The Argument.
LUcius Tarquinius (for his excessive Pride surnamed Superbus), after he had caused his own Father in law, Servius Tullius, to be cruelly murdered, and contrary to the Roman Laws and Customs, not requiring or staying for the Peoples suffrages, had possessed himself of the kingdom; went accompanied with his sons, and other noble men of Rome to besiege Ardea: during which, the principal men of the Army meeting one evening at the Tent of Sextus Tarquinius, the kings son, in their discourses after supper, every one commended the vertues of his own wife; among whom Colatinus extolled the incomparable chastity of his Wife Lucretia. In that pleasant humor they all posted to Rome, and intending by their secret and sudden arrival, to make trial of that which every one had before avouched, only Colatinus finds his wife (though it were late in the night) spinning amongst her maids: The other Ladies were all found dancing and revelling, or in several disports. Whereupon the noble men yielded Colatinus the victory, and his wife the fame. At that time Sextus Tarquinius being inflamed with Lucreces beauty; yet smothering his Passion for the present, departed with the rest back to the Camp; from whence he shortly after privily with-drew himself, and was (according to his state) royally entertained and lodged by Lucrece at Colatium. The same night, he trecherously stealeth intoher
