T is read
that Pithagoras verie wittilye and
after a suttill maner found out the
measure of Hercules bodye, in that he
knew that the space where everye fyve
yeeres they kept the games or prices of
Olympicus in Achaia nigh unto Elis
beefore Jupiter Olympicus Temple, was
measured by Hercules himselfe: and
appointed a furlonge of grounde there of sixe hundreth and
five and twentie of his owne feete: and the other furlonges
whiche after his time were caste oute in diverse partes of
Greece by his successors, were also of sixe hundreth and five
and twentie of their feete, but for all that somewhat shorter
then his. Pythagoras knewe furthwith by that proportion
how muche Hercules foote was bigger then all other mens
feete, and so the measure of his foote once knowen, he
gathered that all Hercules bodye proporcionally in
greatnesse exceaded all other mens, so muche, as that furlonge,
all other furlonges. You may the (gentle M. Alphonsus)
by the verie same reason easlie gather by this least parte
of all the rest of the bodye, how farr the Court of Urbin
excelled all the other in Italy. For if the sportes and
| Pisis. ad Jovem Olimpicum.
Plin. lib. ii. cap. xxiii. De natur. histor. The Court of Urbin. |
Whan therfore the companye was assembled in the accustomed place the day folowinge at the due hour, and set with silence, everye man tourned his eyes to Sir Fridericke and to the L. Julian, waytinge whan the one of them would beegine to speake his minde.
Wherfore the Dutchesse, after she had bine still a while: My L. Julian (quoth she) every mans desire is to see this your Gentilwoman well set furthe, and if you showe us her not in such maner, that all her beawties maye be discerned, we will suspect that you are jealous over her.
The L. Julian answered: Madam,
if I reckened her beawtifull, I would show you her without any other
setting furth, and in suche wise as Paris did beehoulde the three
Goddesses. But in case these Ladies be not a helpe to me
to trim her (who can do it right well) I doubt me, that not
onlye the L. Gaspar and Phrisio, but all the other Lordes
here shall have a just cause to speake yll of her. Therefore
sins she is yet in some part deemed beawtifull, perhappes it
shall be better to kepe her close and see what Sir Friderick
hath yet beehind to speake of the Courtier, which (no
doubt) is muche more beawtifull then my woman can be.
Minerva.
Juno.
Venus.
That I had in minde, answered Sir Fridericke, is not so necessary for the Courtier, but it may be left out, and no hurt done: yea, it is a contrarye matter almost to that hitherto hath bine reasoned of.
And what matter is it then? quoth the Dutchesse.
Sir Fridericke answered: I was
pourposed, in what I
coulde, to declare the causes of these companies and ordres
of knightes brought up by great Princis under diverse
standardes, as is that of Saint Michael in the house of
Fraunce, the order of the Garter under the title of Saint
George in the house of Englande, the Golden Flice in the
house of Burgony, and how these dignities be geven, and in
what sort thei that deserve are disgraced from them how
Great Turke.
they first came up, who were the founders of them, and to
what ende they were ordeined, bicause we see that these
knightes in great Courtes are alwayes highlye estemed. I
minded also, if time had suffised me, beside the diversitie
of maners used in the Courtes of christian princes in feasting
and appeeringe in open showes, to speake somewhat also of
the great Turkes: but much more particularlye of the Sophyes
kinge of Persia: for whan I understood by merchaunt men
a longe time trafficked in that countrey, the noble men
there to be very ful of prowesse and well manered and use
in their conversation one with an other, and in womens
service, and in all their practisinges much courtesie and
great sobrietie, and whan time serveth, in marciall feates, in
sportinges, and undertaking enterprises much sumptuousnes,
great liberality and braverie, I delited to knowe what order
they take in these thinges which they sett most store by,
wherin their Pompes consist and braveries of garmentes and
armour, wherin they differ from us, and wherin we agree,
what kinde of enterteinment their women use, and with
what sober mode they showe favour to who so is in their
love service: but to say the truth, it is no fitt time nowe to
entre into this talke, especiallye sins there is other to be
said, and much more to our pourpose then this.
Order of S. Michael.
Of the Garter.
Of the Golden Flise.
The Sophy.
Yes, quoth the L. Gaspar, both this and many other thinges be more to the pourpose, then to facion this gentilwoman of the Palaice, forsomuche as the verie same rules that are given for the Courtier, serve also for the woman, for aswell ought she to have respect to times and places and to observe (asmuche as her weaknesse is able to beare) all the other properties that have bin somuch reasoned upon, as the Courtier. And therfore in steade of this, it were not perhappes amisse to teach some particular pointes that beelong to the service about a Princis person, for no doubt the Courtier ought to know them and to have a grace in doing them. Or els to speake of the way that he ought to take in the bodily exercises, how to ride, to handle weapon, and wrastle, and wherin consisteth the hardnes of these feates.
Then spake the Dutchesse, smiling: Princis are not served about their persons with so excellent a Courtier as this is. As for the exercises of bodye and strength and slightnes of person, we will leave them for M. Peter Mount here to take charge to teache them whan he shall thinke most meete, for presently the L. Julian hath nothinge elles to speake of, but of this woman, whom (me thinke) you nowe beegine to have a feare of, therfore woulde brynge us oute of oure pourpose.
Phrisio answered: Certein it is, that nowe it is needlesse and out of pourpose to talke of women, especially beeinge yet beehinde somwhat to be spoken of the Courtier, for the one matter ought not to be mingled with the other.
You are in a great errour, answered the L. Cesar Gonzaga, for like as no other Court, great ever it be, can have any sightlinesse, or brightnesse in it, or mirth without women, nor anie Courtier can be gratious, pleasant or hardye, nor at anye time undertake any galant enterprise of Chivalrye onlesse he be stirred wyth the conversacion and wyth the love and contentacion of women, even so in like case the Courtiers talke is most unperfect ever more, if the entercourse of women give them not a part of the grace wherwithall they make perfect and decke out their playing the Courtier.
The L. Octavian laughed and saide: Beehoulde a peece of the bayte that bringeth men out of their wittes.
Then the L. Julian tourning him to the Dutchesse: Madam (quoth he) sins it is so youre pleasure, I will speake that commeth to minde, but with verie great doubt to satisfie. And iwisse a great deale lesse peine it were for me to facion a lady that should deseve to be Queene of the world, then a perfect gentilwoman of the Court, for of herr I wote not where to fett any pattern, but for a Queene I should not neede to seeke farr, and sufficient it were for me onlye to imagin the heavenly condicions of a lady whom I know, and through seeynge them, direct all my thoughtes to expresse plainlye with woordes the thynge that manye see with their eyes, and where I could do no more, yet should I fulfill my dutie in naminge her.
Then said the Dutchesse: Pass not your boundes (my L. Julian) but minde the order taken, and facion the gentilwoman of the Palaice, that this so woorthie a maistresse maye have hym that shall woorthelie serve her.
The L. Julian proceaded: For a
proof therfore (Madam)
that your commaundement may drive me to assaye to do,
yea the thinge I have no skill in, I shall speake of this
excellent woman, as I woulde have her. And whan I have
facioned her after my minde, and can afterwarde gete none
other, I will take her as mine owne, after the example of
Pigmalion. And where as the L. Gaspar hath said, that
In what they agree. Beawtie. Livelinesse of wit. A meane. To much a familiaritye. To speake and give eare
to ill reportes of other women. Beehaviour in talke.
the verye same rules that are given for the Courtier,
serve also for the woman, I am of a contrarye opinion.
For albeit some qualities are commune and necessarye aswell for the
woman as the man, yet are there some other
more meeter for the woman then for the man, and some
again meete for the man, that she ought in no wise to
meddle withall. The verie same I saye of the exercises of
the bodye. But principally in her facions, maners, woordes,
gestures and conversation (me thinke) the woman ought to
be muche unlike the man. For right as it is seemlye for
him to showe a certain manlinesse full and steadye, so doeth
it well in a woman to have a tendernes, soft and milde, with
a kinde of womanlie sweetnes in everye gesture of herres,
Ovid. lib. xiii. Metam.
that in goyng, standinge and speakinge what ever she
lusteth, may alwayes make her appeere a woman without
anye likenes of man. Adding therfore this principle to the
rules that these Lordes have taught the Courtier, I thinke
well, she maye serve her tourne with manye of them, and be
endowed with verye good qualities, as the L. Gaspar saith.
For many vertues of the minde I recken be as necessary
for a woman, as for a man. Likewise noblenesse of birth,
avoidinge Affectation or curiositie, to have a good grace of
nature in all her doinges, to be of good condcyons, wyttye,
foreseeyng, not haughtie, not envious, not yll tunged, not
light, not contentious, not untowardlye, to have the knowleage
to wynn and kepe the good wyll of her Ladye and of
all others, to do well and with a good grace the exercises
comely for women. Me thinke well beawty is more necessarie in her then
in the Courtier, for (to saye the truth)
there is a great lacke in the woman that wanteth beawtie.
She ought also to be more circumspect and to take better
heed that she give no occasion to be yll reported of, and so
to behave her selfe, that she be not onlye not spotted
wyth anye fault, but not so much as with suspicion.
Bicause a woman hath not so many wayes to defende her
selfe from sclaunderous reportes, as hath a man. But for
somuch as Count Lewis hath verye particularly expressed
the principall profession of the Courtier, and willeth it to
be in Marsiall feates, me thinke also beehouffull to uttre
Wherin the woman should differ from the man.
(according to my judgement) what the Gentilwomans of the
Palace ought to be: in which point whan I have throughlye
satisfied, I shall thinke my self rid of the greatest part of
my dutye. Leaving therfore a part of the vertues of the
minde that ought to be commune to her with the Courtier,
as wisdome, noblenes of courage, staidenesse, and manie mo,
and likewise the condicions that are meete for all women,
as to be good and discrete, to have the understanding to
order her husbandes goodes and her house and children
whan she is maried, and all those partes that beelonge to a
good huswief: I say that for her that liveth in Court, me
thinke there beelongeth unto her above all other thinges, a
certein sweetnesse in language that may delite, wherby she
may gentlie entertein all kinde of men with talke woorth
the hearynge and honest, and applyed to the time and place,
and to the degree of the person she communed withall:
accompaniyng with sober and quiet maners and with the
honestye that must alwayes be a stay to all her deedes,
a readie livelines of wit, wherby she may declare herselfe
far wide from all dulnesse: but with such a kinde of goodnes,
Vertues of the minde.
Commune Properties.
that she may be esteamed no lesse chaste, wise and courteise,
then pleasant, feat conceited and sobre: and therefore must
she kepe a certein meane very hard, and (in a maner) dirived
of contrarie matters, and come just to certein limites, but
not passe them. This woman ought not therfore (to make
herself good and honest) be so skemish and make wise to
abhorr both the companye and the talke (though somwhat
of the wantonest) if she be present, to gete her thens by
and by, for a man may lightlye gesse that she feined to be
so coye to hide that in herselfe, whiche she doubted others
might come to the knowleage of: and such nice facions are
alwaies hateful. Neither ought she again (to showe herself
free and pleasant) speake wordes of dishonesty, nor use a
certein familiaritye withoute measure and bridle, and facions
to make men beleave that of her, that perhappes is not:
but beeinge present at suche kinde of talke, she ought to
geve the hearinge with a litle blushing and shamefastnes.
Likewise to eschew one vice that I have seen reigne in
Sweetnesse in language.
many: namely, to speake and willingly to give ear to such
as report ill of other women: for suche as in hearinge the
dishonest beehaviours of other women disclosed, are offended
at the matter, and make wise not to credit and (in maner)
to thinke it a wonder that a woman should lead an unclean
lief, they make proof that sins this fault seemeth unto them
so foule a matter, they commit it not. But those that go
alwaies harking out the loves of others and disclose them so
point by point, and with such joye, it seemeth that they
envy the matter, and that their desire is to have all men
know it, that the like may not be imputed to them for a
trespace, and so they tourne it to certein laughters with a
kind of gesture, wherby they make men to suspect at the
verie same instant that they take great contentacion at it.
And of this arriseth, that men although to their seeming
they give diligent ear to it, for the most part conceive an
ill opinion of them and have them in verye small reputation,
and (to their weeninge) with these beehaviours are enticed
to attempt them farther. And many times afterward they
renn so farr at rovers, that it purchaseth them worthely an
yll name, and in conclusion are so litle regarded, that men
passe not for their companie, but rather abhorr them. And
contrariwise, there is no man so shameles and high minded,
but beareth a great reverence towarde them that be counted
good and honest, bicause that gravitie tempered with knowleage
and goodnes, is (as it were) a shield against the
Wanton talke.
wanton pride and beastlines of saucy merchauntes. Wherfore
it is seen that one woord, a laughter or a gesture of
good will (how litle soever it be) of an honest woman, is
more set by of every man, then al the toyes and wanton
gestures of them that so lavishly show small shamefastnesse.
And where they leade not in deede an uncleane lief, yet
wyth those wanton countenaunces, babblinge, scornfulnesse,
and suche scoffynge condicions they make men to thinke
they do. And forsomuch as wordes that are not grounded
upon some pithie foundacion, are vaine and childishe, the
Gentilwoman of the Palaice, beeside her discreation to
understand the condicion of him she talketh withall, to
entertein him honestlye, must needes have a sight in manie
thinges, and a judgemente in her communication to pike
out such as be to pourpose for the condicion of him she
talketh withall, and be heedefull that she speake not
otherwhile where she wold not, woordes that may offende him.
Let her beeware of praysing her selfe undiscreatly, or
beeinge to tedious that she make him not weerie. Let her
not go mingle with pleasant and laughing talke, matters of
gravitie: nor yet with grave, Jestes and feat conceites. Let
her not foolishlye take upon her to know that she knoweth
not, but soberly seeke to be estemed for that she knoweth,
avoiding (as is saide) Curiousitie in all thinges. In this
Honest women esteamed with all men.
maner shall she be indowed with good condicions, and the
exercises of the body comlie for a woman shall she do with
an exceading good grace, and her talke shall be plentuous
and ful of wisdome, honesty, and pleasantnesse: and so
shall she be not only beloved but reverenced of all men, and
perhappes woorthie to be compared to this great Courtier,
aswel for the qualities of the minde as of the bodye.
Curiositie.
Whan the L. Julian had hitherto spoken, he helde his peace, and settled himselfe as thoughe he had made an ende of his talke.
Then said the L. Gaspar: No doubt (my L. Julian) but you have decked gaily out this Gentilwoman, and made her of an excellent condicion: yet me seemeth that you have gone generallye inough to woorke, and neamed in her certein thinges so great, that I thinke in my minde you are ashamed to expound them, and have rather wished them in her, after the maner of them that somtime wishe for thinges unpossible and above nature, then taught them. Therfore woulde I that you declared unto us a little better, what exercises of the bodye are meete for a Gentilwoman of the Palaice, and in what sorte she ought to entertein, and what those many thinges be whiche you saye she ought to have a sight in: and whether wisedome, noblenesse of courage, staidnesse and those manye other vertues that you have spoken of, your meaninge is should helpe her about the overseeinge onlie of her house, children and houshoulde (the which neverthelesse you will not have her principall profession) or els to entertein, and to do these exercises of the body with a good grace: and in good felowship take heede ye put not these seelie vertues to so vyle an occupation that they may be ashamed of it.
The L. Julian laughed and said: You can not chouse (my L. Gaspar) but still you must uttre youre yll stomake againste women. But certes me thought I had spoken sufficient, and especiallyie beefore such audience, that I beleave none here, but understandeth concernynge the exercises of the body, that it is not comlye for a woman to practise feates of armes, ridinge, playinge at tenise, wrastlinge, and manye other thynges that beelonge to men.
Then said Unico Aretino: Emonge them of olde time the maner was that women wrastled naked with men, but we have lost this good custome together with manye mo.
The L. Cesar Gonzaga replied to this: And in my time I have seene woman playe at tenise, practise feates of armes, ride, hunt, and do (in a maner) all the exercises beeside, that a gentilman can do.
The L. Julian answered: Sins I
may facion this woman
after my minde, I will not onelye have her not to practise
these manlie exercises so sturdie and boisterous, but also
even those that are meete for a woman, I will have her to
do them with heedfulnesse and with the soft mildenesse
that we have said is comelie for her. And therfore in
daunsynge I would not see her use to swift and violent
trickes, nor yet in singinge or playinge upon instrumentes
those harde and often divisions that declare more counninge
then sweetenesse. Likewise the instrumentes of musike
which she useth (in mine opinion) ought to be fitt for this
How she should come to show her feates. Garmentes. Beawtie. Qualities for a Gentilwoman. Vertues.
pourpose. Imagin with your selfe what an unsightly matter
it were to see a woman play upon a tambour or drumm, or
blowe in a flute or trompet, or anye like instrumente: and
this bicause the boisterousnesse of them doeth both cover
and take away that sweete mildenes which setteth so furth
everie deede that a woman doeth. Therfore whan she
commeth to daunse, or to show any kinde of musike, she
ought to be brought to it with suffringe her self somewhat
to be prayed, and with a certein bashfulnes, that may
declare the noble shamefastnes that is contrarye to headinesse.
She ought also to frame her garmentes to this
entent, and so to appararaile herself that she appeere not
fonde and light. But forsomuch as it is lefull and necessary for women
to sett more by their beawty then men, and
sundrie kindes of beawtie there are, thys woman ought to
have a judgement to knowe what maner garmentes set her
best out, and be most fitt for the exercises that she entendeth
to undertake at that instant, and with them to arraye
herselfe. And where she perceyveth in her a sightlye and
cheerfull beawtie, she ought to farther it with gestures,
wordes and apparaile, that all may betoken mirth. In like case an other
that feeleth herself of a milde and grave
disposition, she ought also to accompany it with facions
of the like sort, to encrease that that is the gift of nature.
In like maner where she is somwhat fatter or leaner then reasonable
sise, or wanner, or browner, to helpe it with
garmentes, but feiningly asmuch as she can possible, and
keapinge herself clenlye and handsome, showe alwaies that
she bestoweth no pein nor diligence at all about it. And
bicause the L. Gaspar doeth also aske what these manye
thinges be she ought to have a sight in, and howe to
entertein, and whether the vertues ought to be applyed to this
enterteinment, I saye that I will have her to understande
that these Lordes have wylled the Courtier to knowe: and
in those exercises that we have saide are not comelye for
Daunsinge.
Singinge.
Speculation of musike.
Instrumentes of
musike.
her, I will at the least she have that judgement, that men
can have of the thinges which they practise not, and this to
have knowleage to praise and make of Gentilmen more and
lesse accordinge to their desertes. And to make a breef
rehersall in fewe woordes of that is alreadye saide, I will
that this woman have a sight in letters, in musike, in
drawinge or peinctinge, and skilfull in dausninge, and in divising
sportes and pastimes, accompaniynge with that discreete
sobermode and with the givinge a good opinion of herselfe,
the other principles also that have bine taught the Courtier.
And thus in conversation, in laughing, in sporting, in
jestinge, finally in every thinge she shall be had in very great
price, and shall entertein accordingly both with Jestes and
feat conceites meete for her, everie person that commeth in
her company. And albeit staidnes, noblenes of courage,
temperance, strength of the minde, wisdome and the other
vertues a man wold thinke beelonged not to entertein, yet
will I have her endowed with them all, not somuch to
entertein (although notwithstanding they may serve therto
also) as to be vertuous: and these vertues to make her
suche a one, that she may deserve to be esteamed, and al
her doinges framed by them.
A judgement in exercises not meete for her.
I wonder then, quoth the L. Gaspar smilinge, sins you give women both letters, and staidnesse, and noblenesse of courage and temperance, ye will not have them also to beare rule in Cities and to make lawes, and to leade armies, and men to stand spinning in the kitchin.
The L. Julian answered in like maner smiling: Perhappes to, this were not amisse, then he proceaded. Do you not know that Plato (which in deede was not very friendly to women) giveth them the overseeing of Cities, and all other marciall offices he appointeth to men? Thinke you not there were manye to be found that could aswell skill in ruling Cities and armies, as men can? But I have not appointed them these offices, bicause I facion a waiting gentilwoman of the Court, not a queene. I se wel you wold covertly have up again the sclaunderous report that the L. Octavian gave women yesterday: namely, That they be moste unperfect creatures, and not apt to woorke anye vertuous deed, and of verie litle woorthiness and of no value in respet of men. But surely both he and you should be in verie great errour if ye thought so.
Then said the L. Gaspar: I wyll
not have up again
matters alreadye past, but you woulde faine presse me to
speake some worde that might offende these Ladies mindes,
to make them my foes, as you with flattringe them falselye
will purchase their good will. But they are so wise above
other, that they love trueth better (althoughe it make not
so muche with them) then false praises: neyther take they
it in yll part for a man to saye, that Men are of a more
woorthiness, and they will not let to confesse that you have
spoken greate wonders, and appointed to the gentilwoman
of the Palaice certein fonde unpossible matters, and so many
vertues that Socrates and Cato and all the Philosophers in
the worlde are nothinge to her. For to tell you the plaine
trothe, I marveile you were not ashamed somuch to passe
youre boundes, where it ought to have suffised ye to make this
gentilwoman of the Palaice beawtifull, sober, honest,
welspoken, and to have the understandinge to entertein without
renninge in sclaunder, with daunsinge, musike, sportes,
laughing, Jestes, and the other matters that we see daily
used in Court: but to go about to give her the knowleage
of all thinges in the worlde, and to appoint her the vertues
that so syldome times are seene in men, yea and in them of
old time, it is a matter that can neyther be held withall nor
scantlye heard. Now that women are unperfect creatures
and consequently of less woorthiness then men, and not apt
to conceive those vertues that they are, I pourpose not to
affirme it, bicause the prowesse of the Ladies were inough
to make me a lyer. Yet this I saye unto you, that most
wise men have left in writinge, that nature, bicause she is
alwaies set and bent to make thinges most perfect, if she
coulde, woulde continuallye bring furth men, and whan a
woman is borne, it is a slacknes or default of nature, and contrary to
that she would do. As it is also seene in one
borne blinde, lame, or with some other impediment, and in
trees manye frutes that never ripen: even so may a woman
be said to be a creature brought furth at a chaunce and by
happe, and that it is so, marke me the woorkes of the man
and the woman, and by them make your proof of the
perfection of ech of them. Howbeit sins these defaultes of women
are the wite of nature that hath so brought them furthe, we
ought not for this to hate them, nor feint in havinge lesse
respect to them then is meete, but to esteame them above
that they are, me thinketh a plaine errour.
A woman the default of nature.
The L. Julian looked the L.
Gaspar would have proceaded on still, but whan he sawe nowe that he
helde his
peace, he said: Of the unperfectnes of women me thinke
you have alleaged a verye cold reason, wherunto (albeit may
happ it were not now meete to entre into these subtil
pointes) I answere accordinge to the opinion of him that is
Homo both man and woman.
of skill, and accordinge to the truth, that Substance in what
ever thinge it be, can not receive it more or less: for as
no stone can be more perfectlye a stone, then an other: as
touchinge the beeinge of a stone: nor one blocke more
perfectlie a blocke, then an other: no more can one man be
more perfectlye a man then an other, and consequentlye the
male kinde shall not be more perfect, then the female, as
touchinge his formall substance: for both the one and the
other is conteined under the Species of Homo, and that
wherein they differ is an accidentall matter and no essentiall.
In case you will tell me that the man is more perfecte
then the woman, thoughe not as touchinge the essentiall,
yet in the Accidentes, I answere that these accidentes must
consist eyther in the bodye or in the minde: yf in the bodye,
bicause the man is more sturdier, nimbler, lighter, and more
abler to endure travaile, I say that this is an argument of smalle
perfection: for emonge men themselves such as
abounde in these qualities above other, are not for them the
more esteamed: and in warr, where the greatest part of
peinfull labours are and of strength, the stoutest are not for
all that the moste set bye. Yf in the mind, I say, what ever
thinges men can understande, the self same can women
understande also: and where it perceth the capacitie of the
one, it may in likewise perce the others. Here after the
L. Julian had made a litle stopp, he proceaded smilinge:
Do you not know that this principle is helde in Philosophy,
Who so is tender of flesh is apt of mind? Therfore there is
no doubt, but women beeing tenderer of flesh, are also
apter of minde, and of a more enclined witt to musinges
and speculations, then men. Afterward he folowed on:
But leaving this a part, bicause you said that I should
make my proof of the perfection of ech of them by the
woorkes, I saye unto you, if you consider the effectes of
nature, you shall finde that she bringeth women furth as
they be, not at a chaunce, but fittlye necessary for the ende.
For albeit she shapeth them of bodye not stoute and of a milde minde,
with manye other qualities contrarye to mens,
yet doe the condicions of eche of them stretch unto one self
ende, concerning the self same profit. For even as through
that weake feeblenes women are of a lesser courage, so are
they also by the verye same more warie. Therefore moothers
nourish up children and fathers instruct them, and with
manlines provide for it abrode, that they with carefull
diligence store up in the house, which is no lesse praise. In case
you wil then consider the auntient Histories (albeit men at
all times have bine verie sparing in writinge the
prayses of women) and them of latter dayes, ye shall finde that
continually vertue hath raigned aswell emong women as men: and that
suche there have bine also that have made
warr and obteined glorious victories, governed realmes with
Substantia non recipit maius aut minus.
great wisdome and justice, and done what ever men have
done. As touchinge sciences, do you not remember ye have
read of so manie that were well seene in Philosophie?
Other, that have bine most excellent in Poetrye? Other,
that have pleaded, and both accused and defended beefore
Judges most eloquentlye? Of handicraftes, longe it were
to reherse, neither is it needfull to make any rehersall
therof. If then in the esentiall substance the man is no
more perfect then the woman, nor yet in the Accidentes
(and of this beeside reason, the experiences are seene) I
wote not wherein this his perfection shoulde consist. And
bicause you saide that Natures entent is alwaies to bring
furth thinges most perfect, and therefore if she could, would
alwayes bringe furth a man, and that the bringing a woman
furth is rather a default and slackenesse of nature, then her
entent, I answere you that this is ful and wholly to be denied, neither
can I see whie you maye saye that nature
entendeth not to bring furth women, without whom
mankind can not be preserved, wherof nature herself is more
desirous then of anye thinge elles, bicause through the
meanes of this felowship of male and female she bringeth
furth children, that restore the received benifites in their
chldhood to their fathers in their old dayes, in that they
nourishe them: afterwarde they renue them, in beegettinge
them selves also other children, of whom they looke in their
old age to receive it, that beeing yonge they beestowed
uppon their fathers: wherby nature (as it were) tourning
her about in a circle, fulfilleth an everlastingnesse, and in
this wise geveth an immortalitie to mortall men. Sins then
to this, the woman is as needefull as the man, I can not
discern for what cause the one is made by hap more then
the other. Truth it is that Nature entendeth alwaies to
bringe furth matters most perfect, and therfore meaneth to
bring furth man in his kinde, but not more male then
female. Yea were it so that she alwayes brought furth
male, then shoulde it withoute peraventure be an
unperfectnesse: for like as of the bodye and of the soule there
arriseth a compounde more nobler then his partes, whiche
is, man: even so of the felowshippe of male and female
Women have acheved great enterprises.
Women learned.
In
philosophie.
In poetrie.
In Rhetoricke.
there arriseth a compounde preservinge mankinde, without which the
partes wer in decaye, and therfore male
and female by nature are alwaies together, neither can
the one be without the other: right so he ought not
to be called the male, that hath not a female (accordinge
to the definition of both the one and the other)
nor she the female that hath not a male. And for
somuch as one kinde alone betokeneth an imperfection, the
divines of olde time referr both the one and the other
to God: wherfore Orpheus said that Jupiter was both
male and female: and it is read in Scripture that God
facioned male and female to his likeness. And the Poetes
manie times speaking of the Goddes, meddle the kindes
together.
Male can not be without female.
Then the L. Gaspar: I woulde
not (quoth he) we should
entre into these subtill pointes, for these women will not
understande us. And albeit I answere you with verie good
reasons, yet will they beleave, or at the leaste make wise to
beleave that I am in the wrong, and furthwith will geve
sentence as they lust. Yet sins we are entred into them, only
this will I saye, that (as you know, it is the opinion of most
wise men) the man is likened to the Fourme, the woman to the Mattier:
and therfore as the Fourme is perfecter then
the Mattier, yea it giveth him his beeing, so is the man
much more perfect then the woman. And I remember that
I have heard (whan it was) that a greate Philosopher in
certein Problemes of his saith: Whens commeth it that
Mattier. Aristot. i. Physic. xviii.
naturally the woman alwaies loveth the man, that hath bine
the first to receive of her, amorous pleasures? And
contrariwise the man hateth the woman that hath bine the
first to coople in that wise with him? and addinge therto
the cause, affirmeth it to be this: For that in this act, the
woman receyveth of the man perfection, and the man of the
woman imperfection: and therfore everie man naturallye
loveth the thinge that maketh him perfect: and hateth that
maketh him unperfect. And beeside this a great argument
of the perfection of the man, and of the imperfection of
the woman, is, that generallye everye woman wisheth she were a
man, by a certein provocation of nature, that teacheth her
to wishe for her perfection.
Fourme.
The L. Julian answered sodeinlye: The seelie poore creatures wish not to be a man to make them more perfect, but to have libertye, and to be ridd of the rule that men have of their owne authoritie chalenged over them. And the similitude which you give of the Mattier and Fourme, is not alike in everye point: bicause the woman is not made so perfect by the man, as is the Mattier by the Fourme, for the Mattier receiveth his beeinge of the Fourme, and can not stande without it: yea the more Mattier Fourmes have, the more imperfection they have withall, and severed from it, are most perfect: but the woman receiveth not her beeinge of the man, yea as she is made perfect by the man, so doeth she also make him perfect: wherby both the one and the other come together to beegete children: the whyche thinge they can not do any of them by them selves. The cause then of the continuall love of the woman towarde the first that she hath bine with, and of the hatred of the man towarde the first woman, I will not affirme to be that youre Philosopher alleageth in his Problemes, but I impute it to the surenesse and stablenesse of the woman, and waveringe of the man, and that not without naturall reason: for sins the male is naturallye hott, by that qualitie he taketh lightnesse, stirring and unstedfastnes, and contrariwise the woman throughe colde, quietnesse, steadie waightinesse, and more earnest imprintinges.
Then the L. Emilia tourninge her to the L. Julian: For love of God (quoth she) come once out of these your Mattiers and Fourmes and males and females, and speake so that you maye be understoode: for we have heard and very well understoode the ill that the L. Octavian and the L. Gaspar have spoken of us: but sins we understande not nowe in what sort you stand in our defence, me thinke therfore that this is a straiynge from the pourpose, and a leavinge of the yvell imprintinge in everye mans minde that these our ennemies have given of us.
Give us not this name, answered the L. Gaspar, for more meter it were for the L. Julian, whiche in givinge women false prayses, declareth that there are none true for them.
The L. Julian saide then: Doubt ye not (madam) all shall be answered to. But I will not raile upon men so without reason, as they have done upon women. And if perchaunce there were any one here that meant to penn this our talke, I wolde not that in place where these Mattiers and Fourmes were understoode, the argumentes and reasons which the L. Gaspar alleageth against you shoulde be seen unanswered to.
I wote not, my L. Julian, quoth
then the L. Gaspar,
howe in this you can denie, that the man is not throughe
his naturall qualities more perfect then the woman, whiche
of complexion is colde and the man hott, and muche more
nobler and perfecter is heate then colde, bicause it is active
and furth bringinge: and (as you know) the element poureth
downe here emonge us onlye heate, and not colde, which
perceth not the wookes of nature: and therfore bicause
Heate. Women cold of complexion.
women are colde of complexion, I thinke it is the cause of
their feinthertednesse and fearfulnesse.
Heat muche perfecter then colde.
Why the woman is more temperate then the man.
Will you still, answered the L.
Julian, entre into subtill
ointes? you shall perceive your self at everye time to come
into a greater pecke of troubles: and that it is so, herken
to. I graunt you, that heat in it self is more perfect then
colde, but this foloweth not in meddled matters and
compounded, for in case it were so, the body that were most
hot should be most perfect: whiche is false, bicause temperate bodies
be most perfect. I do you to weete moreover,
that the woman is of complexion colde in comparason of
the man: which for overmuch heat is far wide from temper:
but as touching herself, she is temperate, or at the least
neerer to temper than the man, bicause she hath that
moisture within her of equall portion with the natural heat,
which in the man through overmuch drouth doth sooner
melt and consume away. She hath also suche a kinde of
colde that it resisteth and comforteth the naturall heate,
and maketh it neerer to temper, and in the man overmuch
heat doth soone bring the natural warmth to the last degree,
the which wanting nourishment, consumeth away: and
therfore, bicause men in generacion sooner waxe dry then
women, it happeneth oftentimes that they are of a shorter
lief. Wherfore this perfection may also be geven to women,
that living longer then men, they accomplish it, that is the
Fearfulnesse in women. Heady persons.
entent of nature more then men. Of the heat that the
element poureth downe upon us, we talke not now, bicause
it is diverse in signification to it which we entreat upon:
the which sins it is nourisher of all thinges under the sphere
of the moone aswell hott as colde, it can not be contrarye
to colde. But the fearfulnes in women although it
beetokeneth an imperfection, yet doth it arrise of a praiswoorthie
cause, namely the subtilnes and readines of the
spirites, that convey spedely the shapes to the understanding,
and therfore are they soone out of pacience for outward
matters. Full well shall you see many times some men,that dread neither
death nor any thing els, yet are they not for all that to be called
hardy, bicause they know not the
daunger, and goe furth like harbraines where they see the
way open, and cast no more with them selves, and this
proceadeth of a certein grosnes of the dulled spirites:
therfore a fond person can not be said to be stoutherted,
but verie courage in deede commeth of a propre advisement and
determined will so to doe, and to esteame more a mans
honestie and dutye, then all the perils in the worlde, and
althoughe he see none other waye but death, yet to be of so
quiet an hert and minde that his senses be not to seeke nor
Men sooner drie then women.
The perfection of women above men.
amased, but do their duty in discoursing and beethinkinge,
even as though they were most in quiet. Of this guise and
maner we have seene and heardsay many great men to be,
likewise manie women, which both in olde time and presentlie
have showed stoutenes of courage, and brought matters to
passe in the world woorthie infinite praise, no lesse then
menne have done.
Courage.
Eve.
Then said Phrisio: These matters beegan, whan the first woman in offending made others to offend also against God, and for inheritance left unto mankinde death, afflictions, sorowes, and all other miseries and calamityes, that be felt nowe adayes in the worlde.
The L. Julian answered: Sins
you will also farther youre
pourpose with entringe into scripture, doe you not knowe
that the same offence was in like maner amended by a woman? Whiche hath
profited muche more then she hindred
us, so that trespace acquited with so woorthye a deede,
is counted most happye. But I pourpose not now to tell
Religious men.
you, how much in dignitie all creatures of mankinde be
inferiour to the virgin our Ladye, for meddlinge holye matters
with these our fonde reasoninges: nor reherse howe manye
women with infinite stedfastnes have suffred cruell death
under Tirannes for the name of Christ: nor them that with
learninge in disputacion have confuted so manye Idolatrers.
And in case you will answere me, that this was a miracle
and the grace of the holy ghost, I say unto you that no
vertue deserveth more praise, then that which is approved
by the testimonie of God. Manye other also of whom there
is no talke, you your self may looke upon, expecially in
readinge Saint Hierom, which setteth out certein of his
time with such wonderfull prayses, that they might suffise
the holyest man that can be. Imagin then how many there
have bine of whom there is no made no mention at all: bicause
the seelie poore soules are kept close without the pompous
Our Lady.
pride to seek a name of holinesse emong the people, that
now a dayes many men have, accursed Hypochrites, which
not minding, or rather setting smalle store bye, the doctrine
of Christ, that willeth a man whan he fasteth, to annoint
his face, that he may appeere not to faste, and commaundeth
prayer, almes deedes, and other good woorckes, to be done,
not in the markett place, nor Sinagoges, but in secrete, so
that the left hande knowe not of the right, they affirme no
treasure in the world to be greater, then to give a good
example, and thus hanging their head aside and fastning
their eyes upon the grounde, spreadinge a report about, that
they will not once speake to a woman, nor eate anye thinge
but raw herbes, smokye, with their side garmentes all to
ragged and torne, they beeguile the simple: but for all that,
they abstaine not from falsifiynge willes, sowinge mortall
hatred beetweene man and wief, and otherwhile poison:
usinge sorcery, inchauntmentes and al kinde of ribaldrie,
and afterward alleage a certein authoritie of their owne
heade, that saith: Si non caste, tamen caute, and
with this
weene to heale everye greate sore, and with good reason to
perswade hym that is not heedefull that God forgiveth soone
all offences how heynous ever they be, so they be kept close
and no ill example arriseth of them. Thus with a veile of
holinesse, and this mischevous devise, manie times they
tourne all their thoughtes to defile the chaste minde of some
woman, often times to sowe variance beetweene brethren, to
governe states, to set up the one and plucke downe the
other, to chop of heades, to imprison and banish menne, to
be ministers of the wickednesse, and (in a maner) the storers
and hoorders up of the robberies that many Princes commit.
Other past same delite to seeme delicate and smothe, with their croune
minionlye shaven, and well clad, and in their
gate lift up their garment to show their hose sit cleane, and
the handsomnesse of person in makinge courtesie. Other
use certein bye lookes and gestures even at masse, whiche
they houlde opinion beecome them wel, and make men to
beehoulde them: mischeevous and wicked menne, and cleane
voide not onlye of all religion but of all good maner. And
whan their naughty lief is laide to them, they make a Jest
at it, and give him a mocke that telleth them of it, and (as
it were) count their vises a prayse.
S. Hierom.
Then said the L. Emilia: Suche delite you have to speake yll of Friers, that ye are fallen into this talke without all pourpose. But you commit a great offence to murmur against religious persons, and without any profit ye burden youre conscience: for were it not for them, that they pray unto God for us, we shoulde yet have far greater plages then we have.
Then laughed the L. Julian and said: Howe gessed you so even (Madam) that I spake of Friers, sins I named them not? But forsooth this that I saye, is not called murmuringe, for I speake it plaine and openlye. And I meane not the good, but the bad and wicked, of whom I have not yet spoken the thousandeth part of that I know.
Speake you not now of Friers, answered the L. Emilia: for I thinke it (for my part) a greevous offence to give eare to you, and for hearing you any more, I will get me hens.
I am well pleased,
quoth the L.
Julian, to speake no more
of this. But to retourn to the prayses of women, I saye
that the L. Gaspar shall not finde me out any notable man,
but I will finde his wief or sister or daughter of like merite
and otherwhile above him. Beeside that, manie have bine
occasion of infinite goodnesse to their men, and sometime
broken them of manye erroures. Therfore sins women are
(as we have declared) naturallye as apt for the selfe same
vertues, as men be, and the proof therof hath bine often
seene, I wote not whye, in givinge them that is possible
they maye have and sundrie times have had and still have,
I ought to be deemed to speake wonders, as the L. Gaspar
hathe objected against me: consideringe that there have ever bine in
the worlde and still are, women as nigh the
woman of the Palaice whom I have facioned, as men nigh
the man whom these Lordes have facioned.
Women not inferiour to men.
Then said the L. Gaspar: those reasons that have experience against them (in my minde) are not good. And ywisse, yf I shoulde happen to aske you what these great women are or have bine, so worthy praise, as the great men whose wives, sisters, or daughters they have bine, or that have bine occasion of anye goodnesse, or such as have broken them of their erroures, I beleave it woulde combre you shreudlye.
Surely, answered the L. Julian,
none other thinge coulde
combre me, but the multitude of them: and if time served
me, I woulde tell you to this pourpose the Hystories of
Octavia wief to Marcus Antonius and sister to Augustus.
Of Porcia daughter to Cato and Wief to Brutus. Of Caia
Cecilia wief to Tarquinius Priscus. Of Cornelia daughter
to Scipio, and of infinite other, which are most knowen.
And not onelye these of oure Countrey, but also Barbariens,
as that Alexandra whiche was wief to Alexander Kinge of
the Jewes, who after the death of her husbande, seeinge the
people in an uprore, and alreadye runn to weapon to slea
the two chidren whiche he had left beehinde hym, for a
revenge of the cruell and streict bondage that their father had alwayes
kept them in, she so beehaved herselfe, that
sodeinlye she asswaged that just furye, and in a moment,
with wisdome made those myndes favourable to the children,
whyche the father in manye yeeres with infinit injuries had
made their most ennemies.
Octavia.
Porcia.
Cecilia.
Cornelia.
Alexandra.
Egesipp. lib. 1. cap. 12.
Tell us at the leaste, answered the L. Emilia, howe she dyd.
The L. Julian saide: she
perceiving her children in so
great a jeopardye, immediatlye caused Alexanders bodye to
be caste oute in into the middes of the markett place: afterwarde
calling unto her the Citizins, she said, that she knewe
their mindes were set on fire wyth moste juste furye againste
her husbande: for the cruell injuries whiche he wickedlye
had done them, deserved it: and even as whan he lyved, she
dyd her best alwayes to withdrawe hym from so wicked a
lief, so nowe she was readie to make a triall therof, and to
helpe them to chastise him even deade, asmuch as she might,
and therfore should take that bodye of his and give it to be
devoured of Dogges, and rente it in peeces in the cruellest maner they
coulde imagin. But yet she desired them to
take pity uppon the innocent chyldren, that coulde not
onelye be in no fault, but not so muche as weettynge of
their fathers yll doynges. Of such force were these woordes,
that the ragynge furye once conceyved in all that peoples
myndes was sodainlye asswaged, and tourned into so tender
an affection, that not onelye with one accorde they chose
those children for their heades and rulers, but also to the
deade corps they gave a most honourable buryall.
She asswaged the furye of the people.
Here the L. Julian made a
little pause, afterwarde he proceaded: Knowe you not that Mithridates
wyef and
Systers showed a farre lesse feare of death, then Mithridates
Harmonia Obstinacie called stedfastnesse.
him selfe? And Asdruballes wief, then Asdrubal himselfe?
Know you not that Harmonia daughter to Hiero the
Syracusan, woulde have died in the burninge of her Countrye?
Laodice.
Then Phrisio: Where obstinacye is bent, no doubt (quoth he) but otherwhile ye shall find some women that will never chaunge pourpose, as she that coulde no lenger call her husbande pricklouse, with her handes made him a signe.
The L. Julian laughed and said:
Obstinacy that is bent
to a vertous ende, ought to be called stedfastnesse, as in
Epicharia a libertine of Roome, which made privie to a
great conspiracie against Nero, was of such stedfastnesse,
that beeinge rent with all the most cruell tormentes that
Leena bitt in sunder her tunge and spitt it
in the face of Hippias the Tiran. Plin. Lib. 34. cap.8.
could be invented, never uttred any of the partners: and
and in the like perill manie noble gentilmen and Senatours
fearfullly accused brethren, friendes, and the deerest and
best beloved persons to them in the worlde. What saye
you of this other, called Leena? In whose honoure the
Athenians dedicated before the castle gate a lionesse of
mettall without a tunge, to betoken in her the steady
vertue of silence. For she beeinge in like sort made privie
to a conspiracy againste the Tirannes, was not agast at
the death of two great men her friendes, and for all she
was torne with infinite and moste cruell tormentes, never
disclosed any of the conspiratours.
Epicharia.
Then saide the L. Margaret Gonzaga: Me seemeth that ye make to breef rehersall of these vertuous actes done by women. For although these our ennemies have heard them and read them, yet they make wise not to knowe them, and would faine the memorye of them were loste. But in case ye will doe us to understande them, we will at the least honour them.
Then answere the L. Julian:
With a good will. Now
wil I tell you of one, that did suche a deede as I beeleave the
L. Gaspar himself will confesse that verie fewe menne doe.
And beegane. In Massila there was in times past an
usage, whiche is thought came out of Greece: and that was,
that openlye there was poyson layed up meddled wyth
Cicuta, and it was lefull for him to take it that alleaged to
the Senate that he ought to be rid of his lief for some
discommoditie that he felt therin, or elles for some other juste
cause: to the entent that who so had suffered to much
adversitie or tasted over great prosperitie, he might not
continue in the one, or chaunge the other. In the presence
therfore of Sextus Pompeius-&nobr;-&nobr;-&nobr;-
Cicuta a venimous herbe horrible of savour,
one kinde
whereof is supposed to be hemlocke.
Here Phrisio not tariynge to have the L. Julian proceade farther: This me seemeth (quoth he) is the beeginninge of some longe tale.
Then the L. Julian tourninge him to the L. Margaret, said: See, Phrisio will not suffre me to speake. I would have toulde you now of a woman, that after she had showed the Senate that she ought of right to die, glad and without any feare, tooke in the presence of Sextus Pompeius the poyson with such stedfastnesse of minde and with such wise and loving exhortations to hers, that Pompeius and all the rest that beeheld in a woman suche knowleage and stedinesse in the tremblinge passage of death, remayned (not without teares) astonied with great wonder.
Then the L. Gaspar smiling: And I again remember (quoth he) that I have read an Oration, wherin an unfortunate husband asketh leave of the Senate to die, and alleageth that he hath a just cause, for that he can not abide the continuall weerisomnes of his wives chattinge, and had leiffer drinke of that poison which you say was laied up openly for these respectes, then of his wives scoldinges.
The L. Julian answered: How many seelie poore women should have a just cause to aske leave to die, for abidinge, I will not say the yll woordes, but the most yvell deedes of their husbandes? For I know of some my self, that in this worlde suffre the peines which are said to be in hell.
Bee there not againe, trow you, answered the L. Gaspar, manye husbandes that are so tourmented with their wives, that everye hour they wishe for death?
And what displeasure, quoth the L. Julian, can women doe their husbandes, that is so without remedy, as those are which husbandes do their wives? which though not for love, yet for feare are obedient to their husbandes.
Sure it is in deede, quoth the L. Gaspar, that the litle they do well otherwhile, commeth of feare, for fewe there are in the world that secretlye in their minde hate not their husbandes.
Nay, cleane contrarye, answered the L. Julian: and in case you will remembre what you have read, it is to be seene in all Histories, that alwaies (in a maner) wives love their husbandes better than they their wives. Whan have you ever seene or read that a hasbande hath showed such a token of love towarde his wief, as did Camma towarde her husbande?
I wote not, answered the L. Gaspar, what she was, nor what token she showed.
Nor I, quoth Phrisio.
The L. Julian answered: Give
eare. And you (my L.
Margaret) looke ye beare it well awaye. This Camma was
a most beawtifull yonge woman, indowed with suche modestie
and honest condicions, that no lesse for them, then for her
beawty she was to be wondred at: and above other thinges
with all her hert she loved her husband, who had to name
Synattus. It happened that an other Gentilman of greater
authoritie then Synattus, and (in a maner) head ruler and
Tirann of the Citie where they dwelled, fell in love with
this yonge woman: and after he had longe attempted by all
wayes and meanes to compasse her, and all but loste labour beethinkinge
himselfe that the love she bore her husbande,
was the onlye cause that withstood his desires, he caused
this Synattus to be slayne. Thus instant upon her afterwarde
continuallye, other frute coulde he never gete of her,
then what he had beefore. Wherfore this love daily
encreasinge, he was fullye resolved to take her to wief, for all
in degree she was muche inferiour to him. So suite beeinge
made to her friendes by Sinoris (for so was the lover named)
they tooke in hande to perswade her to be contented wyth
it: declaring that to agree therto, was verye profitable,
and to refuse it, perilous for her and them all. She after
she had a while gainsaied them, at length made answere
that she was contented. Her kinsfolke brought this tidinges
to Sinoris, which passing measure glad, gave order to have
this mariage made out of hande. After they were then both come for this
pourpose solemnlye into the Temple of
Diana, Camma had caused to be brought to her a certein
sweet drinke whiche she had made, and so beefore the image
of Diana in the presence of Sinoris she dranke the one
moitie. Afterwarde, with her owne hand (for this was the
usage in mariages) she gave the remaine to the bridegrome,
whiche dranke it cleane up. Camma assone as she sawe her
device take effect, kneeled her downe verye joyfull before
the image of Diana, and said: Oh Goddesse, thou that
knowest the bottome of my hert, be a good witnesse to me,
howe hardlye after my deere husbande deceased, I have
refreined from killinge my selfe, and what peines I have
susteined to endure the greef to live in this bitter lief, in
whiche I have felt none other joye or pleasure, but the hope
of the revenge whiche I perceyve nowe is come to effect.
Therfore wyth gladnesse and contentation I go to finde out
the sweete companye of that soule, whiche in lyef and death
I have alwayes more loved then mine owne selfe. And thou
Caytif, that weeneddest to have bine my hubande, in steade
of a mariage bed, give ordre to prepare thee a grave, for of
thee do I here make a sacrifice to the shadowe of Synattus.
Synoris amased at these woordes, and alreadye feelynge the
operation of the poyson within him that put him to great
peine, proved many remedies, but all prevayled not. And
Camma had fortune so favourable on her side, or what ever
els, that beefore she died, she had knowleage that Sinoris
was deade. Whan she hearde of that, with verye great
contentation she layed her upon her bed, with her eyes to
heaven, continuallye callynge upon the name of Synattus,
and saying Oh most sweete mate, sins nowe I have bestowed
for the last tokens upon thy death, both teares and revenge,
and perceive not that I have anye thinge yet beehinde to
doe for thee here, I flee the world and this without thee a
cruell lief, which for thy sake onlye in times past was dere
to me. Come therefore and meete me (oh my Lorde) and
embrace as willinglie this soule, as she willinglye commeth
to thee. And speakinge these woordes, and with her armes spred, as
thoughe she woulde at that instant have embraced him, died. Say nowe
Phrisio, what thinke you by this?
An example of the true love of a wief toward
her husbande.
Plutarc.
Phrisio answered: Me thinke you woulde make these Ladies weepe. But let us sett case this was true, I say unto you that we finde no more such women in the worlde.
The L. Julian saide: Yes, that
there be, and that it is so,
give eare. In my dayes there was in Pisa a gentilman whose
name was M. Thomas, of what house, I remember not, for
all I heard my father often times tell it, which was his great
friend. This M. Thomas then, passinge upon a daye in a
litle vessell from Pisa towarde Sicilia about his affaires, was
overtaken with certein foistes of Moores, that were on the
backe of him unawares and beefore the governours of the
vessell had espied them. And for all the men within,
defended them selves well, yet bicause they were but fewe
and the ennemies manie, the vessell with as manie as were on
borde was taken by the Moores, some hurt, some whole, as
fell to their lotte, and emonge them M. Thomas, whiche
had played the man and slaine with his owne hande a
brother of one of the Capitaines of those foystes: for
which matter the Capitain full of wrathe, as you maye conjecture by the
losse of his brother, woulde have him for his
prisoner, and beatinge and buffetinge him daily, brought
him into Barbary, where in great misery he determined to
kepe him alive his captive and with muche drugerye. All
the rest, some one waye, some an other, within a space were
An other example of fressher yeeres.
Thomaso Lucchese.
at libertye, and retourned home, and brought tidinges to
his wief, called M. Argentin, and children, of the hard lief
and great affliction which M. Thomas lived in, and was like
without hope to live in continuallye, onlesse God wonderfullye
helped him. The which matter whan she and they
understoode for a certaintie, attemptinge certein other
wayes for hys deliveraunce, and where he himselfe was
fullye resolved to ende his lief, there happened a carefull
affection and tender pitie so to quicken the witt and courage
of a sonne of his called Paul, that he had respect to no kind of
daunger, and determined eyther to die or to deliver his
father. The which matter he brought to passe and with
suche privie conveiaunce, that he was first in Ligurno
beefore it was knowen in Barbarye that he was parted thens.
Here hens M. Thomas (beeinge arrived in safetye) writ to
his wief, and did her to weete his settinge at libertie, and
where he was, and how the next daye he hoped to see her.
The honest Gentilwoman filled with so great and sodeine
joye, that she shoulde so shortlye aswell throughe the zeale
as prowesse of her sonne, see her hubande whom she loved
M. Argentin.
so much, where she once surelye beleaved never to have seen
him again, after she had read the letter she lifted her eyes
to heaven and calling upon the name of her husbande, fell
starke dead to the grounde, and with no remedie done to her,
did the the departed soule retourn to the body again. A cruell
sight, and inoughe to temper the willes of men and to
withdrawe
them from covetinge to ferventlye superfluous joyes.
Inordinate affection.
Then said Phrisio smilinge: What know you whether she died for sorowe or no, understanding her husbande was comminge home?
The L. Julian answered: Bicause the rest of her lief was nothinge agreeable therto. But I weene rather the soule could not tary the lingering to see him with the eyes of her bodye, and therfore forsooke it, and drawen out thens with covetinge, fled by and by where in readinge the letter, her thought was fled.
The L. Gaspar said: It may be that this woman was overloving, bicause women in everie thinge cleave alwayes to the extremitie, which is yll. And see, for that she was overloving, she did yll to herselfe, to her husbande and to her children, in whom she tourned into bitternesse the pleasure of that daungerous and desired libertie of his. Therfore you ought not to alleage her for one of the women, that have bine the cause of so great goodnesse.
The L. Julian answered: I
alleage her for one of them
that make trial that there are wives whiche love their
husbandes. For of such as have bine occasion of great profittes
in the world I coulde tell you of an infinite number, and
reherse unto you so auntient, that welnighe a man wolde
judge them fables. And of suche as emong men have bine
the inventors of such kinde of matters, that they have
deserved to be deemed Goddesses, as, Pallas, Ceres, the
Sybilles, by whose mouth God hath so oftentimes spoken
and discovered to the world matters to come. And such as
have taught verye great men, as Aspasia, and Diotima the
which also with sacrifice drove of a plague tenn yeeres that
shoulde have fallen in Athens. I coulde tell you of Nichostrata
mother to Evander, whiche showed the Latins their
letters. And of an other woman also that was maistres to
Pindarus Liricus. And of Corinna and Sappho, which were
most excellent in Poetrie: but I wil not seeke matters so
far of, I say unto you that leaving the rest apart, of the
greatnes of Roome perhappes women were a no lesse cause
then men.
Aspasia loved and taught the eloquent
Pericles Duke of Athens.
Nichostrata.
Hermione.
Corinna.
Sappho.
This quoth the L. Gaspar, were good to understande.
The L. Julian answered: Herken
to it then. After
Troye was wonn, manye Trojans, that in so great a destruction
escaped, fled some one way, some another: of whiche,
one part, that by manye Sea stormes were tossed and tumbled,
Roma. T. Tatius. Sp. Tarpeius daughter corrupted with money by
T. Tatius.
came into Italy the coost where the Tever entreth into
the Sea: so landing to provide for their necessaries, beegane
to goe a forraginge about the Countrie. The women that
taried beehinde in the shippes, imagined emonge themselves
a profitable divise, that shoulde make an ende of their
perilous and longe Seawandringe, and in steade of their lost
Countrey recover them a new. And after they had layed their heades
together, in the mens absence, they sett fire on
the shippes, and the firste that beegane this woorke was called
Roma. Yet standinge in feare of the mens displeasure that
were retiringe backe again, they went to meete with them,
and imbracing and kissing in token of good will, some their
husbandes, some their next a kinn, they asswaged that first
brunt: afterwarde they disclosed to them quietlye the
cause of their wittie enterprise. Wherfore the Trojans,
on the one side, for neede, and one the other for beeinge
courteiouslye receyved of the inhabtauntes, were very well
pleased with that the women had done, and there dwelled
with the Latins in the place where afterward was Roome.
And of this arrose the auntient custome emonge the
Romanes, that women meetinge their kinsfolke, kissed them.
Now ye see what a helpe these women were to give the
Women the cause of the greatnes of Roome.
Tiberis.
beeginninge to Roome. And the Sabine women were a no
lesse helpe to the encrease of it, then were the Trojane to
the first beeginning: for whan Romulus had purchased him
the generall hatred of al his neighboures, for the ravine that
he made of their women, he was assayled with warre on all
sides, the which for that he was a valiaunt man, he soone
rid his handes of with victorie: onlye the warr with the
Sabines excepted, which was verie sore, bicause Titus Tatius
kinge of the Sabines was verye puissant and wise. Wherupon
after a sore bickeringe beetweene the Romanes and
Sabines, with verie great losse on both sides, prepayrynge
for a freshe and cruell battaile, the Sabine women clad in
blacke, with their heare scattred and haled, weepinge,
comfortlesse,
without feare of weapons now bent to give the
onsett, came into the middes beetweene their fathers and
husbandes, beseachinge them not to fill their handes with
the bloode of their fatherinlawes and sonninlawes, and in
case it were so that they repined at this aliaunce, thei
should bend their weapons against them: for much better
it were for them to die, then to live widowes or fatherles
and brotherlesse, and to remembre that their children had
bine begotten of such as had slaine their fathers, or they
them selves of such as had slaine their husbandes. With
these pitifull waylinges, manie of them caried in their armes
their yonge babes, of whom some beegane alreadie to leuse
their tunge and seemed to call and sport with their graundfathers, unto
whom the women showinge furth their
nephewes and weeping, said: Beehoulde youre owne bloode
that is in such rage ye seeke to shed with youre owne handes.
Of suche force was in this case the affection and wisedome
of the women, that there was not onlye concluded beetwene
the two Kinges ennemies together, an indissoluble
frendship and league, but also (which was a more wonderfull
matter) the Sabines came to dwell in Roome, and of two
peoples was made one, and so did this accorde much
encrease the strength of Roome: thanked be the wise and
couragious women whiche were so rewarded of Romulus,
An auncient custome emonge the Romanes.
Women a helpe to the encrease of Roome.
that partinge the people into thirtie bandes, gave them the
names of the Sabine women.
30 curiæ
Here the L. Julian pausinge a while, and perceyvinge that the L. Gaspar spake not: Trowe you not (quoth he) that these women were occasion of goodnes to their men, and helped to the greatnesse of Roome?
The L. Gaspar answered: No doubt, they were woorthie much praise. But in case you woulde aswell tell the faultes of women, as their well doinge, you woulde not have kept hid, that in this warr of T. Tatius a woman betrayed Roome, and taught the ennemies the waye to take the Capitolium, wherby the Romanes were welnighe all undone.
The L. Julian answered: You
mention me one ill woman,
and I tell you of infinite good. And beeside the afore
named, I coulde applye to my pourpose a thousand other
examples of the profit done to Roome by women, and tell
you whie there was once a Temple buylded to Venus armata,
and an other to Venus calva, and howe the feast of
Fulvia.
Handmaydens was instituted to Juno, bicause the Handmaidens
once delivered Roome from the guiles of the ennemies. But
leavinge all these thinges a part, that couragious act for
discoveringe the conspiracye of Catalina, for whiche Cicero is
so praised, had it not cheeflye his beeginninge of a commune
woman, which for this may be said to have bin the occasion
of al the good that Cicero boasteth he did the commune
weale of Roome? And in case I had sufficient time, I would
(may happe) showe you also that women have oftentimes
corrected men of manye vices: (I feare me) my talke
hath alreadye bine overlong and combrous. Therfore sins
I have accordinge to my pour fulfilled the charge that
these Ladies have geven me, I meane to give place to him
that shall speake more woorthier matters to be heard, then
I can.
Venus armata.
Venus calva.
Then the L. Emilia: Do you not deprive (quoth she) women of the true praises due unto them. And remembre thoughe the L. Gaspar and perchaunce the L. Octavian to, heare you with noisomnesse, yet doe we and these other Lordes herken to you with pleasure.
Notwithstandinge the L. Julian
woulde there have
ended, but all the Lordes beegane to entreat him to speake.
Wherfore he saide laughinge: Least I should provoke
my L. Gaspar to be mine enemy any more then he is,
I will but breefly tell you of certein that come into my
minde, leavinge manye that I could recite unto you.
Afterward he proceaded: Whan Philipp Demetrius sonne,
was about the Citie of Scio, and had layed siege to it,
he caused to be be proclaymed, that what ever bondemen
woulde forsake the Citie and flee to him, he promised
them liberty and their maisters wives. The spite of
women for this so shamefull a proclamation was such,
that they came to the walles with weapon, and fought so
fierslye, that in a smalle time they drove Philipp awaye
with shame and losse, which the men could not do. These
selfe same women beeing with their husbandes, fathers
and brethren that went into banishment, after they came
into Leuconia, did a no lesse glorious act, then this was.
For the Erythreans that were there with their federates,
made warre against these Sciotis, which not able to houlde
out, came to accorde with composition to depart onlye in
their doblet and shirt out of the Citie. The women hearinge of this so
shamefull a composition, were muche offended,
revilinge them, that leavinge their weapons, they would
issue out like naked men emonge their ennemies. And
whan they made answere that it was alreadie so condicioned,
they willed them to carye their shield and speare, and leave
their clothes, and answere their ennemies that this was
their arraye. And in so doinge by their womens counsell,
they covered a greate part of the shame, which they coulde
not cleane avoide. Likewise whan Cirus had discomfitted
in battaile the armye of the Persians, as they rann awaye,
in their fleeinge they mett with their women without the
Philippus kinge of Macedonia sonne to
Demetrius.
gates, who comminge to them, saide: Whither flee ye you
cowardes? Entende ye perhappes to hide you in us from
whens ye came? These and suche like woordes the men
hearinge, and perceiving howe muche in courage they were
inferiour to their women, were ashamed of themselves, and
retourning backe again to their ennemies fought with them
a freshe and gave them the overthrowe.
The stout hert of women.
Whan the L. Julian had hitherto spoken, he stayed, and tourning him to the Dutchesse, said: Now (Madam) you will licence me to houlde my peace.
The L. Gaspar answered: It is time to houlde your peace, whan you knowe not what to saye more.
The L. Julian saide smiling: You provoke me so, that ye maye chaunce be occupied all night in hearing the praises of women. And ye shall understande of manye Spartane women that much rejoyced at the glorious death of their children: and of them that forsooke them or slue them with their owne handes whan they hard they used dastardlinesse. Again how the Saguntine women in the destruction of their Countrey, tooke weapon in hand against Hannibales souldiers. And how the armie of the Dutch men vanquished by Marius, their women not obteininge their suite to live free in Roome in service with the virgins vestalles, killed themselves everie one with their younge children. And a thousand mo that al auntient Histories are full of.
Then said the L. Gaspar: Tushe (my L. Julian) God woteth how these matters passed, for those times are so farr from us, that many lyes may be toulde, and none there is that can reprove them.
The L. Julian said: In case you
will measure in everye
time the woorthinesse of women with mens, ye shall finde
that they have never bine nor yet presently are any whit
inferiour to men. For leavinge apart those so auntient, if
ye come to the time whan the Gothes raigned in Italy, ye
shall finde that there was a queene emong them Amalasunta
that ruled a long while with marveilous wisdome. Afterward
Theolinda, queene of the Longobardes, of singular
vertue. Theodora Empresse of Greece. And in Italy
emong many other was a most singuler Lady the
Theolinda. Theodora. Countesse Matilda. Urbin. Mantua. Ferrara. Ann French Queene. L. Margaret.
Countesse Matilda, whose praises I leave to be toulde of
Count Lewis, bicause she was of his house.
Amalasunta.
Nay, quoth the Count, it is youre part, for you knowe it is not meete that a man shoulde praise his owne.
The L. Julian continued on: And
how many famous in
times past finde you of this most noble house of
Montefeltro? Howe manye of the house of Gonzaga, of Este
and Pij? In case we will then speake of the time present,
we shall not neede to seeke Examples far fett, for we have
them in the house. But I will not serve my pourpose with
them whom we see in presence, least ye should seeme for
courteisie to graunt me it, that in no wise ye can denye me.
And to goe oute of Italye, remembre ye, in oure dayes we
have seene Ann Frenche Queene a verye great Ladye, no
lesse in vertue then in State: and if in justice and mildenesse,
liberalitye and holynesse of lief, ye lust to compare
her to the Kinges Charles and Lewis (Whyche had bine
wyef to bothe of them) you shall not finde her a jott
inferiour to them. Beehoulde the Ladye Margaret daughter
to the Emperour Maximilian, whyche wyth great wysedome
and justyce hitherto hath ruled and still doeth her State.
But omitting all other, tell me (my L. Gaspar) what
king or what Prince hath there bine in our dayes, or yet
many yeeres beefore in Christendome, that deserveth to be
Praise of her.
compared to Queene Isabel of Spaine?
Isabel Queene of Spaine.
The L. Gaspar answered: Kinge Ferdinande her husbande.
The L. Julian saide: This will I not denie. For sins the Queene thought him a woorthie husbande for her and loved and observed him somuch, yt can not be said nay, but he deserved to be compared to her. And I thinke well the reputacion he gote by her was a no lesse dowerie then the kingdome of Castilia.
Nay, answered the L. Gaspar, I beleave rather of manie of kinge Ferdinandes actes Queene Isabel bore the praise.
Then saide the L. Julian: In
case the people of Spaine,
the Nobles, private persons, both men and women, poore
and rich, be not al agreed together to lye in her praise,
there hath not bine in our time in the world a more cleere
example of true goodnesse, stoutnesse of courage, wisdome,
religion, honestie, courtesie, liberalitie, to be breef, of all
vertue, then Queene Isabel. And where the renoume of
that Ladye in everie place and with all Nations is verye
great, they that lived with her and were present at all her
doinges, do all affirme this renoume to be spronge of her
vertue and desertes. And whoso will waye her actes, shall
soone perceive the truth to be so. For leavinge apart
infinite thinges that make triall of this, and might be
toulde, if it were our pourpose, everye man knoweth that in
the first beginninge of her reigne, she founde the greatest part of
Castilia possessed by great Astates: yet recovered
she the wholl again, so justly and in such sort that they
dispossessed themselves continued in a great good affection,
and were willing to make surrender of that they had in
possession. It is also a most knowen thinge with what
courage and wisedome she alwaies defended her realmes
from most puissant ennemies. And likewise to her alone
may be geven the honour of the glorious conquest of the
kingdome of Granada, whiche in so longe and sharpe a warr
against stubborne ennemies, that fought for their livelode,
for their lief, for their law, and to their weening in Goddes
quarrell, declared evermore with counsell and with her owne
person somuch vertue and prowesse, as perhappes in oure
time fewe Princis have had the stomake, not onelye to folowe
her steppes, but to envie her. Beeside this, all that knewe
her, report that there was in her suche a divine maner of
government, that a man woulde have weened that her will
onlye was almost inoughe to make everye man without any
more businesse, to do that he ought: so that scase durst a
man in his owne home and in secrete commit any thinge
that he suspected woulde displease her. And of this a
great part was cause the wonderfull judgement which she
had in knowinge and chousinge ministers meete for the offices
she entended to place them in. And so well could she
joigne the rigour of justice with the mildenesse of mercye
and liberalitie, that there was no good person in her dayes
that coulde complaine he had bine smallye rewarded, ne
anye yll, to sore punisshed. Wherfore emonge her people
toward her, there sprange a verie great reverence dirived of
love and feare, which in all mens mindes remayneth still
so settled, that a man woulde thinke they looked that she
should beehoulde them from heaven, and there above eyther
praise or dyspraise them. And therfore with her name, and
with the wayes which she ordeined, those Realmes are still
ruled, in wise that albeit her lief wanteth, yet her authoritie
lyveth, like a whiele that longe swynged about with violence,
keepeth the same course a good while after of it self,
Queen of Hungary. Dut. Isabel of Aragon. Isabel Marq. of Mantua. Dut. Beatrice of Millane. Dut. Elinor of Ferrara. Pisanes.
though no man move it anye more. Consider you beeside
this (my L. Gaspar) that in oure time all the great men of
Spaine and renowmed in what ever thinge, have bine made
by Queene Isabel. And the great Capitain Gonsalve
Ferdinande was more setbye for it, then for all his famous
victories and excellent and couragious actes, that in peace
and warr have made him so notable and famous, that in case
fame be not unkinde, she will for ever spred abrode to the
worlde his immortall prayses, and make proof that in oure
age we have had fewe Kinges or great Princis, that by him
have not bine surmounted in noble courage, knowleage and
all vertue. To retourn therfore to Italye, I saye unto you
that we have not wanted here also moste excellent Ladies.
For in Naples we have two Queenes, and not longe a go in
Naples likewyse died the other Queene of Hungarye, as
excellent a Ladye as you knowe anye and to be compared
well inoughe to the mightye and glorious kinge Mathew
Corvin her husbande. Likewise the Dutchesse Isabell of
Aragon most woorthie sister to kinge Ferdinande of Naples,
which as golde in the fire, so in the stormes of fortune hath
Ferdinando Gonsalvo.
she showed her vertue and prowesse. If you will come into
Lumbardy, you shall marke the Ladye Isabell marquesse of
Mantua, whose moste excellent vertues shoulde receyve great
wronge in speakinge of them so temperatelye, as whoso will
speake of them in this place must be driven to do. I am
sorye moreover that you all knew not the Dutchesse
Beatrice of Millane her sister, that you might never again
wonder at a womans wit. And the Dutches Elionor of
Aragon Dutches of Ferrara, and mother to both these
Ladies whom I have named, was such a one, that her
moste excellent vertues gave a good triall to all the worlde,
that she was not onlye a woorthie daughter to a kinge, but
also deserved to be a Queene over a farr greater State then
all her auncestours possessed. And to tell you of an other:
Howe manie menne knowe you in the worlde, woulde abide
the bitter strokes of fortune so pacientlye, as Queene Isabell
of Naples hath done? Whiche for all the losse of her
kingdome, banishment and deathe of kinge Fridericke her
husbande and two sonnes, and imprisonment of the Duke of
Calabria her eldest, yet still showeth her selfe a Queene:
Queenes of Naples.
and so beareth out the myserable inconveniences of wretched
povertie, that every man maye see, thoughe she hath
chaunged fortune, yet hathe she not altered condicion. I
omitt the naminge unto you of infinite other great Ladies,
and also women of low degree, as many Pisanes that in
defence of their countrey against Florentines, have declared
that noble courage without any feare of death, that the
most invincible courages coulde doe that ever were in the
worlde: wherfore certein of them have bine renowmed by
many noble Poetes. I coulde tell you of certein most
escellent in letters, in musicke, in peinctinge, in carvinge,
but I wil not any more go searching out emonge these
examples, whiche are most knowen to you all. It sufficeth
that if in youre myndes ye thinke upon women whom
you youre selves knowe, it shall be no harde matter for
you to understand, that they are not most commonlye in
prowesse or woorthinesse inferiour to their fathers, brethren
and husbandes: and that manye have bine occasion of goodnesse
to menne, and manie times broken them of manye of
their vices. And where presentlye there are not founde in
the worlde those great Queenes that go to conquer farr
Countreys, and make great buildinges, Piramides and Cities,
as Thomiris Queene of Scithia, Artemisia, Zenobia, Semiramis, or
Cloepatra, no more are there also men like unto
Cæsar, Alexander, Scipio, Lucullus, and the other noble
Romane Capitanes.
Queene Isabel of Naples.
Say not so, answered then
Phrisio laughing, for presently
there are more found like Cleopatra or Semiramis, then
ever there were. And thoughe they have not so many
Sardanapalus
a king in Assiria monstrous in all kinde of lecherie.
states, poures, and riches, yet there wanteth not in them
good wil to counterfeit them at the least in giving themselves to
pleasure, and satisfiying al their lustes asmuche as
they may.
These queenes gave themselves to all their
appetites.
The L. Julian said: You will ever Phrisio passe your boundes. But in case there be found some Cleopatres, there want not for them infinit Sardanapalles, whiche is much woorse.
Make not this comparason, quoth the L. Gaspar then, I beleave not that men are so incontinent, as women be: and where they were so, yet shoulde it not be woorse. For of the incontinencye of women arrise infinite inconveniences, that do not of mens. And therfore (as it was well said yesterday) they have wisely ordeined that it may be lawfull for them to be out of the way without blame in all other thinges, that they maye applye their force to kepe them selves in this one vertue of chastitie, without the which children were uncertein, and the bonde that knitteth all the world together by bloode and by the love that naturallye ech man hath to that is borne him, shoulde be lewsed. Therfore a wanton lief in women is lesse to be borne withall then in men, that carie not their children nine monthes in their bodye.
Then answered the L. Julian:
Doubtlesse these be pretie
argumentes that ye make, I merveile you put them not in
writinge. But tell me. For what cause is it ordained that
a wanton lief shoulde not be so shamefull a matter in men
as in women? Consideringe if they be by nature more
vertuous and of greater prowesse, they maye also the easelier
kepe themselves in this vertue of continencie: and children
should be no more nor lesse certein, for if women were geven
to wanton livinge, so men were continent, and consented not
Men have calenged a libertye.
to the wantonnesse of women, they emonge themselves and
without anye other helpe could not beare children. But if
you wil tel the troth, you your self know, that we have of
our owne authority claymed a libertie, wherby we will have
selfe same offences in us verye light and otherwhile woorthie
praise, and in women not sufficientlye to be punished, but
with a shamefull death, or at the least everlastinge sclaunder.
Therfore sins this opinion hath taken root, me thinketh it a
meete matter to punish them in like maner sharpely, that
with lyes bringe up a sclaunder upon women. And I
beleave that everie worthie gentilman is bounde to defende
alwaies with weapon, where neede requireth, the truth: and
especially whan he knoweth any woman falslye reported of
to be of litle honestie.
The wanton lief of men make women unchast.
And I, answered the L. Gaspar
smilinge, do not onlye
affirme to be everye worthye gentimans dutye that you
saye, but also take it for great courtesy and honestie to
cover some offence that by mishappe or overmuch love a
woman is renn into. And thus you may see that I am more on womens side,
where reason beareth me oute, then
you be. I denie not that men have taken a litle libertie,
and that bicause they know by the commune opinion,
that to them wanton living is not so sclanderous as
to women, which through the weaknes of their kinde,
are much more enclined to appetites, then men: and in
case they absteine otherwhile from satisfiynge their lustes,
they doe it for shame, not that will is not most readye
in them, and therfore have men layed uppon them feare
of sclaunder for a bridle, to keepe them (in a maner)
whether they will or no in this vertue, without the whiche
(to saye the trothe) they were litle to be set bye: for the
world hath no profit by women, but for gettinge of children.
But the like is not of men, which governe Cities, armies,
and doe so manye other waightye matters, the whiche (sin
you will so have it) I will not dispute, how women coulde
do, yt sufficeth they do it not. And whan it was meete
for men to make triall of their continencie, aswell howe
they passed women in this vertue, as in the rest, althoughe
you graunt it not. And about this, I will not reherse unto
you so many Histories or fables, as you have done, I remit
you to the continencie onlie of two most mightie personages,
youthfull and upon their victorye, whiche is wont to make
haute men of lowest degree. And the one is, the great
Alexander toward the most beawtiful women of Darius his
Carthago nova. The continency of Scipio toward
a yong Ladye betrothed to Allucius a lord among the Celtiberians.
ennemie and discomfited. The other, Scipio, unto whom
beeinge xxiiii. yeeres of age, and havinge wonn by force a
Citie in Spaine, there was brought a most beawtiful and
noble Damisell taken emonge manye other. And whan
Scipio understoode that she was affiansed to a Lorde of
the Countrey, he did not only absteine from all dishonest
act towarde her, but undefiled restored her to her husband
and a large gift withall. I coulde tell you of Xenocrates,
which was so continent, that a most beawtifull woman lyinge
naked by his side and dalying with him and using all the
wayes she coulde (in which matters she was verie well
practised) she had never the pour to make him once showe
the least signe of wantonnesse, for all she bestowed a wholl
night about it. And of Pericles that did no more but heare
one prayse with overmuche earnetnesse the well favourednesse
of a boye, and he tooke him up sharplye for it. And
of manye other most continent of their owne free wil, and
not for shame or feare of punishment, that compelleth the
greatest part of women to kepe them selves upright in this
vertue, whiche notwithstandinge deserve much praise
withall: and whoso falsely bringeth up of them a sclanderous
report of uncleannesse of lyvinge, is worthie (as you have
said) very sore punishment.
The continencie of Alexander toward Darius
wief and daughters.
Q. Curt. lib. iii.
Xenocrates.
Pericles reprehended Sophocles for sayinge O
puerum pulchrum.
Then spake the L. Cesar whiche had helde his peace a good while: Judge you in what sort the L. Gaspar speaketh in the dispraise of women, whan these are the matters that he speaketh in their praise. But if the L. Julian will give me leave, that I maye in his steade answere him certein few matters, as touchinge where (in mine opinion) he hath falselye spoken against women, it shall be good for him and me bothe. For he shall rest him a while, and shall afterward the better go forwarde to speake of some other perfection of the Gentilwoman of the Palaice, and I shall have a good tourne that I have occasion to execute jointlye with him the dutie of a good knight, whiche is to defende the truth.
Mary I beseche you, answered the L. Julian: for me thinke I have alreadye fulfilled accordinge to my poure, that I ought, and this communication nowe is out of the pourpose that I went about.
The L. Cesar then beegane: I
will not nowe speake of
the profit that the worlde hath by women beeside the
bearinge of children, for it is well inoughe declared howe
necessarye they be, not onlye to be oure beeinge, but also to
oure well beeinge. But I saye (my L. Gaspar) that in case
they be as you affirme more inclined to appetites, then men,
and notwithstanding absteine more then men (which you
your selfe graunt) they are so much the more woorthie
praise, as their kinde is lesse able to withstande naturall
appetites. And if you saye they do it for shame, I can not
see but for one vertue you give them two. For in case
Injurious persons to God and nature.
shame can doe more in them than appetite, and throughe it
refraine from ylldoynge, I esteame this shame (which in
conclusion is nothinge els but feare of sclaunder) a moste
sildome vertue and reigninge in verie fewe menne. And if
I coulde without infinite reproche to menne, tell howe manye
of them be drowned in unshamefastnesse and impudencye
(whiche is the vice contrarie to this vertue) I shoulde infect
these devoute eares that heare me. And for moste part
these kinde of injurious persons both to God and nature,
are menne wel stricken in yeeres, which professe some
preesthoode, some Philosophye, some divinitie, and rule
Commune weales with suche Catoes gravitie in countenance,
that it maketh an outwarde showe of all the honestye in the
worlde, and alwaies alleage woman kinde to be most incontinent, where
they at no time finde them selves more
agreeved, then at the want of their naturall lustynesse, that
they may satisfie their abominable desires, whiche still abide
in the minde after nature hath taken them from their bodye,
and therfore manye times find oute wayes, where force
preveyleth not. But I will not tell farther. It suffyceth
for my pourpose ye graunt that women absteine more from
uncleane livinge, then menne. And sure it is, that they are
not kept short with any other bridle, then what they put
upon them selves. And that it is true, the moste part of
them that be kept under with overstreict looking to, or
Shame.
beaten of their husbandes or fathers, are lesse chaste, then
they that have some libertye. But generallye a greate
bridle to women, is the zeale of true vertue and the desire of
good name, whyche manye that I have knowen in my dayes
more esteame, then their owne lief. And in case you wil
tell the troth, everie one of us hath seene most noble yonge
menne, discreete, wise, of prowes and welfavoured, spend
many yeeres in lovinge, sparinge for nothinge that might
entice, tokens, suites, teares: to be short, whatsoever may
be imagined, and all but lost labour. And if it might not be tould me
that my condicions never deserved I shoulde be
beloved, I would alleage my self for a witnesse, which more
then once throughe the unchangeable and overstedfaste
honestie of a woman was nighe deathes doore.
Zeale of true vertue and good report.
The L. Gaspar answered: Marveile you not therat, for women that are suid to, alwayes refuse to fulfill his request that suith to them, but those that are not suid to, sue to others.
The L. Cesar said: I never
knewe them that have bine
suid to by women, manye there be that perceivinge they
have attempted in vaine and spent their time fondlye, renn
to this noble revenge, and saye that they had plentie of
the thinge whiche they did but caste in their minde. And
to their weeninge, to report yll and to studye for inventions
how to bringe up sclaunderous tales of some woorthie
gentilwoman, is a kinde of Courtiers. But these kinde of
persons that knavishelye make their vaunt of anye woman
of price, be it true or false, deserve very sore correction and
punishment. And if it be otherwhile bestowed upon them,
it can not be saide howe muche they are to be commended
that do this office. For in case they tell lyes, what mischiefe can be
greater then to take from a woorthy woman
with guile the thinge which she more esteameth then her
lief? And no other cause, but that ought to make her
remowmed with infinite prayses. If again, it be true they
say, what peine can suffice so trayterous a person, that
rendreth suche ingratitude in recompence to a Gentilwoman,
whiche wonne with his false flattringes, feigned teares,
continuall suites, bewaylinges, craftes, deceites, and perjuries
hath suffred her selfe to be lead to love overmuche,
afterward without respect, hath given herselfe unheedfullie for a
praye to so wycked a spirit? But to answere you beeside to
this wonderful continencye of Alexander and Scipio which
you have alleaged, I saye, that I will not denie but eche of
them did a deede woorthie much praise. Notwithstandinge
least ye should saye that in rehersinge to you auntient
matters, I toulde you fables, I will alleage a woman of oure
time of base degree, who notwithstandinge showed a farr
greater continency then anye of these two great astates. I
Sclaunderous persons of womens honesties.
say unto you therfore that I knewe once a welfavoured and
tender yonge woman, whose name I tell you not, for givynge
matter to manye leude persons to report yll, whiche assone
as they understande a woman to be in love, make an yll
descantinge upon it. She therfore beloved of a woorthie
and faire condicioned yonge Gentilman, was bent with hert
and minde to love him. And of this not I alone, unto
whom of her owne accord she uttered trustfullye the wholl
matter, no otherwise then if I had bine, I will not say a
brother, but an inward sister of herres, but all that beehelde
herr in companye of the beloved yonge man, were well
weettinge of her passion. She thus ferventlye lovinge, as a
most loving minde coulde love, continued two yeeres in
suche contynencie, that she never made anye token to this
yonge man of the love that she bore him, but suche as she
coulde not hide from him. At no time she woulde speake
with him, nor receive any letters from him or tokens, where
there never passed daye but she was tempted with both the
one and the other. And howe she longed for it, that wote
I well, for yf otherwhile she coulde privilie gete anye thinge
that had bine the yonge mans, she was so tender over it,
that a manne woulde have thought that of it had spronge
her lief and all her joye. Yet woulde she never in so long
a time content him with other, then to beehoulde him and
be seene of him again, and somtime happening to be at open
feastes, daunce with him as she did with others. And
bicause there was no great difference in their degree, she
and the yonge man coveted that so great a love might have
a luckye ende, and be man and wief together. All the men
and women in the Citie desired the same, savinge her cruell
father, which of a weywarde and straunge opinion minded
to bestowe her upon an other more welthie. And this was
not by the unluckye mayden otherwise gainstoode, then with
most bitter teares. And after this unfortunate mariage was
concluded with great compassion of the people there, and
despaire of the poore lovers, yet did not this stroke of fortune
serve to roote up so grounded a love in the hert of ech other,
but lasted afterwarde the terme of three yeeres, albeit she
full wiselye dissembled it, and sought everye waye to cutt in
sunder those desires, whiche now were past hope. And in
this while she folowed on still in her set pourpose of
continencye, and perceivinge she could not honestly have him,
whom she worshipped in the world, she chose not to have
him at all, and continued in her wont not to accept messages,
tokens nor yet his lookes. And in this resolved determination
the seelie soule vanquished with most cruell affliction,
and wexed through longe passion verie feint, at the three
yeeres ende, died. Rather woulde she forgoo her contentacions and
pleasures so much longed for, finally her lief, then
her honestie. And yet wanted she no meanes nor wayes to
fulfill her desire most secretlye, and without perill either of
sclaunder or anye other losse. And for all that, refrained
she from the thinge of herselfe that she so muche coveted,
and for the whiche she was so continuallye attempted by the
person whom alone in the world her desire was to please.
And to this was she not driven for feare or anye other
An example of true continencye.
respect, but onlye for the zeale of true vertue. What will
you say of an other? that for sixe monthes almost nightlye
laye with a moste deere lover of herres, yet in a gardein full
of most savoury fruites, tempted with her owne most fervent
longinge and with the petitions and teares of him that was
moore deere to herr then her owne selfe, refrayned from
tastinge of them. And for all she was wrapped and tyed in
the streict chaine of those beloved armes, yet never yelded
she herselfe as vanquished, but preserved undefiled the floure
of her honestie. Trowe you not (my L. Gaspar) that these
be deedes of continencye alike to Alexanders? Whiche most
ferventlye inamored not with the women of Darius, but with
this renowme and greatnesse, that pricked him forwarde with
the spurres of glorye to abide peines and daungers to make
himself immortall, set at nought not onelie other thinges,
but hys owne lief, to gete a name above all men? and do we
marveile with suche thoughtes in his hert that he refrayned
from a thinge whiche he coveted not greatlye? for sins he
never sawe those women beefore, it is not possiible that he
shoulde be in love with them at a blushe, but rather
perhappes abhorred them for Darius his ennemies sake. And
in this case everie wanton act of his towarde them, had bine
an injurye and not love. And therfore no great matter if
Alexander, whiche no lesse with noblenes of courage then
marciall prowesse subdued the world, abstained from doing injury to
women. The continency in like case of Scipio is
An other example of a mayden.
doubtlesse much to be commended, yet if ye consider wel,
not to be compared to these two women: for he in like
maner also refrayned from a thing that he coveted not,
beeinge in his ennemies countrey, a fresh Capitain, in the
beeginning of a most weightie enterprise, leaving beehind
him in his Countrie such expectacion of himself, and having
beeside to give accompt to rigorous judges, that often times
chastised not only the great, but the least offences of al,
and emong them he wist well he had enemies, knowing also
if he had otherwise done, bicause she was a noble damsel
and espoused to a noble man, he should have purchased him
so many enemies and in such sort, that many wold have
driven of and perchaunce have set him cleane beeside his
victory. Thus for so many respectes and so weighty, he
absteined from a light and hurtfull appetite, in showing
continency and a freeherted welmeaning, the which (as it is
written) gote him all the hartes of that people: and an
other armie stood him in steade with favour to vanquish
mens hertes, whiche perhappes by force of armes had bine
invicible. So that this maye rather be termed a warlike
pollicie, then pure continencie: albeit beeside, the report
of this matter is not all of the purest, for some writers of
authoritie affirme that this Damsell was enjoyed of Scipio
in the pleasures of love: and of this I tell you ye maye
depose upon.
Scipio.
Phrisio said: Perhappes ye have founde it in the Gospell.
I have seene it my self,
answered the L. Cesar, and
Alcibiades was Socrates scholer the
welfavouredst yonge boy in al Athens. Xenocrates. Lais of Corinth. Olde men desyrous of wine.
therfore I have a much more certeintye of this, then you or anye
man els can have that Alcibiades arrose no otherwise from
Socrates bed then children do from their fathers beddes: for
to saye the truth, a straunge place and time was bed and
night to view with fixed minde the pure beawty which is said
Socrates loved without anye unhonest desire, especiallye
lovinge better the beawtie of the minde, then of the bodye:
but in boyes, not in old men, for all they were wiser. And
in good sooth a better example could not have bine pyked
out to praise the contenencie of men, then this of Xenocrates,
which occupied in his studye fastned and bound by his
profession, whiche is Philosophie, that consisteth in good
maners, and not in wordes, old, cleane, spent of his natural
lustinesse, nothinge able, no not in makinge profer to be
able, refrayned from a commune haunted woman, which
for the names sake might abhorr him. I woulde sooner
have beleaved he had bine continent, if he had declared
any token to have bine come to his right senses again, and
in that case have used continencie: or elles abstained from
the thinge which olde men covett more then the battailes
of Venus, namelye from wine. But to establishe well
continencie in olde age, it is written that he was full and
laden with it. And what can be saide to be more wider from
the contiencie of an olde man, then dronkennesse?
And in case the shonning of Venus matters in that slow and
colde age deserveth so much praise, how much should it
deseve in a tender mayden, as those two I have tould you of? Of whiche
the one most streictlye bridlinge all her
senses, not onlie denied her eyes their light, but also toke
from the hart those thoughtes, whiche alone had bine a moste
sweete foode a longe time to kepe him in lief. The other
ferventlye in love, beeinge so often times alone in the armes
of him whom she loved more a great deale then all the
world beeside, fightinge against her owne self and against him that was
more deere to her then her owne selfe,
overcame that fervent desire, that many times hath and doth
overcome so manie wise men. Trow ye not nowe (my L.
Gaspar) that writers may be shamed to make mention of
Xenocrates in this case, and to recken him for chaste?
where if a man coulde come bye the knowledge of it, I wold
lay a wager that he slept al that night until the next day
diner time, like a dead body buried in wine: and for all the
stirringe that woman made, coulde not once open his eyes,
as though he had bine cast into a dead slepe.
Cn. Noevius.
Val. Antiates.
Here all the men and women laughed, and the L. Emilia: Surelye, my L. Gaspar (quoth she) yf you will beethinke your selfe a little better, I beleave you shall finde out some other prety example of continencye alike unto this.
The L. Cesar answered: Is not
this other (thinke ye
Madam) a goodly example of continencye which he hath
alleaged of Pericles? I muse that he hath not aswell
called to rehersall the continencie and pretie saiyng that is
written of him that a woman asked to great a summ of for
one night, and he answered her, that he minded not to bye
repentence so deere.
Demosthenes answer to Lais of Corinth that
asked him xxiii. li.
for one night.
They ceased not laughinge, and
the L. Cesar after he
had stayed a while: My L. Gaspar (quoth he) perdon me, yf
I tell troth. For in conclusion these be the wonderful
continencies that men wite of themselves, accusinge women for
incontinent, in whom are dailye seene infinit tokens of
continencie. And certesse if ye ponder it aright, there is
no fortresse so impringable, nor so well fensed that beeinge
assaulted with the thousandeth part of the inginnes and
guyles that are practised to conquer the steadie mind of a woman, would
not yelde up at the first assault. How manye
trained up by great astates and enriched throughe them
and advaunced to great promotion, having in their handes
their fortresses, houldes and Castles, wherupon depended
their whol state, their lief and al their gooddes, without
shame or care to be named Traiters, have disloyallye given
Theeves. Prelates. Phisitiens.
them to whom they ought not? And would God in our
dayes there were suche scarcitie of these kinde of persons,
that we might not have much more a do to find out some
one, that in this case hath done that he ought, then to
name suche as have failed therin. See you not so many
other that daily wander about to kill men in thickettes, and
rovinge by sea, onlye to robb mens money? Howe manye
Prelates make marchaundise with the goodes of the Churche
of God? How manye Lawiers falsifie testaments? What
perjuries make they? How many false evidences, onlye
to gete money? How manye Phisitiens poison the diseased,
onlye for it? Howe manye again for feare of death do
most vile matters? And yet all these so stiff and hard
battayles doeth a tender and delicate yonge woman gainstande
manye times, for sundrye there have bine, that have
chose rather to dye then to lose their honesty.
Trayters.
Lawyers.
Then said the L. Gaspar: These (my L. Cesar) bee not, I beleave, in the world nowadayes.
The L. Cesar answered: And I
will not alleage unto
you them of olde time. But this I say, that manye might
be found out, and are daily, that in this case passe not for
death. And nowe it commeth into my mynde that whan
Capua was sacked by the French men (which is not yet so
longe since, but you may full well beare it in minde) a well
Ulturno.
favoured yong gentylwoman of Capua, beeinge lead out of
her house where she had bine taken by a companye of
Gascoignes, whan she came to the ryver that renneth by
Capua, she feigned to plucke on her shoe, insomuch that her
leader lett her goe a litle, and she streight waye threw herselfe
into the river. What will you saye of a poore Countrey
wenche, that not manye monthes ago at Gazuolo beeside
Mantua gone into the fielde a leazinge with a sister of
herres, sore a thirst entred into a house to drinke water,
where the good man of the house, that was yonge, seeinge
her meetlye welfavoured and alone, takynge her in his armes, firste
with faire woordes, afterwarde with threatninges
attempted to frame her to do his pleasure, and where
she strived still more obstinatelye, at length with manye
blowes and by force overcame her. She thus tossed and
sobbinge, retourned into the fielde to her sister, and for al
the instance that she made uppon her woulde never
disclose to herr what outrage she received in that house, but
still drawinge homewarde, and showinge herselfe apeaced by litle and
litle, and to speake without desturbance, she gave
her certein instructions. Afterward when she came to the
Olio, whiche is the
Examples of the chastitie of women.