Orations of divers sorts accommodated to divers places written by the Lady Marchioness of Newcastle.

An Oration to Souldiers, after the Loss of a Battel.

Fellow Souldiers,

I Perceive you are dejected at your ill fortune, for Fortune is a Thief, robbing some to give partially to others; wherefore we Souldiers, whom She busies her self most with, to shew her power and agility, ought to be so carefull and watchfull, as to lock and barricado out For∣tunes malice, giving her no advantage, if you can possibly hinder her from taking any. Yet was it neither for want of Conduct or Valour, that we wonn not the Victory, but Heaven and Earth was against us: for the Sun, Wind and Dust beat on our faces; for you indeavouring to get the side of the Wind, went against the Sun∣beams, so that with the Sun-beams and the glit∣tering Dust, that flew up by the motion of the

Wind, we could not see, neither to assault our Enemies, nor to defend our selves, nay, we were so blinded, as to mistake our friends for our foes, and our foes for our friends; which tempestu∣ous wind, had it been before we begun to fight, we might have prevented the mischief, it did us, some way or other; but the wind did rise, when we were so ingaged, as we could not help our selves; the truth was, it blew so fully a∣gainst the main part of our Battalio, and with that violent force, as it press'd the former ranks so much back, that they did disturb the hinder ranks, and so disorder'd them, till at last it blew them quite away; for they were forced to turn their backs and to flye for their Lives, and when that part of the Army fled, others had no hearts to stay; but do not mistake so, as to believe, that the Divine power was against us, but only the Elements, and they were against us more by chance than malice. Wherefore take courage again, and rowse up your dejected Spirits, and repine not for that we could not fore-see to a∣void: for I make no doubt, but the next time we encounter our Enemies, we shall not only get the reputation you think you have lost, but we shall add to what we formerly had, and pull down the haughty pride of our Enemies, that now seem to insult on our Misfortunes.