for profe of passing loialty
and for tryal of their contraries. Wherfore as in this I haue
continued what erst I partelye promised in the first so vppon
intelligence of the second signe of thy good wil, a third
(by Gods assistance) shal come forth. Farewell.

_Authorities from whence these Nouelles be collected: and in the
same auouched._

Strabo.
Plinie.
Quintus Curtius.
Plutarche.
Titus Liuius.
Dionysius Halicarnassaeus.
Appianus Alexandrinus.
Ouide.
Horace.
Propertius.
Cicero.
Valerius Max.
Trebelius Pollio.
Xenophon.
Homere.
Virgilius.
Baptista Campofulgosus.
Bandello.
Bocaccio.
Gyraldi Cynthio.
Belleforrest.
Boustuau.
Petro di Seuiglia.
Antonio di Gueuarra.

*The Palace of Pleasure.*

THE FIRST NOUELL.

_The hardinesse and conquests of diuers stout, and aduenturous
women, called Amazones, the beginninge, and continuance of their
Reigne, and of the great iourney of one of their Queenes called
Thalestris to visit Alexander the great: with the cause of her
trauaile._

Where the firste booke beegan with a Combate fought, and tried
betweene two mighty Citties, for Principality, and Gouernement,
the one hight Rome after called the head of the World (as some
thinke by reason of a man's head found in the place where the
Capitole did stand) the other Alba. To which Combat sixe
Gentlemen of eyther city were appoyncted, and the victory
chaunced to the Romayne side: In this second parte, in the
Forefront, and first Nouell of the same, is described the
beginninge, continuaunce and ende of a Woman's Common wealth
(an History rare and straunge to the vnlearned, ignorant of the
world's fickle ruled stay) which contented with the mighty
Princes and puissant Potentates for defence of their kingdome,
no lesse than the Carthaginians and Romaynes did for theirs. But
as it is no wonder to the skilful that a whole Monarche, and
kingdome should be intierly peopled with that Sexe: so to the
not well trained in Histories, this may seeme miraculous.
Wherefore not to staye thee from the discourse of those straunge
and Aduenturous women, diuers be of diuers opinions for the
Etimologie of the word: whereof amonges the Graetians be diuers
iudgementes. These Amazones were most excellent warriers, very
valiaunt, and without man's aduice did conquer mighty
Countreyes, famous Cities, and notable Kingdomes, continuinge of
longe time in one Seignio