Act. III.

EnterAtticvs,Iago,Nicanor,two Iudges,Notarie,and Attendants.

Att.How full of troubles is the state of Kings,Abroad with Foes, at home, with faithlesse Friends,Within with cares, without, a thousand feares?Yet all summ’d vp together, doth not makeSuch an impression in our troubled thoughts,As this one Act of disobedienceIn our owne Issue.Iag.Gracious Soueraigne, yet for that high respect,Be fauourable: she is your Daughter.1. Iud.And the onely hopeOf all Sicilie, sinceLorenzo’slosse.Att.Bring to the Barre the Prisoners: this offenceHath lost in vs a Father and a Friend,And cals for Iustice from vs, as a King:Yet thinke not, Lords, but ’tis with griefe of mind,Nor can a Father easly forget a Daughter,Whom hee once so dearely lou’d:Yet we had rather become Issulesse,Then leaue it noted to Posteritie,An Act of such Iniustice.2. Iud.Yet, dread Liege,Oh, doe not too much aggrauate the crime.Rather impute it to their childish loue.Att.To loue, my Lords? if that were lowable,What Act so vile, but might be so excus’d?The Murderer, that sheddeth guiltlesse bloud,Might plead, it was for loue of his Reuenge,The Felon likewise might excuse his theft,With loue of money, and the Traytor tooMight say, It was for loue of Soueraigntie.And indeed, all offenders so might plead.|A Barre.|Therefore, my Lords, you that sit here to Iudge,Let all respect of persons be forgot,And deale vprightly, that you may resembleThe highest Iudge, whose seat on Earth you hold:And for you know, the Lawes of SicilieForbid to punish two, for one offence,Let your care be to find the principall,ThePrimus Motorthat begun the cause;For the effect (you see) is but the issueThat one of them may worthily receiueDeserued death; the other, may be sent(As lesse offending) into banishment.|ExitKing.|

Att.How full of troubles is the state of Kings,

Abroad with Foes, at home, with faithlesse Friends,

Within with cares, without, a thousand feares?

Yet all summ’d vp together, doth not make

Such an impression in our troubled thoughts,

As this one Act of disobedience

In our owne Issue.

Iag.Gracious Soueraigne, yet for that high respect,Be fauourable: she is your Daughter.

Iag.Gracious Soueraigne, yet for that high respect,

Be fauourable: she is your Daughter.

1. Iud.And the onely hopeOf all Sicilie, sinceLorenzo’slosse.

1. Iud.And the onely hope

Of all Sicilie, sinceLorenzo’slosse.

Att.Bring to the Barre the Prisoners: this offenceHath lost in vs a Father and a Friend,And cals for Iustice from vs, as a King:Yet thinke not, Lords, but ’tis with griefe of mind,Nor can a Father easly forget a Daughter,Whom hee once so dearely lou’d:Yet we had rather become Issulesse,Then leaue it noted to Posteritie,An Act of such Iniustice.

Att.Bring to the Barre the Prisoners: this offence

Hath lost in vs a Father and a Friend,

And cals for Iustice from vs, as a King:

Yet thinke not, Lords, but ’tis with griefe of mind,

Nor can a Father easly forget a Daughter,

Whom hee once so dearely lou’d:

Yet we had rather become Issulesse,

Then leaue it noted to Posteritie,

An Act of such Iniustice.

2. Iud.Yet, dread Liege,Oh, doe not too much aggrauate the crime.Rather impute it to their childish loue.

2. Iud.Yet, dread Liege,

Oh, doe not too much aggrauate the crime.

Rather impute it to their childish loue.

Att.To loue, my Lords? if that were lowable,What Act so vile, but might be so excus’d?The Murderer, that sheddeth guiltlesse bloud,Might plead, it was for loue of his Reuenge,The Felon likewise might excuse his theft,With loue of money, and the Traytor tooMight say, It was for loue of Soueraigntie.And indeed, all offenders so might plead.|A Barre.|Therefore, my Lords, you that sit here to Iudge,Let all respect of persons be forgot,And deale vprightly, that you may resembleThe highest Iudge, whose seat on Earth you hold:And for you know, the Lawes of SicilieForbid to punish two, for one offence,Let your care be to find the principall,ThePrimus Motorthat begun the cause;For the effect (you see) is but the issueThat one of them may worthily receiueDeserued death; the other, may be sent(As lesse offending) into banishment.|ExitKing.|

Att.To loue, my Lords? if that were lowable,

What Act so vile, but might be so excus’d?

The Murderer, that sheddeth guiltlesse bloud,

Might plead, it was for loue of his Reuenge,

The Felon likewise might excuse his theft,

With loue of money, and the Traytor too

Might say, It was for loue of Soueraigntie.

And indeed, all offenders so might plead.|A Barre.|

Therefore, my Lords, you that sit here to Iudge,

Let all respect of persons be forgot,

And deale vprightly, that you may resemble

The highest Iudge, whose seat on Earth you hold:

And for you know, the Lawes of Sicilie

Forbid to punish two, for one offence,

Let your care be to find the principall,

ThePrimus Motorthat begun the cause;

For the effect (you see) is but the issue

That one of them may worthily receiue

Deserued death; the other, may be sent

(As lesse offending) into banishment.|ExitKing.|

1. Iudg.Th’offence wherewith you both stand tax’d withall,Appeares so manifest in grosse, that nowWe need not question all particularsIn publique here: yet your triall shallBe honourable, as your Persons wereBefore this blacke Impression. Therefore say,Which of you two begun th’occasion,By any meanes, direct or indirect?And answer truely, as you looke for grace.Lis.’Twas I, my honour’d Lords.Leo.My Lords, ’twas I.Lis.Let not this honourable Court be swaidBy false suggestions; that the fault was mine,Appeares as manifest as mid-dayes Sunne,’Twas I that first attempted, su’d, and prai’d,Vs’d all the subtile engins Art could inuent,Or Nature yeeld, to force affection,Onely to gaine the royall Princesse loue;For what can Women aboue weakenesse act?Or, what Fort’s so strong, but yeelds at lengthTo a continued siege?Th’attempt, I knew, was hard and dangerous:Therefore more honourable in the conquest;Which ere I would haue left, I would ha’ pastMore dangers then ereIasonvnder-went.Then, since you see (my Lords) the guilt was mine,Pardon the Princesse, Mee to death resigne.Leo.Pardon (my Lords)Lisandro, let me dye:If euer you’le performe an act of iusticeShall make you truely famous, doe it here,Here vpon me; the guilt alone is mine:’Twas this alluring face, and tempting smiles,That drew on his affections. Say that HeeDid first commence the suit; the fault was mineIn yeelding to it: ’Tis a greater shameFor women to consent, then men to aske:And yet, before he spoke, I had ingag’dMy heart and loue to him, vnask’d, vnpraid;And then (you know) how soone our eyes discouersThe true affection that we beare our Louers:Then since the guilt alone remaines in Mee,Let me be iudg’d, and setLisandrofree.2. Iudg.This knot is intricate.Lis.’Tis fallacie.Who can alledge one Article ’gainst her?Th’offence was, breaking of the Kings command,That none, on paine of death, should visit her,Vnlesse appoynted by the King himselfe;And that alone was mine: ’Twas my deuice;I tooke the borrowed shape; I broke the Law,And I must suffer for’t: Then doe not wrongHer spotlesse Chastitie.4. Iudg.How, Chastitie?Lis.If any here conceiue her otherwise,That very thought will damne him:She’s as chasteAs ere your Mothers in their cradles were,For any act committed.2. Iudg.Harder still.1. Iudg.A confused Labyrinth: we shal ne’r wind out.Leo.My Lords, beleeue him not; the guilt lies here:’Twas I that sent him that deluding shape,In which he got admittance; The offenceRests onely here: And therefore (good my Lords)Let the condemning sentence passe on mee;Or else, I will protest to all the world,You are vniust;And take my death vpon’t.Lis.Fie, Madam, how you wrong your innocence!And seeming (Lady) to be pittifullTo mee, you are most cruell; for my lifeShould be a willing sacrifice to death,To expiate the guilt of my offence.Remember what continuall paines I tooke,By messages, intreaties, gifts, and prayers,To win your fauour, deareLeonida,Iustice in this will be Impietie,Vnlesse it here be shew’d. I beg it may.Leo.I beg against him: He is innocent;The fact alone was mine: I was the first,The middle, and the end;And Iustice here must end.Or ’tis iniustice.

1. Iudg.Th’offence wherewith you both stand tax’d withall,

Appeares so manifest in grosse, that now

We need not question all particulars

In publique here: yet your triall shall

Be honourable, as your Persons were

Before this blacke Impression. Therefore say,

Which of you two begun th’occasion,

By any meanes, direct or indirect?

And answer truely, as you looke for grace.

Lis.’Twas I, my honour’d Lords.

Leo.My Lords, ’twas I.

Lis.Let not this honourable Court be swaidBy false suggestions; that the fault was mine,Appeares as manifest as mid-dayes Sunne,’Twas I that first attempted, su’d, and prai’d,Vs’d all the subtile engins Art could inuent,Or Nature yeeld, to force affection,Onely to gaine the royall Princesse loue;For what can Women aboue weakenesse act?Or, what Fort’s so strong, but yeelds at lengthTo a continued siege?Th’attempt, I knew, was hard and dangerous:Therefore more honourable in the conquest;Which ere I would haue left, I would ha’ pastMore dangers then ereIasonvnder-went.Then, since you see (my Lords) the guilt was mine,Pardon the Princesse, Mee to death resigne.

Lis.Let not this honourable Court be swaid

By false suggestions; that the fault was mine,

Appeares as manifest as mid-dayes Sunne,

’Twas I that first attempted, su’d, and prai’d,

Vs’d all the subtile engins Art could inuent,

Or Nature yeeld, to force affection,

Onely to gaine the royall Princesse loue;

For what can Women aboue weakenesse act?

Or, what Fort’s so strong, but yeelds at length

To a continued siege?

Th’attempt, I knew, was hard and dangerous:

Therefore more honourable in the conquest;

Which ere I would haue left, I would ha’ past

More dangers then ereIasonvnder-went.

Then, since you see (my Lords) the guilt was mine,

Pardon the Princesse, Mee to death resigne.

Leo.Pardon (my Lords)Lisandro, let me dye:If euer you’le performe an act of iusticeShall make you truely famous, doe it here,Here vpon me; the guilt alone is mine:’Twas this alluring face, and tempting smiles,That drew on his affections. Say that HeeDid first commence the suit; the fault was mineIn yeelding to it: ’Tis a greater shameFor women to consent, then men to aske:And yet, before he spoke, I had ingag’dMy heart and loue to him, vnask’d, vnpraid;And then (you know) how soone our eyes discouersThe true affection that we beare our Louers:Then since the guilt alone remaines in Mee,Let me be iudg’d, and setLisandrofree.

Leo.Pardon (my Lords)Lisandro, let me dye:

If euer you’le performe an act of iustice

Shall make you truely famous, doe it here,

Here vpon me; the guilt alone is mine:

’Twas this alluring face, and tempting smiles,

That drew on his affections. Say that Hee

Did first commence the suit; the fault was mine

In yeelding to it: ’Tis a greater shame

For women to consent, then men to aske:

And yet, before he spoke, I had ingag’d

My heart and loue to him, vnask’d, vnpraid;

And then (you know) how soone our eyes discouers

The true affection that we beare our Louers:

Then since the guilt alone remaines in Mee,

Let me be iudg’d, and setLisandrofree.

2. Iudg.This knot is intricate.

Lis.’Tis fallacie.Who can alledge one Article ’gainst her?Th’offence was, breaking of the Kings command,That none, on paine of death, should visit her,Vnlesse appoynted by the King himselfe;And that alone was mine: ’Twas my deuice;I tooke the borrowed shape; I broke the Law,And I must suffer for’t: Then doe not wrongHer spotlesse Chastitie.

Lis.’Tis fallacie.

Who can alledge one Article ’gainst her?

Th’offence was, breaking of the Kings command,

That none, on paine of death, should visit her,

Vnlesse appoynted by the King himselfe;

And that alone was mine: ’Twas my deuice;

I tooke the borrowed shape; I broke the Law,

And I must suffer for’t: Then doe not wrong

Her spotlesse Chastitie.

4. Iudg.How, Chastitie?

Lis.If any here conceiue her otherwise,That very thought will damne him:She’s as chasteAs ere your Mothers in their cradles were,For any act committed.

Lis.If any here conceiue her otherwise,

That very thought will damne him:

She’s as chaste

As ere your Mothers in their cradles were,

For any act committed.

2. Iudg.Harder still.

1. Iudg.A confused Labyrinth: we shal ne’r wind out.

Leo.My Lords, beleeue him not; the guilt lies here:’Twas I that sent him that deluding shape,In which he got admittance; The offenceRests onely here: And therefore (good my Lords)Let the condemning sentence passe on mee;Or else, I will protest to all the world,You are vniust;And take my death vpon’t.

Leo.My Lords, beleeue him not; the guilt lies here:

’Twas I that sent him that deluding shape,

In which he got admittance; The offence

Rests onely here: And therefore (good my Lords)

Let the condemning sentence passe on mee;

Or else, I will protest to all the world,

You are vniust;

And take my death vpon’t.

Lis.Fie, Madam, how you wrong your innocence!And seeming (Lady) to be pittifullTo mee, you are most cruell; for my lifeShould be a willing sacrifice to death,To expiate the guilt of my offence.Remember what continuall paines I tooke,By messages, intreaties, gifts, and prayers,To win your fauour, deareLeonida,Iustice in this will be Impietie,Vnlesse it here be shew’d. I beg it may.

Lis.Fie, Madam, how you wrong your innocence!

And seeming (Lady) to be pittifull

To mee, you are most cruell; for my life

Should be a willing sacrifice to death,

To expiate the guilt of my offence.

Remember what continuall paines I tooke,

By messages, intreaties, gifts, and prayers,

To win your fauour, deareLeonida,

Iustice in this will be Impietie,

Vnlesse it here be shew’d. I beg it may.

Leo.I beg against him: He is innocent;The fact alone was mine: I was the first,The middle, and the end;And Iustice here must end.Or ’tis iniustice.

Leo.I beg against him: He is innocent;

The fact alone was mine: I was the first,

The middle, and the end;

And Iustice here must end.

Or ’tis iniustice.

EnterKing.

Attic.Is the sentence giuen?2. Iudg.Not yet, my Lord: We are as far to seeke,In the true knowledge of the prime Offender,As at the first; for they plead guilty both;Both striue to aggrauate their owne offence,And Both excuse each other. On our liues,We cannot yet determine where’s the cause,Attic.It is impossibleThat sacred Iustice should be hudwink’t still,Though she be falsly painted so; Her eyesAre cleare, and so perspicuous, that no crymeCan maske it selfe in any borrowed shape,But shee’le discouer it. Let vm be returndBacke to their seuerall Wards, till we deuiseSome better course for the discouery.Nic.Dread Soueraigne, I know no better way,Then to assay by torture, to inforceA free confession, seuerall, one from other:For though they now, out of affection,Plead their owne guilt, as if they feard not death;Yet, when they feele him sting once, then the careOf life, and safetie, will discouer all.Iag.My LordNicanor, this is ill aduis’d,Sauoring too much of force and tyrannie.Is’t fit that Princes should subiect themseluesTo any tortures, such as are preparedFor base Offendors? ’Tis ignobly done,So to incense the King.Nic.How, Sir!Iag.Eu’n so:You shew a proud aspiring mind, my Lord,After a Kingdome, that would ruinateTwo royall Louers for so small a fact:But, Marke my words,Nicanor; Ere the CrowneImpale thy Temples by Her timelesse end,Mine and fiue thousand liues shall all expire.Nic.I wey thy words not this.Iag.Nor I thy frowne;I’le incense one, shall quickly pull you downe.|Exit.|Attic.How’s your opinion then,To search it out?1. Iudg.My Liege, we know no better way then this,Let there be publique Proclamation madeThroughout the Kingdome, that there may be foundTwo Aduocates, to plead this differenceIn publique disputation, Man and Woman,The wisest, and the best experienc’dThat can be found, or heard of in the Land;Or any such will proffer of themseluesTo vndertake the plea; For, questionlesse,None are so impudent to vndergoeSo great a controuersie, except thoseThat know themselues sufficient.Attic.Wee are pleas’d.See it effected with all the speed you can:The charge be yours, my Lord. Dissolue the Court.|Exeunt Om.|

Attic.Is the sentence giuen?

2. Iudg.Not yet, my Lord: We are as far to seeke,In the true knowledge of the prime Offender,As at the first; for they plead guilty both;Both striue to aggrauate their owne offence,And Both excuse each other. On our liues,We cannot yet determine where’s the cause,

2. Iudg.Not yet, my Lord: We are as far to seeke,

In the true knowledge of the prime Offender,

As at the first; for they plead guilty both;

Both striue to aggrauate their owne offence,

And Both excuse each other. On our liues,

We cannot yet determine where’s the cause,

Attic.It is impossibleThat sacred Iustice should be hudwink’t still,Though she be falsly painted so; Her eyesAre cleare, and so perspicuous, that no crymeCan maske it selfe in any borrowed shape,But shee’le discouer it. Let vm be returndBacke to their seuerall Wards, till we deuiseSome better course for the discouery.

Attic.It is impossible

That sacred Iustice should be hudwink’t still,

Though she be falsly painted so; Her eyes

Are cleare, and so perspicuous, that no cryme

Can maske it selfe in any borrowed shape,

But shee’le discouer it. Let vm be returnd

Backe to their seuerall Wards, till we deuise

Some better course for the discouery.

Nic.Dread Soueraigne, I know no better way,Then to assay by torture, to inforceA free confession, seuerall, one from other:For though they now, out of affection,Plead their owne guilt, as if they feard not death;Yet, when they feele him sting once, then the careOf life, and safetie, will discouer all.

Nic.Dread Soueraigne, I know no better way,

Then to assay by torture, to inforce

A free confession, seuerall, one from other:

For though they now, out of affection,

Plead their owne guilt, as if they feard not death;

Yet, when they feele him sting once, then the care

Of life, and safetie, will discouer all.

Iag.My LordNicanor, this is ill aduis’d,Sauoring too much of force and tyrannie.Is’t fit that Princes should subiect themseluesTo any tortures, such as are preparedFor base Offendors? ’Tis ignobly done,So to incense the King.

Iag.My LordNicanor, this is ill aduis’d,

Sauoring too much of force and tyrannie.

Is’t fit that Princes should subiect themselues

To any tortures, such as are prepared

For base Offendors? ’Tis ignobly done,

So to incense the King.

Nic.How, Sir!

Iag.Eu’n so:You shew a proud aspiring mind, my Lord,After a Kingdome, that would ruinateTwo royall Louers for so small a fact:But, Marke my words,Nicanor; Ere the CrowneImpale thy Temples by Her timelesse end,Mine and fiue thousand liues shall all expire.

Iag.Eu’n so:

You shew a proud aspiring mind, my Lord,

After a Kingdome, that would ruinate

Two royall Louers for so small a fact:

But, Marke my words,Nicanor; Ere the Crowne

Impale thy Temples by Her timelesse end,

Mine and fiue thousand liues shall all expire.

Nic.I wey thy words not this.

Iag.Nor I thy frowne;I’le incense one, shall quickly pull you downe.|Exit.|

Iag.Nor I thy frowne;

I’le incense one, shall quickly pull you downe.|Exit.|

Attic.How’s your opinion then,To search it out?

Attic.How’s your opinion then,

To search it out?

1. Iudg.My Liege, we know no better way then this,Let there be publique Proclamation madeThroughout the Kingdome, that there may be foundTwo Aduocates, to plead this differenceIn publique disputation, Man and Woman,The wisest, and the best experienc’dThat can be found, or heard of in the Land;Or any such will proffer of themseluesTo vndertake the plea; For, questionlesse,None are so impudent to vndergoeSo great a controuersie, except thoseThat know themselues sufficient.

1. Iudg.My Liege, we know no better way then this,

Let there be publique Proclamation made

Throughout the Kingdome, that there may be found

Two Aduocates, to plead this difference

In publique disputation, Man and Woman,

The wisest, and the best experienc’d

That can be found, or heard of in the Land;

Or any such will proffer of themselues

To vndertake the plea; For, questionlesse,

None are so impudent to vndergoe

So great a controuersie, except those

That know themselues sufficient.

Attic.Wee are pleas’d.See it effected with all the speed you can:The charge be yours, my Lord. Dissolue the Court.|Exeunt Om.|

Attic.Wee are pleas’d.

See it effected with all the speed you can:

The charge be yours, my Lord. Dissolue the Court.|Exeunt Om.|

EnterIagoandLorenzo,disguised like an Amazon.

Lor.Has my poore Sister then withstood a triall?Iag.I, and behau’d her selfeMost royall, and discreetly: Insomuch,Shee put the Iudges to a non-plus, Sir;Defending and excusing eythers cause,VntillNicanor, with his kind aduice,Desir’d the King they might be tortured,To see if that would force confession.Lor.Was he the onely Tyrant? Well, ere longIt may be in Our power to quittance him.I’me glad I know the Serpents subtiltie.But how concluded they?Iag.I was so vext,I could not stay a full conclusion.The Prisoners were dismist before I came:But how they did determine afterwards,I long to heare. But what intends your GraceIn this disguise?Lor.To visit the sicke Court,And free my Sister from captiuitie,With that good PrinceLisandro.

Lor.Has my poore Sister then withstood a triall?

Iag.I, and behau’d her selfeMost royall, and discreetly: Insomuch,Shee put the Iudges to a non-plus, Sir;Defending and excusing eythers cause,VntillNicanor, with his kind aduice,Desir’d the King they might be tortured,To see if that would force confession.

Iag.I, and behau’d her selfe

Most royall, and discreetly: Insomuch,

Shee put the Iudges to a non-plus, Sir;

Defending and excusing eythers cause,

VntillNicanor, with his kind aduice,

Desir’d the King they might be tortured,

To see if that would force confession.

Lor.Was he the onely Tyrant? Well, ere longIt may be in Our power to quittance him.I’me glad I know the Serpents subtiltie.But how concluded they?

Lor.Was he the onely Tyrant? Well, ere long

It may be in Our power to quittance him.

I’me glad I know the Serpents subtiltie.

But how concluded they?

Iag.I was so vext,I could not stay a full conclusion.The Prisoners were dismist before I came:But how they did determine afterwards,I long to heare. But what intends your GraceIn this disguise?

Iag.I was so vext,

I could not stay a full conclusion.

The Prisoners were dismist before I came:

But how they did determine afterwards,

I long to heare. But what intends your Grace

In this disguise?

Lor.To visit the sicke Court,And free my Sister from captiuitie,With that good PrinceLisandro.

Lor.To visit the sicke Court,

And free my Sister from captiuitie,

With that good PrinceLisandro.

EnterMisogynosandScanfardo.

Mis.A Woman!Why the more I thinke of their wickednesse,The more incomprehensible I find it;For they are, coozening, cologuing, vngrateful, deceitful,Wauering, waspish, light, toyish, proud, sullen,Discourteous, cruell, vnconstant; and what not?Yet, they were created, and by nature formed,And therefore of all men to be auoyded.Lor.Oh impious conclusion! What is hee?Iag.I ne’r had conuersation with him yet;But (by report) I’le tell you, He’s a man,Who’s breeding has beene like the Scarrabee,Altogether vpon the excrement of the time;And being swolne with poysonous vapors,He breakes wind in publique, to blast theReputation of all Women; His acquaintanceHas bin altogether amongst Whores and Bawds,And therefore speakes but in’s owne element.His owne vnworthie foule deformitie,Because no Female can affect the same,Begets in him despaire; and despaire, enuie.He cares not to defame their very soules,But that he’s of the Turkes opinion: They haue none.He is the Viper, that not onely gnawesVpon his Mothers fame, but seekes to eatThorow all Womens reputations.Lor.Is’t possible! that Sicilie should breedSuch a degenerate Monster, shame of men?Iag.Blame not your Countrie, he’s an Englishman.Lor.I will not see the glories of that SexeBe-spawld by such a dogged Humorist,And passe vnpunisht.Iag.What intends your Grace?Lor.To vndertake this iust and honest quarrell,In the defence of Vertue, till I haueSeuerely punisht his opprobrious word,Committed against Women, who’s iust fameMerits an Angels Pen to register.Scan.Sir, you haue alter’d me, I thanke you for’t.Mis.Oh! they are all the very pits of Sin,Which men, for want of wisdome, fall into.Scan.I see it, Sir, and will proclaime as much.|Exit Scan.|Lor.Leaue me,Iago.Iag.I’me gone, sweet Prince.Lor.Tell me, thou iangling Mastiffe, with what feareDar’st thou behold that too much wronged Sex,Whose Vertues thou hast basely slander’d?Mis.Ha, ha, ha.Lor.Laugh’st thou, inhumane wretch? By my best hope,But that thy malice hath deseru’d reuengeMore infamous, and publique, then to fallBy me in priuate, I would hew thy fleshSmaller then Attomes.Mis.What, haue we hereA Woman rampant? ha!Tempt me not, Syren, lest thou dost inuokeA Furie worse then Woman.Lor.Hellish Fiend,How dar’st thou vtter such blasphemous words,In the contempt of Women, whose desertsThy dunghill basenesse neuer could discerne?Assure thy selfe, thy malice shall be plagu’dSeuerely, as in iustice thou deseru’st.Mis.I wey not your threats this; spit out your poysons,Till your gals doe burst, I will oppose you all;I cannot flatter, I: nor will I fawneTo gaine a fauor; Prayse the hand and foot,And sweare your face is Angel-like, and lyeMost grosly. No, I will not do’t.But when I come, it shall be in a storme,To terrifie you all, that you shall quakeTo heare my name resounding in your eares:And Fortune, if thou be’st a deitie,Giue me but opportunitie, that IMay all the follies of your Sex declare,That henceforth Men of Women may beware.

Mis.A Woman!

Why the more I thinke of their wickednesse,

The more incomprehensible I find it;

For they are, coozening, cologuing, vngrateful, deceitful,

Wauering, waspish, light, toyish, proud, sullen,

Discourteous, cruell, vnconstant; and what not?

Yet, they were created, and by nature formed,

And therefore of all men to be auoyded.

Lor.Oh impious conclusion! What is hee?

Iag.I ne’r had conuersation with him yet;But (by report) I’le tell you, He’s a man,Who’s breeding has beene like the Scarrabee,Altogether vpon the excrement of the time;And being swolne with poysonous vapors,He breakes wind in publique, to blast theReputation of all Women; His acquaintanceHas bin altogether amongst Whores and Bawds,And therefore speakes but in’s owne element.His owne vnworthie foule deformitie,Because no Female can affect the same,Begets in him despaire; and despaire, enuie.He cares not to defame their very soules,But that he’s of the Turkes opinion: They haue none.He is the Viper, that not onely gnawesVpon his Mothers fame, but seekes to eatThorow all Womens reputations.

Iag.I ne’r had conuersation with him yet;

But (by report) I’le tell you, He’s a man,

Who’s breeding has beene like the Scarrabee,

Altogether vpon the excrement of the time;

And being swolne with poysonous vapors,

He breakes wind in publique, to blast the

Reputation of all Women; His acquaintance

Has bin altogether amongst Whores and Bawds,

And therefore speakes but in’s owne element.

His owne vnworthie foule deformitie,

Because no Female can affect the same,

Begets in him despaire; and despaire, enuie.

He cares not to defame their very soules,

But that he’s of the Turkes opinion: They haue none.

He is the Viper, that not onely gnawes

Vpon his Mothers fame, but seekes to eat

Thorow all Womens reputations.

Lor.Is’t possible! that Sicilie should breedSuch a degenerate Monster, shame of men?

Lor.Is’t possible! that Sicilie should breed

Such a degenerate Monster, shame of men?

Iag.Blame not your Countrie, he’s an Englishman.

Lor.I will not see the glories of that SexeBe-spawld by such a dogged Humorist,And passe vnpunisht.

Lor.I will not see the glories of that Sexe

Be-spawld by such a dogged Humorist,

And passe vnpunisht.

Iag.What intends your Grace?

Lor.To vndertake this iust and honest quarrell,In the defence of Vertue, till I haueSeuerely punisht his opprobrious word,Committed against Women, who’s iust fameMerits an Angels Pen to register.

Lor.To vndertake this iust and honest quarrell,

In the defence of Vertue, till I haue

Seuerely punisht his opprobrious word,

Committed against Women, who’s iust fame

Merits an Angels Pen to register.

Scan.Sir, you haue alter’d me, I thanke you for’t.

Mis.Oh! they are all the very pits of Sin,Which men, for want of wisdome, fall into.

Mis.Oh! they are all the very pits of Sin,

Which men, for want of wisdome, fall into.

Scan.I see it, Sir, and will proclaime as much.|Exit Scan.|

Lor.Leaue me,Iago.

Iag.I’me gone, sweet Prince.

Lor.Tell me, thou iangling Mastiffe, with what feareDar’st thou behold that too much wronged Sex,Whose Vertues thou hast basely slander’d?

Lor.Tell me, thou iangling Mastiffe, with what feare

Dar’st thou behold that too much wronged Sex,

Whose Vertues thou hast basely slander’d?

Mis.Ha, ha, ha.

Lor.Laugh’st thou, inhumane wretch? By my best hope,But that thy malice hath deseru’d reuengeMore infamous, and publique, then to fallBy me in priuate, I would hew thy fleshSmaller then Attomes.

Lor.Laugh’st thou, inhumane wretch? By my best hope,

But that thy malice hath deseru’d reuenge

More infamous, and publique, then to fall

By me in priuate, I would hew thy flesh

Smaller then Attomes.

Mis.What, haue we hereA Woman rampant? ha!Tempt me not, Syren, lest thou dost inuokeA Furie worse then Woman.

Mis.What, haue we here

A Woman rampant? ha!

Tempt me not, Syren, lest thou dost inuoke

A Furie worse then Woman.

Lor.Hellish Fiend,How dar’st thou vtter such blasphemous words,In the contempt of Women, whose desertsThy dunghill basenesse neuer could discerne?Assure thy selfe, thy malice shall be plagu’dSeuerely, as in iustice thou deseru’st.

Lor.Hellish Fiend,

How dar’st thou vtter such blasphemous words,

In the contempt of Women, whose deserts

Thy dunghill basenesse neuer could discerne?

Assure thy selfe, thy malice shall be plagu’d

Seuerely, as in iustice thou deseru’st.

Mis.I wey not your threats this; spit out your poysons,Till your gals doe burst, I will oppose you all;I cannot flatter, I: nor will I fawneTo gaine a fauor; Prayse the hand and foot,And sweare your face is Angel-like, and lyeMost grosly. No, I will not do’t.But when I come, it shall be in a storme,To terrifie you all, that you shall quakeTo heare my name resounding in your eares:And Fortune, if thou be’st a deitie,Giue me but opportunitie, that IMay all the follies of your Sex declare,That henceforth Men of Women may beware.

Mis.I wey not your threats this; spit out your poysons,

Till your gals doe burst, I will oppose you all;

I cannot flatter, I: nor will I fawne

To gaine a fauor; Prayse the hand and foot,

And sweare your face is Angel-like, and lye

Most grosly. No, I will not do’t.

But when I come, it shall be in a storme,

To terrifie you all, that you shall quake

To heare my name resounding in your eares:

And Fortune, if thou be’st a deitie,

Giue me but opportunitie, that I

May all the follies of your Sex declare,

That henceforth Men of Women may beware.

Enter a Herald, with a Proclamation, a Trumpet before him, a great rabble of men following him.

Heral.Atticus, King of Sicilia, to all his louing Subiects sendeth greeting: Whereas there is a doubtfull question to be decided in publique disputation, which concernes the honour of all men in generall, that is to say, Whether the Man or the Woman in loue, stand guilty of the greatest offence: Know therefore, if that any man, of what estate or condition soeuer, will vndertake to defend the equitie of men, against the false imputations of women, let vm repayre to the Court, they shall be honourably entertayned, graciously admitted, and well rewarded.

God saue the King.

Omnes.Heauen preserue his Grace.Mis.Fortune, I doe adore thee for this newes:Why, here’s the thing I lookt for; ’tis a prizeWill make me euer famous.Herald, stay,I will maintaine the Challenge, and approueThat women are first tempters vnto loue.I’le blazon forth their colours in such sort,Shall make their painted cheekes looke red, for vmTo haue them noted theirs, that all may knowThat women onely are the cause of woe.Omnes.A Champion, a Champion!|Exeunt.|

Omnes.Heauen preserue his Grace.

Mis.Fortune, I doe adore thee for this newes:Why, here’s the thing I lookt for; ’tis a prizeWill make me euer famous.Herald, stay,I will maintaine the Challenge, and approueThat women are first tempters vnto loue.I’le blazon forth their colours in such sort,Shall make their painted cheekes looke red, for vmTo haue them noted theirs, that all may knowThat women onely are the cause of woe.

Mis.Fortune, I doe adore thee for this newes:

Why, here’s the thing I lookt for; ’tis a prize

Will make me euer famous.Herald, stay,

I will maintaine the Challenge, and approue

That women are first tempters vnto loue.

I’le blazon forth their colours in such sort,

Shall make their painted cheekes looke red, for vm

To haue them noted theirs, that all may know

That women onely are the cause of woe.

Omnes.A Champion, a Champion!|Exeunt.|

Enter a Woman with a Proclamation, and as many Women as may be, with a Trumpet afore them.

Lor.Aurelia, Queene, by the especiall priuiledge of the Maiestie of Sicilia, to all Ladies, gentle and others, of the Female Sex, sends greeting: Whereas there is a question to be decided in publike disputation before, an Honourable Assembly of both parts, that is, whether the man or the woman in loue comit the greatest offence, by giuing the first and principall occasion of sinning: therefore know, that if any woman will vndertake to defend the innocency of women, against the false imputations of detracting men, let her repaire to the Court, shee shall bee honourably entertayned, graciously admitted, and well rewarded.|God saue the Queene.|

Omnes.Heauens preserue her.Lor.I doe accept it, tis a cause so iust,In equitie and vertue, in defenceOf wronged women, whose distressed famesLye buried in contempt, whose ChampionI doe professe my selfe, and doe desireNo greater glorie, then to haue that name.What woman can indure to heare the Wrongs,Slanders, Reproches, and base Forgeries,That base men vaunt forth, to dimme the rayesOf our weake tender Sex? But they shall know,Themselues, not women, are the cause of woe.A Champion, a Champion.|Exeunt Omnes.|

Omnes.Heauens preserue her.

Lor.I doe accept it, tis a cause so iust,In equitie and vertue, in defenceOf wronged women, whose distressed famesLye buried in contempt, whose ChampionI doe professe my selfe, and doe desireNo greater glorie, then to haue that name.What woman can indure to heare the Wrongs,Slanders, Reproches, and base Forgeries,That base men vaunt forth, to dimme the rayesOf our weake tender Sex? But they shall know,Themselues, not women, are the cause of woe.A Champion, a Champion.|Exeunt Omnes.|

Lor.I doe accept it, tis a cause so iust,

In equitie and vertue, in defence

Of wronged women, whose distressed fames

Lye buried in contempt, whose Champion

I doe professe my selfe, and doe desire

No greater glorie, then to haue that name.

What woman can indure to heare the Wrongs,

Slanders, Reproches, and base Forgeries,

That base men vaunt forth, to dimme the rayes

Of our weake tender Sex? But they shall know,

Themselues, not women, are the cause of woe.

A Champion, a Champion.|Exeunt Omnes.|

EnterAtticus, Misogynos,two Iudges,Notarie,Cryer,and Attendants——And thenLisandro,andHortensiaguarded.

Att.That Equitie and Iustice both may meet,In paralels, like toApollo’sTwinnes,We haue ordayn’d this Session. In the whichLet all vnequall and impartiall thoughtsBe laid aside; with such regard of truth,As not the name of Daughter, or the BloudWhich we call ours, running in her veines,May any way diuert vs. Therefore goe on,And take your seat, stout Champion, and preuaile,As is the truth you deale for, in this doubtfull,And much ambiguous businesse.Mis.So I wish——|Passe to his seat with Trumpets.|

Att.That Equitie and Iustice both may meet,

In paralels, like toApollo’sTwinnes,

We haue ordayn’d this Session. In the which

Let all vnequall and impartiall thoughts

Be laid aside; with such regard of truth,

As not the name of Daughter, or the Bloud

Which we call ours, running in her veines,

May any way diuert vs. Therefore goe on,

And take your seat, stout Champion, and preuaile,

As is the truth you deale for, in this doubtfull,

And much ambiguous businesse.

Mis.So I wish——|Passe to his seat with Trumpets.|

Enter to themAurelia,leadingAtlanta, Loretta,and two or three more women.

Aur.Braue Amazonian beautie, learnedAtlanta,Now is it time your intellectuall powers,Of wit and iudgement shou’d aduance themseluesAgainst the forked tongues of Slanderers,That pierce the spotlesse innocence of women,And poyson sweetnesse with the breath of Malice.So on, and take thy seat! It is our trust,Th’euent will prosper, for our cause is iust.Atlan.That makes me confident——|Passe to the seat.|Att.Prepare the Court.

Aur.Braue Amazonian beautie, learnedAtlanta,

Now is it time your intellectuall powers,

Of wit and iudgement shou’d aduance themselues

Against the forked tongues of Slanderers,

That pierce the spotlesse innocence of women,

And poyson sweetnesse with the breath of Malice.

So on, and take thy seat! It is our trust,

Th’euent will prosper, for our cause is iust.

Atlan.That makes me confident——|Passe to the seat.|

Att.Prepare the Court.

Cry.O yes! O yes! O yes! If there be any man——or woman——in this Honourable Court——that can produce——any lawfull cause——against either of the Aduocates——why they should not bee admitted——Let them now speake, or for euer hereafter hold their peace——

Att.’Tis well. Now sweare the Iudges.

Not.Yee shall sweare by the sacred hand ofAtticus, not to respect the person of either of the Offendors: but iustly and truly to waigh and ballance the Reasons and Arguments of the deputed Aduocates, and thereupon to determine and proceed in iudgement, according to the Lawes of this Iland, as you tender the pleasure of RoyallAtticus.

Both Iudg.To this we freely sweare.

Att.Now then, to your Arguments.

Aur.Atlanta, for poore innocent women.

Att.Misogynosfor the men.

Atlan.It is an honour farre beyond my weaknesse,(Most equall Iudges) that I am accepted,I but a woman, before men to plead,Dumbe feare and bashfulnesse to speake beforeBold Orators of State, men graue and wise,That can at euery breathing pause, correctThe slipp’ry passages of a womans speech:But yet withall my hopes are doubly arm’d.1. Iudg.How doubly arm’d?2. Iudg.Presume not more then Reason.Atlan.First, that my bashfull weaknesse claymes excuse,And is to speake before such temp’rate Iudges,Who in their wisdome will, no doubt, conniueAt small defects in me a silly woman.1. Law.Smoothly put on.2. Law.A quaint insinuation.Atlan.Next, that the cause I handle, is so iust,And full of truth, as were corruption seatedVpon your hearts (as who can euer doubtWisdome shou’d so decline) I wou’d not feare,But that my pregnant Reasons soone shou’d purge,And clense your secret bosomes from vntruth.1. Law.A promisingExordium.2. Law.The successe is all.Atlan.I need not tell you what I come to prooue:That rayling Woman-hater hath alreadieWith his foule breath belcht forth into the Ayre,The shamelesse cause in question, and doth chargeThe supple wax, the courteous natur’d woman,As blamefull for receiuing the impressionOf Iron hearted man, in whom is grauen,With curious and deceiuing Art, foule shapesAnd stamps of much abhord impietie.Wou’d any man, once hauing fixt his SealeTo any Deed, though after he repentThe Fact so done, rayle at the supple Wax,As though that were the cause of his vndoing?O idle leuitie! Wax hath’s vse,And woman easly beares the mans abuse.1. Law.Here’s a by-blow.2. Law.How can my Fencer ward it?Stay: he comes on.Mis.Hum. Doe you wax vpon me? as if manOnce hauing fixt the Seale of Armes of loue,On waxen-harted woman, though anotherCame after him, and did adulterateThe stampe imprinted on her, she, forsooth,Must still be held excus’d. ’Tis weake, and fond,And woman-like: you flye on waxen wings,That melt against the Sunne. Therefore attend,And I will proue vnto this honour’d Court,In all their passions women are impetuous,And beyond men, ten times more violent.Atlan.I grant you that. But who begins the motion,And is first agent? for as I conceiue,That’s the cause in question.Mis.Deluding woman.Atlan.Flattring and periur’d man.Mis.Did not th’inticing beautie of a woman,Set Troy on fire?Atlan.Did not man first beginTo tempt that beautie with the fire of lust?Mis.Beautie first tempts to lust.Atlan.Lust tempteth Beautie:Witnesse the vowes, the oaths, the protestations,And Crocodile teares of base dissembling men,To winne their shamelesse purpose: Whereof missing,Then but obserue their Gifts, their Messages,Their wanton Letters, and their amorous Sonnets,Whereby they vent the smoke of their affections,Readie to blind poore women, and put outThe Eye of Reason. But if still they faile,Then come they on with vndermining cunning,And with our Maides, our Pages and Attendants,Corruptly worke and make insinuation,Whilst they at hand with fained languishment,Make shew as if they meant to dye for loue,When they but swelter in the reeke of Lust.But heere’s not all: for if this all preuaile not,Then are they vp againe, and with pale cheekes,Like some poore Starueling, or some Mimick Ghost,They stalke into the presence of their Mistris,Fold vp their armes, hang downe their wanton heads,Cast loue-sicke glances, and as wofull Comma’s,In this dumbe Oratorie, now and then they breatheA passionate sigh, whereat the gentle natureOf milde compassionate woman once relenting,Straight they fall out into such sweet complaintsOf their sad suffrings, tuning words of Art,Able to melt a gentle Eye in teares,As they doe speake. Then with officious dutie,They licke a Moat off from her vpper garment,Dust her curl’d Ruffe with their too busie fingers,As if some dust were there: and many toyesThey vse to please, till side by side they ioyne,And palme with palme supplies the amorous heart,To pay a wanton kisse on Loues faire lips,And then the Prize is wonne. Iudge therefore, Lords,Whether the guilt doth lye on vs or them,And as your Wisdomes find, saue or condemne.

Atlan.It is an honour farre beyond my weaknesse,

(Most equall Iudges) that I am accepted,

I but a woman, before men to plead,

Dumbe feare and bashfulnesse to speake before

Bold Orators of State, men graue and wise,

That can at euery breathing pause, correct

The slipp’ry passages of a womans speech:

But yet withall my hopes are doubly arm’d.

1. Iudg.How doubly arm’d?

2. Iudg.Presume not more then Reason.

Atlan.First, that my bashfull weaknesse claymes excuse,And is to speake before such temp’rate Iudges,Who in their wisdome will, no doubt, conniueAt small defects in me a silly woman.

Atlan.First, that my bashfull weaknesse claymes excuse,

And is to speake before such temp’rate Iudges,

Who in their wisdome will, no doubt, conniue

At small defects in me a silly woman.

1. Law.Smoothly put on.

2. Law.A quaint insinuation.

Atlan.Next, that the cause I handle, is so iust,And full of truth, as were corruption seatedVpon your hearts (as who can euer doubtWisdome shou’d so decline) I wou’d not feare,But that my pregnant Reasons soone shou’d purge,And clense your secret bosomes from vntruth.

Atlan.Next, that the cause I handle, is so iust,

And full of truth, as were corruption seated

Vpon your hearts (as who can euer doubt

Wisdome shou’d so decline) I wou’d not feare,

But that my pregnant Reasons soone shou’d purge,

And clense your secret bosomes from vntruth.

1. Law.A promisingExordium.

2. Law.The successe is all.

Atlan.I need not tell you what I come to prooue:That rayling Woman-hater hath alreadieWith his foule breath belcht forth into the Ayre,The shamelesse cause in question, and doth chargeThe supple wax, the courteous natur’d woman,As blamefull for receiuing the impressionOf Iron hearted man, in whom is grauen,With curious and deceiuing Art, foule shapesAnd stamps of much abhord impietie.Wou’d any man, once hauing fixt his SealeTo any Deed, though after he repentThe Fact so done, rayle at the supple Wax,As though that were the cause of his vndoing?O idle leuitie! Wax hath’s vse,And woman easly beares the mans abuse.

Atlan.I need not tell you what I come to prooue:

That rayling Woman-hater hath alreadie

With his foule breath belcht forth into the Ayre,

The shamelesse cause in question, and doth charge

The supple wax, the courteous natur’d woman,

As blamefull for receiuing the impression

Of Iron hearted man, in whom is grauen,

With curious and deceiuing Art, foule shapes

And stamps of much abhord impietie.

Wou’d any man, once hauing fixt his Seale

To any Deed, though after he repent

The Fact so done, rayle at the supple Wax,

As though that were the cause of his vndoing?

O idle leuitie! Wax hath’s vse,

And woman easly beares the mans abuse.

1. Law.Here’s a by-blow.

2. Law.How can my Fencer ward it?Stay: he comes on.

2. Law.How can my Fencer ward it?

Stay: he comes on.

Mis.Hum. Doe you wax vpon me? as if manOnce hauing fixt the Seale of Armes of loue,On waxen-harted woman, though anotherCame after him, and did adulterateThe stampe imprinted on her, she, forsooth,Must still be held excus’d. ’Tis weake, and fond,And woman-like: you flye on waxen wings,That melt against the Sunne. Therefore attend,And I will proue vnto this honour’d Court,In all their passions women are impetuous,And beyond men, ten times more violent.

Mis.Hum. Doe you wax vpon me? as if man

Once hauing fixt the Seale of Armes of loue,

On waxen-harted woman, though another

Came after him, and did adulterate

The stampe imprinted on her, she, forsooth,

Must still be held excus’d. ’Tis weake, and fond,

And woman-like: you flye on waxen wings,

That melt against the Sunne. Therefore attend,

And I will proue vnto this honour’d Court,

In all their passions women are impetuous,

And beyond men, ten times more violent.

Atlan.I grant you that. But who begins the motion,And is first agent? for as I conceiue,That’s the cause in question.

Atlan.I grant you that. But who begins the motion,

And is first agent? for as I conceiue,

That’s the cause in question.

Mis.Deluding woman.

Atlan.Flattring and periur’d man.

Mis.Did not th’inticing beautie of a woman,Set Troy on fire?

Mis.Did not th’inticing beautie of a woman,

Set Troy on fire?

Atlan.Did not man first beginTo tempt that beautie with the fire of lust?

Atlan.Did not man first begin

To tempt that beautie with the fire of lust?

Mis.Beautie first tempts to lust.

Atlan.Lust tempteth Beautie:Witnesse the vowes, the oaths, the protestations,And Crocodile teares of base dissembling men,To winne their shamelesse purpose: Whereof missing,Then but obserue their Gifts, their Messages,Their wanton Letters, and their amorous Sonnets,Whereby they vent the smoke of their affections,Readie to blind poore women, and put outThe Eye of Reason. But if still they faile,Then come they on with vndermining cunning,And with our Maides, our Pages and Attendants,Corruptly worke and make insinuation,Whilst they at hand with fained languishment,Make shew as if they meant to dye for loue,When they but swelter in the reeke of Lust.But heere’s not all: for if this all preuaile not,Then are they vp againe, and with pale cheekes,Like some poore Starueling, or some Mimick Ghost,They stalke into the presence of their Mistris,Fold vp their armes, hang downe their wanton heads,Cast loue-sicke glances, and as wofull Comma’s,In this dumbe Oratorie, now and then they breatheA passionate sigh, whereat the gentle natureOf milde compassionate woman once relenting,Straight they fall out into such sweet complaintsOf their sad suffrings, tuning words of Art,Able to melt a gentle Eye in teares,As they doe speake. Then with officious dutie,They licke a Moat off from her vpper garment,Dust her curl’d Ruffe with their too busie fingers,As if some dust were there: and many toyesThey vse to please, till side by side they ioyne,And palme with palme supplies the amorous heart,To pay a wanton kisse on Loues faire lips,And then the Prize is wonne. Iudge therefore, Lords,Whether the guilt doth lye on vs or them,And as your Wisdomes find, saue or condemne.

Atlan.Lust tempteth Beautie:

Witnesse the vowes, the oaths, the protestations,

And Crocodile teares of base dissembling men,

To winne their shamelesse purpose: Whereof missing,

Then but obserue their Gifts, their Messages,

Their wanton Letters, and their amorous Sonnets,

Whereby they vent the smoke of their affections,

Readie to blind poore women, and put out

The Eye of Reason. But if still they faile,

Then come they on with vndermining cunning,

And with our Maides, our Pages and Attendants,

Corruptly worke and make insinuation,

Whilst they at hand with fained languishment,

Make shew as if they meant to dye for loue,

When they but swelter in the reeke of Lust.

But heere’s not all: for if this all preuaile not,

Then are they vp againe, and with pale cheekes,

Like some poore Starueling, or some Mimick Ghost,

They stalke into the presence of their Mistris,

Fold vp their armes, hang downe their wanton heads,

Cast loue-sicke glances, and as wofull Comma’s,

In this dumbe Oratorie, now and then they breathe

A passionate sigh, whereat the gentle nature

Of milde compassionate woman once relenting,

Straight they fall out into such sweet complaints

Of their sad suffrings, tuning words of Art,

Able to melt a gentle Eye in teares,

As they doe speake. Then with officious dutie,

They licke a Moat off from her vpper garment,

Dust her curl’d Ruffe with their too busie fingers,

As if some dust were there: and many toyes

They vse to please, till side by side they ioyne,

And palme with palme supplies the amorous heart,

To pay a wanton kisse on Loues faire lips,

And then the Prize is wonne. Iudge therefore, Lords,

Whether the guilt doth lye on vs or them,

And as your Wisdomes find, saue or condemne.

A Plaudite by the women, with shouts, crying, Atlanta, Atlanta, Atlanta!

Lisan.Truth hath she said in all.Hort.O, but the Art of Woman——1. Iud.Silence! you haue no voice in Court.2. Iud.You haue your Aduocates, therefore must not speake.1. Law.These Allegations are vnanswerable.2. Law.The Court must needs allow them.Mis.Bragge not too fast! for all this glorious speech,Is but a painted Pageant, made to vsherSome homely Scauenger, and is borne vp,Vpon the backes of Porters. It wants true worth,To carrie State, and vsher learned IudgementInto this Court. For what a foolish reason,Is it to say, Lust tempteth garish Beautie,Because men court their wanton Mistresses,In sundry formes of Complement? There’s notA Citie Tradesman throughout all the Streets,From the East Chappell, to the Westerne Palace,But knowes full well the garish setting outOf Beautie in their shops, will call in CustomersTo cheapen ware: Beautie set forth to sale,Wantons the bloud, and is mans tempting Stale.1. Law.How boldly he comes on?2. Law.But marke his reasons.Mis.And this is woman, who well knowes her strength,And trimmes her Beautie forth in blushing Pride,To draw as doth the wanton Morning Sunne,The eyes of men to gaze. But marke their natures,And from their Cradles you shall see them takeDelight in making Babies, deuising Christnings,Bidding of Gossips, calling to Vp-sittings,And then to Festiuals, and solemne Churchings,In imitation of the wanton ends,Their riper yeeres will ayme at. But goe further,And looke vpon the very Mother of Mischiefe,Who as her Daughters ripen, and doe budTheir youthfull Spring, straight she instructs them howTo set a glosse on Beautie, adde a lustreTo the defects of Nature, how to vseThe mysterie of Painting, Curling, Powdring,And with strange Periwigs, pin knots, Bordrings,To deck them vp like to a Vintners Bush,For men to gaze at on a Midsummer Night,1. Law.The tyde begins to turne.2. Law.Women goe downe.Mis.This done, they are instructed by like Art,How to giue entertainment, and keepe distanceWith all their Sutors, Friends, and Fauourites,When to deny, and when to feed their hopes,Now to draw on, and then againe put off,To frowne and smile, to weepe and laugh out-right,All in a breath, and all to trayne poore manInto his ruine: Nay, by Art they knowHow to forme all their gesture, how to addeAVenusMole on euery wanton cheeke,To make a gracefull dimple when she laughes:And (if her teeth be bad) to lispe and simper,Thereby to hide that imperfection:And these once learn’d, what wants the Tempter now,To snare the stoutest Champion of men?Therefore, graue Iudges, let me thus conclude:Man tempts not woman, woman doth him delude.

Lisan.Truth hath she said in all.

Hort.O, but the Art of Woman——

1. Iud.Silence! you haue no voice in Court.

2. Iud.You haue your Aduocates, therefore must not speake.

1. Law.These Allegations are vnanswerable.

2. Law.The Court must needs allow them.

Mis.Bragge not too fast! for all this glorious speech,Is but a painted Pageant, made to vsherSome homely Scauenger, and is borne vp,Vpon the backes of Porters. It wants true worth,To carrie State, and vsher learned IudgementInto this Court. For what a foolish reason,Is it to say, Lust tempteth garish Beautie,Because men court their wanton Mistresses,In sundry formes of Complement? There’s notA Citie Tradesman throughout all the Streets,From the East Chappell, to the Westerne Palace,But knowes full well the garish setting outOf Beautie in their shops, will call in CustomersTo cheapen ware: Beautie set forth to sale,Wantons the bloud, and is mans tempting Stale.

Mis.Bragge not too fast! for all this glorious speech,

Is but a painted Pageant, made to vsher

Some homely Scauenger, and is borne vp,

Vpon the backes of Porters. It wants true worth,

To carrie State, and vsher learned Iudgement

Into this Court. For what a foolish reason,

Is it to say, Lust tempteth garish Beautie,

Because men court their wanton Mistresses,

In sundry formes of Complement? There’s not

A Citie Tradesman throughout all the Streets,

From the East Chappell, to the Westerne Palace,

But knowes full well the garish setting out

Of Beautie in their shops, will call in Customers

To cheapen ware: Beautie set forth to sale,

Wantons the bloud, and is mans tempting Stale.

1. Law.How boldly he comes on?

2. Law.But marke his reasons.

Mis.And this is woman, who well knowes her strength,And trimmes her Beautie forth in blushing Pride,To draw as doth the wanton Morning Sunne,The eyes of men to gaze. But marke their natures,And from their Cradles you shall see them takeDelight in making Babies, deuising Christnings,Bidding of Gossips, calling to Vp-sittings,And then to Festiuals, and solemne Churchings,In imitation of the wanton ends,Their riper yeeres will ayme at. But goe further,And looke vpon the very Mother of Mischiefe,Who as her Daughters ripen, and doe budTheir youthfull Spring, straight she instructs them howTo set a glosse on Beautie, adde a lustreTo the defects of Nature, how to vseThe mysterie of Painting, Curling, Powdring,And with strange Periwigs, pin knots, Bordrings,To deck them vp like to a Vintners Bush,For men to gaze at on a Midsummer Night,

Mis.And this is woman, who well knowes her strength,

And trimmes her Beautie forth in blushing Pride,

To draw as doth the wanton Morning Sunne,

The eyes of men to gaze. But marke their natures,

And from their Cradles you shall see them take

Delight in making Babies, deuising Christnings,

Bidding of Gossips, calling to Vp-sittings,

And then to Festiuals, and solemne Churchings,

In imitation of the wanton ends,

Their riper yeeres will ayme at. But goe further,

And looke vpon the very Mother of Mischiefe,

Who as her Daughters ripen, and doe bud

Their youthfull Spring, straight she instructs them how

To set a glosse on Beautie, adde a lustre

To the defects of Nature, how to vse

The mysterie of Painting, Curling, Powdring,

And with strange Periwigs, pin knots, Bordrings,

To deck them vp like to a Vintners Bush,

For men to gaze at on a Midsummer Night,

1. Law.The tyde begins to turne.

2. Law.Women goe downe.

Mis.This done, they are instructed by like Art,How to giue entertainment, and keepe distanceWith all their Sutors, Friends, and Fauourites,When to deny, and when to feed their hopes,Now to draw on, and then againe put off,To frowne and smile, to weepe and laugh out-right,All in a breath, and all to trayne poore manInto his ruine: Nay, by Art they knowHow to forme all their gesture, how to addeAVenusMole on euery wanton cheeke,To make a gracefull dimple when she laughes:And (if her teeth be bad) to lispe and simper,Thereby to hide that imperfection:And these once learn’d, what wants the Tempter now,To snare the stoutest Champion of men?Therefore, graue Iudges, let me thus conclude:Man tempts not woman, woman doth him delude.

Mis.This done, they are instructed by like Art,

How to giue entertainment, and keepe distance

With all their Sutors, Friends, and Fauourites,

When to deny, and when to feed their hopes,

Now to draw on, and then againe put off,

To frowne and smile, to weepe and laugh out-right,

All in a breath, and all to trayne poore man

Into his ruine: Nay, by Art they know

How to forme all their gesture, how to adde

AVenusMole on euery wanton cheeke,

To make a gracefull dimple when she laughes:

And (if her teeth be bad) to lispe and simper,

Thereby to hide that imperfection:

And these once learn’d, what wants the Tempter now,

To snare the stoutest Champion of men?

Therefore, graue Iudges, let me thus conclude:

Man tempts not woman, woman doth him delude.

A Plaudite by the Men with shouts, crying, Misogynos, Misogynos, Misogynos!

1. Law.Women, looke to’t, the Fencer giues you a veney.2. Law.Beleeue it, he hits home.Mis.Nay, I wou’d speake.What Tyrannies, Oppressions, Massacres,Women stand guiltie of: and which is more,What Cities haue beene sackt and ruinate,Kingdomes subuerted, Lands depopulated,Monarchies ended? and all these by women.Atlan.Base snarling Dogge, bite out thy slandrous tongue,And spit it in the face of Innocence,That at once all thy rancour may haue end:And doe not still opprobriously condemneWoman that bred thee, who in nothing moreIs guiltie of dishonour to her Sex:But that she hath brought forth so base a Viper,To teare her reputation in his teeth,As thou hast done.Mis.O doe not scold, good woman!1. Iud.Goe to the purpose.Atlan.I forgot my selfe:Therefore, graue Iudges, let this base ImpostorTell me one man that euer gaue his life,To keepe his vow safe and inuiolate,Against the assaults of Lust: and for that one,He find a thousand women, that to keepeTheir Chastities and Honours vndefil’d,Haue laid their liues downe at base Tyrants feet.

1. Law.Women, looke to’t, the Fencer giues you a veney.

2. Law.Beleeue it, he hits home.

Mis.Nay, I wou’d speake.What Tyrannies, Oppressions, Massacres,Women stand guiltie of: and which is more,What Cities haue beene sackt and ruinate,Kingdomes subuerted, Lands depopulated,Monarchies ended? and all these by women.

Mis.Nay, I wou’d speake.

What Tyrannies, Oppressions, Massacres,

Women stand guiltie of: and which is more,

What Cities haue beene sackt and ruinate,

Kingdomes subuerted, Lands depopulated,

Monarchies ended? and all these by women.

Atlan.Base snarling Dogge, bite out thy slandrous tongue,And spit it in the face of Innocence,That at once all thy rancour may haue end:And doe not still opprobriously condemneWoman that bred thee, who in nothing moreIs guiltie of dishonour to her Sex:But that she hath brought forth so base a Viper,To teare her reputation in his teeth,As thou hast done.

Atlan.Base snarling Dogge, bite out thy slandrous tongue,

And spit it in the face of Innocence,

That at once all thy rancour may haue end:

And doe not still opprobriously condemne

Woman that bred thee, who in nothing more

Is guiltie of dishonour to her Sex:

But that she hath brought forth so base a Viper,

To teare her reputation in his teeth,

As thou hast done.

Mis.O doe not scold, good woman!

1. Iud.Goe to the purpose.

Atlan.I forgot my selfe:Therefore, graue Iudges, let this base ImpostorTell me one man that euer gaue his life,To keepe his vow safe and inuiolate,Against the assaults of Lust: and for that one,He find a thousand women, that to keepeTheir Chastities and Honours vndefil’d,Haue laid their liues downe at base Tyrants feet.

Atlan.I forgot my selfe:

Therefore, graue Iudges, let this base Impostor

Tell me one man that euer gaue his life,

To keepe his vow safe and inuiolate,

Against the assaults of Lust: and for that one,

He find a thousand women, that to keepe

Their Chastities and Honours vndefil’d,

Haue laid their liues downe at base Tyrants feet.

A Plaudite by Women, crying, Atlanta, Atlanta, Atlanta!

1. Law.This is but a flourish.2. Law.The Fencers Schoole-play beares it.Mis.What hath beene is not now: The KalenderOf Women Saints is fild vp long agoe:For now a vniuersall leprosie,Like to an Inundation, ouer-flowes,And breakes vpon you all: scarce one is freeFrom wanton lightnesse and vaine leuitie.Atlan.None like toNero, andHeliogabulus.Mis.Yes, wantonHellenandCleopatra.Atlan.I cou’d name more.Mis.I, ten for one, of Women.Atlan.Sense-pleasingSardanapalusis beyondAll Women that can be nam’d.Mis.Ile name you oneBeyond all Men, th’insatiateMessalina:Who when she had to satisfie her lust,Imbrac’d the change of Louers, and was weakenedSo farre, she could no longer hold it out:And being askt if then she were satisfied,She answerered, No: for though she then were tyr’d,No change could satisfie her appetite.

1. Law.This is but a flourish.

2. Law.The Fencers Schoole-play beares it.

Mis.What hath beene is not now: The KalenderOf Women Saints is fild vp long agoe:For now a vniuersall leprosie,Like to an Inundation, ouer-flowes,And breakes vpon you all: scarce one is freeFrom wanton lightnesse and vaine leuitie.

Mis.What hath beene is not now: The Kalender

Of Women Saints is fild vp long agoe:

For now a vniuersall leprosie,

Like to an Inundation, ouer-flowes,

And breakes vpon you all: scarce one is free

From wanton lightnesse and vaine leuitie.

Atlan.None like toNero, andHeliogabulus.

Mis.Yes, wantonHellenandCleopatra.

Atlan.I cou’d name more.

Mis.I, ten for one, of Women.

Atlan.Sense-pleasingSardanapalusis beyondAll Women that can be nam’d.

Atlan.Sense-pleasingSardanapalusis beyond

All Women that can be nam’d.

Mis.Ile name you oneBeyond all Men, th’insatiateMessalina:Who when she had to satisfie her lust,Imbrac’d the change of Louers, and was weakenedSo farre, she could no longer hold it out:And being askt if then she were satisfied,She answerered, No: for though she then were tyr’d,No change could satisfie her appetite.

Mis.Ile name you one

Beyond all Men, th’insatiateMessalina:

Who when she had to satisfie her lust,

Imbrac’d the change of Louers, and was weakened

So farre, she could no longer hold it out:

And being askt if then she were satisfied,

She answerered, No: for though she then were tyr’d,

No change could satisfie her appetite.

A Plaudite by the Men, crying, Misogynos, Misogynos, Misogynos.

Atlan.O monstrous impietie!Aur.Stop the Detractors mouth: Away with him.Women.Teare him in pieces.Not.Silence in the Court.Attic.It is enough: my Lords, proceed to iudgement;And lead awayMisogynosto his Chamber.

Atlan.O monstrous impietie!

Aur.Stop the Detractors mouth: Away with him.

Women.Teare him in pieces.

Not.Silence in the Court.

Attic.It is enough: my Lords, proceed to iudgement;And lead awayMisogynosto his Chamber.

Attic.It is enough: my Lords, proceed to iudgement;

And lead awayMisogynosto his Chamber.

The two Lawyers leadMisogynosaway.

1. Iudge.Read the decree.Not.We the sworne Iudges of this present Court,In equall ballance hauing weigh’d the reasons,And allegations of both Aduocates,In their late Declamations, doe adiudge,And here conclude that——Attic.Read out.Not.That women are the first and worst temptationsTo loue and lustfull folly: and to thisWe are here present, ready to subscribe.Atlan.You are impartiall, and we doe appealeFrom you to Iudges more indifferent:You are all men, and in this weightie businesse,Graue Women should haue sate as Iudges with you.Aur.’Tis true, ’tis true: Let vs haue iustice.Attic.It is decreed already; attend the iudgement.Aur.Yet at the last let yourAureliakneele,And for the Ofspring of your loynes and mine,Begge fauour.Attic.Peace.Aur.You alwayes haue bin iustIn other causes; Will you in your owneBe so vniust, seuere, nay tyrannous?The very Beasts, by naturall instinct,Preserue their issue; and will you be then,More cruell and vnnaturall then they?Attic.Arise; and know, A King is like a Starre,By which each Subiect, as a Mariner,Must steere his course. Iustice in Vs is ample,From whom Inferiors will deriue example.Aur.Oh, be not so obdurate!Attic.I’le heare no more.Atlan.Yet, gracious Sir, for my indeuouring paines,(Though fruitlesse now) let mee (a Stranger) begOne boone——Attic.But not thefreedome ofLeonida.Atlan.Since she must die; I beg she may not baselyBe hurried forth amongst vnciuill men;But that your Queene, and I, and some few others,With any one of your attendant Lords,May see her execution.Attic.Take your desire.Leo.The blessed Heauens be thankfull toAtlanta.Lis.And crowne her with all blessings.Attic.Take my thanks too. And now, my Lords, proceed,And giue your finall censure.

1. Iudge.Read the decree.

Not.We the sworne Iudges of this present Court,In equall ballance hauing weigh’d the reasons,And allegations of both Aduocates,In their late Declamations, doe adiudge,And here conclude that——

Not.We the sworne Iudges of this present Court,

In equall ballance hauing weigh’d the reasons,

And allegations of both Aduocates,

In their late Declamations, doe adiudge,

And here conclude that——

Attic.Read out.

Not.That women are the first and worst temptationsTo loue and lustfull folly: and to thisWe are here present, ready to subscribe.

Not.That women are the first and worst temptations

To loue and lustfull folly: and to this

We are here present, ready to subscribe.

Atlan.You are impartiall, and we doe appealeFrom you to Iudges more indifferent:You are all men, and in this weightie businesse,Graue Women should haue sate as Iudges with you.

Atlan.You are impartiall, and we doe appeale

From you to Iudges more indifferent:

You are all men, and in this weightie businesse,

Graue Women should haue sate as Iudges with you.

Aur.’Tis true, ’tis true: Let vs haue iustice.

Attic.It is decreed already; attend the iudgement.

Aur.Yet at the last let yourAureliakneele,And for the Ofspring of your loynes and mine,Begge fauour.

Aur.Yet at the last let yourAureliakneele,

And for the Ofspring of your loynes and mine,

Begge fauour.

Attic.Peace.

Aur.You alwayes haue bin iustIn other causes; Will you in your owneBe so vniust, seuere, nay tyrannous?The very Beasts, by naturall instinct,Preserue their issue; and will you be then,More cruell and vnnaturall then they?

Aur.You alwayes haue bin iust

In other causes; Will you in your owne

Be so vniust, seuere, nay tyrannous?

The very Beasts, by naturall instinct,

Preserue their issue; and will you be then,

More cruell and vnnaturall then they?

Attic.Arise; and know, A King is like a Starre,By which each Subiect, as a Mariner,Must steere his course. Iustice in Vs is ample,From whom Inferiors will deriue example.

Attic.Arise; and know, A King is like a Starre,

By which each Subiect, as a Mariner,

Must steere his course. Iustice in Vs is ample,

From whom Inferiors will deriue example.

Aur.Oh, be not so obdurate!

Attic.I’le heare no more.

Atlan.Yet, gracious Sir, for my indeuouring paines,(Though fruitlesse now) let mee (a Stranger) begOne boone——

Atlan.Yet, gracious Sir, for my indeuouring paines,

(Though fruitlesse now) let mee (a Stranger) beg

One boone——

Attic.But not thefreedome ofLeonida.

Atlan.Since she must die; I beg she may not baselyBe hurried forth amongst vnciuill men;But that your Queene, and I, and some few others,With any one of your attendant Lords,May see her execution.

Atlan.Since she must die; I beg she may not basely

Be hurried forth amongst vnciuill men;

But that your Queene, and I, and some few others,

With any one of your attendant Lords,

May see her execution.

Attic.Take your desire.

Leo.The blessed Heauens be thankfull toAtlanta.

Lis.And crowne her with all blessings.

Attic.Take my thanks too. And now, my Lords, proceed,And giue your finall censure.

Attic.Take my thanks too. And now, my Lords, proceed,

And giue your finall censure.

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