CCXI sociable letters written by the thrice noble, illustrious, and excellent princess, the Lady Marchioness of Newcastle.

CLXXXV.

MADAM,

THe VVar is likely to be Continued, and I am Sorry for the sake of our Sex, not only that VVomen are Shiftless in time of Mi∣sery, as in Misfortunes, but that they live in Torment, not in their Bodies, but in that which is far Worse, in their Minds, for Fear is the Tor∣ment of the Mind, insomuch as it is more Happy to be Dead, than to Live in Fear, it Rakes the Mind, and makes the Body Restless, and this Fear I mention, is not so much for Themselves, as their Friends that Hazard their Lives in the VVars; for though VVor∣thy

men go to the VVars with Joy, hoping to gain Honour, yet Women Depart from those Friends with Grief, for fear of their Death, and in their Absence they never enjoy a Minutes Rest or Quiet, for there is not only a VVar in the Mind, as betwixt Hope and Doubt, but a Tyrant, which is Fear, for Fear is an Ab∣solute Conquerour, and a Tyrannical Possessor of the Mind, Plundering the Mind of all Content and Happiness, Banishing all Hopes, and then Inhabiting it only with the VVorst of Passions, as with Grief, Sorrow, and Impati∣ence, making Despair Governour thereof. And this, Madam, by VVoful Experience, I have found my self, praying I may never be the like again, for I had rather live as I do, in a Peaceable Banishment with my Husband, although Ac∣companied with Pinching Poverty, than to be Possess'd with Fears in my own Native Coun∣try; but those that never had the Sweetness of Peace, or have not known the Misery of War, cannot be truly and rightly Sensible of either. Wherefore leaving at this time what is Past, and making the best use of the Present, I rest,

Madam,

Your very faithful Friend and Servant.