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

CXCII.

MADAM,

ALthough I am as Unwilling to stir from the Fire-side this Cold Weather, as Cri∣minals are to go to their Execution, (for indeed the Sharp Cold is to me as a Sharp Ax, and the

Peircing Motions like Points of Swords) yet my Husbands Perswasion, which is as Power∣ful on me, as the Powerfullest Authority of States to particular Persons, Forced me out of the City, as without the VValls, to see Men Slide upon the Frozen Moat, or River, which Runs, or rather Stands about the City VValls, as a Trench and Security thereof; and I being Warm Inclosed in a Mantle, and Easily Seated in my Coach, began to take some Pleasure to see them Slide upon the Ice, insomuch as I wished I could, and might Slide as they did, but yet I would Slide as one of the Skilfullest, and most Practiced, and with a Security the Ice was so Firm as not to Break; but since I neither had the Agility, Art, Courage, nor Liberty, I re∣turned Home very well Pleased with the Sight, and being alone to my self, I found I had a Ri∣ver, Lake, or Moat Frozen in my Brain, into a Smooth, Glassy Ice, whereupon divers of my Thoughts were Sliding, of which, some Slid Fearfully, others as if they had been Drunk, ha∣ving much ado to keep on their Incorporeal Legs, and some Slid quite off their Feet, and Fell on the Cold Hard Ice, whereof some Sli∣ding upon Imaginary Shoes, with the Imagina∣ry Fall were tossed up into the Air of my Brain, yet most of my Thoughts Slid with a good Grace and Agility, as with a Swift, and Flying Motion. but after I had sat by the Fire-side some time, the Imaginary Ice began to Melt, and my Thoughts Prudently Retired, or Removed,

for fear of Drowning in the Imaginary River in my Brain. And so leaving this Imagination, I profess my self really,

Madam,

Your faithful Friend and Servant.