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

Scene 9.

Enter Monsieur la Gravity, Monsieur Compagnion, and Monsieur Comerade.

MOnsieur Compagnion.

We are bound to curse you Monsieur Gravity, for retarding our visits to the Widows, for I told you we should come too late if we did not go before their Husbands were buried

Monsieur la Gravity.

But I do not hear they have made a promise to marry any as yet.

Monsieur Compagnion.

That's all one unto us, but the noblest, youngest, richest, and fairest VVidow is gone; for though she is not promised or married, yet she is incloistered, and that is worse than marriage; for if she had been married there might have been some hopes her Husband would have died, or been kill'd, or some wayes or other Death would have found to have taken him away.

Monsieur Comerade.

Let us comfort our selves with hopes, that it is but a Ladies humour, which she will be soon weary of, for when her Melan∣choly ••it is over, she will come forth of her Cloister, and be fonder to marry than if she had never gone in.

Monsieur la Gravity.

VVell, since she is gone, let us assault the other.

Monsieur Compagnion.

VVhat, the old woman that hath never a Tooth in her head?

Monsieur Comerade.

VVhy, she is rich, and she will kiss the softer for ha∣ving no Bones in her mouth.

Monsieur Compagnion.

The Devill shall kiss her before I will; besides, an old woman is thought a Witch.

Monsieur la Gravity.

Pish, that is because they are grown ill-favoured with Age, and all young people think whatsoever is ill-favoured belongs to the Devill.

Monsieur Compagnion.

An antient man is a comely sight, being grave and wise by experience, and what he hath lost in his person, he hath gained in his understanding; besides, beauty in men looks as unhandsome as age in wo∣men, as being effiminate; but an old woman looks like the picture of En∣vy, with hollow Eyes, fallen Checks, lank Sides, black pale Complexion, and more Wrinkles than time hath Minutes.

Monsieur Comerade.

Nay by your favour, some old women look like the full Moon, with a red, swell'd, great, broad face, and their Bodies like as a spungy Cloud, thick and gross, like our fat Hostess.

Monsieur la Gravity.

Gentlemen, why do you rail against antient women so much, since those that are wise will never marry such Boyes as you?

Monsieur Compagnion.

It is to be observed, that alwayes old Girls match themselves with young Boyes.

Monsieur la Gravity.

None but Fools will do so.

Monsieur Compagnion.

VVhy did you or any man else ever know a wise old woman, or a chast young woman in their lives? for the one dotes with Age, the other is corrupted with Flattery, which is a Bawd to self-conceit.

Monsieur la Gravity.

Grant it be so, yet it is better to marry an old doting Fool, than a wanton young Fille.

Monsieur Compagnion.

For my part, I think now it is the best way to marry none, since Madam Iantil is gone, but to live like the Lacedemonians, all in Common.

Monsieur la Gravity.

I am of another opinion, wherefore if you will go along with me to the old VVidow Madam Passionate, and help to Counte∣nance my Sute, I shall take it as an act of Friendship.

Monsieur Comerade.

Come, we will be thy Pillars to support thee.

Exeunt.