Playes written by the thrice noble, illustrious and excellent princess, the Lady Marchioness of Newcastle.

Scene 11.

Enter Sir Peaceable Studious, and the Lady Ignorance his Wife.

SIr Peaceable Studious.

I have lost 500. pounds since you went in with the Ladies.

Lady Ignorance.

500. Pounds in so short a time.

Sir P. Studious.

'Tis well I lost no more: But yet, that 500. pounds would have bought you a new Coach, or Bed, or Silver Plate, or Cabinets, or Gowns, or fine Flanders-laces, and now its gone, and we have no pleasure nor credit for it, but it is no matter, I have health for it, therefore I will call to my Stewards to bring me some more.

Lady Ignorance.

No, do not so, for after the rate you have lost, you will lose all your Estate in short time.

Sir P. Studious.

Faith let it go, 'tis but begging or starving after it is gone, for I have no trade to live by, unless you have a way to get a living, have you any.

Lady Ignorance.

No truly Husband, I am a shiftless creature.

Sir. P. Studious.

Yes, but you may play the Whore, and I the Shark, so live by couzening and cheating.

Lady Ignorance.

Heaven defend Husband.

Sir P. Studious.

Or perchance some will be so charitable to give us suck'd bones from stinking breaths, and rotten teeth, or greasie scraps from fowl hands; But go wife, prithy bid my Steward send me 500. pounds more, or let it alone, I will run on the score, and pay my losings at a lump.

Lady Ignorance.

No dear Husband, play no more.

Sir P. Studious.

How! not play any more say you, shall I break good Com∣pany with sitting out; Besides, it is a question whether I have power to leave off, now I have once begun; for Play is Witch-craft, it inchants temperance, prudence, patience, reason and judgment, and it kicks away time, and bids him

go as an old bald-pated fellow as he is, also it chains the life with fears, cares and griefs of losing to a pair of Cards and set of Dice.

Lady Ignorance.

For Heaven sake pitty me! If you consider not your self.

Sir P. Studious:

Can you think a Husband considers his wife, when he for∣gets, or regards not himself, when all love is self-love, for a man would have his Wife to be loving and chaste for his honours sake, to be thrifty for his profit sake, to be patient for quiet sake, to be cleanly, witty and beautifull for his pleasure sake, and being thus, he loves her; For if she be false, unkind, pro∣digal, froward sluttish, foolish, and ill-favoured, he hates her.

Lady Ignorant.

But if a Husband loves his wife, he will be carefull to please her, prudent for her, subsistence, industrious for her convenience, valiant to protect her, and conversable to entertain her, and wise to direct and guide her.

Sir P. Studious.

To rule and govern her, you mean wife.

Lady Ignorance.

Yes, but a Husbands follies will be but corrupt Tutors, and ill Examples for a wife to follow; wherefore dear Husband, play no more, but come amongst the effeminate Societie, you will finde more pleasure at less charges.

Sir P. Studious.

Well wife, You shall perswade me for this time.

Lady Ignorance.

I thank you Husband.

Ex.