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

Scene 15.

Enter Sir William Holdfast, and his Friend Mr. Disswader.

HOldfast.

Sir Thomas Letgo's Mistris, that he is to marry, is a pretty Lady.

Disswader.

But I do not perceive he is very hasty to marry her.

Holdfast.

If she were mine, I would not prolong my Wedding-day.

Disswader.

For fear she should die, and you should lose her Estate.

Holdfast.

No, I am not covetous: for my Estate will maintain a Wife according to my quality, although she bring no Portion; and upon that condition I might have her, I would give a Portion for her, so much I like and fancy her.

Disswader.

And would you marry her if you might have her?

Holdfast.

Yes.

Disswader.

Pray tell me, what would you do with a Fool? she would be neither good for Breed nor Conversation: for she might bring you a Race of Fools, and vex you with ignorant Follies.

Holdfast.

Why should you think her a Fool? she neither appears fro∣ward, peevish, or spightful; she hath a sober Face, a bashful Countenance, a natural Garb; she is silent and pensive, which shews she is no Fool; but if she were always laughing, or toying, or singing, or dancing, or simpering, or prating, or had an affected countenance, or affected garbs or postures, I should conclude her to be a Fool. But certainly she must needs have a wise Wit: for she seems melancholy and contemplative, which no fool is; she hears much, and speaks little, which no fool doth: wherefore I judge she hath Wit, but either she is careless, and cares not to express it, or thinks the company fools, and therefore will not express it, or is so bashful, as she can∣not express it; and there is nothing shews, or discovers Wit so much as Bashfulness, which shews the Mind and Thoughts so sensible, as they appre∣hend beyond anothers perceivance, and so fearful lest they should commit Errors in their Actions and Expressions, as they obscure their Virtues and na∣tural Excellencies, for want of a confident Assurance, and a good Opinion of their own Abilities; besides, Bashfulness thinks the least natural defect

a Crime, and every little errour a Disgrace, never to be rubb'd out; they will blush at their own thoughts, and will pine almost into a Consumption, if two or three idle words should slip out of their mouths, or that they should mistake an Argument, or that their Behaviour was not so or so: The truth is, they never think their Actions or their Words well enough done or spo∣ken; they are the first that shall condemn themselves, and the last that shall give themselves a pardon: But prethee Ned, as thou art my Friend, see if you can procure me, or watch for an opportunity, that I might speak with her alone.

Disswader.

I think that were not difficult to be done; but I will enquire a way.

Holdfast.

Do not forget it.

Disswader.

No, it is so remarkable you should be in love with so simple a creature, as I shall remember it.

Exeunt.