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

THE PUBLICK VVOOING

ACT I.

Scene 1.

Enter two men.

1 MAn.

'Tis reported that the great Mogul hath War with the Parthians, and a man of our Nation is General of all his Forces.

2 Man.

Me thinks it is too great an Honour and Trust to give to a stranger.

1 Man.

But it is reported he hath behav'd himself so wisely, honestly, nobly, and valiantly, as he hath gained the favour of the Emperour, and love of the Souldiers, and also respect from all the inferi∣our Princes.

2 Man.

Who should this man be?

1 Man.

I cannot learn: for the Merchants from whom I had this report, know not what his right name is; for they think he goeth by a cover'd name.

2 Man.

Surely he is of a very mean Birth, that he is asham'd to own his name.

1 Man.

It seems so; but let his Birth be poor or great, he hath a Gene∣rous Soul: for they say he is very bountiful, and lives in great magnificence, and carries himself as if he were Princely born: He is the whole discourse upon the Exchange, and the Merchants do cry him up like to another Iuli∣us Caesar.

2 Man.

It seems they fare the better for his being their Countryman, and he to be the Emperours Favourite.

1 Man.

'Tis like enough.

2 Man.

Nay you may be assur'd they have a Fee of Obligation, if they praise him so much. Of what Age do they say he may be?

1 Man.

They say is in the prime of his years, a very handsom man, well-behav'd, and of a ready wit.

2 Man.

'Tis strange it should not be known of what Parentage he is of.

1 Man.

It is not known as yet.

Exeunt.

Scene 2.

Enter two Men.

1 MAn.

Sir, were not you a servant to the Lord of Sage?

2 Man.

Yes Sir.

1 Man.

He was a Wise, and a Noble Person.

2 Man.

He was so, Heaven rest his Soul.

1 Man.

'Tis said he hath left but one only Child, and she a Daughter, which Daughter is sole Heir to all his Estate.

2 Man.

She is so.

1 Man.

And it is also reported she will be woo'd in publick, or else she'l never wed.

2 Man.

The Report is true, Sir: for I am now going to invite all her Friends and acquaintance, to whom she desires to publish her resolutions.

1 Man.

Is she resolv'd of it?

2 Man.

She hath vow'd it.

1 Man.

Pray favour me so much, as to give me a Character of her.

2 Man.

She is Virtuous, Young, Beautiful, Graceful, and hath a superna∣tural Wit; and she hath been bred and brought up to all Virtuosus, which a∣dorns her Natural Gifts; she lives magnificently, yet orders her Estate pru∣dently.

1 Man.

This Lady may be a sample to all her Sex.

Exeunt.

Scene 3.

Enter two Grave Matrons.

1 Matron.

Mistris Simple is the very'st Fool that ever I tutor'd or in∣structed.

2 Matron.

Do you mean a fool by imprudence, or a fool that speaks im∣properly?

1 Matron.

I do not know what her imprudence may be; but in her words there is no coherence.

2 Matron.

Alas she is young; and youth is a Cage of Ignorance, and boys and girls are like birds, which learn from their tutors and tutoresses artifici∣al tunes, which are several Languages, Sciences, Arts, and the like: But the truth is, of all sorts of Birds, the Cocks are more apt to learn than the Hens.

1 Matron.

If she can be taught sense, I am much mistaken: for she hath not a reasonable capacity to learn.

2 Matron.

Why then she hath a defect in Nature, as a Changeling.

1 Matron.

I think so.

2 Matron.

Why should you think so, since youths capacity cannot be measured by their Educators? for Time is the only measure of the rational capacity: And to prove it, some boys and girls will be so dull, as to seem stu∣pid to Learning, and yet in their strength of years may prove very rational un∣derstanding,

and wise men or women; besides, the Brain is like to the Air, 'tis sometimes thick with mysty Errours, sometimes dark with clouds of Ig∣norance, and sometimes clear with Understanding, when as the Sun of Know∣ledge shines; and perchance you heard her speak when her Brain was clou∣dy and dark.

1 Matron.

So dark, as her words could not find the right way to sense.

2 Matron.

Perchance if you hear her speak some other times, when her Brain is clear, you may hear her speak wisely.

1 Matron.

It is so unlikely she should ever speak wisely, as it is near to impossible.

2 Matron.

Indeed unlikely and impossible do some way resemble each o∣ther: But let me tell you, the Brain is like the Face, it hath its good days and its bad: for Beauty and Wit have not only their times and seasons, but their foul and fair days.

1 Matron.

You say true: for the choisest Beauties that ever were, or are, will somtimes look worse than at other times; nay so ill they will look some∣times, as they might be thought they were not Beauties.

2 Matron.

The like for Wit: for certainly, the greatest Wit that ever was, or is, may sometimes be so dull and unactive, as it might be thought they were so far from being Wits, as they might be judged Fools: And cer∣tainly, the most Eloquent Orators that ever were, have spoke at some times less Eloquently than at other times; insomuch, that at some times, although the subject of their Discourse is so full of Matter and Reason, as might have oyl'd their Tongues, smooth'd their Words, and enlighten'd their Fancy, yet they will speak as if their Wits had catch'd cold, and their Tongues had the numb Palsy, on which their words run stumbling out of their mouths as insensible; when as at other times, although the subject of their discourse be barren or boggy, woody or rocky, yet their Wit will run a Race without stop or stay, and is deck'd and adorn'd with flowry Rhetorick: And certain∣ly, the wisest men that ever were, have given both themselves and others worse counsel sometimes, than at other times; and certainly the valiantest man that ever was, had sometimes more courage than at other times: But yet although a valiant man may have more courage at one time than another, yet he is at no time a coward, nor a wise man a fool.

1 Matron.

But Orators may chance to speak non-sense.

2 Matron.

They may so, and many times do.

1 Matron.

Why then may not a Valiant man be at some times a Coward, and a Wise man a Fool, as well as Orators to speak non-sense?

2 Matron.

Because Valour, Judgment, and Prudence are created in the Soul, and is part of its Essence; I do not mean every soul, but the souls of Valiant and Wise men: for souls differ as much as bodies, some are crea∣ted defective, others perfect; but words are only created in the mouth, and are born through the lips, before the soul of sense is enter'd or inbodied therein.

1 Matron.

An Orators tongue is powerful.

2 Matron.

An Orators tongue doth rather play on Passions, than compose the Judgment, or set notes to the Reason; like as a Fidler, that can play tunes on musical Instruments, but is no Musician, to compose and set tunes: But there are many men that have eloquent tongues, but not witty souls; they have the Art of words, but not the Spirit of wit.

Exeunt.

Scene 4.

Enter the Lady Prudence, and a company of Ladies and Knights, whom she had invited to hear her Resolutions. She stands by her self, and speaks.

Lady Prudence.

Kind Friends, and worthy Acquaintance, you may think it strange, and perchance take it ill, I invite you only to a simple Dis∣course, for to declare a vain Vow, as you may judge it so to be, which Vow I made since my Father the Lord Sage's death. The Vow is, never to receive a Lovers Address, or to answer a Lovers Sute but in a publick Assembly; and 'tis likely the World will laugh at this as ridiculous, or condemn it for pride, or scorn it as self-conceit: But if they will be pleased to weigh it in Judge∣ments Scales, they will find it poysed with a good Intention, and make a just weight of Conveniency against unaccustomariness: for though it is not usu∣al, yet it is very requisite, especially to such young women which are Or∣phans, who like small and weak Vessels, that are destitute of Guide or Pilot, are left on the wide Sea-faring World to ruinous waves, and incon∣stant weather; even so young women are to the Appetites of greedy men, and their own inconstant and changing Natures, and want of Experience to guide them, run on Rocks, Shelves, and Quick-sands of Troubles, Misery, and Disgrace, not knowing what safe Port or Home to sail to; whereupon, and in which danger, I considering with my self, at last I thought it the safest way to swim in the full Ocean, and not in the narrow Channels, Creeks, or obscure Corners, lest I should be crush'd to pieces, or drown'd for want of Sea-room; and surely were there a Law to forbid all private meetings of young men and women, and that no women should marry, unless they be wooed in publique, there would not be so many unequal matches, so many perjur'd Consciences, so many devirginate and forsaken Maids; neither would there be such floods of tears from sorrowful Parents Eyes, for their unduti∣ful childrens Actions that will choose without their good liking, and marry against their good wills: But they will be asham'd in publique to choose dishonourably or indiscreetly: for the Ears and Eyes of a publick Assembly will be as Reigns, to curb their unruly Passions, and their Applause and Com∣mendation will be as spurs to force them to a wise, choise, when in private Wooings their Passions become wilde, and run loosly about, without bridle or check: Wherefore I desire my Friends and Acquaintance to be as wit∣nesses of my behaviour and words to my loving and Matrimonial Suters; and in this you will be as Parents to the Fatherless, as Judges to Pleaders, and Gods to Men.

The Audience speak.

We approve of your discreet and honest Resolutions, and shall wish you happy days.

Exeunt.

Scene 5.

Enter Mistris, Parle, Mistris Trifle, Mistris Fondly, Mistris Vanity, and one of the Grave Matrons. Then enters a Servant-Maid.

Maid.

Mistris, there is a Woman at the door that can tell Fortunes.

They all speak at once.

O let her come in, let her come in.

Exit maid.

Enter the Fortune-teller.

Fortune-teller.

God bless you young Ladies.

Parle.

Can you tell Fortunes?

Fortune-teller.

Yes that I can Lady.

Trifle.

Tell me mine.

Vanity.

Tell me mine first.

Parle.

No, tell me mine first.

Fondly.

Nay, tell me mine first.

Matron.

Have patience Ladies, and let her tell your Fortunes by degrees, one after another: for she cannot tell them all at once.

Fortune-tel.

I must look in your hand, Lady.

Fondly shews her hand.

Fortune-teller.

By your hand you should marry richly, and keep Open-House; you will have many Children, and your Husband will love you dearly.

Fondly.

But will no body love me but my Husband?

Fortune-teller.

Yes, you will be well belov'd, if you be kind and loving to others.

Trifle.

Now tell me my Fortune.

She shews her hand.

Fortune-tel.

You, Lady, will have two Husbands.

Fondly.

You did not tell me I should have two Husbands.

Fortune-tel.

No Lady, your Fortune is to have but one.

Trifle.

How long will it be ere I shall have one of my Husbands?

Fortune-tel.

Not long, Lady.

Trifle.

Will my Husbands be handsom men?

Fortune-tel.

Your first Husband will be a tall men, with a brown hair and complexion.

Trifle.

That complexion and stature I like very well.

Fortune-tel.

Your second Husband will be of a middle stature, and of a fair hair and complexion.

Trifle.

O I like that stature and complexion better.

Vanity.

Tell me mine, tell me mine.

She shews her hand.

Fortune-tel.

You will have many courting Servants, and two will fight for you.

Vanity.

And which shall have me?

Fortune-tel.

He that out-lives the other.

Vanity.

Why, shall one of them be kill'd?

Fortune-tel.

Yes.

Vanity.

I am sorry for that: for I could please them both. But look again, perchance he may be only sore wounded, and not kill'd out-right.

Fortune-tel.

Your hand doth portend death to one.

Vanity.

And will he live long that I shall marry?

Fortune-tel.

I do not perceive his death in your hand.

Vanity.

I am sorry for that; for I shall not love him, by reason he kill'd one that lov'd me so well as to die for my sake.

Fortune-tel.

'Tis only his fortune to live; but he ventures as much for your sake as the other.

Vanity.

That's all one: for I shall love him that's kill'd, more than he that lives, especially after I am maried: for I shall love a dead servant be∣ter than a living Husband.

Parle.

You are so long a talking to the woman, as you hinder her from tel∣ling me my fortune. Come woman, read the fortune in my hand.

Shews her hand.

Fortune-tel.

You, Lady, will die a Maid.

Parle.

Out upon the Witch, what Devil told you that lye?

Fortune-tel.

I do not say you will die a Virgin.

Parle.

I hope you do not see any children in my hand.

Fortune-tel.

There are many lines that do foretel children; but some are so small, and others so crost and broke, as I cannot find a strait or perfect line: But here are lines that do foretel many Suters.

Parle.

That's some amends: for it had been a hard case, and very ill for∣tune, if I should have neither Husband nor Suters.

Matron.

Come, come, Ladies, pay the poor woman, and let her go.

Trifle.

Give her a crown for me.

Fondly.

And one for me.

Vanity.

And one for me.

Fortune-tel.

Heaven bless you Ladies: for you will make me rich.

Parle.

Give her half a crown for me.

Matron.

Will not you give her a whole crown?

Parle.

There is no reason I should: for she hath given me never a Hus∣band.

Matron.

Well, good woman, let this be a warning to you, that when you come to tell young Ladies their Fortunes, that you be sure to give them all one Husband a peece, if not two or three: for the more Husbands you give them, the more money they will give you.

Fortune-tel.

I shall take your counsel, Mistris.

Exit Fortune-teller.

Parle.

To die a Maid, it cannot be, it must not be, it shall not be.

Exeunt.

Scene 6.

Enter the Lady Prudence, and her Audience, and her Suter, who is a Souldier, there being two standing places, opposite to each other a purpose, one for the Suter to wooe and plead his sute, and another for the Lady to stand whilst she gives her Answer.

This rooing Souldier was written by the Lord Marquiss of New-castle.

Souldier.

Madam, I am come here to offer you a Man, a Gentleman, and a Souldier, three Titles in me, the Person that loves you, honours you, and will serve and obey you, and think it no disgrace thus to alter the Care∣chism of our old written Matrimony: If you command the breeches, you shall not only have them, but the coat too; and when you are pleased to change the name of the Sex, the gray Mare shall be the better Horse: for 'tis ashame for a man to controll a woman, but always to obey and please them from the least to the greatest of their commands: for man never seems so much man, nor masculinely inthron'd under the cloth of State, in his Royal Chair of Courage, as when he is taken prisoner, and led captive by the Fe∣male Sex. Thus, fair Divine Lady, conquer'd, thus I beg, thus I yield, thus submit: VVherefore Lady, take me, and make your self happy and me.

No Musk nor Civet courtly words I use, Nor Frenchez-pan promises to abuse Your softer Sex, nor Spanish sweets to tell, And bribe your quicker nostrils with the smell, Or let a false tear down my cheek to fall, And with dissembling kneeling therewithall, Sigh my self into Air: these fools disdain, These quarter-wits, O kick them back again: Nor am I like a Justice of the Peace, That woo's you just as he would buy a lease; Nor like an Heir, whose Tutor for his sake So many lyes of Joynter-houses make; Nor like a Lawyer that would fain intail, And when he's try'd, doth make a Jeofail; Nay thousands more, that always do dissemble For your sake, make my loving heart to tremble, Lest you should be deceiv'd.

Admired Lady, fear not my Profession, All my Drum-heads, I'll beat them to soft silence, And every warlike Trumpet shall be dumb: Our feared Colours now shall be torn off, And all our Armour be condemn'd to rust, Only my Sword I'll wear, the badge of man, Por to defend you and your Honour-still. Then Madam take me thus your loving Vassal, When lying bragging Castrils will forsake you.

Oh take a man, and joy in him for life, A Sword-man knows the virtue of a Wife.

Here ends my Lord Marquisses writing.

The Lady Prudence's Answer.

Lady Prudence.

Gallant Sir, should I accept of your Sute, I should be ei∣ther an Enemy to my self, or you, or my Country: As for my self, should I marry a Souldier, I should be tormented with the cruellest passions: for if I love my Husband, as sure I shall, I shall be perpetually frightned with his dangers, grieved for his absence, despair of his life: Every little misfortune will be as his Passing-Bell; I shall never be at rest asleep nor awake; my Dreams will present him to my view, with bleeding wounds, mangled bo∣dy, and pale visage; I shall be widow'd every minute of an hour, in my own thoughts: for as the Senses are to the Body, so the thoughts are to the Mind, and Imaginations in these, or the like cases, are as strong as a visible presence: for passions live in the Soul, not in the senses; for a man is as much griev∣ed when he hears his friend is dead or kill'd, as if he saw him dead or slain: for the dead friend lives in the mind, not the mind in the dead friend: But with these Dreams and Imaginations I shall grow blind with weeping, weak with sighing, sick with sorrowing, and deaf with listning after reports: And should you desist from that noble Profession for my sake, I should prove as a Traitor to my Country, by taking away part of the strength and support, lea∣ving the weakness to the force of the Enemy: for a good Souldier is a strong Fort and Bulwark of Defence: Indeed a skilful Commander is to be pre∣fer'd before a numerous Army: for a number of men without Order, are like dust, which the least puff of wind blows about; so an Army, not being well commanded, is quickly dispers'd, and suddenly routed upon the least errour; besides, should you desist, you would bury your name in Oblivion, when by your valiant Actions, and prudent Conduct, your memory will be placed in Fames high Tower, and writ in large Characters of praise. 'Tis true, should I marry, I should prefer my Husbands honour before his life, yet would I not willingly marry a man, whose life shall be set at the stake, and Fortune still throwing at it, for that would make me live miserably: And who would wilfully make themselves miserable, when Nature forbids it, and God commands it not?

Exit Lady.

The Lover goes sighing out

Scene 3.

Enter the Lady Parrot, and the Lady Minion.

LAdy Parrot.

Shall we go and visit the Lady Gravity?

Minion.

No, she lives so solitary a life, as we shall meet no company there: for none go to visit her.

Lady Parrot.

Then let us goe to the Lady Liberty, there we shall meet

company enough: for all the Ladies in the Town go to visit her.

Minion.

If she hath no men-visiters, I will not add to the number of her Lady visiters.

Parrot.

You may be sure she hath Masculine Visiters, or else the Ladies would never go to see her: for it is to meet the men the Ladies go to see her, and not for her own sake.

Minion.

And the men go to see the Ladies.

Parrot.

I believe some do; yet men are better company in the company of their own Sex, than in the company of women.

Minion.

By your favour, the contrary Sex agree best, and are better plea∣sed together, than men with men, or women with women: But if the Lady Liberties House be the General Rendezvouz for Men and Women, let us go.

Parrot.

Content.

Exeunt.

Scene 8.

Enter Mistris Trifle, and Mistris Vanity.

VAnity.

O my dear Heart!

Trifle.

O my dear Joy, how glad am I to see thee! But where have you been, that you came later than you promis'd? for if you had not sent me word you would come to me to day, I had gone to you.

Vanity.

Why, where do you think I have been?

Trifle.

I know not where to think.

Vanity.

I have been at a Silk-mans shop to buy me a new Gown; but I would not choose it before I had shewn thee my patterns.

Trifle.

Let me see them.

She shews them.

Vanity.

What do you think of this stuff?

Trifle.

This is out of Fashion; besides, 'tis not a Mode-colour.

Vanity.

What think you of this Tabby?

Trifle.

The colour is good, but it is not of a good water.

Vanity.

What think you of this Sattin?

Trifle.

The Sattin is a good glossy Sattin, but the colour is too pale.

Vanity.

But pale colours, 'tis said, are Allamode in France.

Trifle.

Who says so?

Vanity.

A Gentleman told me so which is newly come out of France.

Trifle.

Then he perchance could have told you all the French Fashions.

Vanity.

So he did most particularly: for he said he went into France for no other purpose but to see and observe Fashions.

Trifle.

I believe he only observed mens Fashions, being a man, and not womens Fashions.

Vanity.

Nay, he swore he observ'd the womens Fashion more than the mens, by reason he knew it would make him more acceptable to our Sex at his return, not onely for Discourse-sake, but for the kind rewards he should have for his Intelligence; which rewards he hath found so full and plentiful, as he hath made such a beneficial Journey, as he will go once every year, and stay a moneth or two, and then return.

Trifle.

For Ioves sake send him to me.

Vanity.

I will; but prethee choose my Gown.

Trifle.

Let the Gentleman that came out of France choose your Gown: for he can put you into the French Fashion.

Exeunt.

Scene 9.

Enter the Lady Prudence, and the Amorous VVooer: They take their places, and the Assembly about them.

VVOoer.

Sweet Lady, your Beauty hath wounded my heart, im∣prisoned my senses, and hath inslav'd my soul, so as I am wholly in your power.

Prudence.

I will mask my beauty, and set you free.

Wooer.

A mask may shadow your beauty, but cannot extinguish it, no more than a dark cloud can the bright Sun: And as the Sun begets life, and gives light; so your beauty begets love, and gives delight to all that do be∣hold it.

Prudence.

And as Time brings Death, Darkness, and Obscurity; so Age brings wrinckles, and Absence forgetfulness, burying love in the ruines of Beauty.

Wooer.

My love can never die, nor hath time power to vade your beauty.

Prudence.

Nothing escapes Times tyranny, but what the soul possesses.

Wooer.

You are the soul of beauty, and beauty the soul of love.

Prudence.

Such souls have no Eternity, but die as bodies do.

Wooer.

O save my soul, and love me.

Prudence.

'Tis not in my power: for love is free and resolute; it can nei∣ther be commanded nor intreated.

Exeunt.

Scene 10.

Enter the Lady Liberty, Sir Thomas Letgo, Sir William Hold∣fast, the Lady Parrot, the Lady Minion, Master Disswader, Sir VVilliam Holdfasts Friend, being met at a Feast at Sir Thomas Letgo's House.

LEtgo.

Ladies, you are become melancholy of a sudden: I hope you are not tyr'd with dancing?

Liberty.

Yes saith, we want divertisements: wherefore prethy Sir Tho∣mas Letgo, send for thy affianced Mistris to make sport.

Letgo.

I am asham'd she should be seen, or made known to this noble company.

Liberty.

O divulge her by all means, that the World may know you do despise her, and that you will marry her only because she is rich, and to o∣bey your Fathers commands.

Letgo.

I will obey your commands, and send for her.

He sends for her, in the mean time he is talking to another.

Enter the Lady Mute, holding down her head, and looking simply.

Liberty.

Sir Thomas Letgo, your wise Mistris is come to welcome your Guests.

Letgo.

She wants words to express her self, and Wit to entertain them.

Liberty.

Your Father knew you wanted not Wit so much as Wealth.

Letgo.

Many Fathers leave their sons nothing but their follies and vices for their Inheritance: But my Father not having Vices or Follies enough of his own, hath left me another mans Fool for an Annuity.

Parrot.

Is she a fool?

Liberty.

O yes: for she seldom speaks.

Parrot.

That's a great sign of simplicity indeed.

Liberty.

She is a meer Changeling: for when she doth speak, it is but, when she is question'd, and then for the most part she gives but one answer to all sorts of questions.

Parrot.

What Answer is that?

Liberty.

Her Answer is, she cannot tell.

Holdfast.

Lady, there may be such questions ask'd, as are beyond a wise mans understanding to resolve: But perchance she is sceptick, that doubts all things.

All the company laugh.

Liberty.

What do you judge the scepticks fools?

Holdfast.

A man may judge all those to be fools that are not scepticks.

Liberty.

I judge all those that think her not a fool, are fools.

Holdfast.

Then Lady I am condemn'd: for I cannot give sentence against any of your Sex, neither in thoughts or words.

Exeunt.