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

XXVIII.

MADAM,

IN your last Letter you were pleased to Con∣demn me for Admiring Words, so much, as to prefer Eloquence before all other Musick; but pray, Madam, mistake me not, for I do not Admire the Words, but the Sense, Reason, and Wit, that is Exprest, and made Known by Words; neither do I Admire Formal Orators, that speak Premeditated Orations, but Natural Orators, that can speak on a Sudden upon any Subject, whose Words are as Sweet and Melt∣ing as Manna from Heaven, and their Wit as Spreading and Refreshing as the Serene Air, whose Understanding is as Clear as the Sun, gi∣ving Light of Truth to all their Hearers, who in case of Perswasion, speak Sweetly, in case of Reproof, Seasonably, and in all cases, Effectual∣ly. And, Madam, if you do Consider well, you cannot chuse but Admire, and Wonder at the

Power of Eloquence, for there is a strange hid∣den Mystery in Eloquence, it hath a Magical Power over mankind, for it Charms the Sen∣ses, and Inchants the Mind, and is of such a Commanding Power, as it Forces the Will to Command the Actions of the Body and Soul, to Do, or to Suffer, beyond their Natural Abili∣ties, and makes the Souls of men the Tongue's Slaves; for such is the power of an Eloquent Speech, as it Binds the Judgement, Blindfolds the Understanding, and Deludes the Reason; also it Softens the Obdurate Hearts, and causes Dry Eyes to Weep, and Dryes Wet Eyes from Tears; also it Refines the Drossy Humours, Polishes the Rough Passions, Bridles the Unru∣ly Appetites, Reforms the Rude Manners, and Calms the Troubled Minds; it can Civilize the Life by Virtue, and Inspire the Soul with De∣votion. On the other side, it can Enrage the Thoughts to Madness, and Cause the Soul to Despair. The truth is, it can make Men like Gods or Devils, as having a Power beyond Nature, Custom and Force, for many times the Tongue hath been too Strong for the Sword, and often carried away the Victory; also it hath been too Subtil for the Laws, as to Banish Right, and to Condemn Truth; and too hard for the Na∣tures of Men, making their Passions its Priso∣ners: and since Eloquence hath such Power over Arms, and Laws, and Men, as to make Peace or War, to Compose or Dissolve Common∣wealths, to Dispose of Souls and Bodies of Man∣kind;

wherefore those men that are indued with such Eloquence, and overflowing Wit, are both to be Fear'd and Lov'd, to be highly Advanced or utterly Banished; for those whose Eloquent Wit out-runs their Honesty, are to be Punish∣ed, but those that employ their Eloquent Wit, and Elegant Graces, to the service of the Com∣monwealth, are to be Esteemed, Respected, and Relied upon, as Pillars of the Commonwealth. But to conclude, Wit makes a Ladder of Words, to climb to Fame's high Tower, and the Tongue carries men further than their Feet, and builds them a Statelier, and more Lasting Palace than their Hands, and their Wit, more than their Wealth, doth Adorn it. But now, leaving Words and Wit, I rely upon Love and Friendship, and rest,

Madam,

Your faithful Friend and Servant.