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

Scene 13.

Enter the Lady Solitary, the Lady Examination, the Lady Censurer, and a Grave Matron.

EXamination.

Come let, us go abroad, for I love to refresh my self in the Serene Ayr, taking the pleasure of every Season, as when the returning Sun sp••ns Golden Beams, which interwaves into the thiner Ayr, as Golden Threads with softer Silk, making it like a Mantle, Rich and warm, which wraps the Body of each Creature in; so in the Summer when lifferous winds do fan the sultry heat; then in the Autum that's like a temperate Bath, which is neither too hot nor too cold; then in the VVinter, when free∣sing cold doth purge the Ayr, as Physick doth the Body from most corrupt humours, and binds each loose deshevered part.

Censurer.

The VVinter will bind up your active limbs, and numb your flesh, and make your Spirits chill, besides VVinter doth bedrid Nature, the spightfull malicious and wicked Season, for it doth strive for to destroy each several thing, and it yields nothing good it self; besides it doth Imprison many things, binding them fast with Icy Chains, taking away their Natural Liberty, also it doth not only frown, and lour on the bright Sun, making his light dim and dusky, but VVinter doth untwist, and doth unweave the Suns bright Golden Beams, and wind them on dark bottoms.

Solitary.

The cold sharp Ayr is as sharp unto the touch, as a Lemon to the tast, and works a-like in some effects.

Matron.

Yes be'r Lady in causing frowning, and crumpling faces.

Solitary.

Not only so, but sharp Ayr, and sharp Lemons, do both cleanse from Putrification, and keep from Corruption.

Censurer.

But hot Ayr works upon the Body, as stronge Liquors upon the Brain, for hot Ayr distempers the Body, as strong Liquors do the Mind.

Matron.

Beshrow me, I have felt some Ayres as hot, and as burning, as Brandy-wine.

Solitary.

VVhat VVine is that?

Matron.

The VVine of VVine, the Spirits of VVine.

Censurer.

Indeed that VVine, if you call it so, which is Strong-waters, will work upon the Body as soon as the hottest Ayr, causing Feavours and other Malignant diseases.

Examination.

It seems that hot and burning Ayr, works upon the Spirits as much and as soon as the hottest Liquors, and hot Liquors upon the Bo∣dy as much as hot Ayr, both causing Feavours and Frenzies.

Matron.

In truth, and I heard that Ayr is liquid, and so is Drink, and Drunkards, like frantick persons, will do mad tricks sometimes.

Examination.

And there are several sorts of Ayr, as there are several sorts of Drinks, some colder, some hotter, some moist, and some hath dry effects, and some Ayr refreshes and quenches heat, other some dissipates and ex∣pels cold, some revives the Spirits, and some inrages them, some corrupts Bodyes, and some preserves them.

Matron.

By my Faith, I perceive Ayr and Drink have many good and bad qualities, but I had rather have good Drink and bad Ayr, than bad Drink and good Ayr, there is some substance in the one, but the other is like unto that which I have heard of but could never see, which is Incorporality; for that which is not subject to my sight, I can hardly believe it is any thing.

Censurer.

Indeed very thin Ayr is next unto nothing.

Exeunt.