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

ACT II.

Scene. 7.

Enter the Lady Ward, and Doctor Practice.

DOctor Practice.

How do you Lady?

Lady Ward.

Why very well Doctor, how do you?

Doctor Prac.

Why I was sent, as being believed you are mad.

Lady Ward.

Troth Doctor that's no wonder; for all the world is mad, more or less.

Doctor Prac.

Do you finde any distemper in your head?

Lady Ward.

My head will ake sometimes.

Doctor Pract.

I mean a distemper in your minde.

Lady Ward.

My minde is troubled sometimes.

Doctor Pract.

That is not well: let me feel your pulse.

Lady Ward.

Why Doctor, can you know the temper of my mind, by the feeling of my pulse?

Doctor Pract.

There is a great Sympathy between the Minde and the Body.

Lady Ward.

But I doubt, Doctor, your learned skill is many times de∣ceived by the pulse; you will sooner find a mad distemper in the tongue or actions, than in the wrists.

Doctor Pract.

In troth Lady, you speak reason, which those that are mad do not do.

Lady Ward.

O yes, Doctor, but they doe, as you cure Diseases, by chance.

Exeunt

Scene 8.

Enter the Lord Title alone.

LOrd Title.

O Love, dissembling love, that seem'st to be the best of passi∣ons, and yet torments the soul!

He walks in a melancholy muse.

Enter Master Inquirer.

Master Inquirer.

What makes your Lordship so melancholy, as to shun all your friends, to walk alone?

Lord Title.

I am in Love.

Master Inqui.

There are many remedies for love.

Lord Title.

I would you could tell me one.

Master Inqui.

May I know the Lady you are in love with?

Lord Title.

The Lady say you? she is a poor Lady••

Master Inqui.

Your Lordship is so rich, as you may marry without a por∣tion,

Lord Title.

O I could curse my fate, and rail at my destiny.

Master Inqui.

For what?

Lord Title.

To make me fall in love with one I am asham'd to make her known.

Master Inqui.

Is she so mean, and yet so beautiful?

Lord Title.

O she hath all the Beauties and Graces that can attract a soul to love; for surely Nature sate in Councel to make her body, and the Gods sate in Councel to compose her mind.

Master Inqui.

May not I see her?

Lord Title.

Yes.

Master Inqui.

Where may I find her?

Lord Title.

Upon the next Plain, under a bush that bends much like a bower, there she most commonly sits to watch her sheep; but I will goe with you.

Master Inqui.

Your Lordship is not jealous?

Lord Title.

All Lovers think their Beloved is never secure enough.

Exeunt.

Scene 9.

Enter Nurse Careful, as in a fright, unto the Lady VVard.

Nurse Careful.

O my Child, I am told that on a sudden you turned mad!

Lady Ward.

Surely Nurse your fear, or what else it may be, you seem to me to be more mad than I can find in my self to be.

Nurse Caref.

That shews you are mad.

Lady Ward.

If I am mad, I suck'd the madness from your brest.

Nurse Caref.

I do confess, Child, I have not had those mad vagaries since I gave suck, as I had before.

Lady Ward.

'Tis a signe you are grown old, Nurse.

Nurse Caref.

I confess, Youth is oftner mad than Age; but dear Child tell me, art thou mad?

Lady Ward.

Prethee Nurse, lest thou shouldst become mad, goe sleep to settle thy thoughts, and quiet thy mind, for I remember a witty Poet, one Doctor Don, saith,

Sleep is pains easie salve, and doth fulfil All Offices, unless i••'t•• to kill.

Nurse Careful cries out, as in a great fright.

Nurse Caref.

O Heaven, what shall I do, what shall I do!

Enter Doctor Practice.

Doctor Pract.

What is the matter Nurse, what is the matter you shreek out so?

Nurse Caref.

O Doctor, my Child is mad, my Child is mad; for she re∣peats Verses.

Doctor Pract.

That's an ill signe indeed.

Lady Ward.

Doctor, did you never repeat Latine Sentences when you have read Lectures, nor Latine Verses, when you did Dispute in Schools?

Doctor Pract.

Yes, Sweet Lady, a hundred times.

Lady Ward.

Lord, Doctor, have you been mad a hundred times, and re∣covered so often!

Nurse Caref.

Those were Latine Verses, those were Latine Verses Child.

Doctor Pract.

Faith Lady you pose me.

Lady Ward.

Then Doctor go to School again, or at least return again to the University and study again, and then practise not to be posed.

Doctor Pract.

Nurse, she is not well, she must be put to a diet.

Lady Ward.

But why, Doctor, should you think me mad? I have done no outragious action; and if all those that speak extravagantly should be put to a diet, as being thought mad, many a fat waste would shrink in the doub∣let, and many a Poetical vein would be dryed up, and the flame quench'd out for want of radical oyl to prolong it; Thus Wit would be starved, for want of vapour to feed it; The truth is, a spare diet may make room in a Scholars head for old dead Authors to lie in; for the emptyer their heads are of wit, the fuller they may be fill'd with learning; for I do imagine, old dead Au∣thors lie in a Scholars head, as they say souls do, none knows where, for a million of souls to lie in as small a compass as the point of a needle.

Doctor Pract.

Her brain is hotly distemper'd, and moves with an extraordi∣nary quick motion, as may be perceiv'd by her strange fancy: wherefore Nurse you had best get her to bed; if you can, and I will prescribe some me∣dicine and rules for her.

Exit Doctor.

Nurse Caref.

Come sweet child, let me put thee to bed.

Lady VVard.

I will go to bed, if you would have me, but good Nurse believe me, I am not mad; it's true, the force of my passion hath made my Reason to erre; and though my Reason hath gone astray, yet it is not lost: But consider well Nurse, and tell me what noble minde can suffer a base ser∣vitude without rebellious passions? But howsoever, since they are of this o∣pinion, I am content to cherish it, if you approve of it; for if I seem mad,

the next of my kindred will beg the keeping of me for the sake of my E∣state; and I had rather lose my Estate, and be thought mad, than lose my honour in base offices, and my free-born liberty to be inslaved to whores; and though I do not fear my honest youth can be corrupted by ill example, yet I will not have my youth a witness to wicked and base vice.

Nurse Caref.

By no means, I do not approve of these strange wayes; be∣sides, you are a Ward to a gallant man, and may be Mariage will alter his humour; for most commonly those back-holders that are the greatest Li∣bertines, make the best Husbands.

Lady Ward.

'Tis true, he is of a noble nature, valiant and generous, pru∣dent, and just, and temperate in all delights, and free from all other vices but Incontinency, civil and obliging to all the world, but to me, and I could love him better than life, could he be constant, and only love me as he ought to do a Wife; otherwise, Death were more pleasing to me.

Exeunt.

Scene 10.

Enter the Lady Contemplation musing, and the Lady Visitant comes to her.

LAdy Contempl.

You were born to do me a mischief.

Lady Visit.

Why how?

Lady Contempl.

Why you have routed an Army.

Lady Visit.

Which way?

Lady Contempl.

I did imagine my self Married, my Husband being a Ge∣neral of an Army, who had fought many Battels, and had won many Vi∣ctories, conquer'd many Nations, at last an unfortunate day of Battel be∣ing fought, my Husband being too active and venturous, making lanes of slain bodies as he went, and his horse riding thorow Rivers of blood, those Ri∣vers rising so high, as his horse was forced to swim; but the blood growing thick to a jelly, obstructed his way, which made his horse furious, which fury added to his strength, forced a passage over a hill, or heap of slain bo∣dies; but the horses spirits being spent with fury and labour, fell strength∣less to the ground, with my Husband upon his back; and being in the midst of his Enemies Army, his Enemies seeing him fall, ran about him in great numbers, and so took him prisoner: whereupon his Souldiers soon missing him, thought he was kill'd; upon which belief, their courages grew cold, their limbs unactive, and their spirits so benumm'd, as they all seemed like to a number of stone-statues; which unactive dulness gave their Enemies the Day without any after-blows. I being in the Camp, hearing of my Husbands misfortunes, ran with a distracted fear towards the Enemies Camp; I being espy'd by some of my Husbands scatter'd Troops, was stop'd in the way, and so brought back to my Tent again; where, when I was there, some of my Husbands Officers of the Army told me, That though the Day was lost, yet there was a considerable Body left; which I no sooner heard, but my spirits took new life, and then excusing my fear, told those Comman∣ders it was not through fear that made me run out of my Tent; for I did

not fly from my Enemies, but to them, and that I sought death, and not life; and to express my courage, I told them, That if they would give me leave, I would take my Husbands Office, and lead the Army: They told me, that if the rest of the Commanders would agree to it, they were well contented: So when all the Commanders met together, I spake thus un∣to them.

Noble Friends, and valiant Souldiers, you may think it a vain ambition for me to desire to lead your Army, especially against so potent an Enemy, and being a woman, which female Sex are usually unexperienced in Mar••••∣al Affairs, as also by nature fearful, which fears may ruine an Army, by gi∣ving wrong direction, causing a confusion through distraction; and truly an Army were not to be trusted unto a woman; management and ordering, if that Records had not given us Precedents, which is, that Woman have led Armies, have fought valiantly themselves, and have had good success, and not so much by fortunes favour, as by their own wise Conduct: And to shew that Pallas is a friend unto her own Sex, is, that in all History, there are very few women than can be found, that have lost Battels in the field of Wars, but many that have won Battels; and in all publick Affairs it is to be observed, the Gods do generally assist our Sex, whereby to shew their own power, and to abate the haughty pride of men. But to induce you more; for men trust not so much unto the Gods, as to their own strength, is, that you are present in all Councels and Actions, to assist and direct me; besides, I am Wife unto your General, who was and is an expert Souldier, and a valiant man, although he now had ill fortune; but ill fortune neither lessens valour nor experience, but rather increases them. This gallant and wise man, my Husband and your General, his Discourses have been my Tutors, and his Example hath and shall be my Guide; and if you dare trust me, I dare venture; otherwise I shall stay in my Tent, and pray for your good success. After I had left off speaking, an old Commander which had served long in the Wars, and was much esteemed, answered me as thus.

Noble Lady, although your youth doth disswade us, yet your beauty and wit doth encourage us; for what man, although he were possest with fear itself, can run away when a fair Lady sights? for beauty triumphs in all hearts, and commands the whole world: wherefore that man that shall or will deny to follow your Command, is of a bastard-kind, although a lawful Issue. With that all the rest of the Commanders cry'd or call'd out, that none was so fit to Lead and Command them as I. Thus being chosen, I call'd a general Muster of my Souldiers, and then gave order that some of the broken Regiments should be mended and made up with other broken Regiments, also I made new Officers in the room of those that were slain or taken prisoners, and after, I surveyed my Artillery and Ammunition; which done, I drew my Army into a Body, and after I had given Orders and Directions for the Souldiers to march towards the Enemies Camp, which when the Enemy heard of a new Army coming towards them, they drew out the Body of their Army in Battel Array: But I shunn'd to fight so soon as appeared, by reason my Army was tyred with marching; wherefore I gave order to Intrench: Besides, I thought it might give my souldiers more courage, when accustomed to the fight and neighbourhood of the Enemies: But withall, I made some of them give intelligence to the Ene∣my that a woman led the Army, by which they might despise us, and so be∣come

more negligent, by which negligence we might have an advantage: In the mean time I sent to Treat of a Peace, and to have my Husband set at liberty; but the Enemy was so averse to a peace, as they returned me both jesting and scornful Answers: So when I saw no peace could be made, I drew out my Army into Battel Array; which when the Enemy perceiv'd, they did the like; but it will be too tedious at this time to tell the Form and Figures I put my Army into, as also what Commanders led, or who omman∣ded the Horse, or who commanded the Foot that day; only let me tell you, I led the Van my self, and was Accoutred after this manner: I had a Mas∣culine Suit, and over that a cloth of silver Coat, made close to my waste, which reached to the ankles of my legs; and those Arms I wore being all gilt, were Back, Brest, Gorget, Pot and Gantlet, all being made light accor∣ding as my strength would bear: In my hand I carried my Sword; for be∣ing not accustomed, I could not wear a sword by my side, as men do, but whensoever rested, I tyed it to my Saddle-bow, and on my Head-piece I wore a great Plume of Feathers: As for my Horse, he was cole-black, on∣ly a white star on his fore-head, and three white feet; my Saddle was crim∣son Velvet, but so imbroidred with silver and gold, as the ground could not be seen: But when I was mounted, I spoke as following unto the com∣mon souldiers.

Worthy Friends, and laborous, and valiant Souldiers, you may justly won∣der to see a Woman thus Accoutred like a man, and being one of the ten∣der female Sex to be arm'd as a souldier, and in a posture to fight a Bat∣tel: Also you may fear the successe of my Command, by reason I am young, and unexperienced, as also unpractised in the Wars: But fear not, the gods are with me, and will assist me, and have promised to give you victory by my Conduct; for they will conduct me: But the Gods suffer'd the other Battel to be lost, because many Victories had made you proud, and conceit∣ed of your selves, and your own valours, trusting more to your own strength, than to their favours or powers, whereupon the Gods destroy'd many of you; but since they have taken pity of you, drawn to it by your humility: whereupon the Gods have commanded me to Lead and Conduct you; and they have also commanded me to tell you, That if you trust in them, and fight couragiously, that you shall have Victory, and rich Spoils; for I heard the common people, of which common souldiers were of, were apt to be su∣perstitious, and to believe in any new reports, as also to believe in Miracles, Prophecies, and the like, and withall, very covetous; all which, made me feign my self to be commanded immediately from the Gods, and to be sent as from the Gods to command them, and to declare such promises to them; for all the common souldiers sight for Spoils, not for Honour.

Lady Visitant.

O but it is not good to dissemble.

Lady Contempl.

Pardon me; for without policy (which is deceit) there can be neither government in peace or war: wherefore it is a vertue in a States-man, or a Commander, to be a dissembler, although it be a vice in a∣ny other man; but you have put me out as you always do, and therefore I will tell you no more.

Lady Visitant.

Nay, pray make an end.

Lady Contempl.

I will not; but I could have told you how I kill'd the Ge∣neral of the Enemy with my own hand, and how I releas'd my Husband, and of such gallant Acts as you never heard the like of.

Lady Visitant.

O pray tel me.

Lady Contempl.

Which if I do, let me never contemplate more, which would be worse than death to me, by reason it is the onely pleasure of my life.

Exeunt.