THere was a Grove in Scicile, not far from Siracu [...]e, whrein the Greek and Latin Potes had made many Hyperbo­licall descriptions For the Wits in that Country, being place­bound, and confined to a nar­row Circle of ground, sought to improve the same by their active Wits; whereby they en­larged every Ditch into a Ri­ver; [Page 2] every Pond into a Lake, e­very Grove into a Forrest, every convenient Hill into a [...]oun­tain. In this notion they magni­fied this Grove, otherwise not above twelve Acres of ground, though well wooded, save that the tyrannical Oaks with their constant dropping, hindred the underwoods from prospering within the compasse there­of.

There was the whole Nati­on of Birds living under the shadow thereof. And the cli­mate being indifferently mo­derate, and moderately mid­dle; wherein the East, West, North, and South of the World, wherein some kinds compoun­ded, [Page 3] Birds, of all Climates here, made their habitations. Now a Bill of complaint was subscri­bed (or rather signed) with the numberlesse Clawes (in­stead of hands) of Birds; con­taining the many insupporta­ble Grievances they had en­dured from the intolerable cruelty of the Eagle; who ma­king his own lust his Law, had dominered over all the winged Nation. The Eagle appeared in answer hereunto; (it being a generall meeting of all kinds of birds) and endeavoured to justifie his proceedings, and clear himself in vain, from their accusations. The truth is, the Eagle was overgrown with [Page 4] Age, for he is generally repor­ted the survivor of all Birds: So that if one would take a Lease of Land on a birds life, he could not put in a more ad­vantagious name then an Eagle.

But this Eagle had its bill with long age so reflexed back again into his mouth, that hee was so farre from prey­ing on another, that hee could not swallow any Flesh though profered unto him. Soon will the spirits fail where the belly is not fed; in vain did his courage pretend to his won­ted valour, when there was nothing within to justifie and make good the offers thereof. [Page 5] So that the poor Eagle con­quered rather with its own Age then outward violence, yielded to that to which all must yield: and was forced pa­tiently to digest all affronts offered unto him, and glad so to escape. For although some mention was made of killing him; yet by plurality of suffra­ges, that vote got the mastery which onely confined him to a neighbouring wood, on con­dition that death without mercy should be his penalty if exceeding the Bounds there­of.

This done, Proclamation was made three daies after that the whole Species of Birds [Page 6] should appeare for the election of a Principall to command them. Indeed there were ma­ny which were altogether a­gainst any Government, be­cause they might the more freely rove and range in their Affections. These held that all were free by nature; and that it was an assault on the Liberty of man, and a rape offered to his naturall freedom; that any should assume authority above another. These maintained (what certainly was not onely a paradox, but a flat falshood) that nature at the first Creati­on made all the world a flat le­vell and Champion, and that it was by the violence of the De­luge [Page 7] or great Flood, which by the partiall fall or running thereof, made the inequality, by sinking some places into humble Vallies, and swelling o­thers into aspiring Mountaines. Prosecuting which compari­son, they maintained that all men were naturally equal; and that it was the inundation and influx of humane Tyranny which made this disparity be­tween them. They also defen­ded the argument, that as the world began, so it should with the Golden age; and that all ought to be restored to that primitive Liberty which men had lost, partly surrendring it by their own folly and easie [Page 8] nature; partly surprised into their own slavery by the cun­ning and craft of others that practised on their simplicity. But however that these made a great noise, the opposite par­ty prevailed, as having most of strength and reason on their side.

For where all rule, there no rule at all will be: where every man may command, in fine, none will obey, the dictates of his own reason, but be a very vassall to his passion. Society cannot be twisted together where there is not a subordina­tion and subjection one to a­nother; and where every one is absolute in himself, there is an [Page 9] impossibility of any orderly subsistence.

Let the maintainers of the contrary, try with themselves to make a rope of sand; where each crum therein being inde­pendent of it self, hath no ten­dency to a generall agreement; but enjoyes it self in its own intirenesse.

It being now cast (by gene­rall suffrages) for a Commander over all, that at such a time they should meet: it was also proclaimed that all antipathy should cease between all Birds during their meeting; because being now in danger of gene­rall ruine, for want of a head all private animosity should be [Page 10] broken off and drowned in a publique agreement.

According to the Procla­mation, they all met together; and birds of all feathers had a generall convolancy. Then the Estridge began, in a high com­mendation of himself, how he [...] was the biggest of all birds, and therefore the fittest to be their General, as of the greatest abili­ty to support the weight of the Massie affairs o [...] State. The rest of the birds gave him the hea­ring, untill [...] Wren thus returned th [...] [...]r.

It may s [...] [...] very unpro­portionable combate betwe [...] the least and gr [...]atest of birds that I should once o [...]fer to en­ter [Page 11] the list with this Giant, who frights us all with his great­nesse. But sure this wise Senate never made the bulk of a body the standard whereby to mea­sure the perfections of the mind: and therefore I may take to my selfe the confidence to examine the truth of what hee hath spoken. His greatnesse is apparent to every eye; but as for any othereminency, it is so secret a quality, that none as yet hath discovered it; For mine own part I conceive him ra [...]her beast then bird, and therefore not properly of our [...]ind. I appeal to his Latin [...]ame; Struthio-Camelus; wher­ [...]n the Camell beares away the [Page 12] last and best part thereof. And are we put to such a straight, that we must elect an Hermo­phrodite, a rudiment, which is a measuring case betweene Beast and Fowl: Doth hee not more trust, unto his Leggs to Flee, then unto his Wings to flye, and what I pray is the re­markeable vertue, which com­mends him to publique no­tice; hath he any melodious voice whereby to charme the attentions of those that hear him: hath he any extra­ordinary wit, in which he ap­pears above others of the same society. What if Foolish wo­men, as light perhaps as the Feather they wear, be pleased [Page 13] to advance his Taile above their heads. What if vainglo­rious Captaines more known by their Plumes then their perfor­mances, deck their crests with the spoil of his wings: all these amount not to argue any reall worth in him. Wee live not in an age to be deluded with showes, or cheated with sha­dowes. It is enough that our Ancestors have suffered for their [...]olly herein, with their owne credulity. Reall worth must [...]e the attractive of our love [...]nd respect: which being here wanting▪ I utterly disavow his Election for our Soveraign.

The rest of the birds con­ [...]urred with the resolution of [Page 14] the Wren, highly applauding it for the same; which durst speak that which others thought▪ They plainly saw that spirit united in a small bulk, acts most vigorously: and the contracted heat in so small a body prompted the Wren to such lively expressions which bigger birds durst not utter.

Next stood forth the Parrot, insisting largely on it's own [...] commendation, among the res [...] of his dexterous faculty, in imi­tating the speech of Man wherein he exceeded all othe [...] creatures in the world. And see­ing man was the Soveraign o [...] all the Creation, he conceive [...] himself (w ^ch approached nex [...] [Page 15] unto him in his happy expressi­ons) deservedly might claim the Regiment of all birds.

The Daw generally con­demned for its loquacity, took upon him to answer the Par­rot. Indeed hee began with great disadvantage, none ex­pecting any thing of wi [...] or worth from him, because hee was so common a Talker, there­fore conceived his speech not worthy their attentions, when defeating their expectations, & deceiving them with a harm­esse cheat, he thus proceeded.

You have heard the Parrot [...]ake a large encomium of him­ [...]elf, all which must needs bee [...]rue, because you have heard [Page 16] his owne credit to avouch it: otherwise me thinks one might justly take the liberty to exa­mine the ground of what hee hath spoken; I will not insist on the aliennesse of his extracti­on; we living here in Syracus [...] whilst this Parrot fetcheth hi [...] Originall from the South o [...] Africk, or East of Asia. Onel [...] consider with your selves ho [...] unfit it is for our free-born spi [...] rits to submit to a Forrainer assure your selves, forrain Air will bring in forrain inclinations, hee cannot but promot [...] strangers as his favourites to a places, and preferments of pr [...] fit and honour, and can t [...] be digested by such as consu [...] [Page 17] the true spirit of an ingenious Birth; For mine own part, I shall rather submit to the ty­ranny of our own Country, then to the insulting humours of strangers; as expecting that although one of our owne Country may for a time domi­neere over us; yet the sym­pathy of blood to those of his own Land, will give a check, and at last gain a Conquest of his passion, that he will re­turn to a favourable reflecti­on, on those who by vicinity of birth and breeding are related unto him.

Now whereas the Parrot boasteth that hee doth so ex­actly imitate the speech of [Page 18] Man, it affecteth me no whit at all with admiration thereof. I have heard of a speech of A­lexander, who being invited to hear a man that sung like the Nightingale, answered, I scorn to bear him, for I have heard the Nightingale it selfe: and who would admire at the Copie, when hee hath the Original, I have often heard men them­selves speak, and therefore am not a whit moved to heare a Parrot speak like a man; Let every thing appear in its owne shape; Men speak the language of Men, Birds of Birds. Hypo­crisie is that which hath be­trayed the world, to a generall de [...]usion, thence to destruction, [Page 19] when people counterfeit the Tongues and Tones of those from whose Hearts they dissent: how many demure people hath this age brought forth, sadly and soberly drop­ping forth their words, with much affected deliberation (as if all the hearers were bound thereby to believe them as so­lid, reserved and discreet in Deeds as in their words, when they onely Palliate and cloak a base and unworthy inside under the shadow and pretence of an outward fair representation. I therefore must throw my graines into the Negative scale, and conceive the Parrot utterly unfit for the soveraignty of birds.

[Page 20]After many debates and disputes, pro and con, plurali­ty of voices at last pitched on the Hauke, as whose extracti­on was known to be honora­ble, valour undoubted, provi­dence or foresight admirable, as appeared in the quicknesse of his eyes; being a Promethe­us indeed, foreseeing all dan­gers, and his own advantages of great distance. The Hauke returning his full and fair thanks unto them for their free favour, accepted of their profer, and all their meeting for the present was diminished, onely two birds commanded to stay behind, the Phenix and the Turtle Doye, whom [Page 21] the Hawk severally accosted, beginning with the former.

Sir, or Mistris Phoenix, saith the Hawk; for I know not in what Gender to addresse my language unto you, in whom both Sexes are jumbled toge­ther. I desire to be informed of you, whether that bee a truth, or a long lived common Error, of the manner of your original from the Ashes of your Ancestor, if it be a truth, I stand ready with admiration to embrace and entertaine it: If an errour, I am resolved Posterity shall no longer bee deluded therewith We live in an Age of Knowledge, the Beames whereof have dispel­led [Page 22] those mists of Errour wherewith our Forefather were cheated into the belief of many impossibilities recom­mended unto them by Tradi­tion, as if the gray Perriwigg [...] of Old-age should command so much veneration from us, that we should consign up our judgement to the implicite belief of any thing which for­mer Ages have related. Deale therefore openly with me, and informe me the truth, whe­ther your Generation be thus by Continuation of a Mi­racle.

I cannot resolve you here­in, saith the Phoenix, of the particulars of my Extraction, [Page 23] which happened long before the register of my memo­ry: Sure I am there are no other of my kinde for me to couple with, which demon­strates the truth of that which is generally received: I con­fesse men make use of me ra­ther for a Moral and an Em­bleme to denote those things which are rare, and seldome come to passe. Thus, a Court Lord who will honestly pay all his Debts, is accounted a Phoenix: A Judge who will not suffer his Conscience to be robbed by a bribe secretly proffered unto him, is a Phoe­nix: A Great man who lookes straight forward to the Pub­lique [Page 24] good, not bound on e [...] ther side with his own interest is a Phoenix: However assur [...] your selfe, that besides th [...] Morality that may be mad [...] thereof, I have, as you see, real Existence in Nature, an [...] if any will take the paines t [...] travel into Arabia to Mech [...] he shall finde my Nest in a Tre [...] hanging there almost as Arti­ficially as doth the Tombe o [...] Mahomet bribed by an invisibl [...] Loadstone into that miracu­lous posture thereof.

But now, saith the Hawk suppose I should seise on yo [...] this night for my supper, whe­ther doe you thinke that th [...] losse of your life would be s [...] [Page 25] great a defect in Nature, that the whole Universe would fare the worse for the same?

Undoubtedly it would, saith the Phoenix, for this is received for an undoubted Maxime a­mongst Philosophers, that if one whole kinde or species of Creatures be destroyed, the whole world would be ruined thereby: For every kinde of Creatures are so Essential to the well being thereof, that if any one of them be utterly destroyed, all the rest out of sympathy will decay.

I conceive not, saith the Hawk, that you are such a foundation stone in Natures building, that the taking you [Page 26] away will hazard the whole Architecture thereof. How­ever, I am resolved to put it to the tryal, be it but to gaine knowledge by the experiment▪ I know what Plato saith, That those are the happiest Kingdomes, wherein either their Kings are Philosophers, or their Philoso­phers their Kings. Seeing there­fore the History of Nature is so necessary to an accomplish­ed Governour, I who desire all perfections in that kind, will to satisfie my curiositie make proof thereof.

The Phoenix pleaded for her self the benefit of a Proclama­tion of liberty to all for three dayes to come and goe with [Page 27] safety; the Eagle smiling at her silly plea, informing her that such grants are to be kept no farther than they are con­sistent with the conveniency of those that grant them. Yet for the present the Phoenix was reprieved, because the Hawkes stomach lately gorged, had not as yet recovered his appetite to his supper.

Then the Hawk approach­ed to the Turtle-dove, de­manding of her whether it was true or no what passeth for a common truth, that the Turtle if once losing their Mate, ne­ver wed more, but passe the re­mainder of their dolefull dayes in constant widdowhood.

[Page 28]Most true it is, saith the Turtle, which I may speake by my owne sad experience; for some three vears since, the un­happy shot of a cruel Falk oner deprived me of my deare Hus­band, since which time I have sequestred my selfe from all company, never appearing in publique till now, forced thereunto by command from Authority.

And surely, I conceive, all second Marriages little better than excusable lust, for when once the heate of youth hath been abated in one Match, none can pretend Necessity of Marrying againe, except it be for quenching those heates [Page 29] which they themselves wil­lingly and wilfully kindle. Besides, when one hath once really affected a Husband, or he a Wife, affections so in­grosse the whole soul, that notwithstanding his, or her death, it can never admit a­nother to the same degree of dea [...]nesse. Especially if their love were signed and sealed with Issue, as mine was, having three of both Sexes surviving ( [...]end them better successe than their unhappy Father [...]ad) so that in them me­ [...]hinkes I behold my Husband [...]till alive. She therefore that [...]ath not the modesty to d [...]e [...]he Relict of one man, will [Page 30] charge through a whole Arm [...] of Husbands, if occasion wer [...] offered, before her love wil [...] meet with a full stoppe there of.

You are too rigid and s [...] vere, saith the Hawk, to mak [...] your personal temper and pr [...] vate practice the rule to me [...] sure all other by, unacquainte [...] with the Necessities of othe [...] in this kinde. But to co [...] closer to the matter, I desi [...] satisfaction in another thing namely, whether you be wit [...] out a Gall as is commonly r [...] ported.

I know there is a twofo [...] knowledge, one by the fru [...] and the effects which Schol [...] [Page 31] call à posteriore, and this is the more fallible & uncertaine, the other à priore from the Causes, and this as more demonstra­tive may safely be relyed on, I will embrace the latter course, and to assure my selfe whether you have a Gall or no, I meane to make you a li­ving Anatomie, and instantly to insect you. Ocular inspe­ction is the best direction, and I will presently pry into your intrails for my better informa­tion, to see with what curio­sity Nature hath contrived the things therein, and how many [...]ittle engines there are to move the wheele of life within you.

[Page 32]Then beganne the Eagle to dispose himselfe, for Supper, intending the Turtle-dove for the first Course to begin with, and the Phoenix (as the finer flesh) to close his stomack therewith. In preparation wherunto he plumed the Dove of some of her upper Fea­thers.

Just in the instant as he be­ganne his prey, who should come in, but he was little ex­pected, and lesse welcome to the Hawk than the old Eagle, and we must a while dwel upon the cause and manner of his in­largement.

This Eagle was, as aforesaid, confined to a Grove, where he [Page 33] was temperate against his will, as not able to feede on any Fowle. Nature had hung such a Lock upon his Bill, for the Redundancie thereof was such, that hee was capable of no food, save drinke, which hee plentifully powred in; thus for some moneths drinke was all the meate hee tooke, which served to support his life, though not to [...]ncrease his strength; yet could he not be a good fellow in his Cups, as being solitary by himselfe, ha­ving none to keep him com­pany.

At last hee descryed a sharpe Rock, wherein one place white in colour, more prominent [Page 34] than the rest, had a shining hardnesse therein; to this the Eagle applyes his Bill, and ne­ver left off rubbing, grating, and whetting his Beak there­on, untill at last hee quite whetted off the superfluous, yea hurtfull Excrescencie of his Bill, which now reduced to a moderate proportion, was as usefull to all purposes as e­ver before. Thus enabled to get his prey in few weekes, he recruited his strength, so that what the Poets tell of Medea, that with her inchanted Baths made her Father-in-law young againe, here truly came to passe: And now the New old Eagle hearing in what Quar­ters [Page 35] the Hawke kept his con­stant residence, thought on a sudden to have surprised him, had not the other discovered his approach, and made a sea­sonable escape, whereby both Turtle and Phoenix obtain­ed their liberty, and secure­ly returned unto their owne Nests.

The Hawke having made an escape, posted with all speed to the Lapwinge, which with some difficulty he found out, and privacie being obtained, thus kindly spake unto him.

Friend Lapwing, I have taken notice, that you are one of the most subtilest, and po­litick Bird in all our Common­wealth; [Page 36] you have the art so to cover your intentions, that they are not obvious to com­mon eyes, when your Egges or young ones be a mile at di­stance, you use to flutter with your winges, and fetch your rounds and circles a great way off, as if you intended to broo [...] that place with your wings, or as if that were the Chest wherein your Treasure was deposited; this makes many people to search there for your young ones, but are frustra­ted of their hopes; you have insecured them farre off; this lawfull Simulation, I conceive a commendable and necessary quality in every great person; [Page 37] it is as necessary as breath to their well being: Should men play all above board, and ex­pose their actions to all Spe­ctators, Folly and Wisdome would bee both of a rate. No, it is the hanging of such Cur­taines and Traverses before our Deeds which keep up our Reputation, and enable us for great performances. Now I request you help me a little in my extremity, the renewed Eagle is in pursuit of me, and my safety lyeth much at your disposall. The Lapwing pro­mised the utmost of his endea­vours, and desired the Hawk to proceed.

See you, saith the Hawk, [Page 38] yonder empty Cage of great receipt, so that it might serve for an Aviarie, for which it was first intended, though since disused, when the Eagle flying this way enquireth after me, perswade him I am flowne into the Cage, and leave the rest to my performance.

All was acted accordingly, the Eagle demanded what was become of the Hawk? the Lapwing returned, Here 'tis, here 'tis, and then hovered o­ver the Cage, fetching so ma­ny compasses thereabouts, that one might have mistaken him for some [...]njurer, making his many Circles with intent to raise up some spirit there­abouts: [Page 39] The Eagle violently flyes into the Cage, whose doores stood open, triumph­ing in his owne happinesse, that now he should be reven­ged on his profest Enemy. In­stantly the Hawk (who stood behinde unseen in a place of advantage) clapps an Iron Padlock on the Cage, and thus insulteth over the Pri­soner.

Me thinkes, Sir Eagle, you make mee call to minde the condition of Bajazet the Great Turk, whom Tamberlan tooke captive, and carried him a­bout the Country, that all people might feed their gazing eyes upon him; such a spe­ctacle [Page 40] are you this day; I have now made an Owle of the Eagle, turned him into the ridiculous object of laughter and contempt: Tell me, doe you not want a Prometheus, to feed upon his fruitfull entrails as the Poets feigne, which dai­ly increased, and afforded the Poets Eagle both Common and Festivals. Sir, your life shall not bee vented out at once, but you shall dye many deaths, with long lingering torments: I will order it so that you shall feele your self to dye: There is no Musick in an Enemies death, which is not accompanyed with torment; and though no out­ward [Page 41] torture shall be inflicted upon you, yet know, that thirst and hunger shall be your two Executioners. Now the Guiltlesse blood of so many Birds and innocent Lambs, and hurtlesse Hares shall bee required of you; and so I leave you till to morrow, when I meane to make a new meal of you in scorn and con­tempt.

The Eagle sadly, yet stoutly auswered, my courage shall not abate with my condition, whose spirit is planted above the battery of Fortune, I will never be lesse than my selfe, whatsoever befalls me. A Lyon is no lesse a Lyon, though in a [Page 42] grate; Mischance, may make me miserable, it shall not make me base, I will beare my trou­bles with as much chearful­nesse as I may, I defie thy spleene in triumphing over me.

After the Hawkes depar­ture, the Ostrich came in the place, whom the Eagle saw unseen, and wishly marked his postures and motions. The Ostrich fell into a strange pas­sion, and would you know the reason thereof, it was as fol­loweth.

Some three dayes since, when hee first repaired to the generall meeting of the Birds, he left his Egges in the sand, [Page 43] not covering them over, such his carelesnesse and incogitan­cie; it was in a Starre-light night, wherein he took a mark for the finding of his Egges by such a Sta [...]re, under the di­rect position whereof he then hid them, and hoped to finde them at his returne. It hap­pened that the Starre being turned about with the cir­cumgyration of the heavens, which continue in constant motion, the Ostrich lost the Starre by which hee thought to find his Egges, and though very neare the place wander­ing up and downe, and could not light upon it, which made him breake forth into this [Page 44] passionate complaints.

I am the unfortunatest of all Fowles: How will all con­demne mee for an unnaturall Parent, who have been thus carelesse of mine owne Issue? Yet I tooke as good notice of the place as I could, all things in Earth are false, and fading, and flitting away: I had thought there had been more faithfulnesse in the Heavens, more assurance in the Skies. Let never the Indians worship Stars again, when they are guil­ty of so much deceit.

How comes it to passe, that the Pole-Starre is so perfect a guide and direction to the Mariner, that it may be tear­med [Page 45] the grand Pilot of all Shippes, by the Elevation, or Depression whereof, they in­fallibly collect in the darkest nights whereabouts they steer. I say, how comes that Starre to be so true to its trust, to be so true a Conductor of wan­dering Saylors, and this prove so false to me? And now will Posterity [...]and me for unna­turalnesse, who have exposed my Egges to such dange [...] though therein all caution was used by mee to the height of my discretion. More would shee have spoken when griefe silenced her; for as those Ri­vers are shallow which make a noyse, whilst the deepest [Page 46] streames are tongue-tyed; s [...] those passions which ven [...] themselves in words, discove [...] their bottome of no great depth.

Meane time the Eagle look­ed through the species, or en­tervalls in the Cage, and so excellent the sight thereof he easily discerned where th [...] Egges lay, the O [...]rich being so near, that he almost crushed them with his own feet, where­fore calling the Ostrich unto him, I am glad, saith he, that in my misery I have the occasi­on to oblige any; I can tel [...] you where the Treasure is tha [...] you seek for, and presently di­rected him to the same.

[Page 47]The Ostrich was not so o­ver-joyed with its own happi­nesse; but that he bethought himselfe how to returne pro­portionable thankes to the Eagle, in order whereunto he set his Bill against the Iron Padlock of the [...]age, and according to the voraciousness of his stomack quite devoured the same.

Let privy Councellors of Nature enter into this deep Discourse, how it is possible for such a solid, and substantial thing as Iron is, to become food to a Fowle, let them, I say, beate their braines about this Question harder than Iron, and if they find the true [Page 48] reason thereof, I shall preferre their Ingenuity as stronger than the stomack of an O­strich; meane time we will be content to rest in the vulgar report, and are satisfied to ad­mire what we cannot under­stand in such cases wherein surely there are some hidden, and occult qualities, too deep for men to dive into, and these betray a surly and base dispo­sition, which will beleeve nothing (though Authenti­cally attested by never so ma­ny witnesses) whereof they are unable to render the true rea­son, as if Nature could do [...] nothing but what shee giv [...] them an account of how shee doth it.

[Page 49]The Eagle th [...]s restored to liber [...]y, returned hea [...]y thanks to [...]he Ostrich. You see, saith he, there is no living in this world without bartering and exchanging of C [...]tesies one to another; he that lendeth to day may borrow to morrow, how happy would Mankinde bee, if the Wall of Envie were pluckt downe betwixt them, and their parts so layd in Common, that the wealth of one might supply the wants of another; Nature hath in­riched me with a quick Sight thee with a strong Dige [...]n▪ I have restored thy Egges to thee, you have restored me to my selfe, liberty being the life [Page 50] of life; and this I thought fit to testifie unto thee, though hot in the pursuit of my Enemy; first to thanke thee, then punish him: I will not bee guilty of so preposterous a Soul, that my Revenge shall get the speede of my Grati­tude.

This done, the Eagle in full Quest of the Hawke, dis­covereth a company of Birds together, being a great party whom the Peacock had assem­bled, with hope to intice them to choose him their Chiefe; for the Hawke no where appearing, and the en­largement of the Eagle being unknown, he thus endeavou­red [Page 51] by his Rhethoricall slou­rishes to make himself popular in their affections.

I am not ignorant, that such men proclaime their own weaknesse, who are the He­rald of their owne praise; it argueth a great dearth of de­sert, and want of worth, when one is large in his own com­mendation, however some­times necessity makes it law­ [...]ull, especially when what is spoken is so generally known, that it commandeth the way to its own belief, and carrieth the credit about it, give me leave to present my person and merits to your considera­tion; my bulke not so great [Page 52] as the Ostrich like to bee a burden to it selfe, yet not so little as any way to invite neg­lect: A good presence is re­quisite in a Commander, o­therwise great parts crowded in a despicable person, no whit becomes one in Autho­rity. I will give you but one argument, or demonstration rather of my Worth: When the Gods had the free choice of all the Birds which they would please to make their Attendants in ordinary, and when Jove made choice of the Eagle, as most Emperiall, Juno, his Consort, was pleased to elect me, to be called by the name of her Bird in all passa­ges [Page 53] of Poetry. Thus am I next to the best, and but one steppe removed from the Top, even by those infallible judgements.

Looke, I pray, upon my Traine, how it is Circular, the most capable Forme, and how it is distinguished with variety of Colours, which ap­peareth as so many earthly Rainebowes in my Feathers. Ovid hath reported, that Ar­gus his hundred eyes were tur­ned into them. But know you, if you please to elect me to be your Chiefe, that all those eyes shall daily and hourely watch & ward for your good, I will have a constant over­sight [Page 54] of your welfare.

It was conceived, that the Peacock intended a longer O­ration, which would have wea­ried the assembly with the Pro­lixity thereof, had he not casu­ally, but happily cast down his eyes on his black legs, the ugly hew therof so abated his Pride, that it put a period to his Ha­rangue before his intent, and others expectation. Now as the Vulture was tuning his tongue to return an answer, in cometh the Eagle, and is gene­rally received with all joyfull acclamations.

Now because Clemencie is the badge of a generous na­ture, [Page 55] and those that have most courage have least crueltie, at the mediation of some potent Birds, the Eagle condescended, that the day of his Re-inaugu­ration should not be stained with blood, and therefore granted life to the Hawk, but on condition, not to exceed the Grove in which formerly himself was imprisoned.

THere was a place in Thessaly (and I am sorry to say there was a place in Thessaly, for though the place be there still, yet it is not it selfe. The bones thereof remaine, not the Flesh and Colour. The standards of Hilles and Rivers; not the Ornaments of Woods, Bowers, Groves and Banqueting-houses. These long [Page 2] since are defaced by the Turkes, whose barbarous natures wage warre with civility it selfe, and take a delight to make a Wil­dernesse where before their con­quest they found a Paradise.)

This place is some five miles in length, and though the breadth bee Corrivall with the length to equallize the same, and may so seeme at the first fight; yet it falleth short upon exact examimination, as extending but to foure miles. This place was by the Poets called Tempe, as the A­bridgement of Earthly happi­nesse, shewing that in short hand, which the whole world presen­ted [Page 3] in a larger character, no earth­ly pleasure was elsewhere affor­ded, but here it mighti be found in the heighth thereof.

Within this Circuit of ground, there is still extant, by the rare preservation of the owner, a small Scantlin of some three Acres, which I might call the Tempe of Tempe, and re-epi­tomiz'd the delicacies of all the rest. It was divided into a Gar­den, in the upper Part whereof Flowers did grow, in the lower, Hearbs, and those of all sorts and kinds. And now in Spring time earth did put on her new cloathes, though had some cun­ [...]ing Herald beheld the same, [Page 4] he would have condemned her Coate to have been of no antient bearing, it was so overcharged with variety of Colours.

For there was yellow Mari­golds, Wallflowers, Auriculusses, Gold knobs, and abundance of other namelesse Flowers, which would pose a Nomenclator to call them by their distinct de­nominations. There was White, the Dayes Eye, white roses, Lil­lyes, &c. Blew, Violet, Irisse, Red Roses, Pionies, &c. The whole field was vert or greene, and all colours were present save sable, as too sad and dolefull for so merry a meeting. All the Chil­dren of Flora being summone [...] [Page 5] there, to make their appearance at a great solemnity.

Nor was the lower part of the ground lesse stored with herbs, and those so various, that if Gerard himselfe had bin in the place, upon the behold­ing thereof, he must have been forced to a re-edition of his Herball, to adde the recruit of those Plants, which formerly were unseen by him, or un­known unto him.

In this solemn Randevouz of Flowers and Herbs, the Rose stood forth, and made an Ora­tion to this effect.

It is not unknown to you, how I have the precedency of [Page 6] all Flowers, confirmed unto me under the Patent of a double Sence, Sight, smell. What more curious Colours? how do all Diers blush when they behold my blushing, as conscious to themselves, that their Art can­not imitate that tincture, which Nature hath stamped upon me. Smell, it is not lusciously offen­sive, nor dangerously Faint, but comforteth with a delight, and delighteth with the comfort thereof: Yea, when Dead, I am more Soveraigne then Living: What Cordials are made of my Syrups? how many corrupted Lungs (those Fans of Nature) sore wasted with consumption, [Page 7] that they seem utterly unable any longer to cool the heat of the Heart, with their ventilati­on, are with Conserves made of my stamped Leaves, restored to their former soundnesse againe: More would I say in mine own cause, but that happily I may be taxed of pride, and selfe. flat­tery, who speak much in mine own behalf, & therefore I leave the rest to the judgment of such as hear me, and passe from this discourse to my just complaint.

There is lately a Flower (shal I call it so? in courtesie I will tearme it so, though it deserve not the appellation) a Toolip, which hath ingrafted the love [Page 8] and affections of most people unto it; and what is this Toolip? a well complexion'd stink, an ill savour wrapt up in pleasant colours: As for the use thereof in Physick, no Physitian hath honoured it yet with the men­tion, nor with a Greek, or Latin name, so inconsiderable hath it hitherto been accompted; and yet this is that which filleth all Gardens, hundred of pounds being given for the root there­of, whilst I the Rose, am negle­cted and contemned, and con­ceived beneath the honour of noble hands, and fit only to grow in the gardens of Yeomen. I trust the remainder to your [Page 9] apprehensions, to make out that, which grief for such un­deserved injuries will not suffer me to expresse.

Hereat the Rose wept, and the dropping of her white tears down her red cheeks, so well becomed her, that if ever sor­row was lovely, it then appear­ed so, which moved the behol­ders to much compassion, her Tears speaking more then her tongue, in her own behalfe.

The Tool p stood up inso­lently, as rather challenging then craving respect f [...]om the Common-wealth of Flower [...] there present, & thus vaunted it selfe.

I am not solicitous what to [Page 10] returne to the complaint of this Rose, whose own demerit hath justly outed it self of that respect, which the mistaken world formerly bestowed upon it, and which mens eyes, now opened, justly reassume, and conferre on those who better deserve the same. To say that I am not more worthy then the Rose, what is it, but to con­demne mankind, and to arraign the most Gentle and knowing among men of ignorance, for misplacing their affections: Surely Vegetables must not pre­same to mount above Rationa­ble creatures, or to think that men are not the most compe­tent [Page 11] judges of the worth and valew of Flowers. I confesse there is yet no known soveraign vertue in my leaves, but it is injurious to inferre that I have none, because as yet not taken notice of. If we should exa­mine all, by their intrinsick va­lews, how many contemptible things in Nature would take the upper-hand of those which are most valued; by this argu­ment a Flint-stone would be better then a Diamond, as con­taining that spark of fire there­in, whence men with combu­stible matter may heat them­selves in the coldest season: and cleer it is, that the Load-stone, [Page 12] (that grand Pilot to the North, which findeth the way there in the darkest night) is to be pre­ferred before the most orient Pearle in the world: But they will generally be condemned for unwise, who prize things according to this proportion.

Seeing therefore in stones and minerals, that those things are not most valued, which have most vertue, but that men ac­cording to their eyes and fan­cies raise the reputation there­of, let it not be interpreted to my disadvantage, that I am not eminently known for any cor­diall operation; perchance the discovery hereof is reserved for [Page 13] the next age, to find out the latent vertue which lurketh in me: And this I am confident of, that Nature would never have hung out so gorgious a signe, if some guest of quality had not been lodged therein; surely my leaves, had never been feathered with such variety of colours, (which hath proclaimed me the King of all Lillies) had not some strange vertue, whereof the world is yet ignorant, been treasured up therein.

As for the Rose, let her thank her selfe, if she be sensible of any decay in esteem, I have not am­bitiously affected superiority a­bove her, nor have I fraudulent­ly [Page 14] endevoured to supplant her: only I should have been want­ing to my selfe, had I refused those favours from Ladies, which their importunity hath pressed upon me: And may the Rose remember, how she out of causelesse jealousie, maketh all hands to be her enemies that gather her; what need is there that she should garison her selfe within her prickles? why must she set so many Thornes to lye constant perdue, that none must gather her, but such as suddenly surprize her; and do not all that crop her, run the hazard of hurting their fingers: This is that which hath weaned the [Page 15] world from her love, whilst my smooth stalk exposing Ladies to no such perills, hath made them by exchange to fix their removed affections upon me.

At this stood up the Violet, and all prepared themselves with respectfull attention, ho­nouring the Violet for the Age thereof, for the Prim Rose alone excepted, it is Seignior to all the Flowers in the year, and was highly regarded for the reputa­tion of the experience thereof that durst encounter the cold, and had past many bitter blasts, whereby it had gained much wispome, and had procured a venerable respect, both to his [...]erson and Counsell.

[Page 16]The case (saith the Violet) is not of particular concernment, but extendeth it selfe to the life and liberty of all the socie­ty of Flowers; the complaint of the Rose we must all acknow­ledge to be just and true, and ever since I could remember, we have paid the Rose a just tri­bute of Fealty as our Prime and principall. As for this Toolip, it hath not been in being in our Garden above these sixty years: Our Fathers never knew that such a Flower would be, and perhaps our children may ne­ver know it ever was; what traveller brought it hither, I know not; they say it is of a [Page 17] Syrian extraction, but sure there it grew wild in the open fields, and is not beheld otherwise, then a gentler sort of weed: But we may observe that all­forraign vices are made vertues in this countrey, forraign drun­kennesse is Grecian Mirth (thence the proverb, The merry Greek) forraign pride, Grecian good behaviour; forraign lust, Greci­an love; forraign lazinesse, Gre­cian harmelessnesse; forraign weeds, Grecian Flowers. My judgement therefore is, that if we do not speedily eradicate this intruder (this Toolip) in pro­cesse of time will out us all of our just possessions, seeing no [Page 18] Flower can pretend a cleerer title then the Rose [...]ath; and let us every one make the case to be his owne.

The gravity of the Violet so prevailed with the Senate of Flowers, that all concurred with his judgment herein; and such who had not the faculty of the sluentnesse of their tongues to expresse themselves in large Orations, thought that the well managing of a yea, or nay, spoke them as well wishing to the generall good, as the ex­pressing themselves in large Harrangues; and these soberly concluded, that the Toolip should be rooted out of the [Page 19] Garden, and cast on the dung­hill, as one who had justly in­vaded a place not due there­unto, and this accordingly was performed.

Whilst this was passing in the upper house of the Flowers, no less were the transactions in the lower house of the herbs; where there was a generall ac­clamation against Wormewood, the generality condemning it, as fitter to grow in a ditch then in a Garden: Wormewood hardly [...]eneived leave to make its own defence, pleading in this man­ner for its innocency.

I would gladly know whom I have offended in this com­mon-wealth [Page 20] of Herbs, that there should be so generall a conspiracy against me? only two things can be charged on me, commonnesse and bitternesse; if commonnesse pass for a fault, you may arraign Nature it self, and condemn the best Jewel [...] thereof, the light of the Sun, the benefit of the Ayre, the com­munity of the Water, are not these staple commodities of mankind, without which no being or subsistance: if there­fore it be my charity to stoop so low, as to tender my selfe to every place for the publique service, shall that for which I deserve, if not praise, I need no [Page 21] pardon, be charged upon me as an offence.

As for my bitternesse, it is not a malitious & mischievous bitter­nesse to do hurt, but a helpfull & medicinall bitternesse, whereby many cures are effected. How many have surteited on honey? how many have dig'd their gravs in a Sugar-loaf? how many diseases have bin caused by the dulcor of many luscious sweet-meats? then am I sent for Physitian to these patients, and with my brother Cardus (whom you behold with a loving eye, I speak not this to endanger him, but to defend my selfe) restore them (if temperate in any de­gree, [Page 22] and perswaded by their friends to tast of us) unto their former health. I say no more, but were all my patients now my pleaders, were all those who have gained health by me, present to intercede for me, I doubt not but to be reinstated in your good opinions.

True it is, I am condemned for over-hot, and too passionate in my operation; but are not the best natures subject to this distemper? is it not observed that the most witty are the most cholerick? a little over­doing is pardonable, I will not say necessary in this kind, nor let me be condemned as destru­ctive [Page 23] to the fight, having such good opening, and abstergent qualities, that moderately ta­ken, especially in a Vorning, I am both food and Physick for a forenoon.

It is strange to see how passi­on and selfe-interest sway in ma­ny things, more then the justice and merit of a cause; it was ve­rily expected that Worm-wood should have been acquitted, and re-admitted a member in the so­ciety of Herbs: But what will not a Faction carry; Worme-woods friends were cafually absent that very day, making merry at an entertainment; her enemies (let not that Sex be angry for [Page 24] making Wormwood feminine) appeared in a full body, and made so great a noise, as if some mouths had two tongues in them, and though some engaged very zealously in Wormwoods de­fence, yet over-charged with the Tyranny of Number, it was carryed in the Negative, that Wormwood, alias absynthium, should be pluckt up root and branch from the Garden, and thrown upon the Dunghill, which was done accordingly, where it had the wofull society of the Toolip, in this happy, that being equally miserable, they might be a comfort the one to the other, and spent many [Page 25] howers in mutuall recounting their severall calamities, think­ing each to exceed the other in the relation thereof.

Let us now amidst much sad­ness interweave something of more mirth and pleasantnesse in the Garden. There were two Roses growing upon one Bush, the one pale and wan with age, ready to drop off, as usefull on­ly for a Still: the other a young Bud, newly loosened from its green swadling cloaths, and pee­ping on the rising Sun, it seem'd by its orient colour to be died by the reflection therof.

Of these, the aged Rose thus began.

[Page 26]Sister Bud, learn witt by my woe, and cheaply enjoy the free and ful benefit of that purchase which cost me dear and bitter experience: Once I was like your selfe, young and pretty, straitly laced in my green-Girdle, not swoln to that breadth and corpulency which now you be­hold in me, every hand which passed by me courted me, and persons of all sorts were ambi­tious to gather me: How many fair fingers of curious Ladies tendred themselves to remove me from the place of my abode; but in those daies I was coy, & to tell you plainly foolish, I stood on mine own defence, [Page 27] summoned my life-guard about me, commanded every pickle as so many Halberdeers, to stand to their Armes, de [...]ie those that durst touch me, protested my selfe a votary of constant virgi­nity; frighted hereat, passengers desisted from their intentions to crop me, and left me to en­joy the sullen humour of my own reservednesse.

Afterwards the Sun beams wrought powerfully upon me, (especialy about noon-time) to this my present extent, the O­rient colour which blushed so beautifull in me at the first, was much abated, with an over­mixture of Wa [...]ness and palemess [Page 28] therewith, so that the Green (or white sicknesse rather, the com­mon pennance for over-kept virginity began to infect me, and that fragrant sent of mine, began to remit and lessen the sweetnesse thereof, and I daily decayed in my naturall per­fume; thus seeing I daily lessen­ed in the repute of all eyes and nostrills, I began too late to re­pent my selfe of my former frowardnesse, and sought that my diligence by an after-game; should recover what my folly had lost; I pranked up my selfe to my best advantage, summon­ed all my sweetnesse to appear in the height thereof, recruit­ed [Page 29] my decayed Colour, by blushing for my own folly, and wooed every hand that passed by me, to remove me.

I confesse in some sort it of­fers rape to a Maiden modesty, if forgetting their sex, they that should be all Ears, turn mouthes, they that should ex­pect, offer; when we women, who only should be the passive Counterparts of Love, and re­ceive impression from others, boldly presume to stamp them on others, and by an inverted method of nature, turn plea­ders unto men, and wooe them for their affections. For all this there is but one excuse, and [Page 30] that is absolute necessity which as it breaks through stone­walls, so [...]o wonder if in this case it alters and transposes the Sexes, making women to m [...]n it in case of extremity, when men are wanting to tender their affections unto them.

All was but in vaine, I was entertained with scorne and neglect, the hardned hands of dayly Labourers, brawned with continuall work, the bluck hands of Moores, which alwaies carry Night in their [...], sleighted and contemned me; yea, now behold my last hope is but to deck and adom hous­es, and to be laid as a propertie [Page 31] in windowes, till at last I die in the Hospitall of [...]ome still, where when useless for any thing else, we are generally admitted. And now my [...]ery leaves begin to leave me, and I to be de­serted and forsaken of my sel [...].

O how happy are those Ro­ses, who are preferred in their youths; to be warme in the hands and breasts of faire La­dies, who are joyned together with other flowers of severall kinds in a Posie, wh [...]re the gene­rall result of sweetnesse from them all, ravisheth the Smel by an intermixture of various co­lours, all united by their stalks within the same [...] that bind­eth [Page 32] them together.

Therefore Sister Bud grow wise by my folly, and know it is far greater happinesse to lose thy Virginity in a good hand, then to wither on the stalk whereon thou growest: accept of thy first and best tender, lest afterwards in vaine thou court­est the reversion of fragments of that feast of love, which first was freely tendred unto thee.

Leave we them in their dis­ [...]ourse, and proceed to the re­lation of the Toolip and Worm­wood, now in a most pitifull condition, as they were lying on the Dunghill; behold a vast Gi [...]nt Boar comes unto them; [Page 33] that which Hercules was said to kill, and which was accounted by some the foreman of the jury of his L [...]ours, was but a Pygmie, or rather but a Pig, in compari­son of this; and with his Tusks wherewith Nature had armed him to be his sword as his shoulders are his shield, he began to rend and tear the Toolip and Wormewood, who exclaimed un­to him as followeth.

SIR,

Pitty useth alwaies to be an attendant of a generous mind, & valiant spirit, for which I have heard you much commended. Cruelty is commonly observed to keep company with Coward­linesse, [Page 34] and base minds, to tri­umph in cruell actions, behold we are the objects rather of your pitty, whose [...]fferings may rather render us to the commiseration of any that just­ly consider our case. I the Too­ [...]ip by a faction of flowers, was outed of the Garden, where I have as good a right and title to abide as any other: and this Wormewood, notwithstanding her just and long plea, how use­full and cordiall she was, was by a conspiracy of Herbs excluded the Garden, and both of us igno­miniously confined to this place, where we must without all hopes quickly expire: Our [Page 35] humble request unto you is not to [...]orten those few minutes of our lives which are left unto us, seeing such prejudice was done to our Vitals (when our roots were mangled by that cruel eradication) that there is an impossibility of our long continuance: Let us therefore sairly breath out our last breath, and antidate not our misery, but let us have the fa­vour of a quiet close and con­clusion.

But if so be that you are af­ [...]ected with the destruction of flowers and herbs, know the pleasure and contentment therein must be far greater to root out [Page 36] those which are fairly flourishing in their prime, whereof pl [...]ty are in this Garden afforded, and if it please you to follow our directions, we will make you Master of a Passe, which with­out any difficulty shall convey you into the Garden, for though the same on all sides almost is either walled or paled about, yet in one place it is fenced with a Hedge only, wherein, through the neglect of the Gardiner, (whose care it ought to be to secure the same) there is a hole left in such capacity; as will yeeld you an easie entrance thereinto: There may you glut your selfe, and satiate your [Page 37] soule with variety of Flowers and herb [...], so that an Epicure might have cause to complain of the plenty thereof.

The Boar apprehends the motion, is sencible it was advan­tagious for him, and following their directions, he makes him­selfe Master of his owne desire. O the spitefulnesse of some Na­tures! how do they wreck their their anger on all persons: It was revenge for the Toolip and Wormwood, unlesse they had spitefully wronged the whole Corporation of Flowers, out of which they were ejected as use­lesse and dangerous Members: And now consider how these [Page 38] two pride themselves in their own vindicative thoughts? how do they in their forcrunning fancy antidate the death of all Herbs and Flowers. What is sweeter then revenge? how do they please themselves to see what are hot & cold in the first, second, third, and fourth degree, (which borders on poison) how all these different in their severall Tempers, will be made friends in universall misery, and compounded in a generall destru­ction.

Little did either Flowers or Herbs think of the Boares ap­proaching, who were solacing themselves with merry and [Page 39] pleasant discourse; and it will not be amiss to deceive time, by inserting the Courtship of Thrift a flower-Herb, unto the Mary­gold, thus accosting her, just as the Boar entered into the Gar­den.

Mistresse, Of all Flowers that grow on Earth, give me leave to professe my fincerest affecti­ons to you: Complements have so infected mens tongues (and grown an Epidemicall fault, or as others esteem it, a fashionable accomplishment) that we know not when they speak truth, having made dissembling their language, by a constant usage thereof: But believe me Mistriss [Page 40] my heart never entertained any other interpreter then my Tongue; and if there be a veine (which Anatomists have gene­rally avouched, carrying intelli­gence from the heart to the lips) assure your selfe that vein acts now in my discourse.

I have taken signall notice of your accomplishments, and a­mong many other rare quali­ties, particularly of this, your loyalty and faithfulnesse to the Sun, Soveraign to all Vegetables, to whose warming Beams, we owe our being and increase: such your love thereunto, that you attend his rising, and therewith open, and at his setting shut [Page 41] your windowes: True it is, that Helitropium ( to turner with the Sun) hath a long time been at­tributed to the Sun-flower, a voluminous Giant like Flower, of no vertue or worth as yet discovered therein, but we all know the many and Soveraign vertues in your leaves, the Herb generall in all pottage: Nor do you as Herb John stand newter, and as too many now adaies in our Commonwealth do, neither good nor ill (expecting to be acted on by the impression of the prevailent party) and other­wise warily engage not them­selves; but you really appear soveraign and operative in your [Page 42] wholesome effects: The consi­deration hereof, and no other by reflection, hath moved me to the tender of my affections, which if it be candidly resented, as it is sincerely offered, I doubt not but it may conduce to the mutuall happinesse of us both.

Besides know (though I am the unproperest person to trumpet forth my owne praise) my name is Thrift, and my nature answereth thereunto; I doe not prodigally wast those Lands in a moment, which the industry and frugality of my Ancestors hath in a long time advanced; I am no gamster to shake away with a quaking hand, what a [Page 43] more fixed hand did gain and acquire: I am none of those who in variety of cloaths, bury my quick e [...]ate as in a winding sheet; nor am I one of those who by cheats and deceits im­prove my selfe on the losses of others; no Widowes have wept, no Orphans have cryed for what I have offered unto them (this is not Thrift but rather Felony) nor owe I any thing to my own body; I fear not to be arrested upon the action of my own car­caffe, as if my creditors should cunningly compact there­with, and quit scores, resigning their Bill and Bond unto mine own body, whilst that in re­quitall [Page 44] surrendereth all obli­gations for food and cloaths thereunto: Nor do I undertake to buy out Bonds in controver­sies for almost nothing, that so running a small hazard, I may gain great advantage, if my bar­gain therein prove successfull. No, I am plain and honest Thrist, which none ever did, or will speak against, save such prodigall spend-thrifts, who in their reduced thoughts, will speak more against themselves.

And now it is in your power to accept or refuse what I have offered, which is the priviledg which nature hath allotted for your feminine sex, which we men [Page 45] perchance may grudg and re­pine at, but it being past our power to amend it, we must permit our selves as well as we may to the constant custome prevailing herein.

The Marigold demurely hung down her head, as not over­fond of the motion, and kept silence so long as it might stand with the rule of manners, but at­last brake forth into the fol­lowing return.

I am tempted to have a good opinion of my selfe, to which all people are prone, and we women most of all, if we may beleeve your—of us, which herein I am affraid are too true: [Page 46] But Sir, I conceive my selfe too wise to be deceived by your commendations of me, especi­ally in so large a way, and on so generall an account, that other Flowers not only share with me, but exceeed me there­in: May not the Daies-eye not only be corrivall with me; but superior to me in that quality, wherein so much you praise me; my vig [...]ancy starteth only from the Suns rising, hers bears date frō the dawning of the morning, & out-runs my speed by many degrees: my vertue in portage which you so highly commend, impute it not to my Modesty, but to my Guiltinesse, if I cannot [Page 47] give it entertainment; for how many hundred Herbs which you have neglected exceed me therein.

But the plain truth is, your love not me for my selfe, but for your advantage: It is Gold on the arrear of my name which maketh Thrift to be my Suitor: how often, and how unworthi­ly have you tendered your af­fections, even to Penny-royall, it selfe, had she not scorned to be courted by you.

But I commend the Girle that she knew her own worth, though it was but a Penny, yet it is a Royall one, and therefore not a fit match for every base [Page 48] Suitor, but knew how to valew her selfe, and give me leave to tell you, that Matches founded on Covetousnesse never succeed▪ Profit is the Load-stone of your affections, Wealth, the attractive of your Love, Money the mover of your desire; how many hun­dreds have engaged themselves on these principles, and after­wards have bemoaned them­selves for the same? But oh the uncertainty of wealth? how unable is it to expleate & satis­fie the mind of man: Such as cast Ancho [...] thereat, [...]eldome find fast ground, but are tossed about with the Tempests of many di­sturbances; these Wive [...] for con­veniency [Page 49] of profit and pleasure (when there hath been no fur­ther nor higher intent) have filled all the world with mis­chief and misery. Know then sir, I return you a flat deniall, a de­niall that vertually contains ma­ny, yea as many as ever I shall be able to pronounce: My tongue knowes no other language to you but No; score it upon wo­mens dissimulation (whereof we are too guilty, and I at o­ther times as faulty as any) but Sir, read my eyes, my face, and compound all together, and know these are the exp [...]essions dictated from my heart; I shall embrace a thousand deaths [Page 50] sooner, then your Marriage­Bed.

Thus were they harmelessly discoursing, and feared no ill, when on a sudden they were surprized with the un [...]outh sight of the Boare, which had entered their Garden, following his prescribed directions, and armed with the Corslet of his Bristles, vaunted like a trium­phant Conqueror round about the Garden, as one who would first make them suffer in their fear, before in their feeling; how did he please himselfe in the variety of the fears▪ of the flowers, to see how some pal [...] ones looked red, and some re [...] [Page 51] ones looked pale; leaving it to Philosophers to dispute and de­cide the different effects should proceed from the same causes; and among all Philosophers, commending the question to the Stoicks, who because they pretend an Antipathy, that they themselves would never be an­gry, never be mounted above the modell of a common usuall Temper, are most competent Judges, impartially to give the reason of the causes of the an­ger of others.

And now it is strange to see the severall waies the Flowers embraced to provide for their owne security; there is no such [Page 52] Teacher as extremity; necessity hath found out more Arts, then ever ingenuity invented: The Wall-Gilly flower ran up to the top of the Wall of the Garden, where it hath grown ever since, and will never descend till it hath good security for its own safety; and being mounted thereon, he entertained the Boar with the following dis­course.

Thou basest and unworthiest of four-footed Beasts; thy Mother the Sow, passeth for the most contemptible name, that can be fixed on any She: Yea, Pliny reporteth, that a Sow growne old, useth to feed on her owne [Page 53] young; and herein I beleeve that Pliny, who otherwise might be straitned for fellow-witnesses, might find such who will attest the truth of what he hath spo­ken. Mens Excrements is thy ele­ment, and what more cleanly creatures do scorn and detest, makes a feast for thee; nothing comes amisse unto thy mouth, and we know the proverb what can make a pan-cake unto thee: Now you are gotten into the Garden (shame light on that ne­gligent Gardner, whose care it was to fence the same, by whose negligence and oversight, you have gotten an entrance into this Academy of Flowers and [Page 54] Herbs) let me who am your ene­nie give you some Counsell, and neglect it not, because it comes from my Mouth. You see I am without the reach of your An­ger, and all your power cannot hurt me, except you be pleased to borrow wings from some Bird, thereby to advantage your selfe, to reach my habita­tion.

My Counsell therefore to you is this, be not Proud be­cause you are Prosperous; who would ever have thought, that you could have entered this place, which we conceived was impregnable against any of your kind: Now because you [Page 55] have had successe as farre above our expectations, as your deserts; show your own moderation in the usage thereof; to [...]aster us is easie, to Master your selfe is difficult. Attempt therefore that which as it is most hard to performe, so will it bring most honour to you when executed; and know, I speak not this in relation to my selfe (sufficient­ly priviledged from your T [...]sks) but as acted with a pub­lique spirit, for the good of the Comminalty of Flowers; and if any thing hereafter betide you, o­ther then you expect, you will remember that I am a [...]rophet, and for [...] [...]ell that which too late [Page 56] you will credit and bel [...]eve.

The Boar heard the words, and entertained them with a surly silence; as conceiving him­selfe to be mounted above dan­ger, sometimes he pittied the sillinesse of the Wall-flower, that pittyed him, and sometimes he vowed revenge, concluding that the stones of the Wall would not afford it sufficient moisture, for its constant dwel­ling there, but that he should take it for an advantage, when it descended for more suste­nance.

It is hard to expresse the pa­nick fear in the rest of the flowers, and especially the small [Page 57] Prim-ro [...]es, begged of their Mo­thers that they might retreat in­to the middle of them, which would only make them grow bigger and broader, and it would grieve a pittifull heart to hear the child plead, and the mother so often deny.

The Child began; dear Mother, she is but halfe a Mother that doth breed and not preserve, on­ly to bring forth, and then to ex­pose us to worldly [...]isery, less [...]ns your Love, and doubles our sufferings: See how this tyran­nicall Boare threatens our in­stant undoing; I desire only a Sanctuary in your bosome, a re­treating place into your breast, [Page 58] and who fitter to come into you, then she that came out of you; whether should we return, then from whence we came, it will be but one happinesse, or one misfortune, together we shall die, or together be pre­served; only some content and comfort will be unto me, either to be happy or unhappy in your company.

The broader Prim-rose heark­ned unto these words with a sad countenance, as [...]ensible in her [...]elfe, that had not the pre­sent necessity hardned her af­fections, she neither would nor could return a deaf [...]are to [...]o equall a motion. But now she rejoyned.

[Page 59] Dear Child, none can be more sensible then my selfe of Mo­therly affections, it troubles me more for me to deny thee, then for thee to be denyed; I love thy safety where it is not ne­cessarily included in my dan­ger, the entertaining of thee will be my [...] and destructi­on; how many Parents in this age have been undone meerly for affording house and home to such Children, whose con­dition might be quarrel'd with as exposed to exception.

I am sure of mine owne inno­cency, which never in the least degree have offended this Boar, and therefore hope he will not [Page 60] offend me; what wrong and in­jury you have done him is best known to your selfe; stand therefore on your own bot­tome, maintain your own inno­cence; for my part I am resol­ved not to be drowned for o­thers hanging on me, but I will try as long as I can the strength of my own armes and leggs; excuse me good child, it is not hatred to you, but love to my selfe, which makes me to under­stand my own interest. The younger Prim-rose returned.

Mother, I must again appeal to your affections, despairing to find any other Judge to Father my cause; remember I am part [Page 61] of your [...]elfe, and have never by any undutifulnesse disobliged your affections; I professe also mine own integrity, that I ne­ver have offended this Boar, being more innocent therein then your selfe, for alas my ten­der years intitles me not to any correspondency with him, this is the first minute (and may it be the last) that ever I beheld him; I reassume therefore my suite, supposing that your first denyall proceeded only from a de [...]ire to try my importunity, and give me occasion to enforce my request with the greater earnestnesse: By your motherly bowels I conjure you (an exor­cisme [Page 62] which (I beleeve) comes not within the compasse of [...]u­perstition) that you tenderme in this my extremity, whose greatest ambition is to die in those armes from whence I first fetcht my originall. And then she left her tears singly to drop out the remainder, what her tongue could not expresse.

The Affections of Parents may sometimes he s [...]othered, but seldome quenched, and mee­ting with the [...]last or bellowes from the submissive mouthes of their Children, it quickly bla [...]eth into a flame. Mother and daughter are like Tallies, one exactly answereth the other: The Mo­ther [Page 63] Prim-rose could no longer resist the violence of ▪ her daughters importunity, but o­pens her bosome for the present reception thereof, wherein ever since it hath grown doubled unto this day; and yet a double mischief did arise from this ge­mination of the Print-ro [...]e, or inserting of the little one into the Bowels thereof.

First, those Prim-roses ever since grow very slowly, and lag the last among all the Flowers of that kind; single Prim-roses beat them out of distance, and are arrived at their M [...]rk a month before the other start out of their gr [...]en leaves: yet it [Page 64] will not be hard to assigne a na­turall cause thereof, namely, a greater power of the Sun is ac­quired to the production of greater Flowers, small degrees of heat will suffice to give a be­ing to single Flowers, whilst double ones groaning under the weight of their own great­nesse, require a greater force of the Sun-beams to quicken them, and to spurre their lazinesse, to make them appear out of their roots.

But the second Mischief most concernes us, which is this, all single Flowers are sweeter, then those that are double; and here we could wish that a Jury of [Page 65] Florists were impannelled, not to eat, untill such time as they were agreed in their verdict, what is the true cause thereof­Some will say that single leaves of Flowers, being more effectu­ally wrought on by the Sun­Beams, are rarified thereby, and so all their sweetnesse and per­fume the more fully extracted; whereas double Flowers who lie as it were in a lump, and heap crouded together with its own leaves, the Sun-beams hath not that advantage singly to distill them, and to improve e­very particular leaf to the best advantage of sweetnesse: This sure I am, that the old Prim­rose [Page 66] sencible of the abatement of her sweetnesse, since she was clogged with the entertainment of her Daughter, halfe repent­ing that she had received her, returned this complaining dis­course.

Daughter, I am sencible that that the statutes of inmates, was founded on very good and so­lid grounds, that many should not be multiplyed within the roof of one and the same house, finding the inconveniency thereof by lodging thee my owne Daughter within my Bo­some; I wil not speak how much I have lost of my grouth, the Clock whereof is set back a whole [Page 67] month by receiving of you; but that which most grieveth me, I perceive I am much abated in my sweetnesse (the essence of all Flowers) and which only di­stinguisheth them from w [...]ds, seeing otherwise in Colours, weeds may contest with us in brightnesse and variety.

Peace Mother (replyed the small Prim-rose) conceive not this to be your particular un­happinesse, which is the gene­rall accid [...]nt falling out daily in common experience, namely, that the bigger and thicker people grow in their estates, the worse and lesse vertuous they are in their Conversations, our [Page 68] age may produce millions of these instances; I knew some tenne years since many honest men, whose converse was fa­miliar and faire, how did they court and desire the company of their neighbours, and mutu­ally, how was their company desired by them? how humble were they in their carriage, lo­ving in their expressions, and friendly in their behaviour, drawing the love and affecti­ons of all that were acquainted with them? But since being grown wealthy, they have first learnt not to know themselves, and afterwards none of their neighbours; the brightnesse of [Page 69] much Gold and Silver, hath with the shine and lustre thereof so perstringed and dazled their eyes, that they have forgotten those with whom they had for­merly so familiar conversation; how proudly do they walk? how superc [...]liously do they look? how disdainfully do they speak? they will not know their own Brothers and kindred, as being a kin only to themselves.

Indeed such who have long been gaining of wealth, and have slowly proceeded by de­grees therein, whereby they have learnt to mannage their minds, are not so palpably proud as others; but those who [Page 70] in an instant have been surpriz­ed with a vast estate, flowing in upon them from a fountain farre above their deserts, not being able to wield their own great­nesse, have been prest under the weight of their own estates, and have manifested that their minds never knew how to be stewards of their wealth, by forgetting themselves in the disposing thereof.

I beleeve the little Prim-rose would have beee longer in her discourse, had not the approach of the Boar put an unexpected period thereunto, and made her break off her speech before the ending thereof.

[Page 71]Now whilst all other flowers were struck into a panick si­lence, only two, the Violet, and the Marygold continued their discourse, which was not attri­buted to their valour or hardi­nesse above other Flowers, but that casually both of them grew together in the declivity of a depressed Valley, so that they saw not the Boar, nor were they sensible of their own mi­sery, nor durst others remove their stations to bring them in­telligence thereof.

Sister Marigold (said the Vio­let) you and I have continued these many daies in the contest which of our two colours are [Page 72] the most honourable and plea­sing to the Eye, I know what you can plead for your selfe, that your yellownesse is the Live­ry of Gold, the Soveraign of most mens hearts, and esteemed the purest of all mettals; I deny not the truth hereof: But know that as farre as the Skie surpas­seth that which is buried in the Bowels of the Earth, so farre my blew colour exceedeth yours; what is oftner mentioned by the Poets then the azure Clouds? let Heraulds be made the Vm­pire, and I appeal to Ger­rard, whether the azure doth not carry it cleer above all o­ther colours herein; Sable or [Page 73] Black affrights the beholders with the hue thereof, and minds them of the Funerall of their last friends, whom they had in­terred Vert or Green I confesse is a colour refreshing the sight, and wore commonly before the eyes of such who have had a casuall mischance therein, how­ever, it is but the Livery of no­velty, a young upstart colour, as green heads, and green youth do passe in common experience. Red I confesse is a noble colour, but it hath too much of bloo­dinesse therein, and affrighteth beholders with the memory thereof: My Blew is exposed to no cavills and exceptions, [Page 74] wherein black and red are mo­derately compounded, so that I participate of the perfections of them both: the over▪ gaudi­nesse of the red, which hath too much light and brightness there­in, is reduced and tempered with such a mixture of black, that the red is made staved, but not sad therewith, and the black kept from over-much melan­choly, with a proportionable contemperation of red therein: This is the reason that in all a­ges the Violet or purple colour hath passed for the emblem of Magistracy, and the Robes of the antient Roman judges al­waies died therewith.

[Page 75]The Violet scarce arived at the middle of her discourse, when the approach of the Boar put it into a terrible fear, nor was their any Herb or Flower in the whole Garden left unsur­prized with fear, save only Time and Sage, which casually grew in an [...]sland surrounded with water from the rest, and secured with a lock-bridge from the Boars accesse. Sage be­ginning, accosted Time in this Nature.

Most fragrant Sister, there needs no other argument to convince thy transcendent sweetnesse, save only the ap­pealing to the Bees (the most [Page 76] competent judges in this kind) those little Chymists, who through their natural Alembick, distill the sweetest and useful­lest of Liquors, did not the commonnesse and cheapnesse thereof make it lesse valued: Now these industrious Bees, the emblem of a common-wealth (or Monarchy rather, if the re­ceived traditions of a Master­Bee be true) make their con­stant diet upon the; for though no Flower comes amisse to their palates, yet are they ob­served to preferre thee above the rest. Now Sister Time, faine would I be satisfied of you se­verall queries, which only Time [Page 77] is able to resolve. Whether or no do you think that the State of the Turks wherein we live, (whose cruelty hath destroyed faire Tempe to the small rem­nant of these few Acres) whe­ther I say, do you think that their strength and greatness doth encrease, stand still, or abate? I know Time that you are the Mo­ther of truth, and the finder out of all truths mysteries; be open therefore and candid with me herein, and freely speak your mind of the case propounded.

Time very gravely casting down the eyes thereof to the earth; Sister Sage (said she) had you propounded any question [Page 78] within the sphear or circuit of a Garden, of the heat or coolnesse, drinesse or mo [...]sture, vertue or o­peration of flowers and Herbs, I should not have demurred to return you a speedy answer; but this is of that dangerous couse­quence, that my own safety locks up my lips, and commands my silence therein: I know your wisdome Sage, whence you have gotten your name and re­putation, this is not an age to trust the neerest of our relati­ons with such an important secresie; what ever thoughts are concealed within the Cabinet of my own bosome, shall there be preserved in their secret pro­pertie [Page 79] without imparting them to any; my confessor himselfe shall know my conscience, but not my judgement in affaires of State: Let us comply with the present necessity, and lie at a close posture, knowing there be fencers even now about us, who will set upon us if our guards lye open: generall dis­courses are such to which I will confine my selfe: It is antient­ly said, that the subtill man lurks in generall. But now give me leave, for honesty it selfe, if de­siring to be safe, to take San­ctuary therein.

Let us enjoy our own hap­pinesse, and be sensible of the [Page 80] favour indulged to us, that whereas all Tempe is defaced, this Garden still surviveth in some tolerable condition of prosperity, and we especially miled about, are fenced from forraign foes, better then the rest; let it satisfie your soule that we peaceably possess this happinesse, and I am sorry that the lustre thereof is set forth with so true a foile, as the cala­mity of our neighbours.

Sage returned; Were I a blab of my mouth, whose secresie was ever suspected, then might you be cautious in communi­cating your mind unto me: But secrecy is that I can principally [Page 81] boast of, it being the quality for which the common-wealth of Flowers chose me their privy Councellor, what therefore is told me in this nature, is depo­sited as securely, as those trea­sures which formerly were laid up in the Temple of safety it self; and therefore with all modest importunity, I reassume my suit, and desire your judgment of the question, whether the Tur­kish Tyranny is likely to conti­nue any longer? for Time I know alone can give an answer to this question.

Being confident ( said Time) of your fidelity, I shall expresse my selfe in that freenesse unto [Page 82] you, which I never as yet ex­pressed to any mortall: I am of that hopefull opinion, that the period of this barbarous nati­ons greatnesse begins to ap­proach, my first reason is drawn from the vicissitude and muta­bility which attends all earthly things; Bodies arrived at the verticall point of their strength, decay and decline. The Moon when in the fulnesse of its in­creasing, tendeth to a waning; it is a pitch too high for any sublunary thing to amount un­to constantly, to proceed pro­gressively in greatnesse; this maketh me to hope that this Giant-like Empire, comented [Page 83] with Tyranny, supported, not so much with their own poli­cy, as with the servility of such who are under them, hath seen its best daies and highest eleva­tion.

To this end, to come to more particulars, what was it which first made the Turks for­tunate, in so short a time to o­ver-run all Greece, but these two things; first, the dissentions, 2. the dissolutenesse of your antient Greeks: Their dissentions are too well known, the Emperor of Constantinople being grown al­most but titular, such the pride and potency of many Peeres under him. The Egean is not [Page 84] more stored with Islands (as I think scarce such a heap or hud­dle is to be found of them in all the world againe) as Greece was with severall factions, the Epirots hated the Achayans, the Mesedans bandoned against the Thracians, the Dalmatians maintained deadly feud against the Wallachians: Thus was the conquest made easie for the Turks, beholding not so much to their own valour, as to the Grecian discord.

Next to their dissentions, their dissolutenesse did expedite their ruine; drunkennesse was so common among them, that it was a sin to be sober, so that I [Page 85] may [...]ay, all Greece reel'd and staggered with its own intem­perance when the Turk assaulted it: What wonder then was it if they so quickly over-ran that famous Empire, where vice and lazinesse had generally infected all conditions of people.

But now you see the Turks themselves have divisions and dissentions among them, their great Bashaws and holy Muftees have their severall factions and dissentions; and whereas the poor Greeks by the reason of their hard usage, begin now to be starved into unity and tem­perance, they may seem to have changed their vices with the [Page 86] Turks, who are now grown as factious and vitious as the other were before. Adde to all this that they are universally hated, and the neighbouring Princes raither wait a time, then want a will to be revenged on them for their many insolencies. Put all these together, and tell me if it put not a cheerfull complexion on probability, that the Turkish tyranny having come to the mark of its own might, and ut­most limits of its own great­nesse, will dwindle and wither away by degrees. And assure your selfe, if once it come to be but standing water, it will quick­ly be a low ebb with them.

[Page 87]Probably she had proceed­ed longer in her Oration, if not interrupted with the miserable moanes and complaints of the Herbs and Flowers which the Boar was ready to devour, when presently the Sage spake unto the Boar in this man­ner.

Sir, Listen a little unto me, who shall make such a motion whereof your selfe shall be the Judge (how much it tendeth to your advan­tage) and the deafest ears will listen to their own interest.) I have no designe for my selfe (whose position here inviro­ned with with water, secureth [Page] me from your anger) but I con­fesse I sympathize with the mi­serie of my friends and acquain­tance, which in the continent of the Garden are exposed to your cruelty; what good will it do you to destroy so many Flowers and Herbs, which have no gust or sweetnesse at all in them for your palate; follow my directions, and directly South-west as you stand, you shall find (going forward there­in) a corner in the Garden, o­vergrown with Hog-weed, (through the Gardiners negli­gence;) Oh what Lettice will be for your lipps; you will say that Via lactea (or the milkie way) is [Page 89] truly there, so white, so sweet, so plentifull a liquor is to be distilled out of the leaves there­of, which hath gotten the name of Hog-weed, because it is the principall Bill of fare whereon creatures of your kind make their common repast. The Boar sensible that Sage spake to the purpose, followed his di­rections, and found the same true, when feeding himselfe al­most to surfet on those delici­ous dainties, he swelled so great, that in his return out of the Garden, the holein the fence which gave him admittance, was too small to afford him egress [...] out thereat; when the Gardiner [Page 90] coming in with a Guard of Dogs, so persecuted this Ty­rant, that killed on the place, he made satisfaction for the wrong he had done, and for the terrour wherewith he had affrighted so many Innocents. I wish the Reader well feasted with some of his Brawn well cooked, and so take our leave both of him and the Gardens.