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

Scene 27.

Enter the General, and sits in a melancholly posture. Enters Affectionata, and stands with a sad countenance.

The General sees him.

LOrd Singularity.

What makes thee look so sad, my boy?

Affectionata.

To see you sit so melancholly.

Lord Singul.

Clear up thy countenance, for its not a deadly melancholly, though it is a troublesome one.

Affectionata.

May I be so bold to ask the cause of it.

Lord Singul.

The cause is, a cruel Mistriss.

Affectionata.

Have you a Mistriss, and can she be cruel?

Lord Singularity.

O! Women are Tyrants, they daw us on to love, and then denies our suits.

Affectionata.

Will not you think me rude, If I should question you?

Lord Singul.

No, for thy questions delights me more, than my Mistriss de∣nials grieves me.

Affectionata.

Then give me leave to ask you, whether your suit be just?

Lord Singul.

Just, to a Lovers desires.

Affectionata.

What is your desire?

Lord Singul.

To lye with her.

Affectionata.

After you have married her?

Lord Singularity.

Marry her saist thou, I had rather be banish'd from that Sex for ever, than marry one, and yet I love them well.

Affectionata.

Why have you such an adversion to marriage, being lawfull and honest.

Lord Singul.

Because I am affraid to be a Cuckold!

Affectionata.

Do you think there is no chaste women?

Lord Singularity.

Faith boy, I believe very few, and those that are men, knows not where to find them out, for all that are not married, professes cha∣stity, speaks soberly, and looks modestly, but when they are martyed, they are more wild than Bachalins, far worse than Satyres, making their Husbands horns far greater than a Stags, having more branches sprouts thereon.

Affectionata.

And doth he never cast those horns?

Lord Singul.

Yes, if he be a Widower, he casts his horns, only the marks remains, otherwise he bears them to his grave.

Affectionata.

But put the case you did know a woman that was chaste; would not you marry her?

Lord Singul.

That is a question not to be resolved, for no man can be resol∣ved, whether a womam can be chaste or not.

Affectionata fetches a greater sighe.

Lord Singul.

Why do you sighe, my boy?

Affectionata.

Because all women are false, or thought to be so, that wise men dares not trust them.

Lord Singularity.

But they are fools, that will not try, and make use of them, if they can have them; wherefore I will go, and try my Mistriss once again.

Exeunt.