CURIOUS CREATURES. 75 



who at that time seemed both beautifull, tender, and rich, 

 but, in truth, there was no such thing, and all was but 

 a fantastical ostentation ; she was said to insinuate her 

 selfe, into his familiaritie after this manner : as he went 

 upon a day alone from Corinth to Senchrcea, hee met with 

 a certairie phantasme, or spectre like a beautifull woman, 

 who tooke him by the hand, and told him she was a 

 Phoenician woman, and of long time had loved him 

 dearely, having sought many occasions to manifest the 

 same, but could never finde opportunitie untill that day, 

 wherefore she entreated him to take knowledge of her 

 house, which was in the Suburbes of Corinth, there- 

 withal! pointing unto it with her finger, and so desired 

 his presence. The young man seeing himselfe thus 

 wooed by a beautiful woman, was easily overcome 

 by her allurements, and did oftimes frequent her 

 company. 



" There was a certaine wise man, and a Philosopher, 

 which espied the same, and spake unto Menippus in this 

 manner, ' O formose, et a formorsis, expetitie mulieribus, 

 ophin thalpies, cai se ophis,' that is to say, ' O fair 

 Menippus, beloved of beautiful women, art thou a serpent, 

 and dost nourish a serpent ? ' by which words he gave 

 him his first admonition, or incling of a mischiefe ; but 

 not prevayling, Menippus proposed to marry with this 

 spectre, her house to the outward shew, being richly 

 furnished with all manner of houshold goods ; then said 

 the wise man againe unto Menippus, ' This gold, silver, 

 and ornaments of house, are like to Tantalus Apples, 

 who are said by Homer to make a faire shew, but to 

 containe in them no substance at all ; even so, whatso- 

 ever you conceave of this riches, there is no matter or 

 substance in the things which you see, for they are 



