Or, a General and Complete History of Man

Book 1. Chapter 1.

Of such Infants as have been heard to cry while they are in the Womb of their Mothers.

THAT which Mr Beaumont wrote in his Elegy upon the Lady Rutland may very well be pronounc'd upon every of the Sons and Daughters of Men.

But thou had'st e're thou cam'st to use of tears,
Sorrow laid up against thou cam'st to years.

So true is that of the sacred Oracle: Man is born to trouble. It seems trouble is his proper Inheritance, and that as soon as he enters into Life, he is of Age sufficient to enter upon the troubles of it also. Yet as if this were somewhat with the latest, there are some who seem even to anticipate their birth-right: and as if the World was not wide enough to afford them their full measure of sorrow: they begin their lamentations in the Womb. Or whether it is that provident Nature would have then to practice there in the dark, what they shall afterwards seldome want occasion for so long as they enjoy the light. The Histories of such little Prisoners as have been heard to cry in their close Apartments, take as followeth.

1. A poor Woman in Holland being great with child and near unto the time of her delivery: the child in her Womb (for the space of fifteen days before that of her Travail) was heard almost continually to cry and lament; many worthy persons went daily to hear so great a novelty, and have testified upon their knowledge the unquestionable verity of it.