IV. _Nor is this reputation, wisdom, and virtue, only to be attributed to men: there were women also in the Greek and Roman ages, that honoured their sex, by great examples of meekness, prudence, and chastity; and which I do the rather mention, that the honour, story yields to their virtuous conduct, may raise an allowable emulation in those of their own sex, at least, to equal the noble character given them by antiquity, viz._
1. Penelope.--2. Hipparchia.--3. Cornelia.--4. Pompeia Plautina.--5. Plotina.--6. A reproof to voluptuous women of the times.
I. Penelope, wife to Ulysses, a woman eminent for her beauty and quality, but more for her singular chastity. Her husband was absent from her twenty years, partly in the service of his country, and partly in exile; and being believed to be dead, she was earnestly sought by divers lovers, and pressed by her parents to change her condition; but all the importunities of the one, or persuasions of the other, not prevailing, her lovers seemed to use a kind of violence, that where they could not entice, they would compel: to which she yielded, upon this condition, that they would not press her to marry, till she had ended the work she had in hand: which they granting, "she undid by night what she wrought by day;" and with that honest device she delayed their desire, till her husband returned, whom she received, though in beggar's clothes, with a heart full of love and truth. A constancy that reproaches too many of the women of the times. Her work shows the industry and employment, even of the women of great quality in those times; whilst those of the present age despise such honest labour as mean and mechanical.
II. Hipparchia, a fair Macedonian virgin, noble of blood, as they term it, but more truly noble of mind, I cannot omit to mention: who entertained so earnest an affection for Crates, the Cynical philosopher, as well for his severe life as excellent discourse, that by no means could her relations, nor suitors, by all their wealth, nobility, and beauty, dissuade her from being his companion. Upon which strange resolution, they all betook themselves to Crates, beseeching him to show himself a true philosopher, in persuading her to desist: which he strongly endeavoured by many arguments; but not prevailing, went his way, and brought all the little furniture of his house, and showed her: "This," saith he, "is thy husband; that, the furniture of thy house: consider on it, for thou canst not be mine, unless thou followest the same course of life:" for being rich above twenty talents, which is more than £50,000, he neglected all to follow a retired life: all which had so contrary an effect, that she immediately went to him, before them all, and said, "I seek not the pomp and effeminacy of this world, but knowledge and virtue, Crates; and choose a life of temperance, before a life of delicacies; for true satisfaction, thou knowest, is in the mind; and that pleasure is only worth seeking, that lasts for ever." Thus was it she became the constant companion both of his love and life, his friendship and his virtues; travelling with him from place to place, and performing the public exercises of instruction with Crates, wherever they came. She was a most violent enemy to all impiety, but especially to wanton men and women, and those whose garb and conversation showed them devoted to vain pleasures and pastimes; effeminacy rendering the like persons not only unprofitable, but pernicious to the whole world. Which she as well made good by the example of her exceeding industry, temperance, and severity, as those are wont to do by their intemperance and folly: for ruin of health, estates, virtue, and loss of eternal happiness, have ever attended, and ever will attend, such earthly minds.