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

Scene 3.

Enter two Gentlemen.

1 GEnt.

Come, will you go to the Gaming-house?

2 Gent.

What to do?

1 Gent.

To play at Cards, or the like Games.

2 Gent.

I will never play at such Games but with women.

1 Gent.

Why so?

2 Gent.

Because they are Effeminate Pastimes; and not manly Actions; neither will I meerly rely upon Fortunes favour without merit, as Game∣sters do.

1 Gent.

Why then will you go to a Tavern?

2 Gent.

For what?

1 Gent.

To drink.

2 Gent.

I am not thirsty.

1 Gent.

But I would have you drink until you are thirsty.

2 Gent.

That's to drink drunk.

1 Gent.

And that's that I desire to be.

2 Gent.

What?

1 Gent.

Why drunk.

2 Gent.

So do not I: for I will not wilfully make my self uncapable, as I can neither be able to serve my King, Country, nor Friend, nor defend my Honour: for when I am drunk, I can do neither; for a man drunk, I weak∣er than a child that hath not strength to go or stand; and is worse than those that are dumb, for the dumb keep silence, when those that are drunk, doe stutter and stammer out non-sense, and make themselves fools; besides, e∣very Coward will take courage to beat, at least affront a man that is drunk, when as he dares not look ascue, or come near him without respect, when he is sober.

1 Gent.

Come, come, thou shalt go, if it be but to decide our drunken quarrels, and allay the wrathful vapour of Bacchus.

2 Gent.

No, I will never decide the disputes of Fool, Mad-men, Drun∣kards, nor Women: for Fools understand no Reason, Mad-men have lost their Reason, Drunkards will hear no Reason, and Women are not capable of Reason.

1 Gent.

Why are women not capable of Reason?

2 Gent.

Because it is thought, or rather believ'd, that women have no ra∣tional souls, being created out of man, and not from Iove, as man was.

1 Gent.

If Iove hath not given them rational fouls, I am sure Nature hath given them beautiful bodies, with which Iove is enamour'd, or else the Po∣ets lye.

2 Gent.

Poets describe Iove according to their own passions, and after their own appetites.

1 Gent.

Poets are Ioves Priests.

2 Gent.

And Natures Panders.

1 Gent.

Well, if you will neither go to the Gaming-house, Tavern, nor Bawdy-house, will you go and visit the sociable Virgins.

2 Gent.

Yes, I like sociable Virginity very well. But pray what are those

sociable Virgins, which you would have me go to see?

1 Gent.

VVhy a company of young Ladies that meet every day to dis∣course and talk, to examine, censure, and judge of every body, and of every thing.

2 Gent.

'Tis pity, if they have not learn'd the rules of Logick, if they talk so much, that they may talk sense.

1 Gent.

I will assure you they have voluble Tongues, and quick VVits.

2 Gent.

Let us go then.

Exeunt.