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

XCVI.

MADAM,

I Wonder that Sir F. E. should turn his Back to his Enemy, as you say you heard he did, when heretofore he Out-faced his Enemies; wherefore, surely he either thought those Ene∣mies he Turn'd from, their Cause to be Juster, or he had some Burden upon his Conscience that was Unrepented of, and knowing in him∣self, he was not fit to Die at that present, endea∣voured to Preserve his Life by a Flight; or else he thought he might do some Greater Service if he Preserv'd his Life, whereas in that Fight he should Die Unprofitably; or else it was a Panick Fear, that may seize sometimes on Men of Great Courage, although True, Sober, Va∣liant Men are Seldom, if Ever, Seized with that Fear, by reason they never Venture their Lives but for Honour, and Honour forbids a Masker'd Flight, though not a Noble Retreat, for it is as Commendable to make a Wise and Honoura∣ble Retreat, as to Fight a Just Quarrel. But I have observed, that as some are Wise, Honest, and Valiant, or rather Couragious by Fits, so some are Couragious and Cowardly in several Causes or Cases; as for Example, Some have Courage to venture Hanging for Robbing or Stealing, yet are afraid of a Cudgel, to Fight

although but at Cuffs; others have Courage to Betray a Friend, but dare not Assist or Conceal a Persecuted Friend, others have Courage to Commit Treason, yet dare not Fight an Ene∣my, and many the like; also some are very Couragious in a Passion, and mere Cowards when their Passion is over; also Fear makes some Stout and Couragious, and others Cow∣ards, and so doth Drink, and the like; also Covetousness of Wealth makes more Coura∣gious than any Thing or Cause else, for an Army of Souldiers, if they know they shall be Inriched by the Victory, will Fight with∣out all Fear, nay, so as to Die Every man; but Propose to them Honour, or their Countries Safety, or their Kings Right, and they for the most part will Run away, unless they be sure to be Hang'd for it, and then perchance they may Fight for Life, rather than Run away to be sure to Die, for by Staying there is some Hopes, whereas by Running away there is none; but if they fear not to be Catch'd, they Fly. But the Commanders that Fight more for Honour than Spoil, most commonly Stick to the Fight, fearing a Disgrace more than Death, and loving Fame more than Life. But the truth is, that generally there are more Cowards than Valiant Men, and more that have Courage to be Knaves, than to be Honest Men, for it requires both VVisdom and Valour to be Truly Honest, and Upright∣ly Just, but few have that Noble and Prudent

Breeding, as to Know what is Truly Just, Ho∣nest and Valiant, insomuch as many Commit Errours and Crimes, and so are Disgraced, merely through Ignorance, whereas did they Know and rightly Understand the Grounds or Principles of Honesty and Honour, they would not hazard Infamy; But there are more that have not Breeding according to their Natures, than Natures according to their Breeding, for alas, the World wants Good Instructors, which is the cause of the Follies, Errours, Faults, and Crimes in Men and their Actions. But leaving the Generality, I am sorry for the Disgrace of Sir F. E. although it may be hoped, he may Recover himself out of this Reproach, by some Eminent, Honourable, and Valiant Action, which will be a Grave to Bury this Disgrace, for there are wayes and means for men to Re∣cover a Lost Honour, but none for Wo∣men, for if once they Lose their Honour, it is Lost for Ever without Redemption, wherefore every one is to regard their own Actions. But lest I should Commit an Errour or Fault, in ty∣ring you with so Long a Letter, I rest,

Madam,

Your faithful Friend and Servant.