aunce the
Woman whom he taketh, all be it shee were of the meanest trampe
of the popular sorte, and the Chyldren whych be borne of them by
the Father's meanes, shalbe Noble and of a gentle kynd: but a
woman, although shee be most Noble, if shee bee married to hir
inferiour, and that hir husbande bee not so Noble, the chyldren
that shall be borne of them shall not receiue the honour of the
mother's stock, but the state of the father's lotte, and so
shall be vnnoble. Sutch is the Reuerence and Authoritie of the
Sexe of man, wherevpon doeth ryse the comparyson of the wyfe,
which doth resemble the man vnto the Sunne, and the Woman to the
Moone. For wee see that the Moone of hir selfe doth not giue
light, ne yet can yelde any brightnesse to the darknesse of the
Night, if she did not pertake some shining of the Sun, who with
his liuely flames at times and places doth brighten the starres,
and maketh the moone to shine: euen so the woman dependeth of
the man, and of hym doth take hir nobility. The kyng therefore
thought the match not meete for Ariobarzanes to marry his
Daughter, and feared he should incurre some blemish of his
house: but for all respect and feare of shame, the emulation
whyche hee had to be victorious of his forced curtesie did
surpasse. Wherefore he sent for Ariobarzanes to come vnto the
Court: who vpon that commaundement came: and so soone as hee was
entered the palace, he repayred to do his reuerence vnto the
kinge, of whom he was welcomed with glad and ioyfull
entertaynement: and after they had a whyle debated of diuers
matters, the kyng sayd vnto him: "Ariobarzanes, for so mutch as
thou art without a wyfe, we minde to bestowe vpon thee a
Gentlewoman, which not onely wee well like and loue, but also is
sutch a one, as thou thy selfe shalt be well contented to take."
Ariobarzanes aunswered: That he was at his commaundement: and
that sutch choyse as pleased his maiesty, should very well
content and satisefie him. Then the kyng caused his daughter, in
riche vestures sumptuously attired to come before him, and there
openly in presence of the whole Court commaunded that
Ariobarzanes should marry her: which with seemely ceremonies
being consummate, Ariobarzanes shewed little ioy of the
parentage, and in apparance made as though he cared not for his
wyfe. The Nobles and Gentlemen of the Courte wondred to see the
straunge behauiour of the bridegroome, consideringe the great
humanity of their Prince towardes his