Most noble Naples, breeds but Dukes and Earles,
And gallant Knights, with Ladies load with Pearles.
Among many other things neare to this City, (which in the conclusion of
this Historicall discourse be more particularly expressed) were Lacus
Avernus, Sibillaes Cave, Puteoli, the Sulphurean mountaine Capua and
Cuma, where banished Æneas from Troy and Carthage arrived. I saw the
Monument of Virgills buriall standing in the fore face of his owne
Grotto, that is cut through the mountaine of Cataia, being passable
for Coatches, and a halfe mile long; and affixed these lines thereupon;
In Mantua from Mothers wombe,
I first conceived breath;
Parthenope reserves the Tombe,
My Sepulcher of Death.
Italy was called so of Italus, a King in Sicily, which first
taught the people agriculture: The more impropriated names were
Hesperia, because it is situate under the evening starre Hesperus:
Latium, because Saturne driven from Creet by his sonne Jupiter, hic
latebat abditus; and Ænotria in regard of the abundance of wines it
produceth. This Countrey was first sayd to be inhabited by Janus,
Anno Mundi 1925. From whom sprung the [The first plantation of
Italy.] tribes of the Samnites, Sabines, Laurentani, and Tarentines:
The second Plantation was by Evander, and certaine other Arcadians,
who being banished from their native dwellings, seated themselves here:
Thirdly, by the Trojanes, under conduct of Æneas, who forsaking the
delicious lives of the effeminate Affricans arrived here, and were
kindly entertained by King Latinus, whose daughter Lavinia, Æneas
married: So thus from the Trojans the Italians bragge of their discent;
and so likewise boast divers other nations to have discended from that
Dardan stocke, as glorying in such a famous pedegree. The length of
Italy is nine hundreth Italian miles, though some allot a thousand,
it is false, for I have trod foure severall times from end to end
of it on the soles of my feete, even from Vallese, the first Towne
in Piemont, discending mount Synais from La Croix Southward, which
secludeth Savoy; and to Capo Bianco in Calabria, hemb'd in with the
gulfe Tarento on the one side, and the Faro of Messina on the other,
it being the furthest promontore of Italy.
So in a false description, some blind Geographers, through base
ignorance, make England longer then Scotland in their Mappes, when
Scotland, by the best judgements, and mine owne better experience,
is a hundred and twenty miles longer then England: It is a deocular
errour, which I could wish to be reformed, as in the conclusion of
this worke I shall more credibly make cleare.
The breadth of Italy at the roote and beginning thereof, bending
along the Alpes from the Adriaticke coast, to the riviera di Genoa,
or Ligurian shore, is but 240. Italian miles, growing narrower,
and narrower, till it shut out it selfe in two hornes, Calabria,
and Terra di Ottranto. The breadth of which, or either, extendeth
not above foureteene English miles from sea to sea, the gulfe Tarento
(which is unnavigable in respect of infinite craggy shelfes) deviding
the two homes. On the North side of Terra di Ottranto, lieth Apulia,
bordering with Mare superum, a very fruitfull soile for cornes;
& West-ward thence boundeth, terra di lavoro, or proprium regnum
Napolitanum. These foure territories make up the intire [The Kingdome
of Naples.] Kingdome of Naples: The chiefe Cities of which, are Naples,
Capua and Salerno, in terra di Lavoro: In Calabria, are Cousenza, the
chiefe seate of the President, or Subvicegerent, Rhegio, Allauria,
and Montecilione: In terra di Ottranto, are Otranto the which towne
being taken by Mahomet the great, Anno 1481. involved all Italy in
such a feare, that for a whole yeare, and till the expulsion of the
Turks, Rome was quite forsaken, the next are Lucia, and Brundusium
beautified with a famous haven.
And in Apulia, are Manfredo, Arpino where Tully was borne, Venusio,
whence Horace had his birth, and Canno famous for the victory of
Hanniball, against the Romans. The Church-land beginnes beyond
Rome eighty miles at Terracina, being just opposit to Gayetta, the
West-most confine by the Marine of the Neapolitan Kingdome, neare to
Mount Circello, and the utmost Marine limit Eastward of Campagna di
Roma, or the Churches patrimony, imbracing both seas, till it runne
to Ponto Centino in Tuscana: which divideth the precincts of Re di
Coffine, & Aquacupadente, the last frontiers of the great Duke and
Popes lands. All which bounds to Terracina, and in the way of Venice
from Rome to Spaleto is denominated Campagna di Roma, or Latium;
and thence it reacheth along Northwest, by the Venetian gulfe,
to the uttermost bounds of the Dutchy of Ferara, being thirty miles
from Venice: Extending in length to three hundred & fifty miles, whose
breadth is narrow, and where it joyneth with both seas, it is but sixty
miles. The Church-land is [The foure Papall Territories.] divided in
foure territories, Campagna di Roma, or old Latium; Rome, Viterbo,
Narni, Tarni, Viletri, Montefiascone, and Civitavecchia, being
the chiefe Cities: Next, the Countrey of Ombria, or Ombrosa, lying
betweene Rome and Loretta, the chiefe Cities are Spaleto, from whence
it is reckoned a Dutchy, Perugia, a Sacerdotall University, Fulino,
and Asisi, where great St. Frances with his invisible Stigmata was
borne. At the which Asisi, I saw the place (as they say) where the
Angell appeard to his mother, telling her, that she should conceave
and beare a sonne, should be the Champion of Jesus, and hard by
they shew me the Crub or Stall where he was borne, with many other
foolish lyes both sinfull and abhominable: every way representing
his imaginary life, like to the heavenly tract and resemblance of our
blessed Saviour. The third is Marca di Ancona by the sea side, Ancona
being principall, the other Cities are Asculi, Marcerata, Tolentino,
Riginati, Aguby, and Parasiticall Loretta. The fourth is Romania,
lying along toward Ferrara, betweene the sea, and the hills Appenine.
This Ecclesiasticke dowry of Romania, is disjoyned from Marca
di Ancona, by the Duke of Urbins lands, which division by the
sea side is thirty miles in length, containing Pesaro, Fanno, and
Sinigalia all sea port Townes, the other of this Dutchy are Urbino,
and Casteldurante. The chiefe Towne in Romania, is Ravenna, which
for antiquity will not bow her top to none in Italy: Here the Popes
Legate remaineth, the other be Rimini, Fereola, Bullogna and Ferrara,
and this much for the Popes foure Ecclesiasticke territories.
Tuscana or Ætruria lying South from the middle of this Church-land
is 100. miles in length, and as much [The Duke of Florence his
Patrimony.] in breadth, I meane of that belonging to the great Duke:
Which hereditary boundes was but lately enlarged by Ferdinando, Father
to late Cosmus, and brother to Mary of Medicis, the French Queene
Mother now living: Who annexed thereunto the Reipublicks of Pisa
and Siena: The other sequestrate Tuscan jurisdiction, is the little
comonwealth of Luca: The chiefe Citty is Florence, whose streetes are
divided by the River Arno; the other of this principality, are Pisa,
Siena, Pistoia, Empoli, Ligorne, and Arretzo.
From Tuscany to the West, and North-west, lieth Lumbardy, intituled
the garden of the World, which is now divided (besides the Venetian
territory, of which I will speake in the owne place) in foure
principalities, Milaine, Mantua, Parma and Modena: The other Cities be
Cremona, Pavia, Lodi, Pleasance, Rhegio Brisiles, Palestra, Navarro
and Allessandria di Paglia. This Province is mainely watered through
the middle with stately Po, in which Phaeton was drenched, when he
came tumbling downe from Heaven. The Rivers Ladishe, Montanello, Delia
Guarda, and other forcible streames supporting the shoulders of it.
[Piemont and Genuaes Jurisdictions.] West from Lumbardy lieth Piemont,
betweene it and Savoy: The City whereof, and wherein the Savoyan Duke
hath his Residence is Torino, situate on Po. The other, Aste Verseilles
and Cowie. South from Piemont and Lumbardy, lieth the Riviera of Genoa,
along the Mediterrean sea: the territory of which is narrow, but
above one hundreth miles in length: All which is exceeding rocky and
mountainous, yet producing good store of Orenges, Lemmons, Figges and
Ches-nuts, whereon the Mountaineri onely live, being either rosted,
or baked in bread: The chiefe Cities of this Genewesen Liguria,
are Genoa, [Italy lyeth as the right arme, reaching forth from the
maine body of Europe.] and Savona. Italy lying in forme of a legge,
is on both sides environed with the Sea, save onely the North-west
part, and roote thereof, which is devided from France and Germany,
by the Ligurian, Savoyean, Grisonean, Zingalian, and Tirolian alpes,
which bend North-east, and South-west, inclosing it from the body
of Europe, from sea to sea. Italy of all other Regions under the
Sunne, hath beene most subject to the vicissitude of Fortune, yet
not a little glorying in these famous Captaines, Fabius Maximus the
buckler, and Camillus the sword of Rome, Scipio, Pompey, and Cæsar;
for venerable Poets Virgil, Ovid, and renowned Horace, famous also
for the Orator Cicero, and the Historians Tacitus, and Livius: The
soyle is generally abundant in all things necessary for humane life,
and the people for the most part are both grave and ingenious, but
wondrous deceitfull in their actions, so unappeasable in anger, that
they cowardly murther their enemies rather then seeke an honourable
revenge, and so inclind to unnaturall vices, that for bestiality they
surpasse the Infidells: the women of the better sort are slavishly
infringed from honest and lawfull liberty: They of the middle ranke
somewhat modest in carriage, witty in speech, and bountifull in
affection: They of the vulgar kind are both ignorant, sluttish and
greedy, and lastly the worser dregs, their impudent Curtezans, the most
lascivious harlots in the world. This much in generall for the briefe
description of this Region, and so I revert to mine itinerary relation.
In the meane while, having alwayes a regard of my hasty dispatching
from Christendome, I returned through Terra di Lavoro, by the
sea side, Campagna di Roma, aunciently Latium, and Ombria, now the
Dutchy of Spaleto, even to Loretta, standing in the Marca of Ancona,
addressing my selfe to Venice for transportation. But by your leave,
let me lay downe before your eyes some notable illusions of Modonna
di Loretta, which I found in my way-faring journey, to amplifie my
former discourse, concerning the errours of the Roman Church, and as
yet was never Englished in our language.
Before I came neare to Loretta by tenne miles, I overtooke a Caroch,
wherein were two Gentlemen of Rome, and their two Concubines; who
when they espied me, saluted me kindly, enquiring of what Nation
I was? whither I was bound? and what pleasure I had to travell
alone? After I had to these demands given satisfaction, they
intreated me to come up in the Caroch, but I thankfully refused,
and would not, replying the way was faire, the weather seasonable,
and my body unwearied. At last they perceiving my absolute refusall,
presently dismounted on the ground, to recreate themselves in my
company: and incontinently, the two young unmarried Dames came forth
also, and would by no perswasion of me, nor their familiars mount
againe; saying, they were all Pilgrimes, and bound to Loretta (for
devotion sake) in pilgrimage, and for the pennance enjoyned to them
by their Father Confessour. Truely so farre as I could judge, their
pennance was small, being carried with horses, and the appearance of
their devotion much lesse: for lodging at Riginati, after supper,
each youth led captive his dearest Darling to an unsanctified bed,
and left me to my accustomed repose.
When the morning Starre appeared, we imbraced the way marching
towards Loretta, and these vermillion Nymphs, to let me understand
they travelled with a chearefull stomacke, would oft runne races,
skipping like wanton Lambes on grassie Mountaines, and quenching
their follies in a Sea of unquenchable fantasies. Approaching neare
the gate of the Village, they pulled off their shooes and stockings,
walking bare-footed through the streets, to this tenne thousand times
polluted Chappell, mumbling Paternosters, and Ave Mariaes on their
beads. When they entred the Church, wherein the Chappell [Ignorant
devotion.] standeth, I stood at the entry beholding many hundreds
of bare-footed blinded bodies, creeping on their knees and hands:
Thinking themselves not worthy to goe on foote to this idely supposed
Nazaretan House, like to this saying;
Lauretum nudis pedibus, plebs crebra frequentat,
Quam movet interius religionis amor.
To Lorett people haunt with naked feete,
Whome Religion moves with loves fervent sprit.
Unto this falsely patronized Chappell, they offer yearely many rich
gifts, amounting to an unspeakable value, as Chaines, & Rings of Gold
and Silver, Rubies, Diamonds, silken Tapestries, Goblets, imbroudries
and such like. [Romes avarice.] The Jesuiticall and Poenitentiall
Fathers receive all, but who so enjoy all, let Camera reverenda
Romana, graunt certification to this Loretan avariciousnesse, who
fill their coffers twice in the yeare therewith. My foure Pilgrimes
having performed their ceremoniall customes, came backe laughing,
and asked why I did not enter? But I as unwilling to shew them any
further reason, demaunded what the matter was? O (said the Italians)
Jurando per il Cieloe Iddio Sacratissimo; This is the House wherein
the Virgin Marie dwelt in Galile: and to the confirmation of these
words shewed me a Booke, out of which I extracted these Annotations.
This Chappell they hold it to be the house, in which Mary was
annunced by Gabriel, and wherein she conceived [Damnable illusions of
Loretta.] Jesus, by operation of the holy Ghost, & in the meane time,
that devotion waxed scant amongst the Christians of the Primitive
Church in the Holy Land: strangers tirannizing over the territories of
Canaan, as Heraclius, Costroes King of Persia, Sarazens, and Harancone
King of Ægypt; it came to passe in the yeare of our Lord, 1291. and
in the time of Pope Nicholas the fourth, that it being shaken off the
foundation, was transported miraculously by Angels in the night, from
Nazareth in Gallilee, to Torsalto in Slavonia: the distance being by
sea and land 17. hundred Italian miles, O! a long lift for so scurvie a
Cell. And in the morning, Shepheards comming to the place of pastorage,
found this house, wherewith being astonished, they returned in hast,
and told Saint George Alessandro, the Prior of Torsalto, who in that
meane while was lying sick. He being stricken in admiration with these
newes, caused himselfe to be borne thither, and laid before the Altar,
and falling in a marvellous trance, [A Simonaicall vision.] the Virgin
Mary by a heavenly Vision appeared to him, saying after this manner.
[A Papisticall Dreamd of Oration.] Behold, thou hast often pierced
the heavens, with invocations for thy reliefe, and now I am come,
not onely to restore thee to thy health, but also to certifie thee,
that thou doubt nothing of this House; for it is holy in respect of
mee, the chast immaculate Virgin, ordained before all eternity, to be
the Mother of the most High. It was in this Chamber my Mother Anna
conceived me, nourished me, and brought me up, in singing Psalmes,
Hymnes, and Praises to the glory of God; and also I kept in this
roome the blessed Infant Jesus very God, and very Man, without any
grievance or paine brought him up with all dilgent observation:
And when cruell Herod sought the Babes life, by the advertisement
of the Angell, I, and my husband Joseph, who never knew my body,
fled with him downe to Ægypt. And after his passion, death, and
ascension to Heaven, to make a reconciliation of humane nature,
with the Court Coelestiall: I stayed in this house with John,
and the other Disciples: Who considering after my death, what high
mysteries had beene done into it, consecrated and converted the same
to a Temple, for a commemoration of Christs sufferings, the chiefe of
Martyrs. Also that resplending Image thou seest, was made by Saint
Luke (my familiar) for eternizing the memory of my portraiture,
as I was alive, by the commandement of him, who doth all things,
and shall reserve this sacred Image to the worlds end: That Crosse
of Ceder, which standeth at the side of the little Westerne window,
was made by the Apostles: These Cinders in the Chimney touch not,
because they are the fragments of the last fire I made on earth:
And that Shelfe whereon my linnen clothes, and prayer Bookes lay,
Let no person come neere it: For all these places are sanctified
and holy. Wherefore my Sonne, I tell thee, awake, and goe recite the
same which I have told thee unto others; and to confirme thy beleefe
therein, the Queene of Heaven giveth thee freely thy health.
[The shamefull opinions of the Papists concerning Loretta.] Frier
Alexander being ravished (say they) with the Vision, went and reported
it to Nicholas Frangipano, Lord of that Countrey. And incontinently
he sent this Prior and other foure Friers to Nazareth, whereby he
might know the trueth thereof, but in that journey they dyed. The
Virgin Mary perceiving their incredulity, caused Angels the second
time to transport the house over the gulfe of Venice, to a great
wood neere by the sea side, in the territory of Riginati in Italy,
being 300. miles distant. Which, when the country-men had found,
and remarking the splendor of the illuminating Image, dispersed
these newes abroad. And the Citizens of Riginati, having seene
what great miracles was daily done, by the vertue of this Chappell,
imposed then to it this name, Our Lady of Miracles. A little while
after the people resorting to it with rich gifts, there haunted in
the wood many theeves and cut-throates, who robd and murthered the
Pilgrims. Which innocent spilt bloud, pricking their pitifull Lady
to the heart, she made the Angels transport it the third time, and
set it on the top of a little Mountaine, belonging to two brethren
in heritage, being forty foure miles distant from the former
place. But they upon a day quarrelling, and discording about the
utility of the [Foure times transported.] Offerings to this House,
the Angels did remoove it the fourth time, and placed it in a high
broad way, where it standeth unremooved to this day, which place is
now called the Village of Loretta; and from the last Station nine
miles distant. [A confirmation by the Popes.] This was confirmed by
the Papall authority to be of an undoubted trueth, after a hundreth
and fifty three yeares deliberation. Loe, as briefly as I could, have
I layd open to thy judicious eyes, the transportations, Originall,
and Papisticall Opinions of Loretta; protesting I have added nothing
to the Authours description, but onely collected these speciall
Warrants; omitting other infinite foolish toyes, conceived for their
blind-folded credulity.
This Chappell, or rather dwelling house, as they would have it,
stood alwayes alone, till of late, that Pope Clement 8. caused build
a glorious Church over it: And here by accident I encountred with a
very courteous and discreet Gentleman, James Arthur, whose company
was to me most acceptable: Our acquaintance being first made at
the beginning of the same voiage upon the mountaines of Ferrara in
Paese du Burbon, and bound to visite Venice, in his returning home
for Scotland, as well as he had done Rome and other Cities of Italy.
Now I remember here of a pretty jest, for he and I going in to see the
inravled image with sparrets of iron, and musing on the blacknesse of
her face, and the richnesse of her gowne, all set with precious Stones
and Diamonds; and because she is sightlesse, foure lampes of oyle they
keepe alwayes burning before her face, that the people may see her,
because she cannot see them. There was, I say, a young lusty woman hard
by my elbow, busie at [A fleshly false-sprung miracle.] her Beades, who
with the heate of the throng, and for lacke of ayre, fell straight in
a sound: the women about her gave a shoute, and cryd that our blessed
Lady had appeared to her; whereupon she was carried forth and layd
upon the steppes, that discend from the Chappell to the Church-floore,
five hundreth more come to visite her with salutations of Saint,
Saint, O ever blessed Saint; Now it was Friday in the fore-noone,
and the woman having travelled all night, and to save charges of fish,
had eaten a cold bit of her owne meat privately in the Taverne, with
halfe a Buckale of red Wine: The people more admiring this imaginary
heavenly trance, than the reliefe of the woman; at last sayd I,
brother Arthur, I will goe open yonder womans breast, and I did so:
and holding up her head before all the people, there sprung a flood
of vin garbo downe the Alabaster stayres, intermingled with lumpes
of ill-chewd flesh: Whereat the people being amazed, from a Saint
swore she was a Divell: And if my friend and I, had not made hast
to carry the sicke woman from the Church to a Taverne, doubtlesse,
they had stoned her to death; and here was one of their miracles.
Another time, comming backe from my second Travels in Affricke, it
was my lucke to stumble in here againe, where I saw an old Capuschin
Frier conjuring the Divell out of a possessed woman, who had stayed
there, and two men keeping her above eighteene moneths, being twise
a day brought before the Chappell. The Frier stood up before her,
the two men holding both her armes; [A Capuschin Frier conjuring the
Divell.] and sayd, laying his formost finger on her brow; In nomine
Patris, &c. Io vi cargo a dirmi, per quale cagione, havete posseduto
l'anima di questæ poveretta; & vati ne via io ti adjuro, alia quei
luogi, dionde tu sei venuto: I charge thee to shew me for what cause
thou hast possessed the soule of this poore wretch, and I adjure thee
to goe backe unto these places from whence thou camest. Meane while
the woman stood dumbe and silent for the space of a quarter of an
howre, not being usuall before: the people gave a shoute, and cry'd,
the Divell had left her, whereat he that held her right arme did let
it fall downe by her side: But by your leave, in the twinckling of
an eye, the Divell in the woman gave the Frier such a rattle in the
face, that he was stroke downe upon his backe among the people: And
if it had not bene that she was borne downe with strength of hands,
she had torne the silly old conjurer in peeces: crying, O false and
dissembling knave, pretendest thou to have power to cast out evill
Spirits, when thou thy selfe is in a worser case than I, and all thy
profession too; Hell, hell, is your reward.
This is another of our Lady of Lorettaes Miracles, though many moe I
could recite: As for any more vertue of this Cymberian image, I have
knowne sicke folkes loaden with all kinde of diseases, criples, lame,
maimed, deafe, dumbe, and numbers possessed with evill spirits lie
here before this Lady, till I returned againe from Asia & Affrick,
that same way: imploring, fasting and penitentially weeping for
health; But alas poore soules, they lost their labour. When they had
both spent all their meanes, and perhaps the poorest of them three
yeares attendance, and forced to my knowledge to returne againe to
their severall stations with sorrowfull and comfortlesse hearts.
O strange and wonderfull frailty of men! what damnable imperfections
domineere over their brain-sicke knowledge: Sathan, thou Prince of
darkenesse, hast so over-sylled the dimmed eies of their wretched
soules, that notwithstanding of Gods eternall word, ordained to call
them through the spotlesse bloud of Christ Jesus; to be the heires
and adopted sonnes of Salvation: yet thou all abhominable enemie of
mankind, overthrowest both their spirituall and naturall understanding
in a bottomelesse Ocean of darke ignorance; promising to thy obdurate
souldiers, to build Castles in the Ayre; and contrarywise is busie,
digging downe dungeons, to welcome thy hellish eternized guests,
with horrible torments, and never-ceasing flames of everlasting
fire. What wilfull-hearted man can be so apt to believe, that our
blessed Lady, had such estimation of morter and stones, as to have
(although she had, had power) caused Angells to transport a rotten
house so often? No, I say, beleeve it who so will; questionlesse,
the Judgements of God in the trueth of his all-seeing Justice, shall
reward their too credulous mindes accordingly; Then shall they know
their foolish and superstitious errours.
But now to leave them with their Idolatry to stones, mettall, and
Images, I come to their blasphemies against the sacred Deity: Looke to
the workes of Bernardini de Busti, Bonaventure, and Fereolus Lucrius,
how shamefully they derogate the glory from God, and attribute all
grace, mercy and omnipotency, to the Virgin Mary. So Ludolphus and
Chrysostome affirme, that Velocior est non unquam salus invocato
nomine Mariæ, quam invocato nomine Domini, vinci filii ejus: Men may
oftentimes be sooner saved by calling on the Virgin Mary, than on
Christ. Omnia quæ Dei sunt, Mariæ sunt, quia mater & sponsa Dei illa
est, all things which are Gods, are the Virgin Maries, because she
is both the Spouse, and the mother of God, saith a Rabbin of theirs:
and as many creatures honour the Virgin Mary, as honour the Trinity,
saith another: So, Imperio Virginis, omnia famulantur & Deus, all
creatures & God himselfe, are subject to the Virgin Maries command. And
in their Bonaventure Ladies Psalter, Monstrate esse matrem, & coge
illum peccatoribus misereri, Shew thy selfe a Mother, and compell him
(viz. Christ) to have mercy upon sinners. Infinit citations could
I produce, of such like intollerable [The Virgin Mary divided in a
thousand Ladies.] attributs, besides the dividing of her in a 1000
stiles, viz. The Lady of the wines, Lady of the oyles, Lady of the
cornes, Lady of the woods, Lady of the mountains, Lady of the meeds,
Lady of the sheepe and goats, Lady of the springs, Lady of the fire,
Lady of the shepheards; from earthquakes, thunder and fire-flashes,
Lady of the Angels which is at Asisi in Ombria, Lady of miracles in
divers places, Florence, &c. Lady of life in Bullogna newly found,
Lady of all noble Ladies, and Nunnes, Lady of the galley-slaves,
Lady of shipwracking seas, Lady of rivers and waters, Lady of young
children, and orphanes, Lady of all consolation, Lady of pure Virgins,
Lady of distressed widdows, Lady of the sicke, and women with child,
&c. Besides the powerfull Lady of Mountserrata in Catalogna, the
aforesayd miraculous Lady of Loretta, and the clementious Ile-ruling
Lady of Trapundy in Sicilia, &c. Thus they make it manifest, that Shee,
that is Ladye of the one, is not Ladye of the other; each of them
having divers gifts, divers graces, divers powers, as they alledge,
divers Chappells, divers offerings, and divers pilgrimages, according
to the severall seasons, eminent or past-perills, peculiar invocations,
and the particular neede of each family, man woman and living creature.
Whereby it plainely appeareth, by their dividuall acknowledgements,
she is neither superior in power, universall in power, nor equall in
power to God: For if she were, one Chappell, one name, one place, one
pilgrimage, one offering would suffice for all. They chatter over on
their beads ten Ave Maries to our Lady, and but one Pater noster to
Christ: They make their orations thrice a day in the streets to the
Virgin, and none to God: they say God divided the Kingdome with the
Virgin, reserving to himselfe Justice, graunted to his mother mercy,
wherefore if any man be aggrieved with Gods Justice, he may appeale
to the court of her mercy.
But to conclude their blasphemies, & horrible lies, blessed is the
blessed Virgin Mary (the Mother of Christ according to the flesh)
above all women for ever and ever.
Leaving both this and Loretta, and returning to my [Ancona.] purpose,
James Arthur and I imbarked at Ancona, (15. miles from thence) in a
Frigato; This City of Ancona, in the time of Trajanus the Emperour,
flourished mightily in fame, and reputation, and yet a gallant place
to this day;
Contemnunt omnes Ancona moenia Turcas.
This sea-strong Towne, set on a Promontore,
Defieth the Turkes with its defensive shoare:
It glories not a little in giving name to the whole province
lying betweene Ombria and Romania, and is situate on a hill that
shooteth into the sea like a promontore, having a faire haven built by
Trajanus. It hath but one gate, whence arose the proverbe, Un porto nel
Ancona, un Petro nel Roma, e un Torre nel Cremona, One gate in Ancona,
one Peter in Rome, and one Steeple in Cremona being exceeding high.
Along this Adriaticke Coast, I saw no remarkeable thing, save the two
Cities Rimini and Ravenna: which were famous in the dayes of Octavius
Cæsar, but now somewhat impoverished, in regard of divers incursions
sustained, and shoaring along with them, the Duke of Urbines three
sea-port Townes Sinigalia, Fanno and Pesaro, we sayled by the mouth
of Rubicon, called now Pissatello (which Julius Cæsar passed over,
against the ordinance of the Senate, and afterwards seazed upon Rome,
putting Pompey to flight) I saw the place, where the bloudy battell
was fought betweene the French and Spaniards, Anno Domini 1512. but
the victory fell to the Gaules, with the losse of nineteene thousand
men on every side, and they have erected singular Monuments there,
in a perpetuall memory thereof. After three dayes sayling (having
passed by Malamucko, which is the Haven of the great Venetian shippes)
we arrived at St. Marks place in Venice.
Mine associate and I, were no sooner landed, and perceiving a great
throng of people, and in the midst of them a great smoake; but
we begun to demaund a Venetian what the matter was? who replied,
there was [A Gray Frier burned for villanous Lechering.] a gray
Frier burning quicke at S. Markes pillar, of the reformed order of
S. Francis, for begetting fifteene young Noble Nunnes with child, and
all within one yeare; he being also their Father confessor. Whereat,
I sprung forward through the throng, and my friend followed me,
and came just to the pillar as the halfe of his body and right arme
fell flatlings in the fire; The Frier was forty sixe yeares old,
and had bene Confessor of that Nunnery of Sancta Lucia five yeares:
Most of these young Nunnes were Senators daughters; and two of them
were onely come in to learne vertue, and yet fell in the midst of vice.
These fifteene with child, were all re-cald home to their fathers
Pallaces; the Lady Prioresse, and the rest of her voluptuous crew,
were banished for ever from the precincts of Venice. The Monastery
was razed to the ground, their rents were allowed to be bestowed upon
poore families, and distressed age, and their Church to be converted
to an Hospitall. Most part of all which M. Arthur and I saw, before
ever we either eate, drunke, or tooke our lodging in Venice: And
I cannot forget, how after all this, we being inhungred, and also
over-joyed tumbled in by chance, Alla capello Ruosso, the greatest
ordinary in all Venice, neare to which the Friars bones were yet a
burning: And calling for a Chamber, we were nobly & richly served:
After dinner they layd up our budgets and our burdons, and abroad
went we to see the Citie: Night come, we supd, and supd alone:
[The chiefe Venetian Ordinery.] The next morne, I begun to remarke
the grandeur of the Inne, and saw it was time that we were gone:
I demanded our dependant, what was to pay? he answered, Un scudo
all huomo par ciascun ripasto, A Crowne the dyet for each of us,
being ten Julets or five shillings starling: Mr. Arthur lookd upon
me, and I laughd upon him: In a word our dinner and supper cost us
40. Juletts twenty shillings English; being foure Crownes, whereat
my companion being discontented, bad the divell be in the Friars
ballocks, for we had payd soundly for his Leachery: many like deaths,
for like causes, and worser, have I seene in all my three voyages,
if time could permit me to particularize them; But from this thou
mayst play the learned Geometrician till thou findest more.
Cingitur urbs Venetum pelago, ditissima nummis.
This Towne most rich, to dare the Maine is shut,
In Neptunes bosome, and sea-streeted cut.
Venice is a Garden of riches, and worldly pleasures the chiefe flowre
of Common-weales, and the perfect, mirrour of civill and politicke
Governement. This sequestrat Citty, is situate in the bosome of
Neptune, and divided from the world, with a part of his maine body,
which invironeth the Iland.
[The territories of Venice.] The Common-wealth of Venice, containeth
Marcha del Trevisa, which lieth in Lombardy, containing these Cities,
Trevisa, Padua, Vincenza, Verona, Briscia, the second City for bignesse
and beauty in all Lombardy, Bergamo, Chiozza, and Rovigno. Friuli,
formerly called Forum Julii, lieth in the straite betweene the East
end of the Alpes, and the sea Adriaticke, in length fifty, & in bredth
forty miles. It hath bene often subject to the vicissitude of fortune:
The chiefe towne is Treista in the bottome of the gulfe, and Palma
lately built by the Venetians 1583. being the most impregnable, and
best fortified towne in Italy: Friuli was a Dukedome, founded by the
Lombards at the beginning of the Venetian Common-wealth: Afterward
Luitprandus one of the Dukes, envying the increase of the dominion of
Venice, made war against them, which ended in the losse of his owne
countrey. The rest be Istria, a part of Dalmatia, the Ilands Candy,
Corfu, Zante, Cephalonia, Serigo, Tino, Val di Campare, Lesina,
and others of lesser note.
The Venetians howsoever of old, they have bene great warriours;
they are now more desirous to keepe, then inlarge their Dominions,
and that by presents and money, rather than by the sword or true
valour; so that whatsoever they loose by battell, it is observed,
they recover againe by treatise. The Venetians are sayd to have
discended of the Hennets in Asia lesser, who assisting
the Trojans, and Troy being lost, their King Pterilimene slaine, they
fled away with Antenor; and arriving in this part of Italy seated
themselves, till the report of the Hunnes designe against Italy,
made them, (avoyding the storme before it fell) to draw into these
Ilands and [The first plantation of Venice.] Marishes, where now it
standeth. It was first founded, and begun, Anno. 421. March 25. being
distant from the maine land five miles, and defended against the fury
of the sea, by a banke extending to fifty miles in length: Through
which in eight places, there is passage broken for small boates, but
no way for vessels of any burthen, save at Malamucco, and the castle
of Lio: Yea, and so dangerous, that there is neither out-going nor
in-comming, without a Pylot, which maketh the Citty unconquerable.
This Citty is seven miles in compasse, and from so base an abject
beginning, it is growne (as it were) to be the chiefe bulwarke of
Europe: The Duke of this Adriatick Queene, espouseth the sea, every
Ascension day, by casting a golden ring into it. Which Stultitious
ceremony by Pope Alexander the third was graunted, when he fled to
Venice for succour, being persecuted by Fredericke Barbarossa: And
the Venetians vanquishing Otho the Emperours sonne, restored the Pope,
and for a reward, was honoured with this espousall.
The length of the Territory of Venice in Lombardy, lying along the
foote and South side of the Alpes, amounteth to sixe score five miles:
The breadth whereof in the planure is narrow, but stripeth larger
among the hills and lakes, and very populous.
The applauding Italian sayth, that Europe is the head of the World,
Italy the face of Europe, and Venice the eye of Italy; and indeed,
it is the strongest, and most active part of that powerfull body:
Whereby it would appeare, that in the last subversion of the latter
[The Venetians are sprung of the Romans.] Monarchy, the Romane
Genius made a Pythagoricall transmigration into Venice; whose
peace hath procured the plenty, and whose warres the peace of all
Christendome. The lawes of this City permit not the younger sonnes of
the best Gentry to marrie, least the number increasing should deminish
the dignity: Yet neverthelesse they permit them unlawfull pleasures,
and for their sakes allow publicke stewes. The Jewes here, and in Rome,
weare red, and yellow hats for notice sake, to distinguish them from
others: which necessary custome (would to God) were enjoyned to all
the Papists here in England, so should we easily discerne them from
the true Christians. And finally, to discourse upon the provision
of their magnificent Arsenall, Artillery, Munition and Armor, the
division of streetes with channels, the innumerable bridges of stone
and timber, their accustomable kind of living, apparell, curtesies,
and conventions; and finally, the glory of Gallants, Galleries,
Gallies, Galleasses and Gallouns, were a thing impossible for me
briefly to relate. Wherefore since the situation thereof, and the
decorements of their beautifull Palaces, are so well knowne, and their
generall customes by the better sort, I desist, concluding thus; this
incomparable mansion is the onely Paragon of all Cities in the World.
Mine aforesaid Consort and I having spent ten dayes in viewing and
reviewing this City and circumjacent Isles, and my purpose reaching
for Greece and Asia, as his was to recrosse the snowy Alpes, my muse
remembreth our sad departure.
[Mr. Arthur his farewell from Venice.] Now freindly Arthur left
me, courts the Maine
Of pleasant Lombardy: By Trent againe
Beares through the Alpes, in his Tirolian wayes,
And past Bavaria, where Danubio strayes
He fell on Rhyne, and downe these curlings came:
Then shipd for Albion, neare to Ratterdame:
And coasting Isis, viewd that royall court,
Where once Appollo did in glory sport;
Fraught with Ambrosian nectar; crownd his daies
On Pindus tops, to have Mecenas praise
This light ohumbrat, Arthur courts the North
[The Earle of Glencairne.] And servd a noble Earle of auncient
worth
Full eighteene yeares: till death that darts our woe
First smote his Lord and then his Countesse so:
Now they are fled, and he is left alone
Till heavens provide his hopes some happy one
Which if to his desert, such fortune came,
A Princely service, might his merit clayme.
Where wishing both his fate, and worth to be
I'le Venice leave, and visit Lombardie.
In the time of my staying here, I went forth to Lombardy, and visited
the famous Cities of Padua, Verona, and Ferrara. The commendation of
which is celebrated in these verses:
Extollit Paduam, juris studium, & medicinæ.
Verona, humanæ dat singula commoda vitæ.
Exhaurit loculos ferrarea ferrea plenos.
In Padua I stayed three moneths learning the Italian tongue, and found
there a Countrey Gentleman of mine, Doctor John Wedderburne a learned
Mathametician, but now dwelling in Moravia, who taught me well in the
language, and in all other respects exceeding friendly to me. Padua
is the most melancholy City of Europe, the cause onely arising of
the narrow passage of the open streets, and of the long galleries
and dark-ranges of pillars, that goe alwhere on every hand of you,
through the whole streets of the Towne: The Schollers here in the night
commit many murthers against their privat adversaries, and too often
executed upon the stranger and innocent, and all with gun-shot or else
stilettoes: for beastly Sodomy, it is as rife here as in Rome, Naples,
Florence, Bullogna, Venice, Ferrara, Genoa, Parma not being exempted,
nor yet the smallest Village of Italy: A monstrous filthinesse, and
yet to them a pleasant pastime, making songs, and singing Sonets of
the beauty and pleasure of their Bardassi, or buggerd boyes.
I commend the devotion of Venice and Genua, beyond all the other
Cities of Italy; for the Venetians have banished the Jesuites out of
their Territories and Ilands: [A comparison of Jewes and Jesuits.] And
the Genueses have abandoned the society of Jewes, and exposed them
from their jurisdiction. The Jewes and the Jesuites are brethren
in blasphemies; for the Jewes are naturally subtill, hatefull,
avaritious, and above all the greatest calumniators of Christs
name: and the ambitious Jesuites, are flatterers, bloudy-gospellers,
treasonable tale-tellers, and the onely railers upon the sincere life
of good Christians. Wherefore I end with this verdict, the Jew and
the Jesuite, is a Pultrone and a Parasite.