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

LXXXVI.

MADAM,

IN your last Letter you did friendly Chide me for my Passionate Anger, and for some Words I did speak in that Angry Passion, I Confess my Error, but yet you must Know that my Passion proceeded from Extreme Natural and Honest Love, as to be Angry in Mind, and Bitter and Sharp in Words, to and of those, I know by Experience and Practice to be Envious, Spite∣full, Malicious, and Ungratefull to those I do and ought dearly to Love, and this made me Speak that which Discretion perchance did not Allow or Approve of, although Honesty could not Forbid it; but had it been in my Own par∣ticular Cause or Person, I should neither have been Angry nor Bitter, neither in Thoughts nor Words, for I can easily pass over all Hate or Anger, either in Words or Actions to my Self, so they be neither Contumelious, nor Im∣pairably Dishonourable, the First can proceed from none but my Superiors, the Other from none but Bestial Ruffians; As for my Supe∣riours, I count none my Superiours, but those that Surpass me in Virue, Grace, Wisdome, and Excellency of Mind, except my Natural Parents; and as for Rude Ruffians, I am of such Quality, as not to Keep such Company, nor to be Unattended by Servants that Wait upon me,

or near my Call. But I Confess my Indiscre∣tion, for Violent Passion doth neither gain Ju∣stice, Right, nor Truth, of Malice, VVrong, and Falshood, Yet I am obliged to you for your Love, for you have shew'd more True Friend∣ship in your Reproof, than Feigned Friends do in their Flattery, for which I am,

Madam,

Your Faithfull and most Humble Servant.