按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
remedies for our selves； against that； which everie one among us；
ought （in reason） to feare。
Heere we meete and remaine （as it seemeth to mee） in no other
manner； then as if we would or should be witnesses； to all the dead
bodies at rest in their grave； or else to listen； when the religious
Sisters heere dwelling （whose number now are well…neere come to bee
none at all） sing Service at such houres as they ought to doe； or else
to acquaint all commers hither （by our mourning habits） with the
quality and quantitie of our hearts miseries。 And when we part
hence； we meete with none but dead bodies； or sicke persons
transported from one place to another； or else we see running thorow
the City （in most offensive fury） such as （by authoritie of publike
Lawes） were banished hence； onely for their bad and brutish
behaviour in contempt of those Lawes； because now they know； that
the executors of them are dead and sicke。 And if not these； more
lamentable spectacles present themselves to us； by the base
rascality of the City； who being fatted with our blood； tearme
themselves Grave…makers； and in meere contemptible mockeries of us；
are mounted on horsebacke； gallopping every where； reproaching us with
our losses and misfortunes； with lewd and dishonest songs： so that
we can heare nothing else but such and such are dead； and such and
such lie a dying： here hands wringing； and every where most
pittifull complaining。
If we returne home to our houses （I know not whether your case be
answerable to mine） when I can finde none of all my Family； but
onely my poore waiting Chamber…maide； so great are my feares； that the
very haire on my head declareth my amazement； and wheresoever I go
or sit downe； methinkes I see the ghostes and shadowes of deceased
friends； not with such lovely lookes as I was wont to behold them； but
with most horrid and dreadfull regards； newly stolne upon them I
know not how。 In these respects； both heere； else…where； and at home
in my house； methinkes I am alwaies ill； and much more （in mine owne
opinion） then any other body； not having meanes or place of
retirement； as all we have； and none to remaine heere but onely we。
Moreover； I have often heard it said； that in tarrying or departing；
no distinction is made in things honest or dishonest； onely appetite
will be served； and be they alone or in company； by day or night； they
do whatsoever their appetite desireth： not secular persons onely；
but such as are recluses； and shut up within Monasteries； breaking the
Lawes of obedience； and being addicted to pleasures of the flesh；
are become lascivious and dissolute； making the world beleeve； that
whatsoever is convenient for other women； is no way unbeseeming
them； as thinking in that manner to escape。
If it be so； as manifestly it maketh shew of it selfe； What do we
here？ What stay we for？ And whereon do we dreame？ Why are we more
respectlesse of our health； then all the rest of the Citizens？
Repute we our selves lesse precious then all the other？ Or do we
beleeve； that life is linked to our bodies with stronger chaines； then
to others； and that therefore we should not feare any thing that
hath power to offend us？ Wee erre therein； and are deceived。 What
brutishnesse were it in us； if we should urge any such beleefe？ So
often as we call to minde； what and how many gallant yong men and
women； have beene devoured by this cruell pestilence； we may evidently
observe a contrary argument。
Wherefore； to the end； that by being over…scrupulous and
carelesse； we fall not into such danger； whence when we would
（perhaps） we cannot recover our selves by any meanes： I thinke it
meete （if your judgement therein shall jumpe with mine） that all of us
as we are （at least； if we will doe as divers before us have done； and
yet dally endeavour to doe） shunning death by the honest example of
other； make our retreate to our Country houses； wherewith all of us
are sufficiently furnished； and there to delight our selves as best we
may； yet without transgressing （in any act） the limits of reason。
There shall we heare the pretty birds sweetly singing； see the
hilles and plaines verdantly flouring； the Corne waving in the field
like the billowes of the Sea； infinite store of goodly trees； and
the Heavens more fairely open to us； then here we can behold them。 And
although they are justly displeased； yet will they not there deny us
better beauties to gaze on； then the walles in our City （emptied of
Inhabitants） can affoord us。
Moreover； the Ayre is much fresh and cleere； and generally； there is
farre greater abundance of all things whatsoever； needefull at this
time for preservation of our health； and lesse offence or mollestation
then we find here。
And although Country people die； as well as heere our Citizens
doe； the griefe notwithstanding is so much the lesse； as the houses
and dwellers there are rare； in comparison of them in our City。 And
beside； if we well observe it； here we forsake no particular person；
but rather we may tearme our selves forsaken； in regard that our
Husbands； Kinred； and Friends； either dying； or flying from the
dead； have left us alone in this great affliction； even as if we
were no way belonging unto them。 And therefore； by following this
counsell； we cannot fall into any reprehension； whereas if we
neglect and refuse it； danger； distresse； and death （perhaps） may
ensue thereon。
Wherefore； if you thinke good； I would allow it for well done； to
take our waiting women； with all such things as are needfull for us；
and （as this day） betake our selves to one place； to morrow to
another； taking there such pleasure and recreation； as so sweete a
season liberally bestoweth on us。 In which manner we may remaine； till
we see （if death otherwise prevent us not） what end the gracious
Heavens have reserved for us。 I would have you also to consider；
that it is no lesse seemely for us to part hence honestly； then a
great number of other Women to remaine here immodestly。
The other Ladies and Gentlewomen； having heard Madam Pampinea； not
onely commended her counsell； but desiring also to put it in
execution； had already particularly consulted with themselves； by what
meanes they might instantly depart from thence。 Neverthelesse； Madam
Philomena； who was very wise； spake thus。
Albeit faire Ladies； the case propounded by Madam Pampinea hath
beene very well delivered； yet （for all that） it is against reason for
us to rush on； as we are overready to doe。 Remember that we are all
women； and no one among us is so childish； but may consider； that when
wee shall be so assembled together； without providence or conduct of
some man； we can hardly governe our selves。 Wee are fraile； offensive；
suspitious； weake spirited； and fearefull： in regard of which
imperfections； I greatly doubt （if we have no better direction then
our owne） this society will sooner dissolve it selfe； and
（perchance） with lesse honour to us； then if we never had begunne
it。 And therefore it shall bee expedient for us； to provide before
we proceede any further。 Madam Eliza hereon thus replyed。
Most true it is； that men are the chiefe or head of women； and
without their order； sildome times do any matters of ours sort to
recommendable end。 But what meanes shal we make for men？ We all know
well enough； that the most part of our friends are dead； and such as
are living； some be dispersed heere； others there； into divers
places and companies； where we have no knowledge of their being； and
to accept of strangers； would seeme very inconvenient： wherefore as we
have such care of our health； so should we bee as respective
withall； in ordering our intention； that wheresoever we ayme at our
pleasure and contentment； reproofe and scandall may by no meanes
pursue us。
While this discourse thus held among the Ladies； three young
Gentlemen came foorth of the Church （yet not so young； but the
youngest had attained to