r first, to prevent Scipio Laelius, lest
they should determine otherwise of her. If thou lovest the party, do as
much: good education and beauty is a competent dowry, stand not upon money.
_Erant olim aurei homines_ (saith Theocritus) _et adamantes redamabant_, in
the golden world men did so, (in the reign of [5889]Ogyges belike, before
staggering Ninus began to domineer) if all be true that is reported: and
some few nowadays will do as much, here and there one; 'tis well done
methinks, and all happiness befall them for so doing. [5890]Leontius, a
philosopher of Athens, had a fair daughter called Athenais, _multo corporis
lepore ac Venere_, (saith mine author) of a comely carriage, he gave her no
portion but her bringing up, _occulto formae, praesagio_, out of some
secret foreknowledge of her fortune, bestowing that little which he had
amongst his other children. But she, thus qualified, was preferred by some
friends to Constantinople, to serve Pulcheria, the emperor's sister, of
whom she was baptised and called Eudocia. Theodosius, the emperor, in short
space took notice of her excellent beauty and good parts, and a little
after, upon his sister's sole commendation, made her his wife: 'twas nobly
done of Theodosius. [5891]Rudophe was the fairest lady in her days in all
Egypt; she went to wash her, and by chance, (her maids meanwhile looking
but carelessly to her clothes) an eagle stole away one of her shoes, and
laid it in Psammeticus the King of Egypt's lap at Memphis: he wondered at
the excellency of the shoe and pretty foot, but more _Aquilae, factum_, at
the manner of the bringing of it: and caused forthwith proclamation to be
made, that she that owned that shoe should come presently to his court; the
virgin came, and was forthwith married to the king. I say this was
heroically done, and like a prince: I commend him for it, and all such as
have means, that will either do (as he did) themselves, or so for love,
&c., marry their children. If he be rich, let him take such a one as wants,
if she be virtuously given; for as Siracides, cap. 7. ver. 19. adviseth,
"Forego not a wife and good woman; for her grace is above gold." If she
have fortunes of her own, let her make a man. Danaus of Lacedaemon had a
many daughters to bestow, and means enough for them all, he never stood
inquiring after great matches, as others used to do, but [5892]sent for a
company of brave young gallants to his house, and bid his daughters choose
ev