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

ACT I.

Scene 1.

Enter Sir Thomas Father Love, and his wife, the Mother Lady Love.

MOther Love,

Husband, you have a strange nature, that ha∣ving but one child, and never like to have more, and this your childe a daughter; that you should breed her so strictly, as to give her no time for recreation, nor no li∣berty for company, nor freedom for conversation, but keeps her as a Prisoner, and makes her a slave to her book, and your tedious moral discourses, when other children have Play-fellows, and toyes to sport and passe their time withall.

Father Love.

Good wife be content, doth not she play when she reads books of Poetry, and can there be nobler, amiabler, finer, usefuller, and wi∣ser companions than the Sciences, or pleasanter Play-fellows than the Muses; can she have freer conversation, than with wit, or more various recreations than Scenes, Sonets and Poems; Tragical, Comical, and Musical, and the like; Or have prettier toyes to sport withall, than fancie, and hath not the liberty so many hours in the day, as children have to play in.

Mother Love.

Do you call this playing? which sets her brain a wor∣king to find out the conceits, when perchance there is none to find out, but are cheats, and cozens the Readers with empty words, at best, it sills her head but with strange phantasmes, disturbs her sleep with frightfull dreams of transformed bodyes of Monsters, and ugly shaped vices of Hells and Furies, and terrifying Gods of Wars and Battles, of long travels, and dangerous escapes, and the pleasantest is but dark groves, gloomy fields, and the hap∣piest condition; but to walk idly about the Elizium fields; and thus you breed your daughter, as if your Posterity were to be raised from a Poets phantastical brain.

Father Love.

I wish my Posterity may last but as long as Homers lines.

Mother Love.

Truly, it will be a fine airey brood! No no, I will have her bred, as to make a good houswife, as to know how to order her Family, breed her Children, govern her Servants, entertain her Neighbours, and to fashion herself to all companies, times and places, and not to be mewed and moped up, as she is from all the World, insomuch, as she never saw twen∣ty persons in one company in all her life, unless it be in pictures, which you set her to stare on above an hour everyday: Besides, what Father doth edu∣cate their Daughters, that office belongs to me; but because you have ne∣ver a Son to tutor, therefore you will turn Cotqucan, and teach your daugh∣ter, which is my work.

Father Love.

Let me tell you, Wife, that is the reason all women are fools; for women breeding up women, one fool breeding up another, and as long as that custom lasts there is no hopes of amendment, and ancient cu∣stoms

being a second nature, makes folly hereditary in that Sex, by reason their education is effeminate, and their times spent in pins, points and laces, their study only vain fashions, which breeds prodigality, pride and en∣vie.

Mother Love.

What? would you have women bred up to swear, swag∣ger, gaming, drinking, Whoring, as most men are?

Father Love.

No, Wife, I would have them bred in learned Schools, to noble Arts and Sciences, as wise men are.

Mother Love.

What Arts? to ride Horses, and fight Dewels.

Father Love.

Yes, if it be to defend their Honour, Countrey and Reli∣gion; For noble Arts makes not base Vices, nor is the cause of lewd actions, nor is unseemly for any Sex; but baseness, vice and lewdnesse, invents un∣handsome and undecent Arts, which dishonours by the practice either Sex.

Mother Love.

Come, come, Husband, I will have her bred, as usually our Sex is, and not after a new fashioned way, created out of a self-opiniated, that you can alter nature by education: No, no, let me tell you, a woman will be a woman, do what you can, and you may assoon create a new World, as change a womans nature and disposition.

Enter the Lady Sanspareille, as to her Father, as not thinking her Mother was there.

Sanspareille.

O, Father! I have been in search of you, to ask you a que∣stion concerning the Sun.

When she sees her Mother, she starts back.

Mother.

What have you to do with the Sun, and lives in the shade of the Worlds obscuritie.

Sansp.

VVhy, Madam? where would you have me live? can I live in a more serene aire, than in my Fathers house, or in a purer, or clearer light, than in my Parents eyes, or more splendrous, than in my Parents com∣pany.

Mother.

I would have you live at Court there, to have honour, favour and grace; and not to lose your time ignorantly, knowing nothing of the VVorld, nor the VVorld of you.

Sansp.

Can I live with more honour, than with my Father, and You, or have more favour than your loves; or is there a greater grace, than to be Daughter of vertuous Parents; can I use, or imploy my time better, than to obey my Parents commands? need I know more than honesty, modesty, ci∣vility and duty: As for the VVorld, mankind is so partial to each self, as they have no faith on the worth of their Neighbour, neither doth they take no∣tice of a Stranger, but to be taken notice of.

Mother Love.

Yes, yes, your beauty will attract eyes and ears, which are the doors to let in good opinion, and admiration.

Sansp.

Had I a tongue like a Cerces-wand to charm all ears that heard me, it would staight transform men from civil Obligers, to spitefull Detractors, or false Slanderers; my beauty may only serve but as a bribe to tempt men, to intrap my youth, and to betray my innocency.

Mother.

To betray a fools-head of your own! Lord! Lord! how the

dispositions of Youth is changed since I was young! for before I came to your Age, I thought my Parents unnaturall, because they did not provide me a Husband.

Sanspareille.

If all youth were of my humour, their dispositions are chang∣ed indeed; for Heaven knows, it is the only curse I fear, a Husband.

Mother Love.

Why? then you think me curst in Marrying your Fa∣ther.

Sansp.

No Madam, you are blest, not only in being a Wife, (a condition you desired) but being marryed to such a man that wishes could not hope for.

Mother Love.

Why then, my good Fortune may encourage you, and raise a hope to get the like.

Sansp.

O no! It rather drives me to dispair, beleiving there is no se∣cond.

Mother Love.

Come, come, you are an unnatural Child to flatter your Father so much, and not me, when I endured great pains to breed, bear, and nurse you up.

Sansp.

I do not flatter, Madam, for I speak nothing but my thoughts, and that which Love and duty doth allow, and truth approve of.

Father Love.

Come, come Wife, the Jeerals wit will out-argue both ours.

Ex.

Scene 2.

Enter the Lord de l' Amour, and the Lady incontinent.

LAdy Incontinent.

Have I left my Husband, who was rich, and used me well? and all for love of you! and with you live as a VVanton! by which I have lost my esteem, and my honest reputation, and now to be for∣saken, and cast aside, despised and scorned! O, most base! for what can be more unworthy, than for a man to profess friendship to a Lady, and then forsake her?

Lord de l' Amour.

Madam, you do me wrong, for my heart is as firmly yours, as ever it was, and burns with as clear a flame, as ever it did.

Lady Incontinent.

It is not like it will continue so, since you now are resol∣ved to marry.

Lord de l' Amour.

The reasons are so powerfull, that perswades me, by rea∣son there is none lest of my Family besides my self; and my Fathers com∣mands so terrifying, and my vows so binding, as I know not how to avoid it.

Lady Incontinent.

But since your Father is dead, what need you fear his commands, and for your vows, those may be dispenced with, for a summe of money to the Church for the poor.

Lord de l' Amour.

But would you have me cut off the line of my Poste∣rity by never marrying?

Lady Incontinent.

Perchance, if you marry, you may have no children, or your wife may prove barren, or if you have children, they may prove fools; for she you are affianced to, is none of the wisest.

Lord de l' Amour.

That is none of my fault.

Lady Incontinent.

But why will you marry so soon?

Lord de l' Amour.

I will not marry yet, for my affianced is young, and well may stay two or three years.

Lady Incontinent.

But if you will not marry her this two or three years, why must she come to live with you in your house.

Lord de l' Amour.

By reason her Father is newly dead, and hath left her to my protection, as having right to her, and by her, to her estate.

Lady Incontinent.

And when she comes, I must deliver up the rule and government of your house and Family to her; for I suppose you will make her the Mistriss to command, dispose and order as she pleaseth.

Lord de l' Amour.

By no means, for you that are the Mistriss of my heart, shall also be Mistriss of my Estate.

Lady Incontinent.

Then pray give her to my charge and education; for I hear she is of a high spirit, and a proud heart, being spoyled with self-will, given her by the fondnesse of her Father.

Lord de l' Amour.

Pray order her as you think good, she shall be your hand-maid.

Exeunt

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.

Scene 4.

Enter the Lady Incontinent, and one of her women.

LAdy Incontinent.

I observe, the Lord de L'amour useth the Lady Inno∣cence with more respect than he was used to do; and I observe his eyes meets her when she comes in place where he is, and follows her whereso∣ever she goeth, and when she stands still, they are sixt upon her.

Woman.

Truly she hath power, if she will put it in force to command a heart, at least to perswade a heart to love her; for certainly, she is very beau∣tifull, if it were not obscured under a sad countenance, as the Sun behind a dark cloud; but sometimes, do what she can in despite of her sadnesse, it will keep out, and the other day when you were gone abroad, I saw her dance, sing and play on a Gittur••, all at one time.

Lady Incontinent.

And how did it become her?

Woman.

Truly, she sung so sweetly, played so harmoniously, danced so gracefully, and looked so beautifully, that if I had been a man, I should have been in love with her.

Lady Incontinent.

I charge you break her Gittar, tell her she sings not well, and that her dancing doth ill-become her.

Woman.

Perchance she will not believe me.

Lady Incontinent.

Oh yes, for youth are credulous, even against them∣selves.

Exeunt.