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

Scene 7.

Enter Seigneur Valeroso and his friend Monsieur la Hardy, to take their leaves of their Wives, Madam Jantil, and Madam Passionate, Madam Jantil young and beautifull, Madam Pas∣sionate in years.

Madam Iantil.

I cannot chuse but take it unkindly that you will go with∣out me; do you mistrust my affection? as that I have not as much love for you as the Generals Lady hath for her Husband; or do you desire to leave me? because you would take a Mistriss along with you, one that per∣chance hath more Beauty than you think me to have; with whom you may securely, and freely sit in your Tent, and gaze upon; or one that hath more wit than I, whose sweet, smooth, and flattering words may charm your thoughts, and draw your Soul out of your ears to sit upon her Lips, or dan∣cing with delight upon her Tongue.

Seigneur Valeroso.

Prethee Wife be not jealous, I vow to Heaven no other Beauty can attract my eyes but thine, nor any sound can please my brain, but what thy charming Tongue sends in; besides, I prise not what thy Body is, but how thy Soul's adorn'd, thy virtue would make me think thee fair, although thou wert deformed, and wittier far than Mercury, hadst thou Midas's ears, but thou hast all that man can wish of women kind, and that is the reason I will leave thee safe at home; for I am loth to venture all my wealth and happiness in Fortunes unconstant Bark, suffering thy tender youth and Sex to float on the rough waves of chance, where dangers like to Northern winds blow high, and who can know but that fatal gusts may come, and overwhelm thee, and drown all my joys? wherefore for my sake keep thy self safe at home.

Madam Iantil.

I shall obey you, but yet I think it were not well I should be a long time from you, and at a great distance.

Seigneur Valeroso.

I will promise you, if I perceive the War is like to be prolonged, and that there be Garrison-Towns so safe as you may secure∣ly live in, I will send for you, placing you so where sometimes I may visit you.

Madam Iantil.

Pray do not forget me so much as to cancell your promise.

Seigneur Valeroso.

Forget the sweet? I should sooner forget life, and if I do whilst I have memory, Heaven forget me.

Madam Iantil.

I must ask you a question, which is to know why you will take an under command, being so nobly Born, and bearing a high Title of Honour your self, and being Master of a great Estate.

Seigneur Valeroso.

To let the World see my Courage is above my Birth, Wealth, or Pride, and that I prefer inward worth before outward Title, and I had rather give my life to the Enemy on honourable terms, than base∣ly to stay at home in time of general Wars, out of an ambitious discontent: for valour had rather have dangers to sight with, than Offices to com∣mand in.

Seigneur Valeroso and his Lady whispers, while the other two Monsieur la Hardy and his Lady speaks.

Madam Passionate.

Why should you go to the Wars now you are in years, and not so fit for action as those that are young, and have their strengths about them? besides, we have lived a married pair above these thir∣ty years, and never parted, and shall we now be seperated when we are old?

She weeps.

Monsieur la Hardy.

Alas Wife, what would you have me do? when I am commanded out I must obey; besides, I would not have my Country fight a Batrel whilst I live, and I not make one, for all the World, for when I cannot fight, my Body shall serve to stop a breach; wherefore leave your crying Wife, and fall to praying for our safe return, and here my noble friend is desirous you should stay with his Lady to comfort one another, and to divert Melancholy and the longing hours of our return.

Madam Passionate.

Farewell, I fear I shall never see you again, for your absence will soon kill me.

She cryes.

Exeunt.