The Argument in briefe.
Cinthia's Altars be neglected by the chiefe estates of Sparta; both King and Councels adiudge her diuine sacrifice, religion, vowes, worship and adoration to appertaine especially, if not punctually, to the weake order of women; because they are subiect to changeable toyes, which take their primitiue deriuation of Luna: Shee therefore inflamed with resolution to qualifie this error, as to informe how farre from iudgement so ir-religious opinions did arise, doth first possesse the humor of exalted subiects, with manifest ambition, breach of duty, and allegeance, libidinous concupiscence, flattery, faithlesse engagements, which in themselues fauour of Cinthia's large instability. Pheudippe (on whom the Kings loue reflected with more extreame zeale) she averts from his obedience to rebellion, by the power of prædominance. Mænander noting a change so manifest doth (by collection) attribute Pheudippe's false-hood to her suggestion; resolued confidence begat his rage; his rage, blasphemy; which blasphemy doth againe exasperate the Goddesse: her indignation followes, which with violence brake forth in yong Mananders vehement madnesse. A states-man, old Euphorbus, doth compassionate his agony, and for a second purpose, counterfets an artificiall extasie, whil'st conceited humor makes Mænander follow (like Cinthia) diuersity of shapes: from Poet he fals to a Player, then to Aiax, from thence to Mercury, in whose habit, assuming the most sacred essence of a substance incorporiall, hee enioynes Euphorbus to make some experiment heereof by his poniard, being perswaded hee was impenetrable: Euphorbus easily induced by temptation, as pretending to establish a new Monarch, doth oppose and kill this eueryway deluded King: A generall approbation doth thanke his pollicy, which made a finall Catastrophe of madnesse; and so reuenge is pacified.
