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

ACT III.

Scene 8.

Enter Monsieur NObilissimo, and three or four Gentlemen.

Nobilissimo.

I wonder who brought up that careless fashion, to go with∣out their Swords; and I wonder more, how gallant valiant men, came to follow that fashion; for a Sword is a valiant mans trusty friend, to whose protection, he delivers his Honour, his Safety, and his Peace; for a Sword is a Mans Guardian, to maintain his Right, to revenge his Wrongs, or Disgraces, and his Mistriss, for whole service he wears his Life, and studies the worth and use thereof, and takes delight in the Honourable, and allowable practices therein.

1 Gent.

Faith my Lord I believe it was some Lover that brought up that fashion, who was loath to affright his Mistriss, with so dangerous a weapon.

2 Gent.

Some Carpet Knight upon my life my Lord.

Nobilissimo.

It was no true Lover; for certainly he would be sure to pro∣vide a safeguard, lest his Mistriss might be taken from him, or lest he should be affronted in her sight, which a Man of Honour, and a true Lover, will ra∣ther dy than part or suffer; and as for my part, I commend the Man that would neither eat, drink, nor sleep, without his Sword were by him, and made it his Bedfellow, and Bord Companion; as a friend that held to his side, and would sight in his quarrell.

2 Gent.

My Lord, if a man should do so in these times, his Neighbours would say it was out of fear, not courage.

Nobilissimo.

O no, for a Coward is affraid to use a Sword, and a Valiant man is affraid to be without the use, otherwise a strong sturdy Clown, might cuff him down, and kick him like a Football on the ground, which a Sword, and skill to use it, will prevent; for a Clown hath not skill to defend, or assault a Sword, having no practice therewith, nor ought they to have; for the use of this kind of Arms makes a Clown a Gentleman, and the want of skill makes a Gentleman a Clown; for a Right bred Gentleman, is to know the use of the Sword, and it is more manly to assault, than to defend; also to know how to mannage Horses, whereby we know how to assault our Enemy as well as to defend our selves; for it is not playing with a Fidle, and dancing a Measure, makes a Gentleman; for then Princes should dub Knighthood with a Fidle, and give the stick, and a pair of Pumps, insteed of a Sword, and a pair of Spurs.

1 Gent.

My Lord, we are so far from wearing our Swords our selves now a dayes, as we give them our Footmen to carry, as if it were a disgrace to carry a Sword our selves.

Nobilissimo.

Tis true, and we are well beaten for our follies, for disarm∣ing our selves, and arming our Slaves; for now a Groom is made a Gentle∣mans equal, nay his Superior sometimes; for if a Groom kills a Gentle∣man, the Gentleman dyes in disgrace, and the Groom lives with Honour, and gets the Fame of a gallant Person; for that is the phrase to all those that have fought, although they were forced thereto as Slaves, not distinguishing true valor, which is voluntary, temperate and just.

2 Gent.

Why then there should be a Decree, of Law, that none should wear Swords but Gentlemen, nor Arms allowed, but to those of approved merit.

Nobilissimo.

You say right, unless in time of Forein Wars, and then there should be a difference in their Arms; for if there be no difference of Arms, no difference of persons, and if there be no difference of persons, there will be no Supremacy of Power, if no Supremacy, no Royal Govern∣ment; for as the Sword maintains the Prerogative of the Crown, so it doth the Honour of a Gentleman; and as the Sword keeps up the dignity of the Crown, so a Sword keeps up the Heraldry of a Gentleman; and no man ought to be accounted a Gentleman, that knows not how to use his Sword, and manage his Horse; for the one defends himself, and kills his Enemies; the other, doth front and charge his Enemy, and pursues him if need require.

Exeunt.

Scene 9.

Enter Monsieur Esperance, and Madamoiselle Espe∣rance his Wife.

MOnsieur Esperance.

Lord Wife you are very brave to day.

Madamoiselle Esperance.

I strive to be so every day.

Monsieur Esperance.

For whose sake.

Madamoiselle Esperance.

For yours.

Monsieur Esperance.

For mine? why sure that is not so, for certainly you would not take that pains, and bestow so much cost, for one you do enjoy allready, for a Husband that is tied to you for life, and cannot quit on Ho∣nourable terms; wherefore it is for one is loose and free, which you do strive by setting forth your self with garments rich, for to attract, and draw to your desires.

Madamoiselle Esperance.

The Circumference of my desires is only your delight.

Monsieur Esperance.

Why, my delight is in your Virtue, youth, and Beau∣ty, not in your Cloathes.

Madamoiselle Esperance.

But Virtue is best acceptable, when Beauty doth present it; and Beauty finds most favour, when well attired; but were I sure you would like me better in mean Garments, and careless dresses, I then should Cloath my self in Freez, & like a Hermit my loose course Garments ty with single cord about my waste; but I will go and pull these Cloaths off, since they are thought a crime, and I thought false for wearing them.

Monsieur Esperance.

No, I like them very well, if I were sure they were worn only for love to me.

Madamoiselle Esperance.

I never gave you cause to think I wear them for the love of any other.

Exeunt.

Scene 10.

Enter Madamoiselle Spightfull, Madamoiselle Detractor, Mada∣moiselle Malicious, and Madamoiselle Tell-truth.

SPightfull

Madamoiselle La Belle is cryed up to be the only Beauty in the Kingdome.

Malicious.

Lord that is nothing, for sometimes opinion will carry a black Blowse up to Fames high Tower.

Spightfull.

Yes faith, and most commonly they are cast down in disgrace.

Detractor.

Why should she be cryed up so? for she is neither well fea∣tured, nor well shaped, nor well fashioned, nor well drest, nor well bred, nor good natured; for she is of a brown Complexion, a heavy Eye, a sad Countenance, a lazy Garb; she dresses Phantastically, speaks Childishly,

looks shamefastly; she is proud, reserved, coy, disdainfull, and self-conceited.

Tell-truth.

Let me tell you, it is reported that she hath most lovely features, a clear Complexion, a modest Countenance, a bashfull Eye, a pleasing Speech, a winning behaviour, a Majesticall presence; besides it is reported that her disposition is civil, courteous, and obliging, her Nature sweet and gentle, her Education virtuous, her life temperate and Chast, her actions noble and wise, her discourse witty and delighful.

Spightfull.

Hey day, hey day, good Mistriss Tell-truth run not so fast in the wayes of vain Reports, lest your judgment fail into a Quagmire.

Enter Monsieur Phantasie.

Malicious.

Monsieur Phantasie, tis said you are one of Madamoiselle La Belles admirers.

Phantasie.

All the World would admire her, if they saw her, she is so Heavenly a Creature.

Spightfull.

If she be so Heavenly a Creature, she would be known to the whole World by the splendor of her Beams.

Phantasie.

Heaven is not made known to all; neither can the gloryes be suddenly comprehended, by weak Mortals.

Detractor.

Good Lord, if she hath such an infinite Beauty, that it cannot be comprehended, it is obscure.

Phantasie.

But those that comprehend least will be astonish'd, and struck with deep amaze.

Detractor.

I believe you are struck with Love, which makes you Blind, or Mad, that makes you think you see your own imaginations: wherefore fare you well, untill you are sober.

The Ladies goe out.

Monsieur Phantasie alone.

Phantasie.

I am struck indeed, for I am wonded deeper than Swords can pierce, or Bullets shoot at.

Exit.

Scene 11.

Enter Monsieur Nobilissimo, and many Gentlemen with him.

1 GEntleman.

Your Lordship rid to day beyond Perseus on his Pegasus.

Nobilissimo.

No Monsieur, he went (if Poets speak truth) in higher Capreols than ever I shall make my Horse go.

2 Gentleman.

He might go higher my Lord, but never keep so just a time, and place, as to pitch from whence he riss, his feet in the same Circle, his leggs in the same lines, and your Lordship in the same Center.

Nobilissimo.

The truth is, my Horses went well to day; they were like Musical Instruments, fitly strung, and justly tun'd.

3 Gentleman.

And your Lordship, like a skillfull Musician, played rarely thereon.

Nobilissimo.

Come Gentlemen, let us to Dinner, for I have uncivilly tyred your Stomacks with a long fast.

Exeunt.