Knight vphofe part they tal\e f How paffienately are they delighted with the Defcription of a Caflle built in the air ? How ravifh'd upon the conceit of Beauties which owe themfelves only to the paint which came out of the Poet's Ink-pot ? Flow are they taken with pleafure and forrow for the good and badfuccefs of the Romantick Lovers? Jhey are apt alfo to draw to themfelves or their friends fucb things as they read in far- fetch 'd references : if the refemblances fute in fome little points, they fe em to do and fuffer fitch things ; and what fits not, they endeavour to patch up with fome feign d coherency.

But if in the midfl of this bufie Idlenefs?^ would admit afevere confide- ration of more important duties neglected the while, a few difent angled thoughts Would rout the troop of their fond Imaginations.

Some peradventure not altogether fatisfied with that which 1 bavefaid, may reply, What, then is Fancy tifelefs? Is it not one of the natural faculties of the Soul? Were any of them made to no purpofe ? Is there any mere proper en- tertainment for it then the Conceit and Language of a well-form d Romance ? Many books, which pretend to declare better matters to us, do it fo jejunely, that it is a work of more then ordinary patience to give them the reading ; and we are put into a doubt, whether or no thofe who wrote them did intend anyfljould ?nake ufe of their Underflandings in the perufal of them, or whether they were able to give that which others would expect as a reafonable fat isf ait ion. Bejides, we perceive many Books of grave titles fo afflicted with Difputes about trouble- fome niceties and trifling Capriccios, that wife perfons find the Books as little cf kin to their Names, as the Contents are of fmall Furtherance to their bejl Concernments. '

ft

The Preface.

Tothefe things Ian fner ; Fancy is not ufelefs, and may as lawfully be gra- tified with excellent forms of invention, as the Eye may entertain it [elf with the Beauty of well placd Cofottrs, or the Senfe of Smelling pleafe it felf with the odours of a delicious Rofe. But though it be a Natural Faculty yet it is under difcipline of the Supream Governefs of Soul and Eody, Reafon - and

decently,

thilyproflituted : in whofe behalf the Rational Guide, -which is not far off, will take notice and complain, as it doth often, and whip the Vagrant, and not (hare to reproach it with the cheap reward of foolifl? recreation, for the enjoyment of which j he mi [pent the time which fl)e took from her Frayers, and, it may be for the reading^ of an Idle Story negle [ted the Examination of herConfcienee; and after na-d is made to under/land that the fame plea fur e which was pretended to be fought abroad, is to be found at Home, lor Reafon is no fuch fever e Mi- fir efs as to detain us with Awe that is void of Love and Joy; but be fides the f'clid Complacencies of Vertue, allows alfo the chearful entertainments of Wit and Fancy. 1 here are Books good fore where Truths of great ell Importance areprefented, neither befmearedwith loath fome Ken fence, nor blended with un- profitable Dilutes, which add nothing to Religion, but trouble anddarkpefs; and where Excellent Jenfe and good words offer themfel-ves in fuch lovely Embraces that they are a per feci content to all beholders but fuch as cannot Fancy Under- hand and Love. Wit and ability of mind do fofbine in many Religious Dif- courfes, that we cannot jujlly make that pretended defect an Bxcufe for our de- fining of fiber ftttdies. Now God forbid that wefhould think his Gifts fo im- prudently thrown amongflmerx, that none fhould be able to get them that would ufe them to the adorning of that which mofi deferves it, Vertue ; which though by reafon of its innate beauty it leajl needs any adventitious ornament, yet doth not fcorn the light vail of Romance, if it be of ihatfafhion which ljhallby and bydefcribe. - . ■■ . :.,

It were a thing to be wondred at, lhat by many nothing is ejleem'd witty, except Poetry and Romances; but that want of Judgment doth notorioully difcover it felf in thofe perfonf who are highly pleas d with pitiful things. Divers of their admired Authors are fo empty of true Worth, that if the entire fenfe of their books were fummd up, it would only amount t» feme fmall matter as trivial as ufclefs : Jndif mofi of them, whether Antient or Mo- dern, were examined with a Judicious Eye, they would appear to be full of the groffefl Indecorums 0/ Invention, as odious unTeprefentations of Divinity, unnatural DcfcriptLonso/ Human Life, Improper and Prophane Allufions to ^aced Things, frequent and palpable Contradictions, Sottifli ftories andtndort, all the absurdities of \\\ld Imagination. 1 need not veriRe this by bringing together thofe great multitudes of Inflames which abound in that fort oj 'bosks wrtten in the Greek, Latin, ItalianW French Languages. If anydefire, they may fee it done largely in the Extravagant Sheapheard efpe- cially in the Speech o/C.'arimond in the 1 ph. book, not longfince tranflatedby Mr. Davies.

For my own part 1 do not defire that all Books fhould be as dull as many are and none composed, as all are not, to delight ; but 1 would have that delight true and the quicknefs not evaporate into Lightnefs and Vanity. Is there no joy but Lughter ? Doth nothing recreate but what is fabulous ? Such as do not like true happimfs, becaafe it is a ferious thing, have a reafonable Soulbeflowed upon them in vain, and wonld have been better pleas' d if God had made them worfe,

and

The Preface.

and mere content if God had not defend them to jo A obie an End. But thofe which like nothing exce ft what goes in a plain bode of talk, may as reasonably defire every body to (pell, when they read. Such as would not have Truth pre- fented in ingenuous Schemes of Dtjcourfc, do fooliflAy condemn the wifdem of the Jntients, Jome of which we may net reprove without a kind of Blasphemy : and whilll they under ft and net the Excellent ufe ofJpelcgues, Parables, and fuch like Modes.*} fignification, they are Efficiently anfweid by the Gnfefficnof their own Ignorance. There are fever al if hits in the W or Id ; feme will take a thing one way, that will not another. A Phyfitian will not wifely quarrel with hti Patient, becaufe he refufeth to take the Pill utile fs it be gilded, Ihere are alfo Come per 'fins that need to have feme things teld them, which becaufe they are guarded with the fiately Grcumfiance oj Wordly Quality, one cannot fo eafily eomenearthemasinaDifguife.

there are fome brave minds, in whom Riches of Conceit are attended with incomparable Exfreffion : andtruthis not unwilling to be drefsdby fuch ; and thofe which revile them for their pains,are]ufilyabhorrd for their Envy \ or pitied ftr their Ignorance. It's a mifchief that difirefies mofi little Capacities, impo- tent ly to defire that all others jhould be conflicted after their pze ; and having faffionately, butfoolijhly, wiffjd fuch a thing a great while, at lafl they begin to believe that what they defire is fo indeed.

It is an ungrateful folly *»d a pride to be laugh d at, when men are unwilling that other should endeavour to further their Good, becaufe they gave them not leave to Prefcribe them the way for doing of it : but they fbeuldconfider, that there may be fuch in the world which under]} and that which them f elves do not, and are delighted with fuch things as they contemn.

But fome that mean well, and think they are not mi/taken in the fenfe of their propofitim, humbly defire that thofe Excellent Wits would lay their defign of Romance "deeper then the Shallows ofFancy;thatfo the Reader may not flick upon every Shelf of Fitlion, and that the fir earns of Wit be m/He navigable for the Importation of fuch Wifdom as is necefsaryfor our befi life. The defign to f leafs is then as well accomplifit ; but not terminating in the fur face of Recreation, it is improvd into a higher advantage of thofe nobler Faculties which God hath given us.

they thinb^alfo that the way to this End is mifs'd, when the Authors account their Contrivance poor, unlefs they can fail under water too. Js when there is no moral defign of making men better, the Work is done but by the Halves, as we fay : fo if that lye underground in fuch deep conceits as but few can dive into the bottom of them, their labour is fofar only net loft, as that fome who are more in- genious will take the pains to underfiand what they meant.

toconcude, I have not all this while ffoke my own Hopes concerning what I have perform d in this workjout my wiffjes were hearty that it might neither dif- pleafe nor be unprofitable. Whereas I have in fever al places rep; ovd fome things frequently found among fi Men, \ only plead, thatfince they make no fcruple of aCling unworthily, I thought I might jufily take liberty to talkofit.Jndfwce you have had the Patience to be acquainted with what I would have done, if any body be pleas d with that which is written, Ifhall not be difcontented ; but if they he profited too, then Iffjall think that 1 have not laboured in vain.

THE

THE

FIRST BOOK*

O R,

ARGENTORA.

The State of

Covttoujnefs and Ambltim*

.T was many years after that time, when the RuftyBnfs, and Bafer Iron, had given too great an afTurance of the full determination of the Golden,and Silver Ages ; when * Ben- Gooi-iaiU tivolio appear'd to the aftonifliment of the degenerate World, which could not remem- ber to have feenany Gentleman equal to him in Complexion or Stature. He was fo per- fectly made up , that one might eafily per- ceive Wifdom, Goodnefs, and Courage, to T.p o ri. v , ,. ^Y donl their utaoft in his Compofure,

The efteem of his Perfections did not rife by the meafure of thofe dispro- portions in which the corrupt Age fell below him, butbyfush degrees as the exact rules of Vertue ftt up for an infallible Standard.

After a full acquaintance with the cuftomsof his ownCountry by which he amy d at great perfection, and would have out-done them ' but that they were fuch as could not be exceeded, ( for he was bom in the higher

7bcoprcpip he had a great defire to fee other Countries \ not to make Ex- A 5taU ™- penments by his Travel to fatisfie Curiofity, which in him was very little ; 'h °f G°l

b«H Zt7fiCTvmf 3S dothur,a^raI1y accompany vertuous attempts, and leave molt real Benefits upon the beftowers of it.

He had now gone oyer divers Kingdoms which adminiftred variety of Trials, and match d Variety with Difficulty ■ but in each he was fo haopi- lyiurcettu,, that every one s Admiration ftrove with Love, Whoftould do hnJ the moft Honour. His lingular Good-Will being the foundation of

B his

2 3l5mtlt)OliO and Crania. Book. 1.

his Engagements, andthofe ever anfwered with equal performances, the

. people would take notice of him under n o meaner Character than a Father

to Mankind. He couldgono-whetebut Fame was his Harbinger , and

took up for him the bed Rooms in the Worthieft Expectations , and

provided all polTible welcome in the moft Noble Hearts. The

Report of his Achievements ran through the world with like fpeep ,

and the fame awful noife with which the Thunderclaps follow the Flafties

a the state of 'of Light. He fubdued feveral Bravo' s, which infefted the Regions of » An-

humanity. throfia ; in particular b Erifies, who ranged up and doTVn the Country of

c Jfectk'fti c Gyn&pcna ; a Rbexmous , who made'his abode in the c'arkfome Val lies of

vijhmft. " Gelofa ; and tPinodipfi, who took an unworthy pleafure in afflicting the

tuww'th meaner fort of People ; for, heuf'd to cut them with a poyfoned Sword ;

mmd. and thofe which were wounded, feemed afterward to dye fo many Deaths as

' BulTe^'d j they *ivcc!l Hours,and at laft dyed indeed curling.

ihwhfort*? He met jBe//wwintheroughDefartsof tFammaehia; and flie being en- s'"/'/- p raSec* at theprefenceof her fwom Foe, running upon him with a Woman- walmd'jirife.ifafaryi chanced to wound her felf in her right hand upon the point of Bentivolio's Sword ; whereupon ftie let her own fall. Bentivolio took it up, andcaftinghis eyes upon the innocent blood with which it had been oft be- fmeared, as he was going to break it, fhe fell down upon her knees,and be- feeching him to hold his hand, promifed, if he would reftore her beloved Sword, ftie would fubmit to any Conditions which he fhould appoint.JB/vz- tivolio knowing that flie was provided with other Weapons of as unmerci- ful effeft, call'd for the Scabbard, and having fheath'd the cruel Blade, he took an oath of her never to draw it more in any Country where he fliould happen to be, and fo difmilTed her to the great joy of the people who could never live in peace for her.

Thefe,and fuch like Accidents, caus'd divers conjectures in Mens minds, concerning Bentivolio, who he fliould be ; and whil'ft feme faid one thing, and others another ; fome flicked rot to affirm with confidence that Her- cules was rifen from the dead ; and having changed his Lion's skin for the Lamb's , and thrown away his Club , did more without it than with it.

Having'palTed feveral Nations , he came at laft to the forlorn Kingdom Mtfthief. °f * -^jWhich he judged the moft lcathfome that ever he faw, and did be- fore efteem it impoflible that any could be fo bad, knowing well,that God never made any fuch. He was no fooner entred within the Borders; but the unhealthfulnefs of the Airhadalmoft choaked his Vital Spirits, and be- ing removed from thegladfome Sun by a Chain of Hills, that lifted up rheir heads fo high, that they intercepted the leaft glance of his comfortable beams, it was dark and rueful. He happened to light upon an obfeure Path whichleadto ^/te's houfe, which wasencompafTed with the pitchy (hade of Cyprefs and Ebon-trees , fo that it looked like the Region of Death : as he walked, he perceived the hollow pavement made with the skulls of murdered Wretches. At the further end of this difmal Walk , heefpieda Court, whofe Gates ftand open night and day, in the midft whereof was placed the Image of Cruelty , with a cup of Poyfon in one hand, and a Dagger all wet with R eeking Blood in the other ; her Hairs crawled Up and down her neck,and fometimes wreathed themfelves about her head in knots of Snakes, Fire all the while fparkling from her Mouth and Eyes. Upon this he returned, gueffing it rather to be the Temple of fome Infer- nal Goddefs, than t n Palace of a Terreftrial Queen. At the entrance

of

Book I. Bentibolto and Crania; 3

of this curfed place, by a way which leads to a duskifh Wood, he met two Women, which by their habit feem'dtobe Furies of Hell, but were indeed attendants of Jte. Their names he learn'd to be * Sdegna, and Vendetta, i vifdait. and they, expreffing their hearts in words which did not fit them, would «<■«"«'. needs intreat him to accept of fuch Accommodation as that Place would afford. Bent'ivolio well knowing what that muff needs be, if theinfide correfponded with what he hadfeenand the Entertainment were to be given by fuch Minifters, made at firft fuchrefufal as might be interpreted Mode fly and Complement ; but at length appearing to be plain D<r/?/a/ after the vain repetition of many Entreaties, they appeared like themfelves : for after fome ill language, they haftn'd away through the darkfhade of the thick Grove, designing; a Revenge of their flighted offer; though it was not fo much a negle&ed Civility, as a frufixated Malice.

Bentivolio being thus delivered from an ugly Invitation,madebafte to feek a place where better people might more probably be expefted. Being come to a neighbouring Town , he had been there but a little while before he found that the Subjects were too like the Devilijb tyrant that command- ed them. After fome indignities receiv'd,for which he knew no reafon but that thofe which offered them had nothing elfe to give, as he was carting in: his mind what to do, md after many thoughts, refolved to abandon that Den of Devil? ; he received a Letter from ^/r^who the day before was fent thither totake vengeance of fuch a Villany , as the Divinejuftice, with- out a feeming neglect of Government,could not fuffer to beunpuniflied, and that haftened the Execution of his purpofe. The Letter contained thefc Words;

BENTIVOLIO.

I Am not ignorant who you are,and whence you come ; andperadventure know where you are better than you d«, having been here longer that your fclf In this place dwels keen Hatred, and unrelenting Spite. Ihe Inhabitants, at I under fi and, by order of the moft wicked Ate, have adejign to murder you.] have fent you herewith afwordjvhicb you will need before you come into your ownCoun- try ; if you forgo it not, you will perceive in time, that it war not an unfit ex- prcffion of a Friend 's good will, jfs foon as you have read this Letter, be gone from this Earth , which I tlfi will immediately leave.

ASTR^A.

bentivolio having return'd fuch an Anfwer as Co great a Civility requi- red, deeply grieved with the cryes of the opprefled, and more with the in- corrigible mifery of thofe who efteemedall wrongs lawful ,which further'd. their own Interefr, retired to a Port which was not far off, (intending, if he might, to imba'rk himfelf from thence for * Jtrgentora ; for he meant rht cnthus to return home that way, having received ftrange reports concerning that staU' Country, of whofe truth he defired to be certified,) and there he found a Ship which was driven in by Storms, weighing anchor, not only becaufe the Wind blew fair to carry them off, but becaufe the inhofpitable tem- per of the people made their ftay undefirable. Bentivolio giving them no- tice of his defire, and making it acceptable with offers of money,they took him in. Before they had fail'd many leagues, a new (form arofe; and the Weft-Wind blew fo tern peftuou fly that they could not manage the Ship: aftera while the wind being fomewhat appeas'd , they had alfo the com-

B 2 fore

J5entiboUo and cHrania. Book

tbit to nuke land, and a Poi t happily prefented it fclf. Bentivolio hoping that it might potfibly be Jrgentora, urg'd tfreJPilefb} a 1 means to put in; which they had no mind to do, fearing that it was the pace from which not above a year before they had fto lien a Ship, where they were fure to find fuch welcome as that kind of guefts doth referve. Eenthclio not knowing the grounds of their unwillingnefs, offer 'd to their Cqpfiderati- onthe uncertain event which this Storm might have; it had a bad t tgin- ning, and for ought they knew might make a worfe conclufion: ho ever it would be a great confolation and fecunty to fee it blow over in a har- bour. The <L7V«r«f*rj,neitherminding his reafons, not regarding the worth of hisperfon, ( for they knew him not") flood off, till at !a;t the Eoat- fwain came running up into the Matter's Cabbin, and told them that the Ship had fprung a leak , which he could not flop, and that the water came in fo faft, that they muft either feek prefervation afhore, or fink. Upon this they chang'd their minds, and made what way they could to get into the Harbour ; where they were no fooner arriv'd,but the Veffel was almoft full of water,and,by that time the PaiTengers and Sailers were got aflioredt funk before their Eyes.

iW/WWnderftanding by one of their Confeffions, the juftnefs of the Punifhment, which, by reafon of the place where they fullered, didfoon call to mind their Sin ; gave them his charitable direcf ions to help them to make the belt of fo bad a matter, anddifcovering the place to be Jrgentora. The state of afcer ^e ^d. receiv 'd notice of his way, went up to a high cliff, that he might from thence pleafe himfelf with a view of the Country , which was hid from his Eye byaKowof Hi'ls which ran along the Sea-coaft ; and when he had reach'd the top,he found a place fit for his purpofe.

It was that feafon of the Year when the Earth puts on her mod gorgeous Apparel to entertain the Sun, which doth then beftow longer vifits upon that than the other Horizon, and that prefented him with the lovelieftPro- fpeft that Imagination acquainted with fuch kind of things can defire.lt was fo far beyond ordinary Perfe&ion, that he thought fure he was deceived, and that inftead of fome true piece of Nature's work , he beheld a delega- ble Contrivance of curiousArt ; orelfe, that Sleep, which had abandon'd him for fome nights before, had unawares furpriz'd him , and that he was now in a Dream ; where his fancy taking thofe rare works which lie had feen any where in pieces, and adding fuch others to them as fhe could devife, had united them all in one Glafs, to reprefent the braveft fhew of a fair Coun- try that is poffible either to exift or to be fancied. Having pleas'd him- felfa while with thefe amufements, at laft he recollected himfelf, and by fuch ordinary tokens as do affure us that we are awake, he perceived that this was no Dream : and remembring that Art doth but imitate Nature, and is fo far from out-doing, that it can never equal it: he was fatisfied as to the reality of the fight ; but withal from thenewnefs of it fo incomparably perfect beyond all that he had feen before, he concluded that this was the Original exemplar of Profpect,and therefore comprehended and exhibited all the Poffibilities of its Excellency at once.

Looking ffrait forward, he faw a Valley fet forth with all the Embellifh- ments that low ground is capable of. The rich fields of Corn, and green Meadows lay in feveral divifions interchekeredlike great Beds of Flowers and frefh Grafs-plats in a large Garden. The Corn fields looked as if the Roots which were hid in them complained that by miftake of their own ft rength through a great defire to be fruitful , they had fent forth more '

folks

Book r. Bentibclio and ffljrania*

ftalks than they could well fupportjand the overladen Ears encreas'd the oppreiTion. The fweet Grafs grew tip fo thick in the Meadows , that it feem'dtobeftreightnedfor want of room, and yet crowded dofertomake way for thofe fragrant Flowers of all forts which grew up with it; and thefe m'mg'ing their various colours as they belt fitted the feveral Greens which they found there, made a fhow like a rich Carpet, where Grafs was the Ground, rarely made up with beautiful Embroideries of Flower- work. A little remov'd hefaw brave Paftures, which though they were opprefT'd with the feet and mouths of daily guefts that lived upon them, yet the inexhauftible foyl fent forth Grafs, and upheld its growth both in thick- nefsand height in fpite of their Teeth. The humble Rivers, in the loweft places they could find, crept amongft thefe in fuch proportionable wind- ings and careful diftances, as if they defign'd to carry their ftreams about with that Univerfal refpect to the ground, that they would leave no place unwatered; and then they Aid away with fuch gentle flownefs, asfhow'd that they either doubted whether they had perform'd their duty,or, if they had, yet were loath to leave thofe pleafant banks, but being driven for- ward by fuch ftreams as came to fupply their places, they murmur'd along to tettifie theunwillingnefs of their departure. Toward the rifing of the Hills , upon that tide which is beloved of the Sun, he faw molt noble Hou- fes, whole feveral forms, though fomething different from each other, did allbeara well-agreeing Witnefs of greateft art in the rare polifhingand Excellent conjunctions of the beft materials of Edifice. Thofe fides which are vifited with colder winds were no lefs defended than adorn'd with well grown Woods, which had flood there beyond the memory of man • and amongft thofe, the glory of that Countries Plants, Old Oakes lift up their ftately heads fupported with ftrong bodies,fo invelop'd with thick Bran- ches, that each Oak was more like a whole Wood than one fingle Tree* Under this guard, in places fit for them, ftoodall other Trees famous for bearing of Fruit, in fuch orderly Rows, that ifyou Iook'd upon them in right lines or tranfverfe, you fhould not fee one of them out of his Rank. In Summer, thefe hadmoft pleafant emulations; for whilft each Branch vied with its neighbour for numbers , the Fruits themfelves fhowing a full growth, and adding alfo beautiful colours, endeavour'd with a lovely fight to anticipate the fweetnefs of relifh, but by fo doing made theTaft more acceprable,it being an addition of pleafure when that which delights looks handfomely. So the virtues of accomplifh'd Souls are more graceful when theyfhine through Comely Bodies. The inferior Trees, which had not the Glory of Fruits, fpread their leavy boughs to contrive cool fhades,and made themfelves fafe cages for Mufical Birds, whofe daily work was to fing for Jov, that even fo they fhould contribute fWnething to the happinefs of fuchaB'efred Ifland.

Amongft thefe varieties he faw fair Towns and little Villages fcatter'd up and down, but in fuch convenient diftances,that they feem'd like Bee-hives of divers forts orderly plac'd in feveral Gardens ; and he could not but take notice how the numerous Inhabitants went out and in, like fwarms of bu- fie Bees.

It gave him great delight to obferve how through the middle of each Town, or not far from it, the ftreams which had been driven from the fields came down in filver Brooks ; but much more, when he was told afterward that they brought along with them great plenty of excellent Fifties, which the people needed not to trouble themfelves to catch ; for they defiring to

take

jfcentiboliQ and (Mranra. Book *•

take themfelves pnfoners,fwam voluntarily every day into their Nets and Weels ;or if they did but throw a Hook into the water, they would hang theinfelves upon it,and give them notice that they might draw them out.

His eyes being glutted with the Luxuriant pleafantnefs of the Valley, he turn'd them toward the tiround, which by its fituation is lifted up fome- what higher, and fo more moderately moift : and there new Sights encoun- tred hinv,namely,fuch numerous multitudes of well fleec'd fheep upon large Walks, that made it a queftion whether the grounds were over-gown with Sheep or the Sheep with Wool; which what it wanted of the colour of the Golden Fleece, it did more than compenfate with Softnefs. Near to thefe he pleas'd himfelf to behold the large Parks,wherein goodly herds of comely Deer rang'd up and down, whilft the little Fawns tripp'd after them, i

But as by the long hearing of Excellent Mufick the powers of attention are tired ; the Body having joyn'd with the Soul in the free yieldingof its felfto the melodious Simpathy of grateful Notes, the wearied Spirits, gathered together with a foft fwectnefs, repofe themfelves in theircells by a filent (lumber ; juft as the troubled Bees are woo'd to clufter themfelves upon the Branch of a Tree by the charming noife of Bafins : So it was with Beuttvolio. For being ravifh'd with fo many pkafing Sights which he had attentively confidered, his Eyes, enfeebled with feeing, began tofhut themfelves, and gave him leave to fall into a gentle flumber ; out of which he was foon awakn'd, and entred into a ferious meditation of the defign of fuch an extraordinary Work : not doubting but fo much coftly care was be- ftowed for a moft confiderable purpofe. After many thoughts, he refolv'd that Liberal Nature, having accomplifh'd each part, that none could fay which was beft^ intended in theconftitution of the whole tobeftowfuch an unparaUed Plenty upon the Country, as to put it beyond all neceflity of behoMingnefsto Forreigners, and withal took care that no Inhabitant ihould be in danger of Want at Home, without a fordid difingenuity of the Natives.

Bentivtlio upon this Confederation enamour'd with the Divine EenignL- ty,fell down upon his knees and faid.

BLeJfed be thou , 0Jlofl Bountiful Creator) the fever al Kingdoms of the World are thy little 1'amilies, and thou comprehended in thy Fatherly care all things which thou hafimade. I thank thee for that fair Portion of Jcarthly Bleffmgs which thou hajl he flowed upon this I/land. Grant them alfo ( of thy Grace^fuch Wifdome and Charity .that none may fo covet oujly engroffe thy Gifts , a,$ to makethofe poor for whom thou hajl provided enough , and fo in fie ad of giving thee due praifes for their own fulnefs , make themfelves guilty of the unthankful murmuring* of others occafiondby want.

After this he began tothinkhow the people beftowed this abundance; and concluded that, fince it did in fo great a meafure exceed their neceffi- ties, a great part of it rnufr needs perifh for lack of ufe ; and turning to- wards the South, where the Sea prefented itfelf,he perceiv'd under fail a great Fleet of Ships , with the advantage of a profperous galemakingway into the Haven : and he would certainly have concluded thatthofeVeffe.'s came to fetch away the furplufage, but that heremembred* in the Fort where he firft landed they came from other parts of the World, laden with

Goods

Book. I. BmttboUoahd ifranicu

Goods of foneign growth in great Quantities, as rich Wfiks , excellent VruUs ,good Corn ; and with thtfc, Si/ks and Stuffs, J' late and Jewells. There- upon lie imagin'd that provident Nature had appointed this Ifland As the Magazine of her Treafures , and having lay'd up ail the riches of the World here as in a Store-houft,that the/ might he feciueagainft a general Dearth, hadmxuxd it round and ftrengthen'd it with a Wall made of Sand and Wa- ter, beiides a floating Bulwark, that was removeable to any place asocca- fiou ferv'd.

In the midft of theft thoughts, he went down the Hill, to know if the Inhabitants equal I'd the Place: but before he came at the bottom, he found that they did not thake that ufeof the Divine Goodnefs to which they were abundantly obi ig'd ; for he faw prefently , what he expected never to have feen, in a little Cave or hole in the fide of the Hill, a miftrable couplelying upon the ground,which -were Husband and Wife i he was call'd Lazarillo, ilie * Tenia : and whi lit he flood attonifh'd with the mifery of their looks, * pmrf.- which were fo wan, that no body could guefs by that which appear'd in their faces that they werealive, there came in two Children , a Eoy and a Girl, his name was -rTher ode's, hers j| TaUpora. They were naked , except ABntiJb- where Nature is afhamed to be uncovered; their carriage brutiflj,on!y they " Mifnaik' could (peak: Upon fo fad a fight, he could not abstain from fears, mingled with a paffionate Exclamation again ft theunchantablenefs of mankind.

Thefe were fome of his words; O unfit tiabl? covetoufnefis ! thou haft no flea- fur e bat tn too-much : nay it is apleafiure to thee, if others have too-little. Curbed, root of Inhumanity , which haft taken arvay the commiseration of others fir- rows ! Thou, Brat of Hell, haft harden d the hearts of men which are natural- ly foft. 'tis thou, haft let that ill-favour' d.Hagg,Beggcry, into the World, thott haft brought in the poor to fill the world with Difcofitents andCHrfes againft God, whom by thy perfwafions they believe to have taken no care of them.ThoH haft made them to envy and hate thofe, which are better provided for than thezn- felves, which they would never have done, but that they fee them deftitute of Charity. Thou haft fore d Theft to rife out of Hell,and to affociate with the needy, ' whoftcal that they may notftarve. UnteafoHable Deftfe ! which haft fo befitted men , that they have forgot Civility, under ft and no proportions of Competency, nor can truft God though they at) fee him. ihotiperverter of all Good, God hath provided more than enough to fipply the wants of all his Creatures; he which made them knew how much they would lack, and hath given perfect direction con- cerning the ufe of his provifions, which if they were obferv'd, would turn Mife- ry out of the I ( 'or Id. O Enemy of Divine Charity .' that great band of the Uni- xe':ie,wbich if it were broke,would cattfe the Heaven to fall m pieces !

The trouble of this unpleafant Meditation was broke off by the coming of a fprightly Youth, which made hafte up theHill, and calling at Lazaril- lo's Cave ; (aid, Lazanl/o, my name is * Hermagathw, and I am fent from a A mt)P Charitable Lady which dwells not far off, who hath heard of your afflicti- Meffi^tr. ons, to bring your Wife and Children to her houft , where fhe will take care of you al1.

Bent ivolio ftart'ed at fnch an unexpected accident , and being one that counted all mens happinefs his own,as much pleaf 'd with hearing the accep- table contents of the Errand , as the poor folks to whom it was dj reeled, prefently accofted the young man, whom he could not but love, for that blithe chearfulnefs with which he delivered the Expreffions of his Ladie's ■ Charity, and asked him, how his Lady underflood that thefe poor 'oiks dwelt m this wild place. My L ady, faid Hermagathus, hatha fincere joy

in

Bentibolio and flftrania* Book I.

in relieving the wants of the poor, and that affection will enable any to difcover where they are. Bcntivolio ask'd him how he knew the way to this place , or, whether he had been here before or no. No, faid UermngA- thui ; for my Lady hath not been long in this Country : but I have gone ma- ny fuch errands ; and whitherfcever I am fent , (he alwaies gives me fuch perfect directions that I never loofe my way. Upon this, Hermagathrts looked round about to view the Cell, and feeing nothing but a little Eook in the Rock-fideffor that was all the goods they had, exempt an earthen Foe in which f hey boy I'd Roots and Herbs) he asked them,What it was ? They faid, they could not tell. Now it was an old prayer- Book of their Grand- mothers: avd HermagAtbuibzd them bring it with them; for his Lady would have' the Children taught to read it. So having told them his La- die'sname, andgiven them directions tofind her houfe, he left the poor pcop.'e, who began gladly to prepare for their journey.

Bentholio hoping to gain fome intelligence of the Country from this young man, however defirous to be inform 'd more fully concerning that ex- cellent Lady, went along with him,pretending that his journey lay that way: as indeed it did, for he defired to fee nothing fo much as thofefurviving ex- amples of Charity, which were yet left in this Unmerciful Age. Hermaga- thtu not a little glad of fuch Company, exprefs'd an extraordinary, but ve- ry real,defire of knowing whether,in anything which he could perform,he might make himfelf lefs troublefome to fo noble a Companion. You need not doubt your acceptablenefs to a lonefome Travailer, faid Bentivolio ; but you may alio greatly oblige me, if you will give me a larger accompt of your Lady, her Houfe, and the manners of it. That I will do with all my heart, replied Jdermagrtfw. And by this time they were come to thebrow of a Hill, from which they might eafily difcern the Houfe ; and, as they walk'd along in fight of it, Hermagathm began thus.

'Upon the further fide of that pleafant River ftands my Ladie's Houfe; 1 it takes, as you fee, the advantage of a little Afcem : the way which leads 1 to it from the River is pav'd with fmoothftones:It hath a fair front ifpiece ' and may be feen at a great diftance : the Gates are broad,and ftand alwaies- 'open: they lead into a fair Court, where two Servants conftandy attend ' to conduct all comers into a large Hall ; where the Steward of the houfe

* takes notice of their refpective Conditions, and makes provifion for them ' according to their feveral neceffities.

1 The Houfe is two Stories high ; the Lower is appointed for Offices, the ' Upper is divided into two parts,with a fair Gallery between the divifions: ' upon each fide every Gueft hath a Room by himfelf, furnifh'd with all ne- 4 ceffary accommodations. The Officers which adminifter fuch things as 'they want, do their work with fuch exact Care and loving Willingnefs, ' that none can be ferv'd better in their own houfesby the beft-tutor'd and .

* moft ready Servants. Every Gueft may flay as long as he pleafeth ; and

* when any defireth tobegone,they give him free leave. When thofethat i come Sick have regaind their Health, they areemploy'd futable to their « difpofuions and abilities ; and in the time of their Sicknefs they are ac- c companied by fuch as do not only take care of their Bodily health,but en-

* terrain theirMinds with Excellent difcourfes of the Concernments of their 4 Souls ;efpecially about their Spiritual Nature, Immortality, andthejuft preparations for a Better Life.

' That you may underftand how they accomplifh all this, the Houfe is, a t you fee,plac'd in the midft of rich Lands.and they fupply it with all need- full

Book. I. fl&enttfcjolo and Crania.

' f ul provifions. The Tenants pay but a fmall part of their Rents in Money, \ andinftead of that,thcy bring in Com of all forts, Wool and Fkx,Sheef and ' Oxen, H Wand Coles : and when the provilions exceed, as they do in plen- tiful years, we lay up for times of Scarcity, for which we have conve- nient Store- houfes. The River, befides good ftore of Fifh, brings up ' from other places with great facility fuch things as wearenot fupplyed 'with at Home.

' Our Store is not only preferv'd, but exceedingly encreas'd, by reafon

* of that frugal way of living which my Lady ufeth, not only her felf, but ' her Retinue, content with a little for their own fhare, defirous to be rich ' only in Good Works, and to abound in fuch things of which they can ne- ' ver be depriv'd.

' before the Houfe, lies a Phytic k-Garden, well ftored with Medicinal ' Herbs , as 1 ikewife with fuch as are good for Food. Thofe which come e in healthful, are ufually kept fo by an Herb called temper anz,a, which alfo tmfWMu,

* is of great ufe to recover thofe which are fick ; but if it prevail not alone, ' flie joyns with it fome Cordial and fudorifick Plants, which are not hard 'to be had, for there is great plenty of them, and all the fervantsknow ' both which they are and how to ufe them , and fo doth every Patient after ' the firft time. Thofe which have received the benefit of Health by fuch ' eafie means, do fomething fufped the tedious methods of fome Phyfitians 'as guilty of unworthy Artifices, and more accommodated to their own ' Benefit than their patient's Relief , as I have fometimes heard them fay;

* and that God hath not fo wholly deferted us in the daies of our Calamity, ' as to lay thofe things which fhould help us fo far to feek, as that we can- 'not tell where to find them. But I will not trouble you with any longer 'difcourP: of our affairs; but rather, fince I perceive by your chearful « acceptance of my report, that it is not ingrateful to you to underftand the f way of our Life , I humbly intreat you to beftow a Vifit upon my Lady ; < where,as I am fure you will receive perfect welcome, fo I make no doubt 4 but one of your worthy difpofitionwill be well content to gain theac- ' quaintance of fuch an Excellent Perfon.

Beistivolio, taking great Confolation , that Charity was not wholly ba- nifh'd from the Earth, as he perceiv'd, by this Relation ; and defiringmuch tofee the prudent Government of a Houfe, wherea Stripling had learn 'd fuch Difcretion ; told HermAg&thtu , that he would not fail to call there as he pafTd by : arid beingnow come to the Rivers fidedie defired * HerrnxgAthta iJaefTfy M^~ to go over ; for that he himfelf would flay a while , not fo much to repofe ' himfelf, as to know what was become of the poor Travailers. Having difmifs'd Hermagathui, and ftay'd longerfor them than he thought the mea- fnringof fo much ground, though with a flow pace, would have required, he went back to meet them , fearing fome mifchief had befallen them , or that they had loft their way : which indeed they had , for, as one that met him gave him notice , they miftaking their directions, had gone out of the rode towards a houfe whi ch belong'd to a Gentleman of a far different Tem- per from the Ladie's , whither they fhould have gone ; and there Benti- volio found them knocking at the Gate. The Porter looking fourly through the Bars of a little Window which was in his Lodg, told them, thofe Gates were made to fhut, not to open; to keep out Strangers, not to let them in. His Matter being near the Gate, and fearing, as he did alwaies, tl at fome were come to rob him, ventur'd t© peep upon the Thieves , but fhut the little Loop-hole prefently, faying, they are Ghofis ; as he might well

C have

IO

J&entibolio and cHrania. Book h

have call'd them, if they had had no more bones thanfcfb. They ftill con- tinued knocking,defiring entrance for God's fake ; a I'hrafe of final 1 regard * a post rkb at that houfe. * flutopenes, the Mafter of the Houfe, pretending not to un- """' Whb h* derftand the Language, ask'd his Porter what they faid ;and away he went. ■mm v> at j wonc}er^ (-aith another Servant that flood by, that our Mafter is fo dull to day, that he underftands not his Mother-Tongue. There is no reafon for that, quoth the Porter, fince you know, let the Language be what it will , he never underftands more than he lifts ; nor hears what any body fpeaks; nor knows what they fay, if they ask any thing of him.

BentivolU, havingfeen the fruitlefs event of this vain attendance, call'd to the poor people; Come, Come, faid he, you have'knock'd at a wrong door ; you went to a Houfe unto which you were not invited ; there is a River between this and that , which you are to feek : I will direct you When he had accompanied them almoft to the Ferrie, he went a little be- fore to provide the Boat againft their coming. The Ferric-man with meek words and courteous behaviour demanded, if he would pafs over. Very willingly, quoth Bentivolio ; only I expect the coming of fome other Paf- * A tntuiful fengers, who are not far off. However, faith * Qetfirmon, for that was his P*- name, I will put you over firft ; for by that time, they Will be here : more

may chance to come than my Boat will well tranfport. To this Bentivolio confented,and the Ferrie-man landed him fafeupon the further fide ; where heftaidtoawaithis feeble followers. Oeciirmon had not been long re- turn'd, but they came, whom with careful hand he plac'd in his Boat ; and as he was ready to put off, there came a fellow hollowing as he ran, and puffing cry cd, Held, bold, Oeftimon, taking notice of his grimVifage and clutch'd fingers, What, faith he, you are one of Flutofenes his fervants.Yes, faith he, and my Mafter is hard by, who comes to make a Vifit to your La- dy. I defire you, fince there is room, to take him in with you. I wonder at this, replyed OeUirmon \ for he never pafs'd this way in all his life,thac I remember. God grant his coming be for good : I am much affraid what it will be : but if he will go over,he fhall ; our cuftom is to be civil to all; I have order to take in as many as my Boat will hold. By this time JPluto- penes was come, being out of breath with unufual walking ; for he had not been out of his houfe for many years, and had a great bunch of heavy Keys upon his back, having lock'd up all the doors of his houfe, left his fcrvants fhould run away with his mortey ; and by chance he was fat and fweated extreamly. In goes he to the Boat, but with fuch an unlucky hafte, that the weight of his body, and the fuddennefs of the fwag, overturn'd the veffel upon the Paflengers. Pfotopenes funk to the bottom of the River near the Bank-fide ; andhisman, fomething doubting whether he fhould endeavour to fave him or no , yet feeing him come up, caught hold of his left Arm, and he with his right Hand, fufficiently taught to catch and hold faft, got the Poll to which the Boat was faftned, and fo with much ado fcrambledout. Never minding what was become of the reft, or fo much as once looking back, away hetrudg'd, inwardly glad to think that they would never trouble his Gate more ; yet pretending to his man a great rage againft OS/mow, and that he would have his life, but that he had loft it * Fcvtrtj. already, for having defign'd to drown him- * Lazarillo and his forry Fami- ly were drown'd; though OeUirmon would fain have fav'd them. Alas/ it was not in his power : for asthe Boat was overwhelm'd, flutcpenes having hold of his hand , pull'd him fo deep under water, that he had much ado to get clear of him : fo that though h? could fwim, by which means he faved

himltlf,

Book. I. Bfcntibolioand Urania* ~~ H

hifflfelf , yet thefwiftnefs of the ftreain having carried away their bodies, who, being weak and unskilful, coulddo nothing to help thjsnfelves, they were quickly fo far gone , that before Oetlirmon was able to offer it,they were paft the recovery of hisaffilhnce. Swimming over to Eentivelie, he wept fo heartily all the way, that the good Gentleman could not but bear him company, having feen the lamentable occafion of thofe tears, which was not in h is power to help.

As they went along towards the Houfe, Gctfirmon told Be •nth olio, that his mil-giving heart prefag'd this.or fome fuch unhappy event of Ylutofcnes his approach, it having been his conflant pradtife to break all the Dellgns of Charity which he could hear of He told him of feveral young men, whofe lands he had got into unjuft poffeflion by the rigorous forfeiture of fome petty Mortgage ; how many Widows he had defrauded of their final 1 portions of money , and whofe houfes he had devoured ; and how many poor Houfe- keepers he had brought to plain beggery , withan extortio- nate loan of a little money, fo that this was not the firft time he had funk the poor.

By that time he had made an end of a few ftories, they were come to the Houfe; where the Lady awaited his arrival with fuch expectations as file had only for an extraordinary Gueft: which were partly occafion'd by thofe highpraifes wherewith He rmtgat hits hid extol'd both the Excellency of , ,

Bentivolios perfon , and the equal fweetnefs of his manners ; but chiefly fan® upon a Conceit which flie kept fecret in her own Breaft, that he washer Brother : and walking up and down the Hall as Bentivolio came in,fhe found her divination true.

Here I dare not offer to undertake the relation of thofe excefllve joys which were kindled in both theirhearts upon this happy interview ; thofe glorious Flourifhes wherein the paflions of Romanttck Lovers are defcri- bed,are but faint fhadows of that fubflantial Contentment which thefe two Vertuous perfons really experimented ; and therefore I lay them by as ufe- lefs. Neither are they fuitable to this Pleafure, which grew fo much grea- ter, and exceeding in reality , as it was grounded upon nothing but fuch Goodnefs and Worth as is of a fpiritual and more rais'd Nature ; and indeed was the fame kind of Solace which Holy Souls enjoy in the Eternal World. The by-ftanders equall'd this joy with wonder ; and well knowing the great Prudence and unparallel'd Goodnefs of the Lady, and feeing nothing but a moft fair appearance of all Perfections in the Gentleman, as theCaufe of fuch extraordinary affections was more inevident,they found themfelves fix'd in Silence and Admiration. Some which were more ingenuous, thought they had a rare Vifion of fuch Gods as Homer talks of, which know one another whenfoever they meet, though they live in divers Countries. ' Buc thefe doubts were fuddenly refolv'd , when Urania ( for that was the La- dy's name) having perform 'd all civility which belonged to the firu: fa'uta- *«•««•'/ tions, faid ; Come, Brother, let us withdraw from this place, left by flay- ***' 'JJimi ing here too long to indulge our affections, we neglect fuch duties as ought to be perform d in regard of your prefent flate , which Idefire to undev- ftand.

They retird into a Summer-Parlor,andaftera fliort repofe fveetn'd with pleafant Conferences, in which they gave and received an interchangeable report of fuch things, as had happen'd to them fince tlieir parting, Urxnix defir'd her Brother to take notice of a Gentleman whom fhehad fentfor, with fuch refpect as flie might befpeak for one whom (he judg'd not unwor- thy of his Friendihip. C 2 Re

12

j!l rirt*o*S-

fl&tntifcoiio and Crania*

Book I.

J Mtttifttl ferfcn.

4 pm- rich Mtn

He was call'd * famretus ; and though he was her Brother,fhe conceal'd hisname, defiling to furprize Benthclto with a r.tw joy, for he knew not that i'atiaretus was there. As foon as Fanaretus w as come into the Room , Bentivolto peiceiv'd thePleafure, which he thought before fwell'dto all polfible Extents , to grow yet bieger,and was forc'd to adt over again that del ightful part which he had but even then perform'd. JPanaretus receiv'd this moft acceptable encounter with fuch a pafiionate joy, as the fight of a Brother who had been long abfent, and whom he had alwaies endear'd to himfelf with the greateft affections, muft needs produce. Then they enter- tained each.other with glad Salutes,and reflected mutually the fame Love in various Expreflions.

When they had fpentfome time in this fort of Inter courfe , all Three plcafing themfelves to confider in what equal proportions an extraordi- nary Happinefs was beftowed among them all, Qetfirmon fearing that the extremity of fuch unexpected Joys had quite put out of Bentivolios mind the remembrance of the lateaccidents,with which he thought others ought to be affected, meafuring their Duty by thofe ftrong fentimentsof Pity which he found in his own Breaft, had agreat defire to impart the troubles of his mind to Urania, ; that fo though the Wrongs could not be reliev'd,yer his Grief might be fomething allayed by her Sympathy, whilft he receiv'd a fad account of the mifcarriage of her charitable intendments. Bentivolto, who was before unwilling to mix fuch fad notes with the pleafantnefs of the foregoing Harmony , having been an Eye-witnefs , was forc'd now to bear his part by attefting Oe tiirmoris too true Relation. After they had made fuch moral improvements as a Calamity in it felf incapable of repa- ration would allow, the night being come, they refolv'd to put off the de- termination of what was to be done in the cafe,till Morning ; and after the repair of a moderate Supper, each of them betook themfelves, though with an unwilling willingnefs, to their neceffary repofe.

In the morning Urania riling not long after the Sun,went out of her Cham- ber, and understanding that Bentivolto was walking in the Garden, having gone down a little before, fhefenta fervant todeiire him to come to her. After the paffing of mutual gratulations and good wifhes, fhe acquainted him with her Purpofe , which fhe would not put in Execution without his advife, which was to fee Plutopenes ; not fo much to repay the Vifit which he pretended to have made to her the day before, or to condole his mi f- fortune,which fhe deem'd too flight a Punifhment for the mifchievous rafli- nefs by which he fell into it, but to take this opportunity of adminiftring fome Counfelwhichfhehadtogivehim, doubting whether fhe might ever meet with the like again.

Bentivolio approv'd her Defign, and having accompanied her over the River, fhedefiredhim to trouble himfelf no further ; for that fhe andp*- naretus would foon accomplish that fmall bufinefs,which Uie had to do, and return to him ere many hours were expird. As foon as they were gone out of fight, Bentivolio employ' d himfelf in Enquiryafter the dead bodies of Lazarillo and the reft which were drown'd. He had not gone far be- fore he underftood that they were ftop'd at a Bridg, being catcht in nets not laid for fuch purpofes ; and having given order for their decent burial , he return'd towards the Ferrie, intending to divert himfelf upon the banks of that fair River, till Uranias return.

The thoughts of the niggardly Plutofenes being frefh in his mind, he im- ploy'd the remainder of his time to draw the ugly Picture of CcveUufnefs

in

Book. I. ^rntiboloand tirania. *3

in a Copy of Verfes, which I am willing to infert here, becaufe in them he hath fhown how Poverty comes into the World, notwichftanding God's bountiful provifions; andprov'd, that the Benignity of his Intentions is made ineffectual to our Happinefs only by the Uncharitablenefs of men. They began thus,

It is butftft : Wefnn'dftnce that ; 1 ceafe From quarrels : 'Twos a Eleffing to encreafe, Though now a Curfe. The teeming Earth doth breed More than the Fruits which it brings forth will feed.

Jtjeems of late God hatkrefum'd the Curfe, And for our ftns grown greater made it worfe. Then we had Bread, though it was bought with Sweat : We Sweat fill, but it doth not earn «ur Meat. Men live too long perhaps, or fome toofoon Come, before thoje , which fhouldmake room, are gone. If Death were not grown Idle , wejhould thrive : We are too many all at once alive.

Aro, that's not it. they had enough of Old, Yet liv'dtill ourjhort jfge they ten times told. He which made All things , knew what they would want, And did not give Allowances fo fcant. "that men could think their <fj\laker was but Poor, Or, which is worfe, through Envy hid his fore. Ko, no, Rich Bounty, thy kind hands did make Thy Gifts Great, like the Giver, for our fake. The Me a fur es are large Jtz'd, which thou doft Jill ; ^And though they areprefs'd down, run overjtill. But we are greedy, and through Avarice carve Such Portions to our fe Ives , that other sfiarve H hi If we are glutted : nay^ though they complain If hem we have robb'd, we count their lofs juftgain ;

Andjojlling others cry, Ail fcr ambling's fair ; Some All, Some Nothing is an Equal jhare. Thus our Sins further others Faults and Woe, ?i hi If God is Curs' d by us and for us too.

And with our wants we falfly charge the Earth :

Fngr offers Barns are full in years of F> earth.

Thus wicked Murmurs, which Jeemjuf, byfuch

Are cans' d whofeek more though they have too much,

But part with Nothing. You with far more eafe

Might rob the Gardens efth' Hefperides.

Ytli Dragon' sftead had we look'd to the Fleece,

The Argonauts had fail' d in vain from Greece.

We make an Iron Che ft the fatal Urn;

Whence Gold once buried never doth return.

The Love <jf Having is that wide-mouth' d Pit

Which hath no ground ; God's Plenty's loft in it : ■ Or, like thofe Monfters which fat Kme deftrofd, fs Hungry and Lean fill ;Jill'd, but net cloyd. For when our true Necefjities are fuppli'de, Rather than wee" I the Overplus divide '.

We

,^ Jldriitibolto and Crania, Book. I.

We frame ph <ant afltck needs, and jo defraud thofe Stomachs which for want of Neat are gnaw 'd : And think we do a good Excufe devife , We have our Bellies Jill' d, but not our Eyes.

Ihen Luxury makes Artificial Fcafts, As if we meant to pole , not fee d cur Guejls ; Having contrtv'dfuch curious forts of M eat, they know not what they do, which they fhould Eat. 'Ihen Gold, which anfwers all the fours behoofs, Shines to fmall purpofe in the G lifter ing Hoofs Of Stately Dining- Rooms ; or en the Door Where they ask Alms it is be flow d before.

Our Native Wool, which made that Home- [pun fluff Which our brave Anceflors thought good enough, When Hofpitality was clad in freeze, Doth not become fuch handfome times <is thefe. though we might know it Jits our Climate befi, Itmujl be Shipt to fetch us from the Eafi What jits our Humours. We find Silks too full Of heat, whenfome are Cold for want ef \\ ooll. thus we affront the Grounds ef ancient Fraife Andfcorn the Fatter ns of more fiber dales.

Hydrepick Beajl ! will nothing quench thy thrijl ?

Here, try a Recipe. Drink Tagus /?>//,

AndthenVz(Xo\us: If thefe will not do,

then take the Ocean and drink that up too.

But all the Virtue of Unfathom'd Seas

Cannot relieve the thirfi of this Difeafe.

ttrattiabe'mgcome to the Gate , Fanaretus knock 'd. The Porter look- ing forth of his little Window, they demanded entrance, as having fome bufinefs of importance to communicate to Flutopenes, and withal gave him fome money , which was currant at the fame value with the fervants that it was with the Mafter, and was a general key which open'd any lock of the Houfe. When they camealmoft to the Hall-door, flutopenes alann'd with the opening of his Gates, came forth like one frightned with Thunder; but feeing only a Woman and one man, and having fome fervants in the houfe, he made a inift fo far to fubdue his fears, as to bid them come into his Hall ; where Urania began thus to accoft him. Sir, faid (he, I come not to beg any thing of you (he was very glad of that;) but to repay you a Vifit, (he had been as well pleas'd if fhe had faid nothing;) and to inform you of what may make to your lingular benefit. I ftiall acquaint you with fome particulars in which you fufTer a great Damage, which norbody doth reveal to you; and give you fome advice concerning the improvement of yourEftate. At thefe words, which he underftood to fpeak Profit, he lift- up his ears ; and partly to fhow a little fore'd civility , partly to be out of his fervants hearing, leaft they fhould cheat him of the benefit of fogood news, by underftanding it as well as himfelf,he pray'd them,afterhis fafhion to walk into a Parlor, which indeed was more Cave thznVarlor. She, not knowing what might happen , defired that Fanaretus might comeina'ong with her, telling him that thedefign of his Profit was wholly lay'd by that Vertuous Gentleman. Upon thofe words he confented, though with no

fmall

Book I.

UbtntiWiw and fflirania* 1 5

fmall jealoufie of being robb'd. Through a dark entry, where no light ever came but what was caft by a Torch, w hich was held by a grim Porter, who fac'd them; as if he would have knock'd them down with his looks , they came to an Iron door, which had many locks ; this being open'd, they came into a kind of a Vault enhghtned with a rufty Lamp, by which they perceiv'da great company of Iron Chefts where he kept his Gold and Sil- ver clofe prifoners ; only for want of room there, fo me had a little more liberty, lying in heaps in feveral corners of the Grott or Grove, where he '1

and his money wereburied together. Knowing well that he expected not; nor ever offered Complement, ' Sir, quoth Urania, General Report fpeaks ' of you, as a man of vaft Riches : but I have heard forue few , which pre- ' tend to better knowledge of you,to fay,that you are very poor; and novV 4 I find it to be true. I am forry for you ; ( but he was glad , thinking,

* becaufe ihe efteemed him poor, that fte came to give him foniething. ) Its e true , fome would efteem this a great Treafure which you poftefs ; but alas.' 4 what is it to your neceffities, Who want both this and a thoufand times 4 more ? Your wants lie in the greatnefs of your Defires, and J am affraid i t

* is next to impoffible to provide fo much as a Competency for you. That 4 which I am able to beftow, is a very fmall Alms ; but fuch as it is,I will im- ' part it freely. Though I have not Moneys or Lands to give you, yet I 4 will endeavour to fhow you a way infinitely to improve your own Eftate , ' and to difcover to you , as I faid before, what keeps you fo poor. Firft, 'you have no ufe of your Money, which indeed thefe thievifh Chefts have

* ftollen and kept from you. Many of your Houfes fall down, becaufe no 1 body dwells in them ; your Mannors and Lands return but to an improfi- c table account , becaufe you have more than you know what to do with.

4 1 perceive you want the affiftance of excellent Stewards , that might frn- .. 'prove your fortunes exceedingly, by relieving with them the neceflkies

* of the poor neighbourhood ; and advance, by the prudent difpofal of « fuperfluous funis, Mechanical Arts and ingenuous Sciences , which would 4 return into your Coffers, with an unfpeakableencreafe, the Comforts of ' the poor's Prayers j the Bleffings of Charity, and the true honour of be-

4 ing a Benefactor to Mankind. Befidestheavaritious Ruft which eats out J.

'your Money, there is a Canker alfo which preys upon your Eftate, « which is the Fraud by which you have gotten it, and the Curfe of thofe ' evil Counfelsand Principles with which you hinder others from doing any ' Good,

' A;/ for Exatttple,You perfwade them to build no Alms-houfes, becaufe 'others will fell what they give: and when they tell you they have "fofet- ' !ed their Gifts by Law, that if they be convsned to any other ufe, they * 4 flialj immediately return to their heirs J you tell them, they will not.When ' vou are ask'd concerning that proportion of Eftate which one may call a ' Competency ; you anfwer, All that one can fcrape together is but a Com- ' peteriey ; and that the way to come to it, is, to fpend nothing upon fuch ' i in profitable bufinefs as Charity. So that no good Defign can be propoun- < ded^ but you are ready to contradift it with fuch Reafons as you are ever

* framing in this (hop of Covetoufnefs : and befides that, your conftant Ex- ' ample hath corrupted Thoufands who had better inclinations : you drow- ' ned f >ur miferable Wretches yefterday, as they were upon their way to

* one that would have relieved them. ■ — ■

Plutofenesmuch gaU'd with this talk, hoping fhe would end,asfhe be- gan, with fomc Comfortable word, made a fhift to endure it all this while;

but

i6

ji&cnttbolto ahd crania*

Book I.

A rapaiioU) ferjen.

Jli rmuiiH.

A merciful Man. AgtU Mtf-

J B*rbartu$ ttrfijn

ihi stmt of

C'ovloufneji.

The Divine State.

Jleafurt.

butnowbeingunabletohopeor hear further, cryed out, as if his throat had been cut, Harpagus, Harpagus ! At which unexpected noife in he rufh- eth with his Club ; Plutepenes ftill crying, knock them down Harpagus, Knock them down. Panaretus, feeing the fellow too ready to obey fuch a vile Command, having drawn his Sword, faid, Lay down your Club, we offer no wrong ; but if you will not , I ihalldifenable you for ever taking it up again, bo interpofing his body between him and Urania , w hilft the Villain made ready to fetch a blow, Panaretus gave him fuch a ftroke upon his right arm as he lift it up, that his Club fell backward ; and guarding Urania out of the Houfe , where no body was willing to detain them, they made hafte towards the Water. But they were much ftartled with a cloud of Smoke, which they faw about Urania's, Houfe ; and when they came to the River , they found Bentivolio in the fame perplexed gueffes concerning it ; but they were foon refolv'd with the cries of a difmal meffenger , one of /frvMwVs'fervants, who running and making as loud a noife as one could that was half dead with fear, call'd, Oe[iirmon,Oeciirmon! They had no fooner perceiv'd him to be Hermagathus, but Uraniaind both her Brothers prepar'd to go into the Boat ; which he feeing, cryed out vehemently, No, no ; I mu ft come over to you. Thereupon Urania bad Qeliirmon fetch him over, being allured fomeextraordinary difafter had put the youth into this paflion. As foon as he was come , he begins, Alas Madam! you had not been gone half an hour, before a Troop of Horfe begirt the Houfe round; having kill'd the Pilgrims, and plunder 'd it throughly, they have burnt it down , of which yonder fmoke is a fad witnefs. They intend , as I over-beard fome of them fay, to pofftf i themfelves of the Lands, by an or- der that they have for it from one whofe name I cannot remember, and ex- preffed a great vexation when they could not find your perfen, againft which they vented their fury in outragious threatnings. This Troop was commanded by one call'd Lejirygon, who pretended that he was fent to fearch the Houfe for fome Confpirators, which were reported to be bar- bour'd there, and to demolifh ir.

Urania not much abafrVd at that which fhe had in fome meafure expec- ted, bearing up againft a great affliction with a greater Courage, exprefs'd her felf tbus,My dear Brother, now,now you are in JrgenUra ; you begin to fee what kind of people dwell in this Country.I have received many affronts in that little time which I have fojourn'd here, and that which they have of- ten threatned, as I was inform'd, they have now payed. Let's retire to yonder Wood , wbere we may with fafetyconfult what courfe to take.

When they were fate upon a green Bank which offer 'd it felf under the cool fhade of an old Beech,Ura»ia faid it was her opinion,That they fhould return into 7heoprepia. Bentivclio , out of extream Good-will to thofe which little deferv'dit, was much troubled that fo rare an Example of Divine Charity fhould be removed,knowing well that a dark Night would follow the fettingof fucha Sun ; and, that the Unworthy might by kind- nefsyet beconquer'd into a better Temper , with fuch Arguments as he could he perf waded her Stay. Shealledg'd thefmall fuccefs of her former pains , and having no habitation left her, though fhe would attempt further: She continued her relblutions to ftay no longer , to receive more Wrongs where fhe could do no good ; telling him withal, That fhe would take her Journey home through the Kingdom of Piacenza , which was then govern 'd by a Voluptuous Queen , and that if occafion ferv'd flie would endeavour their Reconciliation to Vertue.

Benti-

Book. I. 26*iuibolto and <Hrani#. 17

Bentivcho finding his hopes of Reformation quite overthrown by tlrx w/Vsdefpaif, confented to her intendments, only with this eaniefr entrea- ty, that he might have leave to wander a while through the borders of Ar- ** Ccvttw; gentor.1, after which he would meet her in the Metrcpolis of Vamfemblx; j'Z'n-fiw where they would give and receive an account of each others Travells. HraniA having fignified her content , they parted after mutual Farewels, which were peiform'd with lets Ceremony and repetitions , becaufe they hoped to meet again in a few daies-

Bentivolio took the lower i"ode which goes through the Southern parts of jirgentorti, accompanied only with Herrmgatbvj, whom he loved not only for thofe handfomneiFes which he faw in him the day before, butalfo for a new Experiment of his Ingenuity: for when Ursniz's houfe was en- compaited with Soldiers, heftoledown intoafhady part of the Garden, where he lay hid till he perceiv'd they had withdrawn themfelves into the Houfe , and then by a back-way which led privately to the River, brought along with him Urmia's Cabinet of Jewels, and Bcntivolios Sword which Jjlr<ea gave him. R^hteoufnejs,

They came after fome hours Travail into a pleafant Grove, not far from the way which lay through it ; and Bentifoh& efpying a fhadyWalk furnifh*d with a convenient feat , he fate down to reft himfelf awhile. Behind him at afinall difrance was a Thicket of Bullies and in them a clofe Arbour, where a young Gentleman was newly retired, who in a Tune between plea- fant and fad, accommodated to a Theorbo a ditty which was his own Story. He feem'd with his Song to entertain the Wife Lady Dyfemeria, with whom AffiSitmi of late he had contracted an intimate acquaintance.

The Song being ended, he laid by his Lute, intending to take his ufual Walk, and then return home to Supper. Bent'woli* efpied him as he came forth of the Thicket, and having receiv'd great content in his Mufick,being never laft in courtefie though he had committed no fault, he began immedi- ately to crave pardon of the Gentleman for having unawares invaded his privacy; fincethat feeking the eomfort of his own Retirements, he was brought, without defigningany thing elfe, to the knowledge of his pre- fence there, which if he had known before, Civility would have depriv'd him of thofe Joys which now he had gladly ftollen with an involuntary Theft. Erotocles, (for that was the Gentleman's namej) though fomthingi^G/w;*? fiirpriz'd , yet as much pleas'd with the high Civility of words delivered Uv>- by a perfon of moft gentle prefence, anfwer>d, Sir, you are as far from the necefllty of making Excufes, as you are from having perform'd any thing that doth deferve them. Nothing needs an Excufe but a Fault ; and if you have offended any body,Ifuppofe you meant my fel&AU that I have to blame voufor, is, that you have made me to find one unawares whom I fliould have fought in vain throughout all this miferable Countrey. Bentholiv a little b'ufhing, implied, Sir, I perceive amongfr. your other Perfections you have entertain'd a great Charity for ftrangers , and are apt to frame the beft thoughts of others that you can, till you fee reafon to the contrary, and to withhold your Affent to plaufible grounds of fufpition till you have examined them ; and therefore I pray you to excufe me if I be further f ) bold with you,as to defirethat Happinefs in your Acquaintance, unto which your benign deportment hath given me fo fair an invitation. You ask,anfver'di*>0/W<r.r,fo fmalla thing that it is not worth your having; yet I fhould make no fcrupleof obeying your Command, but that perad- venture the difcovery of my felf and the relation of my Condition would

D give

i8

HDrntitioUo and Crania*

Book. 1.

TbiChryef

Lovi.

all Mm

give you the knowledg of fuch Misfortunes as might occafion your Grief, fince I judg you not uncapable of Compaffion ; and therefore 1 deiire, you would let me perform that which I think to be my duty in this point Ly si- lence- No, 1 befeech you, faid Bentivolio ; for as it is impoffible I ftould ever undervalue one of your Worth upon fo inconfiderable a ground as Ad- verfity ; it may be alfo that my knowledg of your Wrongs may be fome fui - therance to your Vindication: for how poorfcever 1 am in ability, yet 1 am provided of fo much Good-will , that, what I cannot by my afliilance take off from you wholly, I fhall not refufe to bear in part with you by Un- feigned Sympathy.

Erotocles overcome with the refentments of fuch a generous Charity5was content to make known his Afflictions. lam, faith he, Erotocles, the un- \a unit of fortunate fon of Pbilopxnt.u, who was Lord of a fair Eai onrie in this Coun- try. No Father was ever more loved by his Children, than he was ho- noured by his Tenants : His Univerfal Charity wasfo plentifully beftow- ed among them all , that they call'd him by no other Name than Father; His Exemplary Righteoufnefs wasfo publickly known, that they fear'd to do Wrong , not fo much becaufe they were fure he would punifli their Sin, but he made Righteoufnefs fo lovely by bis own practice that they hated to do Wrong. His Seat was magnificent , his Lands fituated between Plea- fantnefs and Riches , and fo became the ObjedT: of Envy to the Covetous , as his Holy Life was grievous to all wicked perfons, v\ ho were conftantly upbraided and condemned by it. He was divers times affauked, and put in mind by rude attempts of the uncertainty of Worldly State, which he never forgot however ; for he made the daily confideration of it the rea.- fonof his true contempt of fuch things, which others beftow their bell Affections upon with great Admiration.

He was once troubled, I remember, with a company of rude fellows , beggarly in their Condition, and worfe in their Temper, which was com- pofs'd of Covetoufnefs, Difcontent, and foolifli Arrogance; who preten- ding the Injuftice which is in the unequal Divifion of the World, would needs attempt to reduce it into juft allotments : and in the profecution of their wife Defign, would needs begin to parcel out his Lands intofeveral diftinft proportions ; promifing to allow him afhare fufficient for himfelf and Family, and to afllgn his Tenants their parts, and take to themfelves fo muchas they needed and he could Wellfpare; and of thefemeafures they would be judges : and fo they began with their Spades to caft up little marks of Divifion.

They undertook this bufinefs more confidently, becaufe of fome Dreams which one or two of them had concerning this Mode of Reformation, by which they made their Neighbours believe that it was revealed to them'; and that as the benefit of the Defign was Univerfal , fo the Succefs was out of Doubt.

* FhilopaMas wondringat fuch a firange Device , of which he was in- form'd by fome of his Tenants, madehafie to know the bottom of the bufi- nefs. As foon as he was come to tills wild company, he defired to talk with their Leader , if they had any , for that he had fomething to communicate unto him. They not doubting but it was fome Vifion, received him the f more contentedly, and brought him to one Ononirtu, who was made their n»j[l. Chief, _ becaufe he dream'd that he fhould lead them; and having found that trick foferviceable, made conftant ufe of it, to dream in the nigkt what he would have done the next day : They never daring to difobey

what

Jlovntif fill Mm.

Book. I. Jidmtitioiioand SU'ama* if

what themfelves had approved of for a Divine guidance; though ic was fuch as by which they might be made to do or fufler any thing. pbilopant** ha- ving ask'd him the Reafon of their prelent undertakings, Gnonirtu hearing that word Reafon, was ready to have commanded his ^Myrmiions to flay him; which of themfelves thev were willing enough to have done, for, . they could not abide Reafon neither : but the fear of PhilopantM his atten- dants reftraining his Zeal, he anfwer'd, that they had a Revelation for it, of which he was not to receive an account. 'Say you fo? quoth Philo- 'panLts, If you have a Revelation concerning thefe Lands, I am interefted 1 in it ; and therefore I do defire foihe affurance of the truth of your alie- ' gation, that I may warrant my obedience to it. The matter which you are ' upon is of great moment, and concerns fo many befides yourfelves, that ' you have need of a good CommhTion for what you do. All that know God, ' perceive him to be a Loper of Righteoufhefs ; and thofe which pretend ' Communion with Him, muft be jufr. Many Wife men, who fee you invade

* others Proprieties, will fear that you are rather driven by the Difturber ' of Mankind, and inftigated with covetous defires, than infpiredby God, ' who hath no where given encouragement to make havock of the Interefts ' of our Neighbours : He hath commanded us to be content with our own, 'though it be but little; acknowledged the diftin&ions of poor and ' rich ; and hath cali'd the taking away of other mens Goods without their

* confent, Theft. He doth allow Propriety as a fountain of Charity, and ' Nurfeof Civil Commerce and Induftry. And although fome men do neg- ' leel: the duty of relieving others neceffi ties with their fuperfiuity, and op- ' prefs the poor to iririch themfelves, yet this is not the way to reform ; the 1 Remedy being manifeftly worfe than the Difeafe.

Then offering the affiftance of his particular Charity, as far as he fhould be able, to fupply thofe wants which might opprefs fome of them, head- vifs'd them to return to their Homes, not doubting but many honeft-mindect people were feduced by the Delufions of cunning Hypocrites.

Thefe laft words made the flame break out which his, whole Difcourfe kindled in their hearts ; and then without any warning they fell upon him with their Spades;ma'king their toolls inftruments of War , which they pre- tended to have brought for other ufes.But PhilopantM his Retinue foon cha- ***■ ftifed their folly ; and having kill'd Gmnirm and a few more of them, the reft vanifh'd with his Dreams,and left their Mattocks to digGraves for their Companions , who were then content with a lefs (hare of Earth than before they had meafured out. ■

This Mift being thus clear'd up, we lived in great ferenity for a good while, till new clouds arofe from the Covetoufnefs of two envious Neigh- bours, potent in Argentora , who had a great defire to become poffeffors of other mens Eftates , though their own was too much for them,efpecially be- caufe it gave them ability more effeftually to difturb the Innocent.

One was a Gentleman cali'd Ferzario , of a fierce Temper, whous'dto ^v'°Un* fatisfie his greedy mind with a lawlefs force. He would compell all thofe which held any thing of him, to do whatfoever his furly difpofition ap- pointed ; and this produe'd a continual Vexation to my Father's Tenants. He fto'p'd up the wayes which led to their grounds, if they lav among his, (^pretending they were but granted upon fufferance) to make them go two miles about for a quarter of one; and if they offer'd to break his un- juft Hedges, they fhould be fure to be well beaten. He would make his men drive our Tenants Cattel upon his grounds, and thenfue them for

D 2 Trefpaf-

20 i^entibolio and 2Hrania» Book. I.

Trtfpaffers ; and they, not daring to go to Law with him, were fain to compound with him, and fo obtain at unreafonable rates a forgivenefs of thofe Trefpaffes which he himfelf committed. It were infinite to fpeak of his Wickednefs ; but one thing I may not omit which he did today: He arm'd divers of his Tenants which were molt fuitable to his wickedde- fignes, and made them burn down the houfeof an excellent Lady which dwelt not very far off ; fornoreafon, but that he had heard great reports of her Excellent Vertues, efpecially Charity. He is of a bloody Temper naturally, and trufts fo much in his ftrength, that he will fight with any one ; hath challeng'd many, andkiU'dfome: but by corruption of a great Courtier or two, he faves his own moft unworthy life. Cfaft. The other was a Lady, whofe name is \nganna, and fhe took another way

more agreeable to her fex ; what he did by Force, (he effected by Fraud, cheating the people with crafty Bargains , counterfeit Deeds, and Promifes, which fhe kept no longer than till fhe had opportunity to break them. But. in all her tranfactionsfhemade fuch a fair fhow of defiring to promote their good , and got Co far within them by their plain Credulity, that they were never more pernicioufly hurt than when they thought their Welfare moft fecured.

The Tenants of thefe two vile perfons, made ufe of thofe unworthy wayes in their converfe with others ; which they had not only learn'd from their Superiors, but faw warranted by their greater Examples. And when they could not fecure themfelves under one Landlord , they would forth- with turn Tenants to the other , and feme times ferv'd Forzario , and fome- Yit tut gerjoH. tjnies -were all for 7»?/«»»^. In fine, the two Oppreffors jealoufly emula- ting each others adherents , a Marriage, which, I dare fay, was none of thofe which are made in Heaven , was contrived between Ferzanomd ln- ganna , which was fpeedily accomplifh'd, but to our unfpeakable difcorn- fort ; for now they began to try all the arts which Fr«j«^,united with Force, can put in execution , to work our ruine. After many attempts made in jgo»i c*un- vam> partly by reafonof my Father's perfect Innocence, and partly by the fciUr. prudent advice of a faithful friend call'd Kalobulus;yet at laft they brought

ker^Twmpt lt about, ky the affiftance of a corrupt judg call'd Labargyrus , whom they juig. kept in fuch conitant pay, to ferve their turns, that he counted their annual

Bribesagreat part of his Salary. He either with the pretence of obfoJete Laws, which no body remembred ever to have been made, or with wrefted fenfes of known Statutes, had done them many notable fervices.

The Defign of my Father's Deftru&ion was laid thus ; Labargyrus, you inuftknow, was one who made it his conftant pradtife to betray unwary people for fpeakingdifhonourably of the Duke, by whom that Country was then govern 'd : Thofe which are di (contended are apt to fpeak againft any body ; and thofe which provok'd them to talk,and were alio witneffes of their fpeeches, were his falfe-hearted Spies. By thefe he was informed of fome Words which my Father fhould fay, in Company of which he was lefs careful, not beeaufe he thought all that were prefent were jufb, but be- caufe he did never fpeak any thing unjuft. Itfeems, my Father complain'd of fome Wrongs that Labargyrus had done, and faid that if the Duke did but know of them, he was confident they would foon be redrefs'd, and the Judge punifh*d, Labargyrus having heard this, in (read of wafhing away the guilt of his Crimes with true Repentance , took Sandiuary againft the feares of his Confcience in Revenge; and giving money to two of his Crea- tures thatcould fwear luft ily , he fram'd this Accufationp That FhtUtantas

did

Book. I. »nnloolE0andifi:an!a, 21

did fay, the Duke had done the People fuch Wrongs due he was confident if they did but know their power , they would foon be redrefs'd, and the Dukedepofed. Sowith the change of a few words, which perverted the fenfe'of the reft, he drew up a charge againft Philopant^. Though this was incredible to moft Good men, who knew FbtlopMtas to be a moft wary perfonand a loyal Subject ; yet his conftanc abfence from the Court made the pretence plaufible to fuch as loved to think ill of any. Though indeed my Father abfented himfelf not for any private grudges which he harbour'd in his bofom, but becaufe lie faw great infecurity for an honeft man to be, where through falfereprefentation of perfons and things, Friends could not be diftinguifli'd from Foes: And alfo for that whilfr others multiplied their Titles, and fwell'd their heaps of Money with hellifh toils, he defir'd to enjoy the heavenly Tranquillity of his private life,and thereby take oppor- tunity to provide for his Immortal fecurity, which is in dreadful jeopardy through the various Tentations of Princes Courts,

Now though thefe dangers be common to all Courts, yet they were lefs avoidable in this than in fome others, becaufe of Two great Imperfections to which the Duke was Subject , which had fuch an umbenign influence up- on Court and Country , that he was happy that could enjoy himfelf quiet- ly in a corner. One was, that he defpifs'd true Religion : for though to pleafe the people ; which were that way given, he made a {how of fome fuch thing ; yet he vilified it both by the conftancy of an irreligious life, as alfo by fuch fpeeches which could become none but an Atheift ; for he would commonly call them Fools which pretended to put their whole truft in God,and laugh at the opinion of fuch as affertedthe Immortality of the Soul efpecially when they falk'd of our being judg'd in another World. Amtber was , that he carelefly difpos'd places of Government and Juftlce, not much looking after VVifdome and Integrity in the choice of his Mini- fters, whofe only Qualification was, their willingnefs to fervehis Defigns; neither did he trouble himfelf to take any account of their good or bad Adminiftration , to give them Encouragement or Punifhment as they de- ferv'd : and from this fountain an Univerfal Corruption deriv'd it felf up- on all orders of. men. By means whereof the Country, which before was deservedly renown'd throughout the World for Righteoufnefs, is nowde- fpis'dof all its Neighbours, and commonly call'd a Nation of degenerate Supplanters.

The Minifters of Juftice, not abandoning the eftablifti'd forms of Law, have made them however both ufelefs to any good purpofe,and alfo inftru- ments of great Affliction : partly by the unmerciful delaies of procefs in Law, which commonly continue till both parties being irnpoverifhM can go no further , or one of them at leaft be fo tormented, that he is come to the fame pafs with poor wretches upon the Rack, who are willing to fay or do any thing to come off; partly whilft their Eftates are fqueez'd into the Lawyers purfes by large Bribes for the forementioned delays andun- juft Sentences.

The Grandees trample upon all below them, and count it the duty of the Poor to be opprefs'd ; living much according to the Rule of thofe Beafts, the greater of which devour the lefs. If the poor defire any thing of them they count it a kind of Robbery, and order the fame punifhment for them that other Countries do for Cut-purfes ; and when through into- lerable Miferies they wifli they had never been born, they bid them kill themtelv?'- . and fav .that thenthey fhall enjoy the fame Comfort.

The

22 jl5tntitiolio and Crania* Book. i.

TV epidemical Degeneracy hath infected alio theMinifters of Religi- on: who being fa lien from the true Knowledg and exemplary Vertue of their Predeceffors(the Holy Fathers, and Pious Martyrs) have compleated thefcorn of their Ignorance with vitious praftifes ; and are grown Co unlike their Books, that even the rude multitude wonder upon what grounds they have fet their confidence of giving Counfel, which they themfelves render ineffectual. But good men which live undifcern'd among them are much grieved, whilft they fee thofc in whom Wit is deprav'd make a Judgment of Religion by thofe foolifh Opinions with which it is blended, and that ma- ny are tempted by the evil lives of Hypocrites, to think Goodnefs it felf but a Show,and Chriftian Religion a Fiction, and fo fall into Atheifm, the plague of Human Nature ; which befides the Unreafonablenefs of it in other refpe&s , is alfo defiled with the bafenefs of Ingrat itude, choaks in menallfenfe of the Divine prcfence, and denies to the great Father of the World that affectionate Adoration which is due from all his Children. Ha- ving thus loft the Love of God, they can never love one another ; for after they have broken thofe ftrong ties which he faften'd in the roots of their Souls, they make nOthingof mutual obligations to Love, Courtefie, Cha- rity, Friendship, or Juftice ; and atTaft are become Eeafts and Devils, the very face of Humanity being loft. And this appears too plainly in the praflifeof the Vulgar alfo, who have no underftanding of Charity further than Self-Love, which begins and ends at home : They count it all lawful gain that they can cheat from others; and when it is done handforuly, it goes for Honeft Cunning and Ability of Parts.

But I have been ceo long in the description of an unlovely matter. The day for my Father's Tryal being come, the WitnefTes were predue'd and fworn: and, notwithstanding all that my Father alledged for the defence of his fpotlefs Innocence , and though divers Ferfons of Quality who were prefent offer 'd their teftimony in the moft folemn manner, that no fuch words were fpoken at the place and time mentioned by the WitnefTes, * La- *Acmupt bargyrtu being Judg, my Father w as condemn'd to die. His Lands were gi- viohtit ven to * Fcrzario, who had fome pretence of defert to the Traitor's Eftate, Berjoti. having been a means to difcover the Treafon,as Labargyrtts made the Duke

believe ; but the true Reafon of his doing fo, was , a fecret compact made between him and Ftrzurio ,that if he could effect a Grant of the Eftate," Lx- h A Mm*y- "*" bargyrus fhould enjoy a fair Mannor which joyn'd to his own Lands. The *'r' unjuft Sentence was foon executed ; and left further mifchief fhou'd befall

' Agotictun- me, (for the Cruel and Covetous are never fatisfied ~)<KaUbu/xs, of whom ftiiir. 1 t0\d you before, commanded tw6of his trufty fervants to convey me on

Horfe-back by night to his Caftle , whence I have liberty fometimes to re- pair unto the fliades of this Grove, where I had the happir.efs to meet you, and where I enjoy prefent fafety, till God and Time fhall bring the Truth to light.

I hope it will not be long before that be done, anfwer'd Bentiiiolio^ho tii chrj of had fix'd his Eye upon JLrotodes all this while with careful attention, and iov*. now found his heart deeply grieved for the unparallel'd afflictions which

by this Story he underftood ; and efteeming no Glory like unto that which comes by relieving the opprefTed , he breath'd forth this paflionate Wifh, O God, that I might be the happy Inftrument to ferve Righteoufnefs in fo fair an opportunity, and that I might have the Honour of procuring Pu- nifhment for two wicked Perfons that have fo highly deferved it / and withal defired Erotocles to bring him to Kalobulus, faying, I doubt not but

Book. L % cntibolis and Crania. 23

after afhort conference we fhall find out a way to Vindicate voiir VVrongs. Erotocles defpairmgof thai", yet receiving his courteous Sympathy with many thanks , began to direci him towards the Caftle. They had gone but ttw lteps before they met Kalobuiiis md his ion f 7hraJymtchtts,\\\\o were A *'•«**«' come forth to feekir^c/w wondnng what was become of him, becaufe lie had ftay'd longer abroad than he was wont to do : and before they could exprefs their doubts concerning Bentivolio, he preftnted him to Kalobtdus, and pray'd him to receive a friend of his into las knowledg, and delired that between them two he would equally divide the Love which hehadhi- therto beftow'd upon him fingly. Kalobulns was ready at firft to make que- ftion of fuch expreflions concerning a ftranger ; but,beholding inhis Coun- tenance and Carriage more than ordinary Characters of great worth, he Welcomed his happy arrival in that place with all affectionate Congratula- tions; exprefling alfo a great hope which fprung up inhis breaft, that he was come to them by the Benignity of fome Divine Direction. So having enquired his name , and commended his Son to his acquaintance 3 they went into the Caftle.

They had ftay'd there but a while btf ore Kal#l/u!us broughc into theRoom his Vertuous Lady and two beautiful Daughiers; and it gave chem al i extream content, whilft Bentivolioby the civility of his excufes for coming inro their Company, made them well to perceive that lie was not unworthy of it. At Supper, which came inprefently, they exprefs 'd their friend- fhip in feafonable Viands of all forts, handfjmly ferv'd up, though with- out Curiolity ; which they perfected with Courtefie and excellent Dif- courfe : Inlbmuch that Bentivolio could not but fancy that Goodnefs had taken Sanctuary in this Ark, till the Deluge of Wickednefs, that overflow- ed that little VVorld, fhou Id be abated. After Supper they entertain'4

themfelves with mutual conference,not knowing how to leave fuch vigorous joys for the dull repofe of deep, which now begun to offer it felf. But Nature requiring obedience to her indifpenfable Laws Kalobu/us, attended Bentivolio to his Chamber, where being left by them all with many good wifhes , heretir'd himfelf to little fleepand lefs reft.

The feveral difcourfesof Erotocles his cafe, though they differ'dnot from the Gior?of his own relation , yet they fill'dit with more inftances of Cruel Wrongs, *•«*"• and feem'd to endeavour to boyl-up Bentivolio' s Courage , which was at a height already. He needed no fpurg , who went as faff, as Prudence gave him leave; for having affectionately defiredfo noble an End,he could not ceafe to caft about in his mind how he might accomplifb itr But being not able at prefent to obtain the End, which he paffionately defired , for want of fit means, heflack'dthe intenfivenefs of his deliberation, and let his thoughts run adrift. After a wearifome Expectation, the Light, in mere pity, brought him the joyful news of Day; upon which he left his bed, and was fcarce drefs'd before the .good Kdobulus knock'd at his door ; which he open'd with the greater chearfulnefs, becaufe he hoped by his afr fiftance to find that which he had fought in vain all night, Having acquain- ted KaUhulm with his mind ; Alas, Sir, quoth he, though Erotocles his Yoak is heavy, yet it doth not lb pinch him as at the firft ; he having worn it i~o long that Cuftoin hath fitted it to his neck : but this meafure of pity which you exprefs will add to his Afflictions, who is lb fenfible of all Circumftances that aggravate a Calamity, and of fuch an ingenuous regard to his friends , that he will more deeply refent theadverfity of his prefect feftate, if he underftand th^tyou are opprefs'd with his Sufferings. Lay

afide

24 fl&mtibolio andcHrania, Book. I.

afide the trouble of your thoughts, Worthy Sir, and make not: this Caftle

your Prifon, nor the love which you have for others your own Fetters;

but rather enjoy the freedom which fo mean a place may afford, and take

not from us that relief which the chearfulnefs of your Converfe doth be-

ftow upon us in fuch plentiful meafures of Confolation, as that we have al-

moft forgotten that we are afflicted fincc your arrival. I would not urge

thefe requefts , but that I fee your Charity doth defign Courtefies for us ,

which are fb great that we are not capable of them ; For nothing can make

3% gi f aPr'cef°r tne redemption of Erotocles, but the mine of Forzario; and as

lovt. "' we know that Deftrudtion is unacceptable to your Temper, fo we know no

yirioimt means to accompliili it but one, which is as Unpleafant as the thing it

To this Bentivolio replied, I think my felf not fomuch concern'd as to make anfwer to the former part of your difcourfe, becaufe I would not go about tomagnifiefofmall a thing as my Love-is; and I fuppofe the influ- ences which you pretend it may reflect upon Erttecles are but direct ex- preflionsof your own Civility to me : but if it be true that no other price is currant to redeem Erotoeles but fuch as will hurt Forzario if it be pay 'd I know not why we may not purchafe fo great a good with the juft harms of fo vile a pcrfon. I ever efteem'd Juflicc to be founded in Gosdncfs, be- caufe punifhment was invented by God as a Guard to right eoufnefs; and fince Impunity would drive Goodnefs out of the World, and n-.ake it unha- bitable for Righteous and meek perfons, I count that Indulgence by which Malicious perfons are faved from futlering, tobe an injujl fimijhment inflic- ted upon the Innocent. Clemency indeed is an incomparable imitation of the Divine Mercifttlnefs : but it mult be exercifed in due inffances, or elfe it may degenerate into Cruelty. If there were ' no occafion to ftrike at any time, the Sword of Juftice was made in vain. Thofewho have lived to deftroy the publick good of mankind ,ought by their Death to n.akea Con> penfation for their Wrongs: and as they are no lefs odious to God than Men, becaufe they do notorioufly rebel againft his Government, we are not to think that he hath taken fo little care of the welfare of his Creatures, as as that he doth not allowand require the removal of fuch Monfters. In this refpeft therefore I fee nothing that doth difcourage my hopes of Erotodes hi^reftauration; andltruft the particular way , which you have not yet mention'd, is not of fuch an unhandfome nature , but that a good man may make ufe of it, J good Cou». ^nto tn is Kalobul/a anfwer'd, Our forces are not fo numerous as to florin fiiitr. the ftrong Tower of Ferzario ; and if they were, we might not make ufe of

them ; for we have learn'd that Juft men can then only warrant their actions whilft they are regulated by known Laws: and though when others break them, one that is vvrong'd may fuffer honourably ; yet he cannot violate themhimfelf, whilft he feeks reparation, but his endeavour will befullied with Injufrice. Our Law permits not one Subject to demand fatisfaftion of another in that way. The means which I thought of is allowed by Law, I confefs ; but I believe the Execution of it, is as unfuitable to the Merci- ful nefs and Patience of your difpofuion, as it is contrary to our defire that you fliould undertake it.lt is this,Wben any per fen is wronged,and by the Vio- lation of Law unjuflly fuffer s the lofs ofhisLife and Efrate,tbe Law permits any man, that is noti-kitt t» the party wrong d,nor concern d by friendship, nor ever had any quarrel with the per [on who did the wrmg,tut of meer Love to Juflice to challenge the Violator of Law to a Jingle Combat, in which if he be kiltd the former fentence of the Law is reversed. If

Book. I. idcnttboUoand Sirania* 25

■ ■ ■■■■ ■ — — 1 — - '■ ■ — — •— . — 1 — 1 — ~- ^

If this be all the difficulty, quoth Bentivolio, I doubt not but to fatisfie you and my felf as to the honourablenefs of the Undertaking, and with God's help to procure fatisfaction to Erotocles by the good iiiccefsof it. I perceive your fcruple is, the Unlawfulnefs of Duels ; which as they are cominonly pradtis'd, I do as much abhor as you do , and think that thev areinftnitely below the 'temper of a Gentleman and a Christian. As they rife for the moft part from difhononrable Grounds, fo they proceed by un- reafonable means. Who knows not that though Honour is talk'dof as thereafonof the Challenge, that the true occafion of the quarrel was but fome flight affront receiv'd in a Tavern or fome filth place ? Thofe which had not the VVifdom and Vertue to avoid unworthy actions , muft needs pretend to a generous Choler, which will not permit them to live unre- veng'd of fuch wrongs as peradventure they procur'd to themfelves. Ha- ving never underftood what true Courage ilgnifies, much lefs exprefs'd it upon any juft occafion , they undervalue their lives which are not worth much, that they may be Mafters of other mens as uCelefs as their own ; and think it a Bravery to rufh upon Damnation ; but durft never expofe them- felves to the hazards of apublick Service, to fave thofe who are more wor- thy to live than themfelves. Such perfons as have abandoird Patience, de- vefted themfelves of Humility, cafliier'd all inclinations to Forgivenefs , and count the neglect of Revenge, Cowardife; muft needs find the belief of their Salvation impoflible, if thefe things be other than Devilijb quali- ties. And whilft they look upon it as an ungentile thing to fuffer wrong,thsy never fcruple the doing of it , though that be an hundred times more bafe : and they ftandfoupon afalfenotionof Refutation, that they cannot en- dure to be thought patient; that is, they undervalue the efiimation of God andthe opinion- of Vfife men, becaufethey are unwilling that a few Fools fhould take them for Cowards. The Heavenly Angels might with as good reafonbe angry, becaufe many times in great buildings they are reprefen- ted by little Boys with woodden wings. They have another humour of which I cannot but take notice : and that is, Thefe Brave's will take it in great fcorn if you fhould not think them Chrifiians , whilft they ridicu- loufly take their Name from Him whofe Nature did abominate fuch practi- fes, and whofe Life and Death was the moft perfect contradiction to fuch a lownefsof Temper as can be imagin'd. They fhould rather derive their Pedigree from 'Lantech, who would not ftick to kill any body for the lcaft fcratch of his skin.

By this which I have difcours'd, Kalobulus , you may perceive how un- willing I am by my example to patronize thofe murderous Duels, in which hot young men engage, when VVine,VVomen, and mutual provocations have begun fuch quarrels as accept of no determination but by the Sword. No I undertake this piece of Juftice, only as the Magiftrate's fervant, warrant- ed by Law , which at prefent needs this Vindication, without any defire of Revenge, for I have fuffer'd no Wrong; but to take off the guilt of a *Fb/Up.wtash\sb\ood which lies upon hJrgentora,that he which afflicted the In 5£ Good in hi s Life, may tcrrifie the wicked by his death, and by this means '**' cmims which is all that is left, to right Erotocles. ' **"■

Kalobulus perceiving the zeal of Bentivolio's Good will , nothing doub- A woi c«'"»: ting his skill inarms , afTured of the Juftice of the Caufe by his own know- ^"' ledg, and convirte'd of the lawfulnefs of the redrefs propounded, by Ben- tivolio's difcourfe, ftruck with admiration by the Contemplation of his unparaHel'd Accomplishments, replyed,that he could not but approve of

E his

2 ^ ji5entttJolio and Crania* Book. I.

his Charitable defign, undertaken with fo much Wifdom and Valour. But do you think Forzario will accept a Challenge, hid Bentivolio ? There is no doubt of that, quoth Kalobulus, for he loves to fight with any body, and is pofTefs'd with fuch great thoughts , that in Companion of himfelf he defpifethall the World: And withal he dehYd Bentivolio, to permit a Second to attend him : to which he agreed. And whilft Kalobulus wascon- lulting with himfelf whom to appoint , Tbrafymachus wifpering in his ear, deiired him to nominate himfelf: which his Father did, and przy'dBejai- volio to accept of his Son's offer,who was ambitious to ferve under fo great a Captain in the behalf of Erotocles. Bentivolio giving great thanks to the Young Gentleman, call'dfor a Ten and Paper: which being brought, he wrote thefe Words.

FORZARIO,

YOur Wickednefs bath made yon odious to the World, and the inflances upon which your Infamy is rais'd, are fo full of Cruelty and injujlice, that you cannot wonder if the Revenge which they have long caWdfor, ceme at lajr. Though you have attempted the fecurity of yourfirfl \\ rongs with greater, which were all the means you could find; yet this Taper will let you knew, that there are feme in the World who dare reprove you , am rvi 11 make you at length fee that your Crimes areptmifljable, if your guilty Fears will permit you,armd en Hcrfe-back with Sword and Lance, to meet me to morrow by Sun-rife, at- tended only with a Second and Trumpet in the Plain of Nemefia , which ad, joyns to the great Wood ; where you fhall make fome amends for your Sins with your fall by the hand of one who hatha Good-will for all but fuch as you are.

BENTIVOLIO.

A Trumpeter which waitedupon Kalobulus fpeedily conveyed it accor- ding to Ins directions. Forzario had no fooner read it, but he commanded to (ray the Meftenger for his anfwer, which lie fhould have prefently. So never making queftions concerning Bentivolio, becaufe he difdain'd to take any notice of one that durft affront him but by Revenge, he wrote this fol- lowing Anfwer.

BENTIVOLIO.

I Need no informer to make me under fand what kind, of per fen isjignifiedby that odd name ; your Paper bath reveal 'd your Imperfeilions. I am fore' d tojudgyeu one of no Vertue , becaufe you have learn' d to revile thofe whom you do not know but by mi [report. And though I do not think you Worthy of the Ho- nour to be chaftisd by my hand , yet 1 will condefcend to meet you according to •your appointment , to give you fuch punijhment, as may teach other Wanderer s better manners when theypafs by this Country , and that no trouble fome Fellorv for the time to come may be fo foolifhly impudent as to provoke

FORZARIO.

Bentivolio , was not a little glad when by the anfwer he underfrcod that he fhould have opportunity to make good his proffer of affi fiance to vio- lated juftice, and awaiting the early dawn of the following Morn, was guided by the firft approaches of light, and accompanied with the Valiant Thrafymachics , being unwilling by delay to give occafion to the difdainful humour of Forzario to return , if he fhould come firft and mifs him at the

Place

Book. I. 2I5£WlbOl!Qand(Ilfi-ama. 27

Place appointed. But he ftay'd not long before his expe&ed Adverfary appeared like himfelf ,and according to the defcriptions by which he was painted in Bentivdio's Fancy.

Forzario feeing his Adverfary upon the Place, thought to anfwer his rea- dinefs with fuch a payment as it deferv'd ; aud therefore not to make him ftay any longer, without attending the Trumpets, fpurringhis Horfe,who was not unwilling to fuch exercifes, rode with a full Career,aiming a rough Salute with his Lance at Bentholio , who being well skill'd in receiving and requiting fuch Civilities, made what hafte he could to meet him, and rerunfdhim one of like Nature, though not of the fame effect Bentivs- lio's Lance piercHiw^^/Vs Arm : Forzario's, though it lighted upon fuch a piece of Bentivolio'i armour as defied the fharpnefs of the point , yet as it broke, it made him bow fo far backward, that he had almoft loft the poffeilionof his Saddle ; which-he having prefently recovered, they fell to their Swords. Though none could tell who drew fi\-ft,Be»tivolia received the firfl blow, and that follow'd with fo many more, that his action lay chiefly in the Defenfive ; which part he was the rather willing toad for the prefent, becaufe he knew the fhower which fell in fuch thick drops would foon be over. This he perform'd with fuch accurate Skill, that it made up whatfoever he wanted of Force; of which alfo he had fufficient ftore ; to let his Enemy know, by what he felt, that he could hurt as well as ward.

When they bad fpent fometime in giving and receiving blovvs,often ac- companied with Wounds , their lofs of blood made each of them perceive that both were in earneft ; but the bufinds they had in hand fo fill 'd their thoughts, that they took notice of their Hurts with fuch an'undifcernable refentment, as wife men receive the Wrongs of difingenuous People.

Forzario, boyling with defperate Rage, confident of his ftrength, and prick'd withadifdainof fo unequal a match as he fcftcem'd Bentivolio, ha- ving given many fuch ftrokcs as fignified a ftrong Arm, enforc'd with ftron- gerdefires of Revenge, (which for all that, he faw ftill unefFected)vex'd that he fhould be fo long troubled with one whom he had difpatch'd in his thoughts a hundred times before he faw him ; now having, as he thought an advantage of a flack guard, which he greedily fnatch'd, befrow'd a blow upon Bentivolio ; writh which he had great hopes to ftrike off his Head.

But Bentivolio, whofe Courage was rooted in a Temper unacquainted with bale Fear, though principally fupported \?ith the Noblenefs, and Juftice of his Undertaking, and fully acquainted with all manner of defence agahift an over-match which exceeded him only in Strength, being well aware of Forzario's purpofe, eafily avoided that fbrefeen danger, andfum- moqing his whole power to aflift him in an eminent piece of fervice, reach'd fuch a ftroke as would have fav"d him the labour of anymore, but that IVz^r/VsHorferaifingup the fore-part of his body, by reafon of a fharp prick of his Mailer's fpurs, which he us'd to make him go nearer to his Enemy, receiv'dit for him: but it was the laft fervice he could perform, for it fell upon his neck, and cut fo deep into it, that he couldneither bear up his head nor his Mafter; and falling, he lay fo heavy upon ForzAriis thigh, that he could not rife from under him. Bentivolio perceiving what difadvantage had happen'd without his intention ,fpake prefently to Forza- rio :■ Wicked Man, that which was juftly threatned may now eafily beac- complifli'd : but I never engaged for bloody Revenge , but took this way,

E 2 fines

28 aidenttbolio and Crania, Book. 1.

fince no other was lcft,to attempt the reparation of unfpeakable Wrongs ; not wherein my own Intereft fuffer'd,but fuch as made a publick Violation of Juftice.If thou wilt yield to Right , and fubmit to the juft duty of Re- pentance,! will prevent that fpeedy vengeance which otherwifemuft needs await thee in the Infernal fhades. To this Fcrzarto fcornfully anfwer'd ; No, Villain, ufe the advantageof a bafe blow ; . lam not fo low as to re- ceive my Life by way of Alms from thee. Upon this Bentivolio lighted from his Horfe (to give him affurance, that his Cuftoro was not by ufing ignoble odds to deftroy that Honour which he doubted not with a little more patience to receive unblemifh'd ; ) intending to pull off Ferzario's Horfe, that he might try his Fortune once more on foot.As he came to him, he perceiv'd he had clear'd his leg himfelf, and was rifingup. Bentivoltt willing to understand what he would yet do before he ftruck at him again , perceiv'd a Company of Horfemen rufh out of a Wood which was not ve- ry far off. It feems , Inganm feeing her Husband fall, not knowing what was the caufe, but mush rearing that of which fhe faw fo bad an effect, which fhealfo judg'd worfe than it was, commanded a Troop of Horfe to fall in,which fhe had laid in Ambufh in theWoods the night before, inten- ding by them bafely to recover what her Husband had difhonourably loft.

Cr*f'- Bentivolio fufpecHng foine fuch thing,having heard of* Jngama, height-

ning his defires of ending with One , by the fore-fight of Villany and Dan- ger which attended him from Many more, (though they made a flop after they perceiv'd Forzario and Bentivolio both upon their feetj and imploring the Divine aid, ftruck Forzario fuch a blow upon the head, thajt made him bow it a little on one fide; his Helmet being rais'd withal , Bentivolio with fuch agility as that opportunity required , ran his Sword into his Throat through his Neck; upon which Fcrz>*rio falling down, made fuch hafte out of the world, that he took his leave of it without fpeakingonc word.

Erotoeles, plac'd with a feled Troop of Horfe behind a Hill not far from the place of the Fight, to prevent all bafe attempts by the prudence of Kalobulus , who imagin'd what Inganna would do , made fufficiently careful by his love to Bentivelio,zr\d now perceiving plainly what was pail:

a tout jf-j*. and coming , nude fpeed to his friend , and having affifted Thrafymac/ws to

itf-i catch his horfe, (the other Second having refus'd to ftrike in a Caufe which

he knew to be as unjuft as Fcrztrio was unfuccefteful) Bentivolio mounted, and before t he joy fu I Erotoeles could exprefs his thanks to Bentivolio , ln- ganna's Horfe were come up to them. And now the fingle Fight was con- verted into a bloody Battel, where many began to try , on one fide if they could regain what a fingle perfon had loft, on the other fide to keep what one had won.

Erotoeles defir'dBentivolic to retire and look to his Wounds, of which jgotictm-. Kalobulus would gladly have taken care ; but he refus'd their entreaties,

{*""' making no queftion but this would prove a fhort bufinefs: and finding his

fpirits hold out ftill, though much wearied, refolved to accompany his friends till the work was done. Erotoeles perceiving his refolution, trou- bled him no further, and having flood idle all this while, defiring to go and warm himfelf a little, fpurr'd his Horfe to charge that forlorn Company fo bafely engaged, andtofhow them the dreadful face of juft Revenge; vvhofe firft effects he beftow'd upon the Captain of that Wicked Band, who had been a fervant to his Father, but revolted to ForzArio, by the per- flations of Inganm and his own ambitious Hopes: carrying death m each

look

■*

Book. I. ji&entibbliQahdilframa* 29

look he rode up clofe to him, and with the firit blow cleft his Head in two equal pieces. A juft punifhment for him, who had fo diflionourably di- vided his falfe Heart between two fo contrary Matters.

Jlrafymacb/is making way with his fword into the audft of the Troop dfimr^mi where \wmm. was, having kill'd thole which offer'd to guard her, tookher im '"' prifoner: Erotocles hewing down thofe which made refiftance,came m to the confirmation oHhrafymachtts his fafety,who was furrounded with Enemies.

Bentivolio feeing'the reft of the Troop follow their Leader couragi- onfly through the wounds and death of their adverfaries, thought it was no great matter if he fought a while, to fhorten the trouble of his friends though it was needlefs to the procurement of Victory, which did volun- tarily attend them. The For Brians fell fo eafily before him, that by the effects of his Courage one would think he had but now begun to fight.

Here one might have taken full notice what Feeblenefs and Fear aguilty Confcience forceth into the anions of men. For, though lnganxas num- &«*.; bers were fo unequal , that they judg'd themfelves two to one of the other fide • yet their hearts to fait'd them, that by their fighting one would have thought them no: one to ten. After the firft brunt,in which fome few were flain, they foon difcovered what wou Id become of the reft. Thefe Forza- runs having approv'd their Valour in former undertakings, ihovv'd that now their Courage wanted a Cau'fe, not their Caufe a Courage. The thoughts which they reflected upon their unworthy engagement, which were more piercing bvreafon of the prefence of Erotocles whom they un- iuftly oppos-d , difanimated them ; for they were appall'd as people b«- iieged in a Caftle ufe to be,when the enemy is not only got within the walls, but a great party rifeth up againft them amongft themfelves; fo that no: knowing who is for them, who againft them, they neglect the ufe of their Arms,through a great uncertainty of killing their Friends or their Enemies. bentivolio took fpeedy notice of it,and as foon as a few were punifh'd to make Examples of unhappy Wickednefs,he being alwaies mercifuhvhere it was not neceffary to befevere, defoed Erotocles that they might have Quarter given them: which was as foon granted as zsk'd.hganna was brought before them by Ihrtfymxchus, and {he had fuffered death already in her Ex- peditions; which Bentivolio perceiving, No, Wicked Woman, faith he, you fhall live a little longer than you think ; you (hall be referv'd to fa- tisfiejuftice by an Exemplary fuffering; and in the mean time committed her prifoner to" J>g«f, one of KaloLulus his fervants, commanding him to look well to her , and to keep her in fome fafe place of the Caftle.

It wet e too tedious to report the affeflionate Embraces which Erotocles beftow'd upon bentivolio , the courteous gratulations of Kalobulns and the paffionate love of Ihrtfynuchm: but they made their Complements the fhorter, confidering that it was neceffary to retire to the Caftle, and take order for the cure of Bentivolio s Wounds; which was accomplifh'dina fhort time by the excellent skill of KaUulns his Lady.

The news of For trio's death was foon fpread over * Argentora, and put * », Cw,tw the Court into a great Wonder : only » LaUrgynis was obferv'd above all »•£. others to be pofTefs'd with a particular Grief ; which was encreas d, as al- ?uJg fo the Caufe of it difcovered, by an Accident that happen'd. One of the VVitnefles which had fworn againft bFhiUpMt#, being tormented M %£* with the confcience of his Villany, upon the news of -&rt$rit% death, which he knew to be inflicted by Divine Vengeance, felt his pains fo in- tolerable, that he was weary of his Life, and immediately hang'd him- felf. The other hearing of it was not able to conceal the Wickednefs

any

jidentibolio and (Brania* Book. i.

any longer, but went to the Duke, and confefs'd, to him, that by the In- j corrupt fngjtion of Labargyrus, he and his Partner had forfworn themfelves^ by ^ ■**' whieh Perjury Ehilopantas -was condemn'd, Labargyrus being in prefence

and confounded with the difcovery of this Villany, fell down upon his knees and begg'd pardon for his Life. You fiiall not die, faid the Duke > til] I fliall receivefuch a difcovery of your Wickednef^as that by it I may underftand to appoint you fiich a Death as you deferve. For it is but fit that you fhould die miferably,who by perverting Juftice have made others live fo. This the Duke faid more willingly, to give content to the people, who lo ved Ehilopantas ; and forthwith he fent for Kalcbulus ,and defired him to bring Erotocles and Bentivolio, alluring him that his meaning was only to be better inform'd in the late action, and to make fuch reparation of Erotocles his Wrongs as the late notice of them which he had receiv'd did require. The Gentleman who carried the Meffage, inftru^ted them fully in the particulars. Each of them giving thanks to the Divine Providence, which takes care of the oppreffed , they came to the Duke,who condol'd with Erotocles for the unfortunate death of his Worthy Father, with refentment of his own lofij of fuch a Faithful Subject ; affuring him of the re-poiTetlion of his Lands; and withal added, that though he could not recalPhilopantas his life, yet he would perfect the Revenge of his Death, which was in part inflicted upon the Wicked Forz,arie : and immedi- ately gave order, that Labargyrus fhould be brought to hisTryal. Tur- ning towards Bentivolio, heexpref/d the great Joy which he had for the arrival of a perfon fo Honourable in his Country, as a'Toa high admirati- on of his skilful Courage, and much more of his great Good will , which made him undertake fuch a dangerous relief of a wrong'd Gentleman; and having fignified much content in the Death of one that was fo un- worthy to live , he faluted Kalobulus, much praifmg the conftancy of his Love to his Friend in diftrefs, and his prudent conduct in the late A&ion. ■' i

As they were talking , a meffenger brought word that Labargyrus was come. The Duke , accompanied with his chief Lords, as alfo wirh Ben- tivolio and Etotochs, whom he defired to go along with him , fate down in the Judgment-feat, and caiifed Proclamation to be made, That whof icvex could juftly accufe Labargyrus, fhould have free liberty to do it. Where- upon abundance of Witneffes of bis unparallel'd unrighteoufnefs , filenc'd before with fear of his Power and frequent experiences of his Malice, (same in and fpake freely againft him ; fomc accufing him of the Wrongs which they had fuffered from him, others of fuch as he^had made them do. ' Juftice complain'dthathe had bmtfljd her out of the 'Courts of Judicature and the Jffemblies of Merchants , and commanded hel" to bcabfent her felf from all places of Civil Contracts. Authority faid 1 that he hadproftituted her to every imjuft defign. Simplicity accus'd him for making a difgraceful fhow of her in his crafty undertakings. Order, laid to his charge , that fhe was ever put out of place when it ferv'd his lntereft. Equity affirm'd that fhe could never obtain leave to fpeak againft the leaft quillet in Law. Re- ligion, challeng'dhim for defiling the profeffionof Holinefs with Covetouf- nefs , for which purpofe only he had courted her with a falfe Heart. Some Widdoves, which ftood by , alledged againft him, that he had made their Tears more Salt with the Wrongs of Father lefs Children. On the other fide, "Bribery confefs'd that fhe was h\sCreature,ind had not been but that (he was beggtten by his Dijhonefty. Partiality acknowledged that {he us'd to incline

contrary

Book. I. l&entifcoiiG and Crania. 3 l

contrary to the right fide for his friends lake. Delay faid, that fihe v^ould not have Way-fey 'd Expedition when poor people expected her coming, but that *■ Bradion his chief Clerk , bad her do it, till he had got more money. Jfim?erfo«. The Jury denyed not that they had often given wrong Verdiffs, biit that it was by private directions from Labargyws. Rapine excuf >'d her felf,that fhe would have bleengone, but that fie could not get out of his hands, Falje- rvitnefs tcf tilled againft her felf ; but added, that fhe would have been ii- lent , but that fhe faw he loved not the Truth. Revenge avowed that fhe was wearied, and would have taken her leave, but that he bad her ftay , for he could make good ufe of her. Craft protefted that fhe would have been afham'd to have fhewn her face, but that hehelp'd her.to a viz,ard,2Xid fomet ime s gave her an old have-book to hold before her. Strife contended that fhe would never have come , but that he [ollicited her. Power main- tained that fhe would have omitted much which fiie had done, but that he faid it was right. The furviving Witnefs, call'd Ffeudorcm , confirm'd his Aperjur'd firft acknowledgment, that the death of Fhilopantas was plotted between PnJen; * Labargyrut and^'or^w,and that he took a falfe oath with his Companion, *^muft now dead, againft his Conference , meerly at their inftigation,- and for a imallfumm of money, which yet habargyrm never paid him. The Duke aftonifiYd at thefe wickednefies , Labargyrw having before confefs'd his Guilt, he condemn'd him and Pjcudorcui to be hang'd both together upon one gallows ; and that , for aTerrour to fuch as fhould fucceed in Labar- gyrm his plate , his Hands fhould be cut off and nial'd upon the feat where he had perverted right,

A little after Execution was perform 'd, the mcfTerJger whicli was fent for Ing&nna return'd with very unwelcome news, to wit, that fhe had made crafi: an efcape; and though they had purfued her1 very hard, they could not overtake her, nor meet any that would difcover where fhe was. The man- ner of her efcape was thus : jfrgus her keeper one Evening being about to drink, one came running haftily towards the prifon door,cry \r\g,Fire,Fire, neartothe Magazine of Powder, make hafte to quench it , orelfewefhall all beblownup. Jrghs fearing that Jnganna had corrupted fomeof the Houfeto play this wicked trick, fcts down his- Cup near the grate of the Prifon Window,and haftned to afTift the i"eft in preventing the danger which threatned them. Inganna Spying this Cup, took her time and put therein fome Opiate Ingredients, which fhe carried about her for ill ufes. The fire being quench'd by the Diligence of the Servants, jfrgtu makes hafte to his charge, not knowing what was done, and being more than ordinary thirfty, he drinks, and fits down by the Grate. But the Opiate working upon his Senfes, he falls afleep. She takes the key of the Door out of his Pocket, quietly opens the Grate, and pulls him in, cuts his throat , pulls off hiscloathes, and puts him in her bed, and her own cloathesupon it which flie had chang'd for his ; fo locking the door,when it was dark went away- Nobody at firft fufipecting her to be gone, though they mifs'd Jr- gus, efpecially becaufe for two daies before fhe pretended to be fick : but ' when they could not find her Keeper ,nor make her anfwer at thedoor,they fuppofs'd that fhe was dead. But remembring that it was Inganna, they fuf- pectedfomethingworfe, and fo breaking open the door they found what hadhoppen'd.

The Relation of this unfortunate Accident was troublefome to themall, but efpecially xoBentholio , who had entertain'd fo much Good-will for others, that he had a natural Grief for their afflictions , and he counted In-

zanris

32 Jl&WtifcOllO and (Hftanta, Book. 1.

gunnci s Liberty to be one of the greateft imaginable; and indeed noltfs amifchief to mankind , than the raging Sea is to a Country when it hath broke through the guard of the Banks.But well knowing how comfortlefs that Tity is whichdoth not relieve thofe of whom wehave compaffien, he refolv'd to undertake the purfuit of lnganna, and, if he poffibly might, to take her once more, or to hunt her fo clofeas to drive her out of the Country , and at leaft , as he went along, to undo her works , to unde- ceive the people ; and, having tryed his utmoft, to haften, according to his the Hyfocmr promife, towards Vanafembla. That he might overtake the Fox before lhe cai siati. ^ad Earth'd herfelf , he thought it was not amifs to fend Hue-and-Crie after lnganna \ and that fhe might be more eafily known, one of Kalobulus his fervants put into it this fhort Defcription of her Perfon and Manners:

Craft,

If any chance to meet the famous lnganna, lately broke loofe from her Keeper, let them take heed- they be not cheated themselves ; and, for iimtHthj. the benefit of others, bring her fri finer to ihe CafileofYa^ lotes , where

they will find a great reward for their pains. She is known by thefe marks : She hath fitch fquint Eyes , that none can tell which way (he Isokj. She hath two tongues , and a great faultring in herfpeech. She is cover d with a party-coloured Mantle, which fije change th continually into divers fafhions. She often wears a Religious Mask, and goes very feldotn with naked Ereafls , ( but it is not for Modcjly Jake ; ) yet feme- times fhe doth. She loves to walk in the night , and is never without a dark Lanthorn. In the day-time J/je may be fieen in 'Tradefmensjhops, efpetially fiuch as have half-lights. She attends all firts of ^Manu- factures , and teacheth Artificers to adulterate every fecond pattern cf their works. She frequents all places of Commerce, for few bargains are made without her. You will not fail of her, where you fee any take up great fumms of Money with an intention to break. If you hear any mau give another fitch Council as ferves his own ends, but hurts his friend that ask 'd it , no doubt he is one of her acquaintance, there is no fer- vant that hath learn d to cheat his Mafler , but is one cf her Difci- plesi If you meet any that complain of divulging their fecrets, or the de- nyal of Money which they had intrufled with a j'alfe Friend, they can tell you where fhe dwells. If you find broken promifes fatter d upon the ground , you may track her by them. Be Cure , to enquire for her of fitch as [peak with many Frotejlations, and forget not to fear eh where you per- ceive great fijows ofHoneJly*.

So having fent adifcreet meflenger, to raife the Beaft which he purpos'd to Hunt , in order to his defign he declar'd his Refolutions to Erotocles and Kalobitlus ; and having given them thanks for the noble Courtefies with which they had entertain'd him, he pray'd them to difinifs him with the fame good Affection , affuring them that where-ever he fhould be, he would never forget the Obligations which their Friendfhip had put upon him.

Whofoever had been prefentwhen Erotocles and Kalobitlus heard this unwelcome News, they might have feen in a lively Reprefentationhow hardathingit is to Ingenuous Spirits to part withfuch a Friend, whofe lingular Vertues have engag'd their Affections. For thty having pi ac'd Bentivolio in the moft inward room of their Hearts, when they faw chat the time of his departure was come, complain'd againft the rigid Laws of

Place

Book. I. 2i5enubo!ic and tonta. 33

Place, which confines us to fuch a narrow compafs , that many times we have not liberty to be where we molt defire. They refented a reparation from Bentwolio, not only as a ftraight Imprifonment, but as a Cruel fort of Death. But though by reafon of their Pafllon they forgot that it is not by Chance but Defign that Good Men are difpers'd upon the Earth , that like greater Stars mingled with frua.ller , they may Illuminate and Adorn :he ru- der parts of the World ; yet when they recoil ecied themfelves, they made ufe of their Phi lofophy, and were Obedient to thofe Precepts which re- quire us to preferve an Equality of Temper in all the Changes of our Life; left by repining when we arc deprived of fome Eenefits which we former- ly enjoy'd , we take an unjuft Occafion to neglect our Gratitude for having been happy fo long : And perceiving that Bentivolio'S ftay was burdenfome, where he thought his prefence not fo ufeful, they gave him a conftrained leave to profecute his own mod noble Refolutions ; only Tbrajjmachus, who could not fo fuddenly bear a Divorce from one whofe Vertues had ftollen away his heart,had leave to accompany him fo long as till Bentivolh fliould defire him to return.

lnganna, kept on her former Courfe , being entertain'd by fome of her Cm/*.] I old Acquaintants , w^here fhe remain'd undifcovered a great while , and by her fecret Negotiations corrupted the Inhabitants of Jrgentorn \ of which Bentholio was forc'd , as he went along, to be a fad Witnefs.

As he and Thrafymachas were riding through the Woods, with which that a cmragkm Country doth abound,in a place where the Bufhes were thick and tall,they St*Um. heardadoleful cry,which by reafon of the feeble foftnefs of it,they guefs'd to be the laft breathings of fome dying Perfon. Spurring forward, as they were directed by that fad Call, they foon perceived a di final occafion of fuch a lamentable found ; which was a young Virgin in the hands of two cruel Murderers , who were appointed for the Concernments of another to takeaway her life , and hide her Body, where it fhould be in vain for any to feek it. Being come to a Place which they judg'd meet for the purpofe; " one of the Villains having bafedefires of another fort, which he meant to fatisfie firft , was attempting that dishonour which the hangmen of Rome us'd to perform upon Virgins before they were executed, becaufe till then their Law permitted them not to be put to death. The Lady was fo enfee- bled with crying, and ftriving, and fear, that flie was fear ce able to de- fend her felf any longer. Bentholio with a loud voice cali'd to the Trai- tor, faying, Hold thy hands, or I will cut them off. At thefe words he being femewhat frartled, and forc'd at prefent to give an unwilling obe- dience, without the lealtrefpect to one whom he judg'd much unworthy to fpeak after that manner to him , refolv'd to make him eat them up a- gain: but a few blows which he received made him very fenfible of the folly of his thoughts, though the death that went along with them made Repentance too late for him. The other Villain would have faved himfelf by flight; butJbrafymachus purfuing him,fpoirdhis running by a blow upon his right Leg. They preferv'd his Life, both that he might be a Wit- nefs of the Wrongs intended, and a means to difcover the Wicked Au- thors of fuch a Barbarous Plot.

The Gentleman who had appointed this Murder,had ordered three Horfe- men to follow at an undiicern'd diftance, to know whether the defign took effect, which they were to fecure, if it fail'd in the others hands; Wickednefs being ever, fufpitious : and they rufhing out of a Thicket, nude a weak elfay to perfed: what was fo ill begun by the other two. But

F being

54 Jfcentitoolio and aarania. Book r.

being encountred much contrary to their expectation , tl:ey icon repented, of their appearance in fuch a wicked bufinefs : for E entwelu ran the firft through the belly ; and as he was fallirg off his hoYfeSIhrafymacktts ivade afecond, headlefs ; the third betcokhimfelf to flight, but before Eenti. •volte could overtake him, he had broke his neck , lavirginhisfearfulhafte niifguided his Horfe intoa placevshich was full of Pitts;

The Lady , when they were gone out of fight, began to take up her fears again, which (he had laid afide beforehand not knowing whether to go, went however where fhe thought fhe might b eft be fheltrcdwith the darkeft fhades. They examin'd the lame fellow, who was crawling up and down, and he did them one more fervice than they referv'd him for, by telling them which way flie was gone. Making fpeed after her to per ft ft her De- liverance, they foon overtook cne that could not go very faff, though Fear drove her on beyond her ordinary pace ; and being amaz'd at the firft noifeof the Horfes feet , fhe could fcarce believe her felf out of danger , when fhe faw the faces of thofe which refcued her; as one that hath been troubled with a perpleX'd Dream of Death , is ready to think when he awakes that he is but in a new Dream of Life. But affured by the words of their Compaffion for her Sufferings , and Offers of their beft aflifrance to carry her where fhe defired to be, and having had as much experience as that fmall portion of Time could allow of their Virtuous difj ofition, flie recovered her Spirits , and declared at their requeft the reafon of that calamitous ftate in which they found her, and in which fhe had perifhed but for their feafonable approach. Thanking Heaven and them for her . deliverance , fhe began thus ; I am call'd * Orpham ; my Father was a

*^»orp m. £entjeman 0f g0od qUaiity in this Country , "who died when I was much younger than I am now. My Mother having plac'd her life wholly in his, tookfuchadeepimpreffionof his death into her heart, that fhe dyed fo foon after him that they were both buried together in one grave. My Fa- ther by his Will made a kinfman of his my Guardian, hoping much by rea- fon of a great Friendfhip which had been between them , and becaufe of many obligations which he had put upon him in his life-time ; as alfo think- ing that he had fuch a love to the facred right of Truff, that he would faithfully preferve my Eftate, and do his beft for my happy Education. I my felf thought fo a great while, till I found my felf deceivd with the out-fide of a fair Carriage, which in time wore off, and his in-fide then appear'd to be of another Nature. He had a Son of Gentle Carriage, but unworthy Conditions , whom he would have made my Husband ; for which purpofe he had endeavoured for a long time by divers Artifices to gain my affections forhim. Having us'd many other means to no purpofe , at Jaft he tryed Menaces , threading in general that i t ft ould be worfe for me , with- out adding the particular fignifications of his meaning : But I underfrood them too foon ; for after I had urg'd him with the performance of his Faith engag'd to my Father , by fetling my Eftate according to his Gift , he ftoop'd to a moft barbarous means of enjoying his will another way , and made ufeof the Villain who had been my fervant to perfwade me to take the air in this Forreft. What elfe they intended you know without my relation, having been Eye-witneffes of the unfpeakable Wrong. But if you will conduft me to the City where I dwell , the Judge, ( who knew my Father, and, as they fay , is returned to an exaft care of Juftice , by reafon of fome late Accidents which gave him a fad notice of his former Neglefts, ) I make no doubt will deliver me from my cruel Goaler, and

reftore

Book I. 2!5enttaUo and <Sf r&nia* ~~ ~%?

reftore me to iny Eftate with the enjoyment : of my Liberty. Though I efteem you doc fuch as do good that you may be requited , yet you Hball ever be remembred with fuch Honour as I can poflibly give to- che Reftorers of my Life and the Prefervers of my Chaftity.

Battivolit receiving . aConfirmation of her ftory from the lam'd Villain's coflfefiion , faw , as he thought, a fair opportunity to fend Jhrafymachftt back again : for chough he took a true delight in his company , yet he knew by this time, he-began to be expected by fuch as difmifs'd him only up,- eacanstkion-of. his Return; fo entreating him to perform fuch a Civility as. theLadie's neceffity required, and ashis bwaafeirs would not well per- mix:tm» to (how , he pray'd him cpaccept of this Qccahon t0 return to Ka- l«kuf»?.r giving him a thoufand.tbanks.for his. Love, ThrafymacJhv encom,- pafy'dwich a double neceffity, both of performing what he had promif/d and of what was fit to be done,, though it was nof prqmifi'd, conftrain'd himfelf to leave Bentholio againft his will, a»d:' iq keep his word ; which did as.much grieve him, as comfort the Lady , feeing the inforcement qf his affeftionate Tears a means deftinated to, the perfecting of her Joy. Ha- ving'tyed the lame fellow to his Horfe , that he might give an account qf his Errand, and mounted the Lady upon her own Beaft, noc brought thither to carry her back ag3in, Thra.fyavichy,s took his leave of Battho-

Bexttvolit receiving no other content from his, ftay in a Country which prefentedhim only with new inftances of lngwti&s Malice, except the pleafureof relieving foine that were ont-wittedby her Craft, refolved to purfue her a little further ; though he had fought her in many places to nopurpofe, becaufe thofe which knew wbece ftie lurk'd would not dif- coverher. He heard often where fhe had been, but all deny ed her pre- tence, when he came to enquire for her where (he was. At laft being well wearied, he left off hisPurfuit, and took the neareft way to VamfembU , Avam.n,,#^t wifliing heartily that he might travail quietly without the difturbance of fuch undefirable Occurrences ; though he had fome reafon to fufpeft theEvencof hisWiihes, among ft fuch people as vvillingly conceal'd In- gxnrtA.

That we do more eafily meet the Evils we fear , than obtain the Goods wedefire, he prefenriy found by a new Experience: For coming down into a lonefome Dale, he fpyed a very unequal Fight: Three gave fo ma- ny blows to One , that it was a great wonder he was able <to receive them ; yet having fo many more than he defired , made him give them fome a- gain : One of the Three feeing BenUvdio come upon the Gallop, and fuf- pefting what he was , being taught to fear by his guilty Confcience, n£ver asking for what he came , he gave him fuch a Welcome with his Sword, that he received not much thanks for it. But Bentivelh having drawn his Sword fo foon as he began to fee hefhould haveufeof it, gave him fuch a requital upon his right Ann, that he utterly fpoyl'd him for that fort of Complement ; and that he might not be troubled with him when hefhould have lefs leifure to attend him, he cutoff his other Hand too, having but a little before feen them both very ill employed. So coming into take part with the wrong'd Gentleman, the match was equal ; though he faw by what was done , that the two which opprefs'd one had not on* ly a Mind to hurt, but alfoagreat Ability to do it ill beftow'd upon them. After a fhort debate , Bentivolio decided the Controverfie; for one of them, through a rafli hafte to do harm, not taking fufficient care to*

F 2 pre-

tf

JBtntifcoiio andfflirania*

Book I

A Htwi**\

Sltvt.

J B*vr tf

An iitcmfldc ratt M*n.

prevent it; left his body not fo well guarded, as thegreatnefs of hispre- fent danger required. Betttivolio not flighting fuch an Advantage, (truck him fuch a blow under the Ribs, that his Guts came forth , and difenabled him from .fighting any. more. And refufing to purfue his Viclory further, when two ffiould fight with one, he turn'd toward the1 wrong'd Gentle- man; andfuppofing by the modefty of his looks that it was- no proud fury of a mad Challenge, he demanded what ftrange accident had brought tlim to fuch an unequal engagement , and who they were that had fo Unworthily fee upon him. Good Sir , faid he, be content that I de- lay to give you an Anfw'er fo long as till I may fecure yonder fellow whom you have juftly deprived of his wicked hands, from killing Mnfelf: for though refteem his life as little as he doth, yet I think he may die more feafonably, and his death may be us'd to fome better pur- pofe than now it can. .He, it feems, was running his head forcibly againft the ground to have brokenis Neck: but that failing, he was making full butt againft a Tree to dafh out his TBrains. The Gentlemw having re- ."fcued him from himfelf , who came thither to deftroy him that faved him began to give an account to Bentivolio of what he ask'd. Sir , laid he, "it is but juft that I fhould obey whatfoever you command, to whom I muft ever owe my life. This fellow whofe hands you have cut off, is call'd Dttlogyncs ; and though he was a Gentleman born , I may not falfly call him iWornxn's-Jlave , for he hath unworthily devoted himfelf to theunjuft plea- fureof a cruel Hep-mother of mine, and I am affraid that he came hither to day by her order to do the laft of many differvices which I hove recei- ved from her by his hands^ The other whom ycu have unbowell'd is nam'd aJ\Ufok4o»: ; Ineverwrong'd him, that I know of, or gave him any fuch provocation that requir'd fatisfaction by my Ruine; only I took notice of a great change in his carnage towards me, after I had reprov'd him for his Imtemperate life, andrefus'd to aflift him once inamoft unrighteous defign of betraying an Innocent perfon. This other Gentleman I do not know fo well as to be able to tell you who he is, having feenhim very feldom, if more than once in all my life: and I cannot but wonder how he came in- gaged in this unexpected quarrel with me, who never wrong'd him in the leaft inftance.

Sir, faid the Gentleman , I would you had for ever been ignorant of me, for then I fhould not have been found in this unworthy Aftion : But if you willfo far forgive me as to hear the Caufc , you will more eafily pardon the Effect. My name isJbuhu: I have for fome time made love to a young Gentlewoman , which dwells in a houfe where you have fometimes vifited her Brother- One of the fervants , this Mifohlon here pretended a great love to me , and would needs take me afide one day to impart fome- thing to me which did nearly concern me; which was, that you were my Rival, but managed your Affections fo unhandfomly, that when you vifit- ed hereunder pretence of feeing her Brother , you had given a Character of my fetf which fitted none but the bafeft of perfons ; laying feveral things to uncharge, which I did never fomuch as think of before. He told me , If I defired the ufual fatisfaction , I might have opportunity to ask it in this place : for that he knew you had appointed to be here to day upon fome other occafions. This brought me hither alone: but what Mifokalon came for, or how that man knew of my intention?, I underfrand .not. Only after I had engaged , they came in barbaroufiy upon foire defign of their own, though I earneftly defired them to defift, as you know.

Vitlogyna

Book I. JdenttolioandcHranta. 37

Dulogynes feeing the Truth fo far reveal'd, and. not caring what, effedts the full difcovery might work upon one that was weary of his life, confefs'd that he and Mifikalon had plotted the bufiriefs ; • but that it was wholly to gratifie the Gentleman's Mother-in- Law, who had applied Mifekalon's hatred againft him to ferve her own Revengeful heart : upon promife of Rewards they had engag'd Abulia to do that which they durft riot undertake of themfelves , by making him an enemy upon his own fcore with feign'd iJ?,2m. Stories.

Bentivolio being well allured that this My fiery had many confiderable pieces not yet related, defir'd the vvrong'd Gentleman to perfect the report, that he might more fully undcrftand the particulars of that Caufe, of which he knew lb much in the General , that he was fure he had taken his part juftly. The Gentleman anfwer'd, I am an unfortunate inftance of theun- happinefsof Second Marriages. As the World hath Co far understood the mifchitf of Polygamy, which ruineth Families with a promifcuous brood of feveral Wives, and keeps them in the everlafling Fire of Emulations and Hatred , that it hath wifely turn'd it out of moft Nations by fevere pumfiiments, and ufually death enjoyn'd by wholefome Laws: folfhould think they did prudently , if they took a little more care to prevent the hurt of Second Marriages, where the deceafed Tarent hath left a confide- rable number of Children. For in that cafe it is accompanied with moil of the fore-mentioned mifchiefs, Jealovx Fears, Sufpicions encreas d by fuf. prions, mutual Hatreds , and cruel Undermining of the Inter ejls of the for- mer Brood. By which means a Step-dame is become a name of Reproach, and difhonourable Application , being feldom deftitute of an ill Nature ; except in an inconfiderable number , who are endued with rare Vertue. I did never wonder that the King of Glory requir'd the Honourable Miniflers of his Kingdom to be fuch as could govern their oven Families well; for it was fit they (hould give a proof of their abilities for his fervice by the ex- emplary order of theirownHoufes: but J tinderftood not why he would have them the Husbands of one Wife: but when I confidered the difficulty of Exemplarinefs in any thing but Diforder , in Families which confoun- ded two diitincr generations of Children, whofe interefts are much fepa- rated by the Second Wife , I admired the excellent coherence of his moft prudent Rules.

Pardon, Good Sir, If I fpeak more feelingly , where I am too much concern'd : for not only this days Intentions , but the reft of my Mif- for tunes began in a Step-mother. My own Mother having departed this World not many years after (Tie had brought into it my felf and a Sifter , my Father in a fliort fpace married a young Woman ; of com- petent Beauty, and reported for Vertuous, more than our Obfervation can make good ; by whom he had divers Children. She being very cove- tous, tn Jeavourtd what (he could to advance their Eftate above ours ; and finding that task fomething hard, unlefsflie could remove us out of the way, (lie refol v 'd to try what might be done as to that. She foon difpatch'd my Softer, partly with theabufes of evil Servants . which were fo far ac- ceprable to her as they were ofFenfive to my Sifter, and partly by framing malicious Reprefcntations of her to my Father; by which means (lie was often reprov'd for no other caufe, but that my Mother-in-Law hop'd that it would help to break her heart. When (he was gone , there was but one n-oreto difpofeof, and that was my felf. Of this Defign (he made final! (low by any of her anions which lay open to common Cenfure ; her pub-

lick

38 JfcetltlboltO and (IBrania* Book I.

«fc ESS ! . —

lick Carriage was as- affeftionate as the natural love of Mothers ufeth to put on, and foiwething more, that the overplus of Appearance might fhade the defeft of Reality; and though fhe tryed by all means, which fhe thought available, to di faffed ray Father towards me, yet her more pub- lick fpeedies feem'd wholly fo be directed to procure and maintain a very good opinion of me in his mind. But fhe had fervants tutor'd to make hirft believe that I was a fcorner of his Choice , and a hater of his Marri- age : and they made me the Author of Reports againft her , which he knew to be falie,that he might believe every thing to be true which was faid againft me. To be fhort, the difaffeftions which they had planted in him towards me, by their inceffant improving them with frefh arguments of their rea- fomblenefs, grew to that heigth, that I was difinherited : which though it was moft afflictive , arifing from fuch groundlefs caufes , and brought ori by a molt hateful perfon ; yet upon confideration of my Father's Inno- cence abus'd, and the relation by which I was taught indifpenfable Obedi- ence, Imadeafhifttofwallowit ; and having been for a good while ac- Cuftom'dt® fuch Diet, I began more callly to digeft it. My Adverfary enrag'd to fee every envenom'd Dart caft in vain by the foremention'd hands, refolv'd to take another conrfe, fearing leaft her Plotfhouldbe difcovered, fince it was fo long before fhe could put it in aft; and there- fore, as I now perceive, to difpatch the bufinefs, fhe had by poy fonous in- fmuations endeavour'd to make this Innocent Gentleman thirfty for my guiltiefs blood. They made a fine Tale indeed of my being his Rival in affeftions to a Lady with whom I never talk'd privately in my life ; and in- deed by reafon of the difcouragements which I apprehended from being dif-

* ji Hater\tf inherited, I abandon'd all thoughts of Love to her or any elfe. * Mifikalon, Goidntft. t(> procure this unhappy Meeting, invited me to a private Hunting in this

place ; and perceiving this Gentleman, whom they bad abus'd, not come, in whofe courage it feeiris they trufted more than their own, they pretended to go to a Gentleman's Houfe to haften his coming, and to fetch away the Dogs,defiring me to entertain my felf in the Valley ; where from feme Stand which they had, they had no fooner efpied me engag'd, but they came in with dishonourable affiftance, not to help this Gentleman, but to ruine me,

* 4 rajh m»H. and fatisfie my Wicked Mother. And was I, faid the woful * Jbulm, the

only Inftrument which this Devilifh Woman could fingle out for her laft aft of Villany ? All-knowing Power , which art Witnefs of my Innocence^ take not Vengeance of my Ignorance , forgive my rafhnefs , and grant me with more fober Prudence to guide my future undertakings. And for the wrong which I have through indifcretion done to you , faid he, turning his fpeech to the Gentleman, I offer befides the hearty repentance of my Error, fuch other fat isfaftion as youfhall require. Nothing elfe, replyedhe; but that for the future you would continue to love one whom you would not have hated but for Mifinformation. I do alfo befeech you, faid he to Ben- t'wolio , of whom I know nothing but Courage and Pity, to accompany me to the Town which is not far off, that you may be a means to procure me that Juftice which I doubt not may be had eafily through the affiftance of yourTeftimonies: both becaufe my Father is of fo good a Nature that he loves Truth, and hath fo much reafon left as to underftandit, when it is aptly reveal'd to him, and becaufe the Judge who is lately fenc hither,is fuch a true Lover of juftice, that he wil fpare no Offender for any Perfmal Confiderations. His coming was occafion'dby the removal of hisPrede- ceffcr, who was fo over > aw 'd by the Intereft ef a great Courtier, call'd , Forzario,

Book I. jl&Mtftoolto and Crania* 39

Forz&rio , that no Caufe was ever heard till he knew his Opinion of it ; or if it was , and the Evidence never fo clear, yet they could get no Sentence againft Ferzario's, friends : by which means poor men , crucified with Ex- pectation , car'd not what became of their Caufes , fince they could bring them to no conclufion notwithftanding their noft conftant endeavours. But when his Patron Forzario was gone , the v.rong'd people procured a Pu- mftiment to be appointed for him with fome refemblance of his Sin ; for he was hung up alive with a line run through the Ankles of both his Feet , to be tormented between Life and Death , as others had been by his means between Hope and Doubt.

When they were come to the City, they went directly to the Frejidtnt, accompanied with multitudes of peop!e , who were aftonifh'd at the la- mentable fight of perfons befprinkled with blood, and the Fellow with his Hands cut off. The Prefident feeing Yientivolio with the reft, received him in moft courteous manner , as well remembring what kind of Pei ton he had dif covered himfelf mErotcclesbufmeis : but hedefiring the Prefident to omit all Ceremonies concerning himfelf, pray'd him to take cognizance of an eminent piece of VVickednefs , which would require a molt fevere Caftigation. So having produced *Abnltts, who related all that he knew *^* j"*»*lMe- znd^Dulogynes who was willing to fay any thing which might help to put * Amman's him out of his pain, having accufed c Ahtimxtcr for contriving the bufinefs, SL%ve- and hiring them to do it, fhe was forthwith fent for : the people being much *A -te?mth<r' ftartled, that one efteem'd very Virtuous fliould appear by her Actions fo contrary to the general opinion.

'GyMtefa, the Gentleman's Farher, who was prefent, was equally trou- « \ro»uwijh,ri bled with the Prefidioufnefs of his Wife, and the Innocence of his Son. An- an V*tnm timafer vext with the ill fuccefs of her Defign, which ihe now gave for loft, ®M'*"^ took a glafs of Poy fon which fhe had kept as her laft remedy, for her Son, if the Plot fail'd, and fhe not difcovered, or for her felf; if fhe fliould hap- pen to be reveal'd. So doing Execution upon her felf with this, flie pre- vented the Judge's Sentence. The Father was clear'd as to the murderous Plot, only rebuk'd for a doting Credulity , and ordered, for a prevention of fuch other mifchiefs as his Son had already fuffered, to fettle his Eftate upon him, and to marry no more whil'ft he lived. Bentivelio interceded for Abulia, becaufe he was betrayed , whom the young Gentlemm alfo free- ly forgave. Du/ogynes was condemn'd to be put into a Sack with the com- panion of his treachery,, and to be thrown down from the Tower of the Ci- ty into a great Lake which was before it.

Bentivelio having feen a good couclufion of a troublefome kbufinefs, and being now near the borders of Van&fembla, his defires to meet his Friends, Ai*i»-jktw, grew vigorous, much after the manner of Travellers, who mend their pace when they come within fight of their wifh'd Home. But the Heat of the day having fpent his fpirits, he was compell'd by wearinefs to make a fmall iray upon the way, and fpying a Rock out of whofe fide a Spring pour'd it felf upon a broad Stone, which with a continued Stream it had hollowed into the form of an Artificial Ciftern, and kept it ftill full with liquid Cry- fral inftead of the Stone which it had worn away ; and feeing a Poplar which invited him with a delectable fliade, he fate down: and as he was confide- ring the beauty of his folitary Retirement, and giving thanks to the benign Lord of the World , who had by his merciful VVifdom made fo many comfortable Receptacles for the Weary , he was di- verted by the found of a Voice from the further fide of the Rock , fo

form'd

4o Jifcentifcolio and (Urania* Book. I.

form'd that it was a lively Expreflion of So> row and Jnger. A Gentleman and his Wife, great fharers in thofe fufferings which very few could efcape in that unjuft Country, had by chance repos'd themfelves in that place. The Gentlewoman deeply affe&ed with their prefenc Calamity, which was much encreas'd with a frefh remembrance of their former Happinefs, and looking upon the Impunity of their Oppreffors as a great fcandal to the Divine Government , flie tranfcended the common affeftionatenefs of her Sex, and delivered the refentment of her own and others Affli&ions in fuch unufual Language , that it did diffidently declare that ihe was tranfported with extraordinary Paflion. Her Words were thefe :

O JIuggijb Earth! canfi thou bear the Unrighteous with fo much Pati- ence ? Open thy mouth and fw allow up the Wicked. O dull Sea ! why dofi thou not, as of old , break through thy Flood-gates, and drown the Ungodly ? Hide thefe finners in your Ruines , ye mighty Hills. But thefe Rocks are deaf. Fall down from Heaven, thou Fire of God. Where are you, Hot thunderbolts ? You mortal Plagues, where ever you fieep, awake and feife upon Hypocrites not worthy to be fp.tr ed a minute longer. Rife up, you wildefi of the Beafis, and make your prey of fuch as are more Beajls than any that Range in Forrejls. How flow they come ? Alas ! jilas! O Horrible and General Revolt of the lngrateful and Cowardly Creation , when none dare appear to Revenge the wronp'd Creator! O foolifh Sun ! dofi thou vouch fafe toflnne, and warm fitch as fin in defi- ance of Patience ? O ^Moon, be thou turnd into a Sea of blood , and then fall down upon the Incorrigible Earth. Ye fiery Starrs, pour out your tnofi defiruffive influences upon fuch as follicite punifhment with the loft proofs of extream Difobedience. But finners mufi be confirmed by Impu- nity, whenthefe which ought to inflict Punifhment have joyrfd in their lewd Confpiracy. 0 God! O Cod !

There flie ceas'd, for her Husband interrupted her with a voice which was gentle in it felf , and carried fuch words as one would never have ex» petted for an anfwer to the foregoing Exclamations, which feem'd not on- ly fajjionate, but jufi. Hefpokethus;

Hold, held, Nemefi?. Let none be Jo angry in Gods behalf. It becomes him to the ^Merciful, and alfi to endure the Unthankful. Mufi hefirike jufi at thofe Minutes which Sinners point to with the follies of difobedi- ence ? Feeble Woman ! he can bear with Fools more eafily, it feems, than thou canfi confider it. thofe Unrighteous people , of whom thou deft com- plain, have abufed Geodnefs : but that Goodnefs is not fo impotent as to fly to immediate Revenge. He takes not the forfeitures of carelefs debtors , but will accept of payment , though it come after the day when it isjirfi due. He will not mine the Trefpaffer as foon as he hath given him Qaufe ; no, though he hath put Wilfulnefs into the offence ; if he break his heart with the confider aticn of his Unworthinefs , and feek Mercy with a 'changd Soul ; It becomes him to forgive, who hath com- manded others to do fo : and what He remits , whofiiall require ? He knows when it is fit to punifh the Impenitent ; and if they fin longer, have they not fufiered a great part of their Mifery ? He will afflict this Wicked World : the Profperity of the Ungodly hath its Period : Before \ He end all things, He will overcome the Evil fpirit which now

reigns.

Book I. Btntibolio and ^rama, 4.1

. — —— — ™ — — " i—— ■■ — — — — „ m -*

reigns. M-prverful Gotdnefs and invincible Charity /hall aft Force And Fraud into a bottomltfs pit : but becaufe He hath mt a mind to do thefe things frejently, let hs dtfart vritb ftlence.

Bentivoliodifcermng ; the Reafonablenefs of this Anfwer to have takes off all thofe Ob je&ions which difquieted his mind, when he confider'd the vileftateof Jrgentora, difmift his troublefome thoughts ; and was nov/on-*tSU'*tf ly follicitous how he might find the neareft way to the Mttrofolu of FtM-S'lljlffij. fembla. tatstst*.

THE

42

•

thi Vohftutm

Stitte.

THE

SECOND BOOK-

O R,

P I A C E N Z A.

^RJJSfl J having difmifs'd Bentivolit, taking with her the moft Vertuous * fanaretus , went the higher way which leads towards the plea- fant Hills of Fiacenza. Thefrefh Breezes of healthful Air , joyn'd with the pleafure of a moft delegable Situation and the fertility of rich Fields , aftured them that the Country was call'd by a moft proper name. When they were come a few miles within the Bor- ders, Urani* began to be opprefs'd with fuch an extraordinary Drowfineis , that fhe could very hardly keep her eyes open. Whilft they wondredvhatfhould be the caufe, they fpied the Grounds before them all covered with Poppies which grew there in fuch plenty that it was fufficient to caft all the VVorld into a dead fleep. To keep themfelves awake they were forc'd to mend their pace, which foon brought them to the edgof a Plain, from whence they might beholda City , which wasoneof the moft beautiful, as they could guefs at that diftance , that ever they beheld. That they might un- derftand the Conditions of the People, and furnifh themfelves the better for a \varv£afTage through the Country ; Urania defired Tanaretm to go a *littfe before", to try what difcovery he could make. She repos'd her felf inthe mean-while under the covert of fome broad Sycamores , whither fhe appointed him to return to her. Having fate down upon the rcot of a Tree

that

BooklL BcntEbolia and ©rania* '43

thatform'ditfelf intoanatural feat, either through wearinefs of her Jour- ney, or that her Brains were affected with the fen: of foporirerous Herbs which grew hard by her , fhe fell afleep , and dream'd, Thar fhereceiv'd deadly poyfon in a Cup of pleafant Liquor, which one had given her to quench a violent thirft which had feiz'd upon her ; and as fhe had drank part of it, Panaretus ftruck the reft out of her hand , and knowing well the Ejects which would fhortly follow, if not finely prevented, gave her an Antidote which preferv'd her from all danger. The bream was too real a reprefentation of her prefent Cafe : for, ;uft as Panaretus returmd,a Serpent had crept out of the neighbouring Grafs, and was making towards her; which Panaretus efpying, made what hafte he might after her, calling, Urania, Urania, fafeyourielf.' By that time he had drawn his Sword, the' Serpent well aware of her purfuer turn'd head, and contracting her long Neck into a fhonercompafs , bolted her felt at his Face. Panaretus de- feated that Malice, and withal beftowed fuch a blow upon that part of the Neck where the Head isjpyn'd immediately to it,that he divore'd one ft om the other.

By this Prdudium they guefs'd to what Key the reft of the Mufick was fet, which they were to expedt in Piacenza ; of which they were more af- Pliaput. fured by what happen 'd to Panaretus. Before he could reach the City, he came to a beautiful Walk where fhady Trees were fo decently plac'd, that his Eyes ftay'd his Feet , that he might have more time to behold, in a moft excellent inftance, Nature made perfectly obedient to the Orders of Art, and both confpiring to make one ftand ftill with the allurements of a Walk. As he was entertaining his Fancy with the lovely order, proportionable growth, and wonderful height of green Trees,he was furpriz'd with a dole- ful Voice, which feem'd to come from one whom Violence made to coin- plain : and it was fo exquifitely form'd to fhow extremity of Grief, that any which heard it would imagin that one nor. far off fuffer'd fomething worfe than death. The courteous difpofition of Yanaretus drew him out of his way to relieve , as he intended, the dijlrefs'd Wight. The Bufhes thorow which he was to pafs were intricate as a Labyrinth ; but the Voice ferv'd for a CUte \ and by that direction he arriv'd,where he faw a Woman of more than ordinary Beauty , which difplay'd it felf more openly, as fhe feem'd de- fpoi'ed of her Garments, which were torn off to artificially, that one might well perceive thofe fhreds that remain'd on, were not intended to hide her body. Yanaretus was amaz'd at this uncouth Vifion , for fhe had JUrirtnmt. fcarcefomuchufeof Clothing as even Cruelty doth often leave in pity to Modefty. She pretended by tearing her Hair, Weeping, and many paffi- onate words, to continue the former Tragick Lamentation. Of which when Panaretus demanded the caufe, fhe faid, A Villain had furpriz'd her as fhe was inalonefomeWalk, and after fuch ufage as he might perceive beftow'd upon her, hearing fome body come through the Bufhes, he ran away: and fince he had fo happily arrivd toherfuccour, fhe prayd him, left her Enemy had only retreated to watch his advantage, that he would ac- company her to a Lodge which belong'd to a Houfe of hers not far off. Pan - aretus believing all this to be real, condutfs her to the Lodge, which he found more like a Palace than fuch a mean Appurtenance as Lodges ufe to be to the principal <z!ManJion. For it was fituate in the midft of a fair Garden, adorn'd with rich Statutes and watred with pleafant Rivulets, which feem'd to have Aid into it unawares , and went up and down winding to feek their way out again. Within, there were large Rooms fo nobly furnifh'd, that

G 2 he

_J *4 25entitooito and Crania* Book 11.

he thought if this was a Lodge, he was utterly ignorant of proportions by which he might guefs af the palace.

He had been there but a little while before he was made to underftand where he was, and to what end he was brought thither ; which did fo re&i- fiehisappreheniions, that he faw plainly now that he had more need to re- lieve himfelf than others. The Gent lewonjan having brought him into her Bed-chamber, offered him fuch uncivil Courtefies, that he was fain to tell her he fhould much rather chufe to die than to receive them. She replied , And one of the two you muft chufe. And, Is it poflible, faid he, that any Woman can befo Ingrateful , as to threaten to take away life from one who was willing but a little before to have given it for her prefervation .<? Can any Woman befo Immod eft, as to offer Violence to his Chaftity who offer'd his fervice with his own utmoft peril , as he thought, in the defence of hers ? It cannot be that you fhould fpeak thefe words as an unworthy demand, but with an intention of makingatryalof my Temper •, andtbac I fhall further affure you to bemuchaverfe from all Unchaftityby fpeedy abandoning the danger of Tentation. With which words he haftily turn'd about and went out of the room, not doubting but they are the moil Wick- ed of Sinners which do alfo tempt other. "Before hecould reach the Stairs he was accofted with two Avm'd men, whom fhe had call'd up with the found of a fhrill Whittle which was tyed at her wrift : and then he was fbrc'd to produce Arguments of another fort to defend himfelf. Having drawn his Sword, he retreated to one fide of the Room, that he might have both his Enemies before him. They being very confident that they had to do with a young Souldier, his face bearing yet but very little fhew of years, made more bold with him than was to their Comfort : for he guarded himfelf fo well, and watch'd their ill-manag'd Fiercenefs fo nar- rowly , that he had opportunity toftrikeone of the Villains fo full over the face , that he made both his Eyes ufelefs ; and though he could not fee what he did, he had a great mind to do fomething, and would needs run in upon his adverfary , who held his Sword fo advantageoufly , that the Aflaffinate put his heart upon the point of it. His Companion feeing him- felf fingly engaged, defpair'd of fafety any way but by his Feet , and therefore betook himfelf to them : but before he got the fecond ftaire, Yan- aretfcs ftruck off his Head, which was foon at the bottom of rhefteps, and the Body, keeping its former pace, made what hafte it could afcer it. The Gentlewoman fomething angry thathermen werefo long about a fhort work, asfhe efteem'dthis, came forth to chide them : but finding her expectati- ons utterly undone , fhe began to fink with fear, left in a rage Panaretus fhould fend her to Hell after them. Though fhe had little ftrengthby rea- fonof fear, and no Goodnefs, fhe made afhiftto light upon her knees; dll Virtum. ^^ as fre was going to beg her 1 ife, * Yanaretus defiring to be free from her wicked language, in what form foever fhe fhould exprefs her impure Soul, interrupted her thus ; No, devilifh Woman, who haft married fhamelefs Luft and barbarous Cruelty ina crafty Soul, do not think that I will be thy Ex- ecutioner: The ground will not receive thy filthy Blood, though it were not difhonourable forme to kill a Woman ; and Death is too eafie a punifh- mentfor thee. I abandon thee to be tormented alive with thy own wic- ked Confcience ; when the time fhall come that Death muft tranfinit thee to other Tormenters, being weary of thy intolerable felf, I doubt not but thou wilt cut off thy own loathed life.

So

Book II. Btmtboiioand ©rania. 45

So returning to feek the way out of this curfed piace,and having found the former path, he utterly gave overall thoughts of going any further at pre- fent, having too much news already to report to Urxnix of his dangerous Journey.

Theconfideration of thefe unhappy Prognofticks made her demur a lit- tle concerning their progrefs. Where Danger is inanifeft, it is the grea- ter folly in the World to rufh upon it. And where the ccnfequence of being worded is raoft extreamly important , it is good to examine ones iireng:h. It is no piece of Valour to court Tentations. Sometimes they began to bethink themfelves of the grounds of their journey; and though they found them correfp ondent to true Wifdom , yet they doubted whe- ther their way lay through Vmenza : then carting in their minds what Ha- 2ards they fiiould run of being overcome where invitations were fo Potent and what Outrages they might fuffer where the refinance would be vio- lent, they began to take counfel how to avoid this Country, and go fome other way to VamfembU ; efpecially when they remembred how many had ^am-jhivt. mifcarried in this unfortunate Country. But being gone fo far that they knew not well how to turn out of the way, being incompafs'd on one fide with a high Rock czWd* Bylotes, andon theother fide with a deep River *simPath call'd a firafmus, and knowing the way was pafiable , though it requi- SaL**** red care, having been us 'd to dangers with good fuccefs, and reflecting ■*«*** upon the Purity of their Intentions, their fpotlef, Innocence and fix'd Re- folutions, trufting intheafiifianceof the God of pure Love, unto whom they had devoted their Souls, after hearty prayers for his happy gui- dance, they refolv'd to venture forward. So leaving the beaten Rode, the* came to a place where fteep Rocks, dark Shades, and perfect Silence ftruc k them with a facred horror. As they wandrcd up and down to pleafe them- felves with the fimplicity of that neglected place, near to a filverErook which crept along by the feet of the Rocks they fpied a little Cottage, where one Vmcrates had retired to make his folitary dwelling, and to en- oM <wb$ h*tp joy the freedom of that peaceful life which is not to be found in tumultu- «*">■"»« b\> ous Towns. He was at firft fomething in doubt of the meaning of this un- f^0ns- expected Vifit, becaufe he thought himfelf difcover'd in thefecurf priva- cy of his loaefomnefs by fome of Viacenza , who hated him and his way of ?/<«/"«••■ life. VVhilft they ftoodas muchwondringat the fober countenance of a poor man, and the chearful looks of one that feem'd very meanly accom- modated, he demanded of them the reafon of their accefs into that So- litude, to which no common Path gave them direction ; or what they could expect: in a place, which all others fliun'd , becaufe it feem'd ut- terly barren of Delight. Urania, made anfwer , We came not hither, Fa- ther, either becaufe we loft our way, or that we defire our prefence fhouidgive you any Interruption. We have never jnet with any great fa» tisfaclion in common paths , nor are altogether unacquainted with thole Contentments that are moft eafily had where the Multitude doth leaft think. We know that the pleafures of Retirement are cover'd with the; rough furfrce of Aufterity and outward appearances of fad Melancholly , from fuch as \ ave chofen Senfuality for their Portion : but the Joyei which are conceal'd under thofe unlikely appearances are eafily found ont by the Lovers of God, for whom they are referv'd, and who know that they are theSubftanceof that Felicity of which all other things, which the eafie part of the world admire , are fcarce a fhadow. Pancrates hearing them fpeak afer that fafh ion, was no otherwife affected with their words than a

Muficai

46 U&entitoolto and Crania* Book n.

Mufical ear is with fome feledt Harmony ; and perceiving they had another prefence than the vain flightnefs of Piacenza doth produce, he had as great • adefn-e to entertain difcourfe with them, as they had to underftand how he pafs'd his time in that filent defart. He invited them into his Cell , which was homely, but clean ; and befides the Rooms which fervd him from all or- dinary occafions of life , he had another where he perform'd his Religious Affairs. He gave them bread , Herbs, and Water ; a great repair to fuch who never cared for dainties, and wereW prefent very hungry and thirfty. Having learn'd of them their purpofe , z\ their requeft he told them where? they were, the conditions of the People amongft whom they were to tra- vail, and faid, If they would not defpife the humble Counfel of a poor man,' he would direfi them to efcape fome dangers which they muftexpeft: and with a Modeft but Erect Countenance, he began after this man- ner. thsfurt. This Country is call'd *Vhcenz* ; and moft juftly , for the Inhabitants

count Vleafure the chief Geod. They make account, that the Body is much better than the Soul, whofe Seat they efteem to be the Belly, having no great fenfe or regard of any of its operations, but what they perceive there: they fuppofe it was put into the Body only to keep it fweet , and to make it capable of enjoying Vleafure, for which they would not think it beholden to the Soul neither , but that they judg the dead deprived of Joy. They ac- knowledg no other definition of the Soul but Jfprightly temper of body. They judg that there are but two chief Affections in the Soul, which they call Joy and Grief; and that the firft is Vertue , and the fecond Vice. They be- Heveall things which have Joy, Love, and Delight in them , and where the Objetfs arc fenfual, to beG<W; and that whatfoever hath Care, Fear or Labour in it, is Naught , and that it was made by the Devil , if there be a- ny ; of which fometimes they will exprefs themfelves very doubtfully .They affirm confidently that all Bleafant things were made only to allure us, and that we ought not to think any thvcikUnlavpful which pleafeth us. They afiert theSWto be portal; which they do with the more earneftnefs, becaufe they would have i t fo ; and deny that there is any happy ftate to come after this life, becaufe they know they fhall have no fliarein it. They are fo immers'd in Bejh , that they underftand not what they fliould do out of the Body, and therefore deny that there are any Spirits. It is a received Opi- nion with them all , that what is not Body is Nothing. They fticknot to fay openly , that the name of God was invented by Fear, and made ufe of by Bolititians to keep fuperftitious people in awe: the Reafon of which is, theyarefoftupifiedbyabrutilh life, that they neither mind the fofc voice of God , which fpeaks concerning Him in the bottom of thejr own Souls, nor hear the loud teftiraony of hisGoodnefs, Wifdom, and Power which his moft Excel lent Creation, the well-ordered World, doth con- ftantlygive. There are two things which they cannot endure to think of, Old Age, and Death-, but when they do, it is to improve their Luxury by a more greedy fruition of that which will not laft alwayes. JPleafure being the End of their hopes, they take fome pains to accomplifti it ; all the reft of theirlifebeingfpentinldlenefs: and they are foin love with it, that they count it a great pleafure to do nothing ; and indeed it is but little that they are good for. They fpen their time in lafcivious Dances , and amo- rous dalliance , and talk frequently of fuch things as Nature, where it is not perverted , blufheth at. They drink fo far beyond all reafonablemea- fures , as if Temperance were a thing capable of being drown'd : and thev

do

Book I. Jbentiboiioand iirajnia. 47

do fo perfectly abhor all moderate allowances in eating, that they defpile that Health for which they muft be beholden to reftrained Appetite. They fin in defiance of the Creator's Liberality ; for he hath forbidden nothing but that which hurts us. With thefe and other Infiances of furious Lufl they do fo opprefs the Body , that it is weaned out with their ExceiTes. They fleep away the reft of their time, th at rhey may be fitter to fin ; and it ferves fome of them for a diverfion, btcaufe it draws a thin Curtain be- tween thero and the remembrance of their daily Exorbitances. They vex that part of the morning that they are awake , with making it a tedious at- tendant upon their dreffing themfelves; which they perform in a manner fo r id iculoufly gaudy , as if they fear'd their vanity would not be known but for the fuperfluiryof flight Ornaments. They know noabflirdity but a want of outward behaviour , which they , not contenting themfelves with the natural decencies of prudent carriage , do vary many times ac- cording to the contemptible humour of their phanfaftical daricing-Mafters. They are much given to the emptinefs of Complement, and Flattery is a Cardinal Vertue. Luft is the Root of theirflight Loves, for they ac- knowledg no Friendfhipbut Concupifcence. They are ignorant of Choice, being affraid that Know ledg would torment them. Infhovt, they live to no purpofe, but to kill that Remainder of life which is in them ; and their Sins are their own punifhments.

For your fafe pafiage it will be requifite that yeu keep a ftrict guard up- on your Eyes and Ears : for they will attempt by wicked Arts to make them Inftruments of your harm. Drink nothing prefented to you in a gold- en Cup ; for they give their deadly Poifon in the form of Delicious Wine, When your Senfes begin to be feiz'd upon with delegable Objects, hearken prefently to a foft Voice, which, from withinyourbofomes, will tell you what you fhould do. Be fure you never retire into any of their privacies ; for there they have fuch a fort of Nets, made of invifible Wires, as Vulcan us'd to entangle <0*Uys and Venus when he made a fport of them to the Gods. If youaccept of any entertai nmentpr talk the Fruits of the Coun- try, be as quickand wary as the Dogs of zAigyft when they drinkof the River Nilus. In the clofe of his talk he faid , There is one thing that I might further remember, though I need not inform fuch as are jnlrrucled by their own Prudence, That the thoughts of the Country whitheryou are going are of fuch rare Vertue, that if you repeat them often, ycuwill never endure fo ftay long in EUcenzA } much lefs be taken with the muddy de- lights of it.

Thus* Eancrates ended his talk. tfra»ia and Eamretus having ftay'd *t'*8 *J ha,h here two dayes, being much pleas'd with the Wifdom of Eancmtes his Dif- {,^w. * courfes,andthefincerityof his plain Love; as they were taking their leave and expreffmg their Refentments of the Civility which they had received, E&ncrates not knowing to what lodgings they mi?ht unawares betake them- felves to their great prejudice, commended them to a Friend of his call'd * EufAthes, zr\d gave them directions concerning the way to his houfe which °d'l°(t£*ca is not eafily found in that Country.

_Here the Travailers had a clear Demonftration of the Imperfection of tins World, where Joyes are fhown to us and then fna.tch'd away. For .they began to be afflicted with the confideration of thofe things which but a.littte before did much content them , and they found that the Fleafures which were befto^'d upon them in* Enncrates his company , attended *r<j?f'*f*k"1 tlieiu enly to prepare their Spirits for a greater Grief which they were to p",j",l,

fuftain

4$ H&enttOOllO and ^ranta* Book II.

fuftain in the lofs of it. Pancrates guefling at theit Thoughts by their De- portment , which was more Melancholick than ordinarily it us'd to be,and being himfelf as willing to go with them as they were unwilling to leave him behind , he attempted to give them that Comfort which he wanted for himfelf; Wemuftgoon , quoth he, and not be ftartled when we meet one Diffatisfaction , where we look for many; and fince the general Rendez- vous of good friends is only there to be expected where our Journey ends, let us comfort our felves all the way with the hope of what wefhall enjoy when wc come Hdme. Thus the good Man difmifsd his Guefts, having accompanied them part of their way, and return'd to his holy Solitude. They came in a few hours to the chief City of Piacenza , which was fo plac'd, that it was manifeft they had no regard to any thing elfe but Plea- sure in the fituation. Upon the South-fide, which they fawfoityn the midft of a Grove planted thick with Laurels and Myrtils, ftcod a Magnificent

* Carthfuifi. temple which was dedicated to * Mjfia , a jocund Goddefs, whom all the

Piacenzians devoutly worftip: in the middle ftood a hrgeJltar, from which afcended great clouds, being the continual fmoke of delicious O-

* *"""' dors. Upon the Eaft-Wall was plac'd the Picture of* Jfhrodite, fitting wan-

tonly in a Chariot, drawn, not as flie us'd to be , with Doves and Sparrows, but with an He-goat , and a Boar; which at firft they judg'd very ill-fa- vour'd, butconfideringthe reafonof the Device, they thought it would ferve well enough. The reft of the Walls on all fides were cover'd with the pictures of Naked Women and Boyes, Cupid, playing many apifh Tricks among them. A multitude of Priejls attended , all clad in Venus Liveries; their work was to make Orations in the praife of Beauty, or to write ftories of Idle Lovers. The chief of them cloath'd with zfilken Vejl, and an Afian

mltfpi!^"' <&fytre uPon nis nea<^ vvas caN'd trimalchio ; and whilft he fung their A- morous Songs , which it was his Office to compofe, the reft accorded to him with an effeminate fort of Lydian Mufick.

j iffnn. The Queen of the Country, call'd Hedonia, went every day to the Tem-

ple to prefent Oblations to the Goddefs. Urania zxAPanaretm happen'd to arrive at the time as (he vvas juft come forth of her Palace , and fo had op- portunity to behold the form of their Solemnities. The Van of this wan- ton company was led by the Mafter of Ceremonies with a flow pace, which

Jlnhfui fitted their Voluptuous March. He was call'd Pigerrimo, and was of fuch

tetfn. _, a fluggifli Temper, that he would never rife till fome body pull'd him out of his Bed : he was fuch a lover of Reft , that he would complain many times becaufe he could not go without Motion : he was unwilling to be at the trouble of feeding himfelf, and therefore would wifh that men might live the life of Trees, and being invers'd have their Mouths alwayes faft- ned to their Meat. There was hung upon his arm a flight Bow, and a Qui- ver of golden-headed Arrows ; which he would not have carried, but that he would not be at the pains of throwing them down. He vvas followed by a great company of Gallants,v?ho had fo attired themfelves,that one would think they had made themfelves a perfect. Outfide: and they attended up- on divers Ladies , which were Hedonia's Maids of Honour , who had at- tempted by immodeft habit to pervert the Primitive inftitution of Clothes; for they affedted only tranfparent Garments tindhired with variety of light colours ; and yet they found fault with them ftill,becaufe they did too much hide their Bodies. Only their Faces they did defire to be a little more conceal'd from common view, and therefore had covered them almoft quite over with fpots , and fignified that they would not be known by the fea- tures

lave

Book II. l&mtiboUo and fflirama* 49

that they would not be known by the features of their Faces,, but by the curious Figures of their Patches. In this , as in all other things, they did but follow the humorous example of Hedonia ■ For fhe feem'd to have wo- ven the Rainbow into a ioofeRobe , which being fo rarified that Hie might be feen through it , and a'fo fpatter'd with radiant Jewells in the form of Starrs, one might well fay that fhe wasun Embellifh'd Cloud. The names of the Gentlemen were * J fit us , *Narciffns, * Acohfltts, &Afhnn, 'Ant-l^fJ*^ fcynthut , fJPangelus, and many others who had left thefhidy of Wifdom with his own and the practice of Vertue , and were now fo corrupted that they pleas'd^'"/'w• themfelves only in that which was a reproach to them ; and had fo far ad- r « " tnjm*- ' vanc'd their diftempers beyond ^*»yWickednefses,that they defpifs'd Plea- * A*ni. fure unlefs it was mix'd with Theft and Adulteries. The Gentlewomen were 't^mfud<nt nam'd zBelleza and i» Lujingha who went foremoft ; and they were fol- fo»* wholly lowed by « Afpajia , k Car ezza and i kmojia , with many more which luade^™""*""" up that light Retinue. After thefe at fome diftance came in a difguife m Pe- 1 Beauty, rilypia and n Atimia: but we knew them well though they cover'd their * fl*u,rJ- faces, for they were afliam'd to be feen, and would not be known to be- "k ^arlffiT long to that company. ° Hedonia her felf was led between two Brothers lAt»ver. call'd p Eros and i knteros : their looks were fo difcontended when they *Gnf'race ey'd one an other , that they were a lively Image of the Jealoufie of Ri- opieajute. ' vails. Their Gefture , befides all other defers , made a p'ain fignification **■*"'■ that they efteem d themfelves the Glories of the World ; and the Ladies S *'Wr> made no doubt but that the whole Splendor was but the reflection of their'" '*"' unparallell'd Beauties : and thefe they meafur'd by fuch a vaft fize of efti- mation , that they believ'd if the Sun fhould have fallen they could fupply his place and make day ; and in the night, they did not think itpoffible that any Stars could appear but themfelves and Venus. But Panaretus, who had obferv'd them judicioufly, thought them the molt deform'd of all that he had feen. The defers of their Beauty were as good as confefs'd by the Artificial correction of the fafhionof their Eyes , the addition of falfeHair, the borrowed colour of their Lips and Cheeks , their ingrafted Teeth and painted Breafts. If they had not been poor, they would not have borrow'd fuch Vanities, as they were not very virtuous, becaufe they could not be content without them. The Simplicity of excellent Beautyiswitnefs'dbya carelefs neglect of adventitious Ornament; and Worthy lovers defpife Beauty when it ftoops to fuch mean Condefcenfions as, it may be, they would think proper to a Thais.

As they were in the middle of their vain Orifons (for they pray for fuch things as Holy Souls abhor to think of) Eelleza pull'd out a Song which Au lfft . * Trimalchio had fet the day before to a Treble Voice, and one of the Ladies £(2.**"**" fung it in the Honour of Hedonia. It is not worth recording , but only to Fl">fur>- give notice of what poor things they make Hymns.

Fair g^ueen , the Sun for Thee takes fains to rife, But finnes with Beams be borrows of Thy Eyes. The ^Airbeth warm1 d and fweetnedinthy Breajl Goes (till to come, and doth in Motion rejl. The Springs, wert not for Thee would ceafe to flow. Wer't not thy Walk, Earth would a Defartgrow ; Which whilfl Dame Nature faints with gaudy E lowers, Th" obfequitus Trees grow of themfelves in Bowers.

H Jlh'A

2J5entit>olto and <Wrania» Book n,

And whilfi thou [mil ft upon her Fruits , her gain Is, then to know , ftje hath not toil'd in vain.

Jnteros feeing them well pleas'd , defired that they would have the pa- tience to hear him fing a few verfes which he had fettoaBafe, in which he didinagnifietheHappinefsof Hedonia's Courtiers. Hedonia giving hercon- fentwith a ftately nod, he began.

Whilft greedy Merchants plow the boiftrtus Seas, We laugh ajbore, they venture for our Eafe. Our Boors, yoak'din life labour with their beafts, Shall make the fields pay Tribute to our Feafts. Whilft Bookiftj menfirWifdomfweat, that thence they may fetch Reafins to difparage fenfe, We jit above , and by Experience know What's only talk'd of in the World below.

trimalchto having fitted their fine Songs with a fuitable Chorus, gave them their parts ; and fo they ended that dayes Mufick with thefe words,

Since Envious time , tofpite us, pofts away, Let us improve each Minute of our day.

After the Mufick they entred upon another manner of converfe, which was fo impertinent that I fhall not trouble my felf to give any account of it. Urania, taking the advantage of their abfence from the Palace, and their bu- fie attendance upon thefe molt irreligious Rites, went with morefeourity to view the Gardens , fo great in report , that the Fabulous Paradife of the Hefperides feemd to have been but an imperfect Defcription of thefe incom- parable Delights*

Behind the Temple they perceived fair walks fill'd with great companies of proud Peacocks with their Trains fpread, and the boughs of the Trees loaden with falacious Sparrows. Upon one fide was planted a large Vine- yard , and in the midft was fet a Priapus , which , by the Manners of the owners; theyguefs'd to be the Guardian of the Vines. Upon the other was a fpacious Garden adom'd with all varieties of Flowers , and thofe put into fuch orderly plots divided with fmooth Walks, that they gave and receiv'd mutual Ornament from each other. In convenient fhades they had pleafant Bathes , whether to cool or heat , they knew not ; but from what they heard , they underftood that they defil'd the Soul more than they wafh'd the Body. Amongft other Rarities they cbferv'd a Grott, which had many Caverns furni/h'd with rare water-works ; where the ftreams did not only fhow themfelves in all variety of delegable forms , but con- vey 'd melodious Tunes through feveral Pipes, and making a Combateof pleafure between the Eye and the Ear., put the Soul inafufpenceto de- termine which had the fuperiority , which being not able to fee and hear at once with due intention to both , gave judgment from each by turns. The chief imperfeftion of which they took notice was in the Flowers and Fruits ; For they had no fooncr gather 'd a Rofeor a GilIy-Flower,but by a fudden withering in their hand they confefs'd the Infidelity of their Vi- gour ; and the Fruit s, which grew both upon the walls and in other places, though they look'd moft lovely to the fight , yet upon the lead touch of

their

Book ii. i5enttboiIg,and Crania. ST

their fingers they fell into Allies ; as^t is reported of thofe Apples whiofe grow upon that Lake by which Spdopi. hath but a dilhonourible remeiu- \j\ ance jn Jiiftqry.

Inthemidft of the Garden, as fhey were lied by the windings of ania- fricateWildernefs, they came to a fair banqueting houfe, which wasfe rais'd upon an Artificial Mount, that ibefides all, the delights ofthe Garden it receiv'd the pleafure of a gallant prpfpeft. Here fate an onreogroivn. Wo- nran reading the loves of Venus and Adorns ; which by her exoeflive bulk!, fwoljen put of all meafure wnh intemperance, they guefs'd to be Acrajia. innocent. She was attended by a drovviie fat Boy call 'd Mcrphcohs , cloath'd with a *&*£ partico'.our'd mantle, where black and white' were fo interchangeably plac'cl^ that one might fee the Workman had a'niind, to beftow upon it the co'ours uf Day and Night in equal divifions, She call'd up her fervants by the names of * Bevandaand Mangibclk. It feesins BevancU. was/drunk in j^"^* the Cellar; but Mangibelk came up with a basket of moft delicate Fruits, which Urania putting by with her hand, Morfbeol'us went out of the room, and call'd *VenerioU, Urania and P anaret us fuf petting theworft, wher,e they had no reafon to hope for any good , made hafte out of the Room A w*MWit and (hutting the door after them, with the benifit of a fpring loGk, they freed themfelves from two great lumps of Flefb , andVenerioja declaring by her carriage, that (he had learn'd more forts of Intemperance than what cpnfifted meerly in eating and drinking, Pamretw threw her into a Fifh-pond which was hard by, to cool herLuft. As Morphe olta- was feizing upon Urania , he gave him fuch a blow on the right Ear, that left him in dead deep.

. Having efcaped this troijblefome Foolery, for fear of worfethey made hafte from this neft of Dangers. Before they could get out of that Garden,

* Hedonk return'd from the Temple, and was come into it, and, as it pimfwu happen'd, was enter'd into a private Walk , accompanied • only with

* Carez^za. Urania efpied a door which open'd towards a River, out of carejfu. which , (he thought they might make an efcape: and though' they made

fuch hafte as people do when prudent Fear gives them wings, Hcdonia met them before they could reach the door , and perceiving nothing in their firft looks but what gave her hopes of moft excellent Company, fhe courte- oufly fainting Urania, defired her to anfwer the civility which her prefence nude (how of, by a gentle acceptance of fuch Welcome as (he could pre- fent. Then whifpering in Carezzas Ear, and having difmifs'd her to per- fume her Chamber, lhe took a Garland of Rofes which was in her hapd, deeply poifon'd with venemous Herbs, and offered it to Urania ; which (he waved, and made anfwer, That they were upon a journey, which they had not only hindred already by the entertainments of her Gardens, but doubted alfo that they had been uncivilly bold that they had need to ask pardon for faults already committed, rather then to add more to them- Hedonia prefimg her Civilities with fuch words as felf-Intereft taught her to multiply, they were come to the door ; which being but gently (hut ■ Panaretus (truck it open with his foot, and feeing a boat faft- ned to the bank of the River ; he defired Urania to haften into it, whilft he guarded herfrom the pernicious embraces ofHtdenia*. who feeing her feif half difappointed, to prevent Panaretus from imbarking, flung he* ftlf into his Arms ; who knowing what little time he had to difintan^le himfelf afliore , beforeany might come to put more fetters upon him,threw * ^ vvmfmi hitnfelf with thefe into the Boat. * Oetfirmon, who attended them, having »"'"*>^""";*''

H 2 loos d

52 J&mtibolio and Crania* Book n.

Ioos'd the rope, let the Boat go with the fwifc ftream. fanaretus com- manded Hcdonia to hold her peace ; vowing to her that if flie did make any noife, he would immediately throw her into the River. Uedonia partly aftonifh'dwith this fudden furprize, but more ftruck to the heart with the pain of being refilled, (for flic knew no lite but the licentious joys of an unbridled Will and uncontroul'd Luxuries) fell into a fwoon ; in which flie continued till they had pafs'dher houfe, not daring to bring her to life to effect their own death. So they pafs'd, as the Stream and the Boat agreed to carry them: and as they were hihdred from minding their way by the trouble which Uedonia (come to her felf) did now put them to, they fell amongft moft dangerous Rocks, fome of which lay undif- cerned under water, and the reft were fcatter'd with therjbs of broken Veflels. But Urania taking hold of the Rudder , and ueftirmon rowing according to his own skill and Panaretus"s directions they came into more fafe water; and the ftream being but flow, and Hedcnia a little more com- posed in her carriage, the Heavenly Urania, thought flie had an opportuni- ty to adminifter fuch councel which one loft in Sin did extreamly need, and thereupon with Prudence, fetofF with an admirable Courtefle, began thus to accoft her.

Fair Lady,the reports I have heard of your Condition, joyn'd with that knowledg which I have my felf receiv'd of your Perfon, make me forry that you fliould enflave your youthful life to diflionourable pleafures. Though I know how unacceptable a fervice it is to reprove, and am not ignorant that you think it ftrange in me to undertake it; yet I hope you will pardon me when you perceive that Charity occafions your trouble, I under* itand that your nufcarriage arifeth from a falfe opinion which you have en- tertain'd of the Happinefs of Bodily pleafure, and know no motives of Love but Fleflily Beauty. Alas Madam ! How fmall a matter is the orna- ment of awell*colour'dSkin, and the due proportions of Eones and Flefh fiandfomely joyn'd;efpeciaIly when by the neglect of Vertueit becomes a fine prifon to the deprefs'd Soul; Beauty is but Mortality painted by Na- ture, that the Soul coming into a well-favour'd Receptacle, might be pro- voked to anfwer the outward Decency with correfpondent realities of fpiritual Lovelinefs: never intending the external Comelinefsforalying Signification of what is really abfent within, or for an handibme lodging for a deformed Gueft. Hedonia, never knowing what belong'd to