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

LVIII.

MADAM,

IN your last Letter you sent me word, you were not of my Opinion, that all men ought to wear their Swords at all Times, and in all Places and Companies, for you say it is not fit that Drunkards, or Mad-men, or Lovers, should wear Swords; for Drunkards will use their Swords to the hurt of Others, by reason they are Quarrelsome and Abusive; and Mad-men will use their Swords to the hurt of Themselves, either through a Frantick Despair or Conceit; and Lovers will Affright their Mistresses with

them. Madam, you have forgotten two or three Words added thereto, for I said, that all Gallant Gentlemen ought to wear Swords, at all Times, and in all Places and Companies; but Drunkards and Mad-men, though they may be Gentlemen, yet they cannot be said Gallant men whilst they are Mad or Drunken, because they want their Reason to Distinguish, for the Gallantry of the Mind or Soul is Valour, Ge∣nerosity, Humanity, Justice, Fidelity, and the like, all which cannot be, at least, not in force in Irrational Creatures, which Mad-men and Drunkards are for that time. And for Lovers, it is very Requisite they should wear Swords to guard their Mistresses, for she is but a Foolish Mistress that will be afraid of her Safety; But a Gallant man wears his Sword for his Honour, King, and Country; as for his Country, it in∣cludes Piety, Friendship, and Natural Affection; for his King, it includes Fidelity and Loyalty; for his Honour, it includes Truth, Right, Love, Generosity and Humanity. In truth, Generosi∣ty and Humanity is like the Sun and the Air, for Humanity doth like the Air spread equally to all, it enters every where, and fills up all Vacui∣ties; and Generosity like the Sun, shines every where, and on every Creature, although not at one Time, yet in such a Compass of Time as it hath strength and motion to extend it self; also his Benefits are General, he Disputes not Who or What deserves his Light or Heat, but knows his Light and Heat is Beneficial to all Creatures,

which if they Abuse to Evil Uses, it is none of his Fault. Thus Generosity shines in the Air of Humanity, and Fortitude is like Heaven, which no Enemy can Enter, it Defends and Guards the Distressed; and Valour is the Sword of Justice, to Cut off Offenders, and the Sword of Valour is a sharp metal'd Blade, that Gallant Gentle∣men should alwayes wear about them, and have Skill to Manage it, and Judgment and Discretion to know When, and on Whom to Use it. But, Madam, lest the mentioning of a Sword should Fright you, I'le leave it, and rest,

Madam,

Your faithful Friend and Servant.