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

ACT II.

Scene 5.

Enter two Gentlemen.

1 GEnt.

Pray Sir what news from the Army? you are newly come from thence.

2 Gent.

I suppose you have heard how the Effeminate Army was some half a mile from the Masculine Armies; but the Masculine Army being very carnest to fight, not only to get Victory and power, but to revenge each others losses, as their Friends slain in the former B••ttel, which thoughts of revenge did so fire their minds and inflame their Spirits, that if their Eyes had been as much illuminated as their flaming Spirits were, there might have been seen two blazing Armies thus joining their Forces against each other; at last began a cruell fight, where both the Armies fought with such equal Courages and active Limbs, as for a long time neither side could get the bet∣ter, but at the last the Army of Faction broak the Ranks and Files of the Army of Reformation, whereupon every Squadron began to fall into a Confusion, no order was kept, no chardge was heard, no command obey'd, terror and fear ran maskerd about, which helpt to rout our Army, whereupon the Enemy kill'd many of our men, and wounded many more, and took numbers of Prisoners; but upon this defeat came in the Female Army, in the time that some of the Enemy was busy in gathering up the Conquered spoils, others in pursute of the remainders of our men, others were binding up the Prisoners, others driving them to their Quarters like a Company of Sheep to a Market there to be sold; but when as some of the Commanders perceived a fresh Army coming towards them, their General commanded the Trumpets to sound a Retreat to gather them together, and also made haste to order and settle his men in Battel Array, and desirous their General was to have all the Prisoners slain; but the Female Army came up so fast and so close to prevent that mischief, as they had not time to execute that design; but their General encouraged his Souldiers, and bid them not to be disheartened, perswading them not to lose what they had got from an Army of men to an Army of boys, for said he they seem to be no other by the appearance of their shapes and statures; but when the Female Army came to encounter them, they found their charge so hot and furious as made them give place, which advantage they took with that prudence and dexterity, as they did not only rout this Army of Faction, killing and wounding many, and set their own Countrymen at liberty, and recovered their losses, and gained many spoils, and took numbers of Prisoners of their Enemies with Bag and Baggage, but they pursued those that fled into their Trenches, and beat them out of their works, and took possession thereof, where they found much riches; these Trenches being taken, the Lady Victoria took possession, and made them her Quarters, calling all her Female Souldi∣ers to enter therein by the sound of Flutes, which they always used instead of Trumpets, and their Drums were Kettel-Drums; but upon this Victory

the Masculine Sex of the Army of Reformation was much out of Counte∣nance, being doubly or trebly overcome, twice by their Enemy, and then by the gallant actions of the Females which out-did them, yet they thought it best to take their advantage whilst the Victory was fresh and flourishing, and their Enemies weak and fearfull, to lay siege to the next Towns in the Enemies Country; whereupon the Lady Victoria and her Female Souldiers hearing of the Army of Reformations designs, for they had sent the men to their own Quarters as soon as the Battel was won and Victory got; Also the Masculine Prisoners they sent to the mens Quarters, not intermixing themselves with the men, but as I said they hearing the design they had to besiege the Towns were much inraged for not making them of their Coun∣cils, whereupon they sent a Messenger like as an Embassadour to tell the Masculine Army they did wonder at their ingratitude, that they should for∣get so much their relievers as to go upon any Warlike design without ma∣king them acquainted therewith, striving as it were to steal the Victory out of their hands, but said they, since we are become victorious over our Ene∣mies, and Masters, and Mistresses of the Field, by our own valiant actions and prudent conducts, we will maintain our power by our own strengths, for our Army is become now numerous, full and flourishing, formed, and conformable by our Discipline, skillfull by our practice, valiant by our reso∣lutions, powerfull by our victory, terrible to our Enemies, honourable to our Friends, and a subject of Envy to the Masculine Sex; but your Army is weak and decrepid, sitter for an Hospital than for a Field of War, your power is lost, your courage is cold, your discipline disorderous, and your command sleighted, despised by your Enemies, pittied by your Friends, forsaken of good Fortune, and made subject unto our Effeminate Sex, which we will use by our power like Slaves. But when our Lord General who was recovered out of sickness, and all his Commanders about him heard this message, which was delivered in a full assembly, according as the Lady Vi∣ctoria had commanded the message should be, the men could not chose but smile at the womens high and mighty words, knowing they had all sweet and gentle dispositions and complying Natures, yet they were at a stand which to be pleased at most, as in hearing them disparage their Masculine Sex, or in advancing their own Female Sex by their self Commendations, but how∣soever so well pleased the men were with the womens gallant actions, that every man was proud that had but a Female acquaintance in the Female Army; but our Lord General was mightily taken with their bravadoes, and much mirth amongst the Commanders was about it; but when they were to advise what to do in the affairs of War, and the warring women, the General told them he made no question but that most men knew by experi∣ence that women were won by gentle perswasions and fair promises, and not by rigid actions or angry frowns, besides said he, all noble natures strive to assist the weakest in all lawfull actions, and that he was no gallant man that submits not to a woman in all things that are honourable, and when he doth dissent it must be in a Courtly manner, and a Complemental behaviour and expression, for that women were Creatures made by nature, for men to love and admire, to protect and defend, to cherish and maintain, to seek and to sue to, and especially such women which have out-done all their Sex, which nature ever made before them; wherefore said he, 'tis fit to these wo∣men above all others we should yield our selves Prisoners, not only in love but in Arms; wherefore let us treat fairly with them, and give them their own

conditions. But in the mean time the Lady Victoria thought it best not to lose ••y opportunity with talking out the time, wherefore she besieged a consi∣derable Fort, a place which was at it were the Key that unlockt the passage into the heart of the Enemies Kingdome, and at this siege they were when became away, but the General and his Council had sent a Messenger unto them, but what his message was I cannot give you an account.

Exeunt.

Scene 6.

Enter two men in Mourning.

1 MAn.

Now my Lord is Intombed, our Lady will enanchor her self by his Ashe.

2 Man.

'Tis strange so young and beautifull a Lady should bury her self from the World, and quit all the pleasures thereof, to live with dead Ashes.

1 Man.

A grieved Mind, Melancholy Thoughts, and an Oppressed Heart, considers not the Body, nor the World.

2 Man.

But yet I think 'tis an example that few of her Sex will imitate.

1 Man.

Because few of the Female Sex can truly Grieve or be Me∣lancholy.

2 Man.

No, it is that few of the Female Sex can truly and con∣stantly Love.

Exeunt.

Scene 7.

The Tomb being thrust on the Stage, enter Madam Jantil and a Company of Mourners, but the Lady Jantil was attired in a Garment of rich Cloth of gold girt loosly about her, and a Mantle of Crimson Velvet lined with powdered Ermins over that, her woman bearing up the Train thereof being long, her Hair all un∣bound hung loose upon her Shoulders and Back, upon her Head a rich Crown of Iewels, as also Pendant Iewels in her Ears, and on her Wrists costly Bracelets; when she came in she goeth to∣wards the Tomb, and bows with great respect and devotion thereto, thou speaks, directing her speech to every several Figure.

These following Verses or Speeches were written by my Lord Marquiss of Newcastle.

Lady Iantil.

Pallas and Mercury at thy Death mourned, So as to marble Statues here th'are turned; Mars sheaths his Sword, and begs of thee a room, To 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all his courage in thy Tomb;

Hymen amazed stands, and is in doubt, Thy Death his holy fier hath put out; What various shape of Fortune thou didst meet, Thou scorn'st her frowns and kicks he with thy feet, Now sound aloud the Trumpet of good Fame, And blow abroad his everlasting name.

After this she directs her speech to the outward figures about the Tomb.

The Cardinal Virtues Pillars of thy fame, Weep to see now each but an empty name Only for Painters and for Carvers be, When thy life sustain'd them more than they Thee; Each Capital a sadder Virtue bears, But for the Graces would be drowned in tears; Faith strengthens Fortitude lest she should faint, Hope comforts Prudence as her only Saint; And Charity to Justice doth advance To Counsel her, as Patience Temperance; But wofull Counsellors they are each one, Since grief for thy Death turn'd them all to stone.

Then putting off her rich Garments and Orna¦ments before mentioned, as she was undres∣sing she spake thus.

Now I depose my self, and here lay down, Titles, not Honour, with my richer Crown; This Crimson Velvet Mantle I throw by, There case and plenty in rich Ermins lie; Off with this glittring Gown which once did bear Ambition and fond pride ly you all there; Bracelets and Pendants which I now do wear, Here I devest my Arms and so each Ear; Cut off these dangling Tresses once a crime, Urging my Glass to look away my time; Thus all these Worldly vanities I wave, And bury them all in my Husbands grave.

After this she calls for her other Garments, which was a pure white light silk loose Garment, girt about her with a white silk Cord, and then puts on a thin black Veil over it, and then takes a Book in her hand, but speaks as they were a put∣ting on those latter Garments.

More of my Lord Marquesses, are these.

Lady Iantel.

Put on that pure and spotless garment white, To shew my chaster thoughts, my Souls delight;

Cord of Humility about my waste, A Veil of obscure Mourning about me cast; Here by this sadder Tomb shall be my Station, And in this Book my holy Contemplation.

She turns her self to her Servants.

Farewell my Servants, farewell every one, As you all love me pray leave me alone.

They all go forth weeping.

When they were all gone and she alone, she turns her self to the Tomb.

No dust shall on thy marble ever stay, But with my sadder sighs ile blow 't away; And the least spot that any Pillar bears, Ile wash it clean with grief of dropping tears; Sun fly this Hemisphaer, and feast my Eyes, With Melancholy night, and never rise, Nor by reflection, for all light I hate, Therefore no Planet do illuminate; The twinkling Stars that in cold nights are seen, Clouds muster up and hide them as a Screen, The Centrick fire raise vapours from the Earth, Get and be Midwife for those fogs their birth; Then chilling colds freeze up thy pores without, That trembling Earth-quakes no where may get out; And that our Mother Earth may nothing wear, But Snow and Icicles to curl her hair; And so Dame Nature Barren nothing bring, Wishing a Chaos, since despairs a Spring; Since all my joys are gone, what shall I do, But with the whole World ruined with me too?

Here ends my Lord Marquesses Verses.

Exeunt.