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

About this Item

Title
Playes written by the thrice noble, illustrious and excellent princess, the Lady Marchioness of Newcastle.
Author
Newcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of, 1624?-1674.
Publication
London :: Printed by A. Warren, for John Martyn, James Allestry, and Tho. Dicas ...,
1662.
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Link to this Item
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A53060.0001.001
Cite this Item
"Playes written by the thrice noble, illustrious and excellent princess, the Lady Marchioness of Newcastle." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A53060.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 16, 2024.

Pages

Scene 36.
Enter Mistriss Odd-Humour, and her Maid Nan.
Mistriss Odd-Humour weeps.
NAn.

Why do you weep Mistriss?

Mistriss Odd-Humour.

Because my Father will have me marry.

Nan.

Many young Maids weep because they cannot get Husbands, but few weep to enjoy one.

Mistriss Odd-Humour.

I do not cry because I shall have a Husband, but because I shall have a Foot to my Husband.

Nan.

There are few wise Husbands, and fewer wise Men.

Mistriss Odd-Humour.

What difference is betwixt a wise Husband, and a wise Man.

Nan.

Why a wise Husband is to rule and govern his Wife, well, but a wise Man is to rule and govern himself, well, and there is more that can tell how to rule and govern others than themselves, like as there may be good Kings and not good Men, and good Men and not good Kings, or as there may be good Teachers as Preachers, and not good practisers; so this Gentleman you are to marry may be a wise Husband, although not a wise Man.

Mistriss Odd-Humour.

But he will be both a foolish Husband, and a fool∣ish Man.

Nan.

If he prove a foolish Husband you have no reason to cry, for then you will have the more Liberty.

Mistriss Odd-Humour.

The more liberty to be a Fool you mean.

Nan.

Indeed liberty to women makes them rather foolish than wise: for women know not how to use liberty discreetly, for when they have liberty they run beyond the bounds of discretion.

Mistriss Odd-Humour.

Faith if I marry this same Gentleman that my Father sayes I shall, I shall run beyond the bounds of Matrimony.

Nan.

That is to run into your Neighbours Bed.

Exeunt.
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