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

Scene 3.

Enter the Lady Sanspareille, repeating some verses of her own making.

SAnspareille.

Here flows a Sea, and there a sire doth flame, Yet water and fire still is but the same: Here the sixt earth, and there the aire streams out, All of one matter moving round about; And thus the earth, and water, sire and aire, Out of each others shapes transformed are.

Enters her Mother, and hears her last verse.

Mother.

I am sure you are transformed from what you should be, from a sober, young maid, to a Stage-player, as to act Parts, speak Speeches, rehearse Verses, sing Sonets, and the like,

Sansp.

Why, Madam; Stages and publick Theaters, were first ordained and built, for the education of noble youth, where they might meet to pra∣ctise how to behave themselves civily, modestly, gently, comely, gracefully, manly, and majestically; to speak properly, timely, fitly, eloquently, ele∣gantly, tunably, tonably, readily, sagely, wittily. Besides, Theators were not only Schools to learn or practise in, but publick patterns to take example from; Thus Theaters were profitable, both to the Actors and Spectators; for as these Theaters were publick Schools, where noble principles were taught, so it was the dressing rooms of vertue, where the Actors, as her Ser∣vants did help to set her forth. Also these Theaters were as Scaffolds, where∣on vices were publickly executed; and, Madam, if you please but to consi∣der,

you will perceive, that Thrones are but glorious Theaters, where Kings and Princes, and their Courtiers acts their parts; likewise places of Judica∣ture, are but places where Judges and Lawyers acts their parts; Nay, even Churches are but holy Theaters, where the Priest and People acts their de∣vout parts. But, Madam, you mistake, making no difference betwixt the noble and base, the generous and mercenary; for, shall all noble persons that fights dewels of honour, be call'd Fencers; or shall a King, when he runs at the Ring, or Tilt, shall he be called a Jockey, or Post, when he rides hor∣ses of Manage, shall he be a Quirry, or a Rider; or shall Kings, Princes or noble Persons, that dances, sings, or playes on Musick, or presents themselves in Masks, be thought, or called Dancers, or Fidlers, Morris-dancers, Stage-players, or the like, as in their masking attire: No those are Riders, Fencers, Dancers, Fidlers, Stage-players, and the like, that are mercenary, setting Ver∣tuosus to sale, making a mercenary profit, and living thereof; but if such opi∣nions should be held, then no Vertuosus should be learn'd of noble Persons, because there are mercenary Tutours and Teachers, nor no arts understood, because of Mechanicks, nor no Sciences understood, because of Pedants, nor no manners, nor gracefull behaviours practised because of Players, nor none must write, because of Clerks, nor none must pray because of beneficed Priests, nor there must none understand the Laws, or plead their own causes, because of feed Lawyers; if these opinions or rules were followed, all the nobler and better sort, would be boars, clowns and fools, nor no civility, good manners, nor vertues would be known amongst them.

Mother.

Well, well, I will have you shew your self, and be known, and I known by you; for why should not I be as ambitious to be praised in your beauty, as your Father in your wit; but by that time you have gotten a suffi∣cient stock of wit to divulge to the World, your beauty will be dead and buried, and so my ruines will have no restoration, or resurrection.

Sansp.

Madam, I do humbly and dutifully acknowledge, that what beau∣ty or wit I have, it was derived from my Parents.

Mother.

Wherefore you ought to do, as your Parents will have you, and I say, I will have you be a Courtier.

Sansp.

Would you have me go to live at the Court, Madam?

Mother.

Yes marry would I.

Sansp.

And to do as Courtiers do?

Mother.

Yes marry would I.

Sansp.

Alas, Madam, I am unpractised in their arts, and shall be lost in their subtle and strange waies.

Mother.

Therefore I would have you go to learn them, that you may be as expert as the best of them, for I would have you shoot such sharp darts thorough your eyes, as may wound the hardest and obduratest hearts.

Sansp.

Amorous affections, Madam, and wanton glances are strangers to my eyes and heart; neither can I perswade nor command them to be other∣wise than they are.

Mother.

Why, I would not have you either wanton, or amorous, but to be kind and civil, to invite a rich, noble Husband.

Sansp.

Why, say I had the power to pick and choose amongst the noblest and the richest men, a Husband out, you cannot promise me a happy life, fortune may set a Crown of Diamonds on my head, yet prick my heart with thorns, bind up my spirits with strong chained fears, my thoughts imprisoned in dark melancholly, and thus my mind may prove

a Hell unto my life, and my Husbands actions devils to torment it.

Mother.

No disputing, but let my will be obeyed.

Sansp.

It is fit it should be by me, although it brings my ruine.

Lady Mother goes out.

Sanspareille alone.

Sanspareille.

Ioy gave me wings, and made my spirits fly, Hope gave me strength to set ambition high; Fear makes me old, as paulsie shakes each limb, My body weak, and both my eyes are dimb: Like to a Ball, which rackets beats about, So is my heart strucken twixt hope and doubt.

Ex.