Chapter IX: Part 9

Where the firste booke beegan with a Combate fought, and tried betweene two mighty Citties, for Principality, and Gouernement, the one hight Rome after called the head of the World (as some thinke by reason of a man's head found in the place where the Capitole did stand) the other Alba. To which Combat sixe Gentlemen of eyther city were appoyncted, and the victory chaunced to the Romayne side: In this second parte, in the Forefront, and first Nouell of the same, is described the beginninge, continuaunce and ende of a Woman's Common wealth (an History rare and straunge to the vnlearned, ignorant of the world's fickle ruled stay) which contented with the mighty Princes and puissant Potentates for defence of their kingdome, no lesse than the Carthaginians and Romaynes did for theirs. But as it is no wonder to the skilful that a whole Monarche, and kingdome should be intierly peopled with that Sexe: so to the not well trained in Histories, this may seeme miraculous. Wherefore not to staye thee from the discourse of those straunge and Aduenturous women, diuers be of diuers opinions for the Etimologie of the word: whereof amonges the Grætians be diuers iudgementes. These Amazones were most excellent warriers, very valiaunt, and without man's aduice did conquer mighty Countreyes, famous Cities, and notable Kingdomes, continuinge of longe time in one Seigniory, and gouernment. These people occupied and enioyed a great part of Asia. Som writers deuide them into two Prouinces, one in Scythia in the North part of Asia: other by the hill Imaus, which at this day is called the Tartarian Scythia, different from that which is in Europa: the other sort of the Amazones were in Libia a prouince of Africa. But because the common sort of Authors doe vnderstand the Amazones to be those of Asia, I meane to leaue of the difference. The Scythians were a warlike people, and at the beginninge of their kingdome had two kinges, by whom they were gouerned. Notwithstandinge the nature of dominion beinge of it selfe ambicious, cannot abide any companion or equall: which caused these two kinges to be at variaunce, and afterwards the matter grew to ciuill warres, wherein the one beinge Victor, two of the principal and chiefe of the contrary faction, called Plinius and Scolopithos, were banished with a great number of their adherentes, al which did withdraw themselues to the limits of Cappadocia in the lesser Asia, and in despite of the Countrey Pesantes, dwelled alonges the riuer of Thermodon, which entreth into the Sea Euxinum, otherwise called Pontus. And they beinge made Lordes of the countrey, and of the places adioyninge, raygned for certayne yeares, vntill the Peasantes and their confederates made a conspiracy agaynst them: and assemblinge by Pollicy, ouercame and sleewe theym all. The newes of theyr death knowen to their Wyues dwellinge in theyr countrey, caused them to conceiue great heauinesse, and dolor extreme: and although they were women, yet did they put on manly courage, and determined to reuenge the death of their husbandes, by puttinge theyr hands to weapons wherewithal they did exercise themselues very ofte: and that they might all be equall, and their sorrow common, they murdred certaine of their husbandes which remayned there, after the other were banished. Afterward beinge altogether, they made a great army, and forsooke their dwellinge places, refusinge the mariage of many suters: and arriuinge in the lande of their enemies (that made small accoumpt thereof, although foretolde of their approche) they sodaynly came vpon them vnprouided, and put them all to the sword. This beinge done, the women tooke the gouernment of the Countrey, inhabitinge at the beginninge alonge the Riuer of Thermodon, where their husbandes were slayne. And although many Authors do differ in the situation of the place where the Amazones did dwell, yet the truth is, that the beginning of their kingdome and of their Habitation was vppon that Riuer. But of their manyfolde conquestes, be engendred diuers opinions declared by Strabo, and others. They fortified themselues in those places, and wan other countreys adioyninge, choosinge amonge them two Queenes, the one named Martesia, and the other Lampedo. These two louingely deuided the army and men of Warre in two partes, eyther of them defendinge (with great hardinesse) the Landes which they had conquered: and to make themselues more dreadfull (sutch was the credite and vanity of men that time) they fayned to be the daughters of Mars. Afterward these miraculous women liuing after this maner in peace and iustice, considered that by succession of time, for want of daughters that might succeede, warres, and time, would extinguish their race. For thys cause they treated maryage with their neyghbors named Gargarians (as Plinie sayeth) with condition, that vpon certayne tymes of the yeare, their husbandes should assemble together in some appoincted place, and vse them for certaine dayes vntyll they were with chylde, whych beinge done and knowen, they should returne home agayne to their own houses. If they brought forth daughters, they norished and trayned them vp in armes, and other manlik exercises, and to ride great Horse: they taught them to run at Base, and to followe the Chace. If they were deliuered of males, they sent them to their fathers, and if by chaunce they kept any backe, they murdred them, or else brake their armes and legs in sutch wise as they had no power to beare weapons, and serued for nothynge else but to spin, twist, and to doe other feminine labour. And for as mutch as these Amazones defended themselues so valiantly in the Warres with Bowe, and Arrowes, and perceyued that their breastes did very much impech the vse of that weapon, and other exercises of armes, they seared vp the right breasts of their yonge daughters, for which cause they were named Amazones, which signifieth in the Greeke tongue, wythout breasts, although some other do geeue vnto that name any other meaninge. Afterwards, increasing by course of time in number and force, they made greate preparation of Weapons and other Engins for the Warres, and leauing their countrey (which they thought was very small) in the keepinge of some, whom they specially trusted, the rest marched abroade, conqueringe and subduinge all those which they found rebellious. And hauing passed the river of Tanais, they entred Europa, where they vanquished many countreys, directing their way towardes Thracia, from whence they returned a while after, with great spoyle and victory, and comminge agayne into Asia, they brought many prouinces vnder their subiection, proceedinge euen to Mare Caspium. They Edified, and peopled an infinite number of good citties, amongs which, according to the opinion of diuers, was the famous Citty of Ephesus, the same beeinge the chiefe of al their Empire, and the principal place that stoode vpon Thermodon. They defended themselues in Warres with certayne Tergats, made in fashion of a halfe Moone, and entring into battaile vsed a certaine kinde of Flutes to geue the people corage to fight, as the Lacedemonians were wont to do. In this wise increased more and more the fame of those women, and so continued vntill the tyme that Hercules, Theseus, and many other valiaunt men liued in Græcia. The sayd Hercules, kinge Euristeus of Athenes commaunded, to proceede with great force of people against the Amazones, and that hee should bringe vnto him the armures of the two Queenes, which then were two sisters, that is to say Antiopa and Oritia. At this commaundement Hercules incoraged with desire of honor and glory, accompanied with Theseus, and other his frends, sayled alongst Pontus, and arriued in most conuenient place vpon the shoare of Thermodon, where he landed in sutch secret manner and with sutch oportunity of tyme, as Oritia, one of the two Queenes was gone out of the countrey with the greatest part of her women, to make Warre, and conquer new Countreyes, in so mutch that he found Antiopa, which doubted nothinge, ne yet knewe of his comminge. Vppon which occasion, Hercules and his people surprisinge the Amazones vnwares, and although they entred into Fielde and did put themselues in defence with sutch diligence as they could, yet they were ouercome, and put theym to flight, and many of them slayne and the rest taken: amongst whom were the two sisters of the Queene, the one named Menalipe whych was Hercules prysoner, and the other Hipolita, the prysoner of Theseus. Certane Historians do say that they were subdued in a pitched field, and appoynted battle. And that afterwards the two sisters were vanquished in singuler Combat. The Queene Antiopa then seeinge this ouerthrow, and the takinge of her sisters, came to composition with Hercules, to whom shee gaue her armure to cary to Euristeus, vpon charge that he shoulde render vnto her, her sister Menalipe. But Theseus for no offer that she coulde make, woulde deliuer Hipolita, with whom he was so farre in loue, that he caried her home with him, and afterward toke her to wyfe, of whom hee had a sonne called Hipolitus. Hercules satisefied of his purpose, returned very ioyful of his victory. Oritia certified of these news, beinge then out of her countrey, conceyued no lesse shame than sorrow, who fearing greater damage, returned speedily with her women, the greater part whereof beinge of her opinion, perswaded Antiopa to be reuenged vpon the Grekes. For which purpose they made great preparation of warre. Afterwards leuyinge so great a number of the Amazones as they could, they sent to Sigilus king of Scythia for succour: who sent them his sonne Pisagoras, with a great number of horsemen, by whose helpe the Amazones passing into Europa, and Countrey about Athenes, they greatly annoyed their ennemy: but Pisagoras entred in quarel agaynst the Queene and her women, by meanes whereof, the Scythians could not fight, but withdrew themselues aside, whereby the Amazones (not able to support the force of the Greekes,) were ouercome, and the greatest part of them cut in peeces. Those which did escape, ran to the Scythians Campe, of whom they were defended: afterward being returned into their countrey, they liued in lesse force, and surety than before. In processe of time the Greekes passed into Asia, and made a famous conquest of the Citty of Troy, when Penthesilea was Queene of the Amazones, who remembringe the iniuries receyued by the Greekes, went with a great army to helpe the Troians: where the Queene did thinges worthy of remembraunce, but the Troianes vanquished, in many Skirmishes al the Amazones were almost slayne. And Penthesilea amonges other, was killed by the hand of Achilles. Wherefore those that remained, returned into their countrey with so litle power (in respect of that they had before) as with great difficulty they susteyned, and defended their old possessions, and so continued till the time that Alexander the great went into Asia, to make warre against the Hircanians. In which time one of their Queenes named Thalestris accompanied with a great number of the Amazones, went out of hir countrey with great desire to see and know Alexander. And approchinge the place where hee was, shee sent her Ambassadour vnto him to the ende that shee might obtayne safe conduct to see him, makinge him to vnderstand how mutch the Renoume of his personage had inflamed hir heart to see him. Whereof Alexander beeinge tolde, graunted hir hys safe conduct. By meanes whereof, after she had chosen out some of hir principall women, leauinge the rest in a certayne place in very good order, she went towardes Alexander, of whom she was curteously entertayned, and then with very good countenaunce, shee offered vnto him the effect of al her ability. Who prayed hir to tell him, if he were able to do her pleasure, and promised that hir request should be accomplished. She aunswered that hir comminge was not to demaund either landes or dominions, (whereof she had sufficient) but rather to knowe and be acquainted with sutch a famous Prince as hee was, of whom she had heard maruellous and straunge report. But the chiefest cause of hir comminge was, to pray him of carnal copulation, that she might be conceiued with childe, and haue an heire begotten of so excellent a Prince, telling him that she was come of noble kinde, and of high parentage, and that he ought not to disdaine hir vse. Promisinge hym that if it pleased the Gods, that she should haue a daughter, she would nourishe it her selfe, and make it her vniuersall Heire, and if it were a Sonne, she would send it vnto him. Alexander asked her if shee woulde go with hym to the warres, which if she would, he promised hir his company. But she excusinge hir selfe, aunswered that she could not goe with hym without great shame, besides the hazardinge the losse of her kingdome. Wherefore she prayed him agayne to satisfie hir request. Finally she kept company with Alexander by the space of XIII dayes in publike and secret sort, which beinge expired, she tooke hir leaue, and returned home to hir prouince. But as it is the property of tyme to consume all thinges: euen so the kingdome and power of the Amazones grew to vtter decay, no one sutch nation at this day to be found. For what monstruous Sexe was this that durst not onely by many armies encountre with puissant nations, but also by single Combate, to fight with that terrible personage Hercules, whose vnspeakable and incredible labours and victories, are by antiquity reported to be sutch, as none but he, durst euer aduenture the like. What nation euer comparable to the Greekes, or the Athenian Citty? and yet these mankinde women for reuenge shronke not to peerce their Prouince. What like besieged towne as that of Troy was? and yet Penthesilea one of their Queenes with hir mayny, indeuoured to rayse the Greekes, that so many yeares had lien before the same. What Queene (nay what Stalant) durst sue for company of meanest man? any yet one of these presumed to begge the matche of the mightiest Monarch that euer ruled the world. The maners and qualities of which nation, bycause they were Women of no common spirite and boldnesse, bee thought good in the front of this second Volume to be described: bycause of dyuers Womens liues plentifull variety is offered in the sequele. And for that some mention hath bin made of the great Alexander: and in what wise from vertue hee fell to vice, the seconde Nouell ensuinge shall geue further aduertisement.

THE SECOND NOUELL.

_The great pitie and continencie of Alexander the great and his
louinge entertaynment of Sisigambis the wyfe of the great monarch
Darivs after he was vanquished._

Great Monarches and Princes be the Gods, and only Rulers vpon Earth, and as they be placed by God's only prouydence and disposition, to conquere and rule the same, euen so in victorious battayles and honorable Exploytes, they ought to rule and order their conquestes like Gods: that is to saye, to vse moderate behauiour to their Captiues and slaues, specially to the weaker sort and feminine kynde, whom like Tyrauntes and barbarous, they ought not to corrupt and abuse, but like Christians and vertuous victors, to cherish and preserue their honour. For what can bee safe to a woman (sayde Lucrece, when she was rauished by the Romayn Tarquine) her chastity beinge defiled? Or what can be safe to a man, that geueth himselfe to incontinency? For when he hath despoyled the virgin, robbed the wyfe, or abused the Wydow of their honor and good name, they protrude themselues into many Myseries, they bee impudent, Vnshamefaste, Aduenturous, and Carelesse howe many myschiefes they doe. And when a Prince or Gouerner doth geue himself to licentious life, what mischieues, what rapes, what murders doth hee commit? No frende, no Foe, no subiect, no enemy doth he spare or defende. Contrarywise, the mercifull and continent captayne, by subduinge hys affections recouereth immortall fame, which this History of kinge Alexander full well declareth. And because before we spake of that great conqueror in the Nouell of the Amazones, and of the repayre of Queene Thalestris for vse of his body, at what tyme (as Curtius sayth) he fell from vertue to vice: we purpose in thys, to declare the great contynencie and mercy that hee vsed to Sisigambis, the wife of the Persian prince Darius, and briefly to touch the time of his abused life, which in this maner doth begin. Alexander the great hauing vanquished Darius and his infinite army, and retiringe wyth hys hoast from the pursute and slaughter of the Persians, entred into their campe to recreate himselfe. And beinge with his familiers in the mids of his banket, they sodaynly heard a pitifull cry, with straung howlinge and cryinge out, which did very mutch aston them. The Wyfe and Mother of Darius, with the other noble women newly taken Prisoners, were the occasion of that present noyse, by lamentinge of Darius, whom they beleeued to be slayne, and which opinion they conceyued through one of the Eunuches, which standinge before Their tent doore, saw a Souldier beare a peece of Darius Diademe. For which cause Alexander, pityinge their misery, sent a noble man called Leonatus to signifie vnto them that they were deceyued, for that Darius was liuing. Repayring towards the Tent where the women were with certayne armed men, he sent word before, that he was comminge to them with message from the kinge. But when sutche as stoode at the tent doore saw armed men, they thought they had bene sent to murder the Ladies: for which cause they ran in to them, cryinge that their last houre was come, for the souldiers were at hande to kille them. When Leonatus was entred the Pauilion, the Mother and wife of Darius fell downe at hys feete, intreatinge him that before they were slayne, he would suffer them to bury Darius, accordinge to the order and maner of his Countrey, after the performance of which obsequies, they were content (they sayd) willingly to suffer death. Leonatus assured them, that both Darius was aliue, and that there was no harme ment towardes them, but should remayne in the same state they were in before. When Sisigambis heard those wordes, she suffered her selfe to bee lifted vp from the grounde, and to receyue some comforte. The next day, Alexander with great diligence buried the bodies of sutch of his owne men as coulde be founde, and willed the same to be done to the noble men of the Persians geuinge licence to Darius mother to Bury so many as she liste, after the custome of her Countrey. She performed the same to a few that were next of her kin, accordinge to the hability of their presente fortune, for if shee should haue vsed the Persians Pompe therein, the Macedonians might haue enuied it, whych beinge victors, vsed no great curiosity in the matter. When the due was performed to the dead, Alexander signified to the women prisoners, that hee himselfe would come to visite them, and causinge sutch as came with him to tary without, he onely with Ephestion entred in amongs them. The same Ephestion of all men was best beloued of Alexander, brought vp in his company from his youth, and most priuy with him in all thinges. There was none that had sutch liberty to speke his mynde playnly to the kinge as hee had, whych hee vsed after sutch sorte, that he seemed to doe it by no authority, but by sufferaunce. And as he was of like yeres vnto him, so in shape and personage he did somwhat excell him. Wherefore the Women thinkinge Ephestion to be the kinge, did fall down and worship him (as their Countrey maner was to do to kinges) till sutch time as one of the Eunuches that was taken prisoner, shewed which of them was Alexander. Then Sisigambis fell down at his feete, requiringe pardon of her Ignorance, forsomutch as she did neuer see him before. The kinge tooke her vp by the hande, and sayd: "Mother you be not deceiued: for this is Alexander also." Then he behaued himselfe after sutch a maner, that hee exceeded in continency and compassion, all the kinges that had bin before his time. He entertayned the two Queenes with those virgins that were of excellent beauty, so reuerently, as if they had bin his sisters. He not onely absteyned from al violation of Darius wyfe, which in beauty excelled all the women of hir time, but also tooke great care and diligence, that none other should procure her any dishonour. And to all the women he commaunded their ornaments, and apparell to be restored: so that they wanted nothinge of the magnificence of their former estate, sauinge only the assured trust that creatures want in misery: which thinges considered by Sisigambis, she said vnto the kinge: "Sir, your goodnes towards vs, doth deserue that we should make the same prayer for you, that whilome we did for Darius: and we perceive you worthy to passe so great a king as he was, in felicity and good fortune, that abound so in iustice and clemency. It pleaseth you to terme me by the name Mother and Queene: but I confesse my selfe to bee your handmayde. For both I conceiue the greatnesse of my state past, and feele that I can bear this present seruitude. It lieth only in your hands how we shal be delt withall, and whether you will make vs notable to the worlde through your clemency or cruelty." The king comforted them al that he might, and willinge them to be of good cheere tooke Darius sonne in his armes. Thereat the childe was nothing afraid, hauing neuer seene him before, but toke and imbraced him about the necke. He was so moued with the constancy of the childe, as he beheld Ephestion, and sayde, "Oh, I would that Darius had had some part of this childe's gentlenesse." Which mercy, continency, humility and constancy of minde in Alexander, if hee had still kept to his latter daies, might haue bin accoumpted mutch more fortunate than he was, when hauinge subdued all Asia from Hellespont to the ocean Sea, he did counterfayte the Triumphes of Bacchus. Or if amonges the residue of his conquests, hee would haue trauayled to ouercome his pride and wrath, beinge vices inuincible. Or in his dronkennes abstayned from the slaughter of his Nobility, and not to haue put to death those excellent men of warre without iudgement, which helped him to conquer so many Nations: but at this time the greatnes of his fortune had not yet altered his nature, although afterwards he could not beare his victories with that Vertue, wherewith he wan them: for when he gaue himself to feasting and banquettinge, he vsed the company of Harlots: amonges whom there was one Thais, who vpon a day in hir dronkennesse, affirmed to Alexander, that he should wonderfully win the fauour of the Greeks, if hee commaunded the Palace of Persepolis to be set on fire. The destruction whereof (she sayd) they greatly desired, for so mutch as the same was the chiefe seat of the kings of Persia, which in times past had destroyed so many great Citties. When the dronken harlot had giuen her sentence, there were other present, who being likewise dronken, confirmed hir wordes. Alexander then that had in him more inclination of heat than of pacience, sayd: "Why do we not then recouer the fauour of the Greekes by settinge this Citty on fier?" They were all chafed with drinkinge, and rose immediately vpon those words to burne that city in their dronkennesse, which the men of warre had spared in their fury. The kinge himselfe first, and after his guestes, his seruauntes and his Concubines, set fier in the Pallace, which beinge builded for the most part of Ceder trees, became sodenly in a flame. When the army that was encamped neere vnto the City, sawe the fire, which they thought had ben kindled by some casualty, they came runninge to quenche the same againe. But when they sawe the kynge there presente increasynge the fyre, they poured downe the water whych they broughte, and helped lykewyse the matter forwardes. Thus the Pallace that was the heade of the whole Orient, from whence so many nations before had fetched their lawes to liue vnder, the Seat of so many kynges, the onely Terror sometime of Greece, the same that had bin the sender forth of 9000 Ships, and of the armes that ouerflowed all Europa, that made Brydges ouer the Sea, and vndermined mountaynes where the Sea hath now his course, was consumed and had his ende, and neuer rose againe in all the age that did ensue: for the kynges of Macedon vsed other Citties which be now in the Persians handes. The destruction of this citty was sutch, that the foundation thereof at thys day could not be found, but that riuer of Araxes doth shew where it stoode, which was distant from Persepolis XX. furlonges, as the Inhabitants rather doe beleue than know. The Macedonians were ashamed that so noble a Citty was destroyed by their kinge in his dronkennes: yet at length it was turned into an earnest matter, and were content to thincke it expedient that the Citty should haue ben destroyed after that maner. But it is certayne, that when Alexander had taken his rest, and was become better aduised, hee repented him of his doinge: and after he had kept company with Thalestris aforesayde, which was Queene of the Amazones, hee tourned his continency and moderation (beinge the most excellent vertues appearinge in any kind of estate) into pride and voluptuousnes, not esteeminge his countrey customes, nor the holsome temperance that was in the vsages, and discipline of kynges of Macedon. For he iudged their ciuill vsage and maner, to be ouer base for his greatnesse, but did counterfaite the height and pompe of the kings of Persia, representinge the greatnesse of the Gods. Hee was content to suffre men there to fall downe flat vppon the grounde and worship him, and accustomed the victors of so many nacions, by litle and litle to seruile offices, couetinge to make them like vnto his Captiues. He ware vpon his head a Diademe of Purple interpaled with white, like as Darius was accustomed: and fashioned his aparell after the maner of the Persians, without scrupulosity of any euil token that is signified, for the victorer to change his habite into the fashion of him whom he had vanquished: and although he vaunted, that he ware the spoyles of his enemies, yet with those spoiles he put vpon him their euil maners, and the insolency of the mynde followed the pride of the apparell. Besides he sealed sutch Letters as he sent into Europa, with his accustomed seale, but all the Letters he sent abroade into Asia, were sealed with Darius Ringe. So it appeared that one minde could not beare the greatnesse that appertayned to two. He apparelled also his frends, his Captayns, and his horsemen in Persian apparell, whereat though they grudged in their mindes, yet they durst not refuse it, for feare of his displeasure. His courte was replenished with Concubins, for he still mainteined three hundred, and threescore that belonged to Darius, and amonge them were flocks of Eunuches accustomed to performe the vse of women. The olde Souldiours of Philip naturally abhorringe sutch thinges, manyfestly withstoode to be infected with sutch voluptuousnes, and strange customes: wherevpon there rose a general talke and opinion throughout the campe, that they had lost more by the victory, than they won by the wars. For when they sawe themselues ouercome in sutch excesse, and forayne customes so to preuayle, they iudged it a simple guerdon of their longe beeinge abroade, to returne home in prisoners maner. They began to be ashamed of their kinge, that was more like to sutch as were subdued, than to them that were victorious: and that of a kinge of Macedon, was become a Prince of Persia, and one of Darius Courtiers. Thus this noble Prince from continency and mercy fell into all kynde of disorder, the originall whereof, hee tooke by delite in Women, which beinge vsed in sort lawfull, be great comfortes and delightes, otherwise, the very springe of all cruelty and mischife.

THE THIRD NOUELL.

_Timoclia, a gentlewoman of Thebes, vnderstandinge the couetous
desire of a Thracian knight, that had abused hir, and promised her
mariage, rather for her goods than loue, well acquited hir selfe
from his falshoode._

Qvintus Curtius, that notable Historiographer, remembringe the stout fact of thys Thebane gentlewoman, amonges other the Gestes and Facts of Alexander the great, I haue deemed not altogeather vnfit for this place, to reueale the fine and notable pollicy deuised by her, to rid hir selfe from a couetous caitife of the Thracian kinde, who for lucre rather than loue, for gayne than gratitude, promysed golden Hylles to thys dystressed poore Gentlewoman. But shee in the ende payinge hym hys well deserued hyre, was liked and praysed of Alexander for hir aduenturous facte, beinge not one of the least vertues that shined in him, before hee grewe to excessyue abuse: but bycause Plutarch in hys Treatyse _De claris mulieribus_, more at large recounteth this Hystory, I haue thought good almost (_verbatim_) to follow him. Theagenes a Gentleman of Thebes, ioyninge himselfe wyth Epaminondas, and Pelopidas, and with other noble men, for preseruation of their countrey of Greece, was slayne in the chace of his enemyes, as he pursued one of the chyefe of hys aduersaries, the same cryinge oute vnto him: "Whether doest thou pursue vs, Theagenes?" "Euen to Macedonia:" aunswered hee. Thys Gentleman thus slayne had a sister, whose vertue and neerenesse of kin by noble deedes, she well witnessed, although she was not well able to manifest her vertue, for the aduersity of the tyme, but by pacient sufferance of the common calamityes. For after Alexander had won the Citty of Thebes, the Souldiours greedy of Spoyle runninge vp and downe the Citty, euery of them chauncinge vppon sutch Booty as Fortune offred them, it hapned that a Captayne of the Thracian horsmen, a barbarous, and wycked wretch, came to the house of Timoclia, who somewhat neere the kynge both in name, and Kyn, in manners, and conditions, was greatly different from him: hee neyther regardynge the noble house, ne yet the chastity of hir forepassed life, vpon a tyme after supper, glutted and swilled wyth abundance of wine, caused Timoclia forcibly to be haled to his dronken Couch: and not contented with the forced wronge, as they were in talke together, diligently demaunded of her, if she had in no place hidden any Golde or Siluer, and partly by threates, and partely by promise to keepe her as his wyfe, endeuoured to get that he desired: but shee being of ready wit, takinge that offered occasion of her aduersary: "I would to God," (sayd shee) "that it had beene my lucke to haue died before thys night, rather then to liue: for hitherto haue I kept my body pure and vntouched from all despite, and villany, vntill vnlucky fate forced mee to yelde to thy disordinate lust: but sith my hap is sutch, why should I conceale those thyngs that bee thine owne, thou beinge mine onely tutor, lord and husband (as thou sayst) when the Gods shal please to bringe the same to passe: for by thy will and pleasure must I vnhappy Thebane Wench be ruled and gouerned. Ech vanquished wight must subdue their wyl and minde to their lord and victor: I beinge thy slaue and prisoner, must needes by humble meanes yelde vp my selfe to the vnsaciate hest of thy puissant heart: what shall let me to disclose the pray that thou desirest, that we both, if thy minde be sutch, may rather ioye the same, than the soyly filth of stinkinge Earth, should deuoure sutch spoyle, which for feare, and hope of future fortune, I buried in the bowels of the same. Then marke my words, beare them well in mynde, sith lot had wrought me this mishap. I hauinge plenty of coyned siluer, and of fyned gold no little store besydes sutch Iewels as belonge to the settinge forth of the grace of woman's beauty, of valure and price inestimable: when I saw this Citty brought to sutch distresse as vnpossible to be saued from takinge, all the same I threw away, or more truely to say, I whelmed altogether in a drye Ditche voyde of water, which my fact fewe or none did knowe. The Pit is couered with a little couer aboue, and thickly round about beset with bushes and thornes. Those goods will make thee a welthy personage, none in all the Campe to be compared to thee, the riches and value whereof, wyl witnes our former fortune, and the state of our gorgeous, and stately house: all those doe I bequeathe to thee, as on whom I thinke them well bestowed." This greedy Lecher, laughinge to him selfe for this sodaine pray, and thinking that his lady fast holden within his barbarous armes had tolde him truth, routed in his filthy Couch till the day had discouered the morning light, then gapinge for his hoped gaine, he rose and prayed her to tell the place, that he might recouer the same. She then brought him into her Garden, the doore whereof she commaunded to be shut, that none might enter. He in his Hose and Doublet, went downe to the bottome of the Pit: when Timoclia perceiued him down, she beckned for certaine of her maids, and rolled downe diuers great stones with her own hands, which of purpose she had caused to be placed there, and commaunded hir maides to tumble downe the like. By which meanes she killed that lecherous and couetous vilayne, that rather carked to satisfie his desire, than coueted to obserue hys promisd faith. Which afterwardes beinge knowen to the Macedonians, they haled his body out of the Pit: for Alexander had made proclamation, that none should dare to kill any Thebane, and therefore apprehendinge Timoclia, they brought her to the kinge, accusinge her for doinge that murder: who by her countenaunce, and stature of body, and by her behauiour and grauity of maners, beheld in her the very image of gentle kinde. And first of al, he asked her what she was: to whom boldly with constant cheere, she stoutely answered: "Theagenes was my brother (said she) who beinge a valiaunt Captaine, and fightinge against you for the common safegard of the Greeks, was slaine at Chæronea, that we together might not sustaine, and proue the miseries, wherewith we be now oppressed: but I rather than to suffer violence vnworthy of our race and stocke, am in your maiestie's presence brought ready to refuse no death: for better it were for mee to dye, than feele sutch another night, except thou commaunde the contrary." These wordes were vttered in sutch rufull plight, as the standers by could not forbeare to weepe. But Alexander sayinge, that hee not onely pitied the woman endewed with so noble wit, but mutch more wondred at her vertue and wisedome, commaunded the Princes of his army, to foresee no wronge or violence to be done to the Gentlewoman. He gaue order also, that Timoclia and al her kin, should be garded and defended from slaughter or other wronges. What say yee (good Ladies) to the heart of this gentlewoman that durst be so bolde to stone this Caytife wretch to death, and for wronge done to her bodie til that tyme vntouched, to wronge the corps of him that sauoured of no gentle kinde: who rather for earthly mucke, than for loue of suche a pleasaunt prisoner, exchaunged Loue for Gold? but note hereby what force the puritie of mynde vnwilling of beastlye lust doth carye in it selfe: a simple woman voyde of helpe, not backed with defence of husbande's ayde, doth bring a mighty Captayne, a strong and lofty lubber to enter into a Caue, and when shee saw her best aduauntage, thacked him with stones, vntil he groaned foorth his grieslye ghost. Such is the might and prowesse of chastitie: no charge to burdennous or weightye for suche a vertue, no enterprise too harde for a mynde so pure and cleane.

THE FOURTH NOUELL.

_Ariobarzanes great steward to Artaxerxes king of Persia, goeth
about to exceede his soueraigne lord and maister in curtesie: where
in be conteyned many notable and pleasaunt chaunces, besides the
great patience and loyaltie naturally planted in the sayd
Ariobarzanes._