GREENE'S FAREWELL TO FOLLY 1 Modern spelling tran

GREENE’S FAREWELL TO FOLLY 32
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of duty, and that the pill that purgeth the choler of a prince is revenge. This think, and
farewell.
Ninus, Monarch of Egypt.
He committed this letter to the charge of one of his secretaries, whom he made privy to
the contents, who posting in haste to the house of Semiramis found her bringing one of
her babes asleep with a song. The secretary, delighted with the pleasing harmony of her
voice, stood a little listening to her melody, at last stepped into the house, at whose
presence the poor woman, amazed for that her cottage was not accustomed to such
guests, she blushed, which gave such a glory to her former beauty and such a precedent
of her inward virtue that the secretary envied the happy placing of his sovereign’s
passions, yet after her homely fashion she entertained him, greatly fearing when he
delivered her the letters that they had been some warrant to apprehend her husband for
some fault, but by the superscription she perceived they were directed to her. Having set
before ye secretary a mess of cream to busy him, she stepped aside to read the contents,
which when she perceived and well noted the effects, not only alluring with promises but
persuading with threats, she burst into tears, cursing that day where ye king had a sight of
her face as dismal and infortunate, falling at last from tears into these fearful complaints:
Are the destinies, poor Semiramis, forepointers of good or ill, so inequal allotters of
mishap that some they bless with daily favours, and others they cross with continual hard
fortunes? Had the fates no proportion in their censures? Could it not suffice thou wert
poor but thou must be miserable? Cannot envy paint the picture of content at thy cottage
door but she must grudge? Is there no shrub so low but it is subject to the wind, no
woman so poor, if she be fair, but some, blazing her beauty, aimeth at her chastity?
Then, Semiramis, be patient but resolute; rather choose despite and sorrow than disgrace
and infamy. Is labour an enemy to love; how then should affection touch me, who am
never idle? Therefore, fond fool, doth love envy thee because thou art not idle, but by
labour showest thyself a recreant to his law.
But yet, Semiramis, consider who it is that persuades thee to love, Ninus, a king, a
monarch, and thy sovereign, one whose majesty may shadow thy miss, and whose very
name may warrant thee from the prejudice of envy. If thou offend, dignity countervails
the fault, and fame dare not but honour the concubines of kings. For shame, Semiramis,
soothe not thyself in such follies. Are not kings’ seats objects for every eye to gaze at?
Are not their actions censured by every base person? As the pyramids are marks for the
sea, so their doings are notes for the world. Doth not fame build in the foreheads of
princes? Yes, Semiramis, kings’ faults, though they are passed over with fear, yet they
are judged of with murmur. The greater the dignity, the greater the offence. Shame
followeth vice everywhere, and adultery, if laws were not partial, deserveth punishment
as well in a king as in a beggar. Menon is poor, but thy husband; in loving him thou
pleasest the gods. Ninus is rich, and a monarch; in contenting him thou dishonourest
thyself, and discontentest the heavens. Hath Babylon counted thee fair? So thou art still
by reserving thy beauty. Hath Babylon counted thee honest? So remain still by
preserving thy chastity. Be not more chary over thy beauty than over thine honesty, for
Modern spelling transcript copyright 2007 Nina Green All Rights Reserved