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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 five and twenty yeares：） in whom neyther
malice of the time； losse of friends or kindred； nor any fearefull
conceit in themselves； had the power to quench affection； but
（perhaps） might a little coole it； in regard of the queazie season。
One of them called himselfe Pamphilus； the second Philostratus； and
the last Dioneus。 Each of them was very affable and well
conditioned； and walked abroad （for their greater comfort in such a
time of tribulation） to try if they could meete with their fayre
friends； who （happily） might all three be among these seaven； and
the rest kinne unto them in one degree or other。 No sooner were
these Ladies espyed by them； but they met with them also in the same
advantage； whereupon Madam Pampinea （amiably smiling） said。
See how graciously Fortune is favourable to our beginning； by
presenting our eyes with three so wise and worthy young Gentlemen； who
will gladly be our guides and servants； if wee doe not disdaine them
the office。 Madam Neiphila began immediatly to blush； because one of
them had a Love in the company； and said； Good Madam Pampinea take
heed what you say； because （of mine owne knowledge） nothing can be
spoken but good of them all； and I thinke them all to be absolutely
sufficient for a farre greater employment then is here intended： as
being well worthy to keepe company not onely with us； but them of more
faire and precious esteeme then we are。 But because it appeareth
plainly enough； that they beare affection to some heere among us； I
feare； if wee should make the motion； that some dishonor or reproofe
may ensue thereby； and yet without blame either in us or them。 That is
nothing at all； answered Madam Philomena； let me live honestly； and my
Conscience not checke me with any crime； speake then who can to the
contrary； God and truth shall enter armes for me。 I wish that they
were as willing to come； as all we are to bid them welcome： for
truly （as Madam Pampinea saide） we may very well hope； that Fortune
will bee furtherous to our purposed journey。
The other Ladies hearing them speake in such manner； not only were
silent to themselves； but all with one accord and consent said； that
it were well done to call them； and to acquaint them with their
intention； entreating their company in so pleasant a voyage。
Whereupon； without any more words； Madam Pampinea mounting on her
feete （because one of the three was her Kinsman） went towards them； as
they stood respectively observing them； and （with a pleasing
countenance） giving them a gracious salutation； declared to them their
deliberation； desiring （in behalfe of all the rest） that with a
brotherly and modest mind； they would vouchsafe to beare them company。
The Gentlemen imagined at the first apprehension； that this was
spoken in mockage of them； but when they better perceived that her
words tended to solenme earnest； they made answer； That they were
all hartily ready to doe them any service。 And without any further
delaying； before they departed thence； took order for their aptest
furnishing with all convenient necessaries； and sent word to the place
of their first appointment。 On the morrow； being Wednesday； about
breake of day； the Ladies； with certaine of their attending
Gentlewomen； and the three Gentlemen； having three servants to waite
on them； left the Citie to beginne their journey； and having travelled
about a leagues distance； arrived at the place of their first
purpose of stay； which was seated on a little hill； distant （on all
sides） from any high way； plentifully stored with faire spreading
Trees； affoording no meane delight to the eye。 On the top of all；
stood a stately Palace； having a large and spacious Court in the
middest round engirt with Galleries； Hals； and Chambers； every one
separate alone by themselves； and beautified with Pictures of
admirable cunning。 Nor was there any want of Gardens； Meadowes； and
other most pleasant Walkes； with Welles and Springs o