THE VINDICATION OF AN Injured Lady.  
Written by the Lady FRANCESCA MARIA LUCRETIA PLUNKETT One of the LADIES of the Privy Chamber To the QUEEN-MOTHER of England.  
LONDON,   

THough I shall never take delight in being reckoned amongst the gast papiers or Scribblers of this Age, yet I am at this time enforced by a more than ordinary necessity for the defence of my innocency, to make use of a known Right, that Custom, the practice of time, hath allowed, even from the date of Learning, which is by a modest Answer in writing, to confute the calumnies and petulant reproaches of envious Adversaries; Ad exempla igitur rev●camus, & majorum vobis asserimus Consuetudinem. Upon which ground I shall proceed to my Vindication, by the Readers favour, without any apprehension of fear to be taxed with a proud or self conceited singularity, hoping it will not be accounted a reasonless imitation in me, if I follow the example of many prudent and virtuous Ladies, in a moderate defence void of passion and uncharitableness, and that my Adversaries are not so incorrigible, but that they may be amended with the lenitives of sober language, without the help of more operative Remedies; for having once cleared myself to the world, I shall not so much seek their punishment, as reformation, and shall take less pleasure in striking them with a rod of Palms, then in affording them undeserved gentleness; for I shall always approve of that noble Italian's judgement who saith, La forza di chi vince è Cosa human ma laclemenza di chipardona è Cosa divina. Though my Adversaries be of the sharpest and most clamorous sex, and are like the Placentine Advocates, Qui adeo (ut dicitur) subtili pollent ingenio, ut judicibus ipsis facile tenebras offundant, I would pass them by with that regardless neglect which usually stifles their contumely, were not the too facile credulity of some heavyheaded persons, who are apt prodigally to throw away their belief on weak suggestions, greater than their subtlety; but it being in this respect a necessary duty, and for that no duty is more stringent to a person of innocency and generous sentiments, than the defence of reputation; for, Qui famam negligit, dicitur crudelis saith the Canonist. And St. Paul the Apostle saith, Expedit mihi magis mori, quàm ut gloriam meam quis evacuct. For these reasons premised, I am resolved to clear myself beyond their opposition, and the doubts of all others in the world, to such as in the perusal hereof will make use of their judgement and reason, and in my progress I shall not let lose the reins of reason at passions importunity, though I am provoked above imagination by those women, to resent their injuries done unto me at the highest rate, which are greater than any others I find within the Registry of my observation, remembrance or reading, to have been placed on a Lady of quality, by any persons of worthy state or condition, and therefore might have almost legitimated impatience.  
But to make my entrance into this undertaking the more perspicuous, I shall premise, as a proper adalantado, a few considerations, worthy, as I humbly conceive, to be taken notice of.  
First, I have not heard that any one man whosoever, nor any woman that is acquainted with me, hath spoken any one word to my prejudice.  
Secondly, Those women who have opened their black mouths, or shown their bad teeth against me, are only those few who are noted for their meeting oftentimes at certain places to none of the best purposes, as I conceive, and such as either would hold up the repute of their lessined virtues, or decayed beauties, by crying them down in others, as if they could restore irreparables in themselves, by endeavouring to deprive others of them.  
Thirdly, As they do not pretend to have so much acquaintance with me, as thereby to observe any thing of my deportment, to justify the character they have given of me, so have they not to this day named any one person to be their informer against me.  
Fourthly, Of the many things uttered by them to my disgrace, there is not any one, so much as in one instance of example verified.  
Fifthly, Those women who know me not, like Sorcerers, who cast a mist upon the brightest morning, darkly and falsely insinuate against me in doubtful terms, those things which they dare not express or declare against me; for, ●ub aequivocationibus latens Calumnia, lae●it tutissime.  
Sixthly, There is nothing that they have uttered against me in the particulars hereafter mentioned, but have and will be refuted by the irrefragable testimony of those persons of credit who know me, and will speak plainly without the allay of interest, and with great reason in my vindication, using no other arguments than such as are drawn from the chief inducements of belief.  
Seventhly, Those Ladies are not so learned, nor so wise, nor so noted for speaking truth, as that their assertions can pretend to the dignity of Axioms.  
Eighthly, No Magistrate or Person of Honour hath given any shadow of justication, or afforded the least colour of allowance to their proceed against me, but on the contrary have wondered thereat, not without distaste and detestation.  
These Observations premised, I am now ready to encounter my furious Adversaries in the very front of opposition, with purpose to refel every of their considerable Objections, whereof, if any shall happen to be unanswered, I desire it may be attributed rather to the weakness of my memory, than their strength. As for some of their lesser Objections, I shall omit to mention them here, either out of compassion to their simplicity, or of contempt of their weaknesses.  
These Ladies, in the first place, with intent to justify the rest of their succeeding injuries, and to give credit to what ill reports may easily be believed on that account, have publicly reported me to be a Stage-player, but without any colour of proof. I have read, that when no proof is offered of an Objection, than a simple Denial is Solution enough. Yet for Answer hereunto, I say, that were I a Stage-player, or so great a Player at Dice, as some of those Ladies are, or an entertainer of such as use that game, I could not wonder that they should be thereby animated with hopes of impunity, to endeavour prejudice to my reputation by never so notorious falsehoods; for I have observed within the view I have taken of the Civil Law (whereunto, as also unto the most eminent Professors thereof, and particularly to one above the rest, I do and shall always bear a great respect) that Aleatorum susceptoribus injuria damnumque datur impune. But forasmuch as I am not so Theatrical as some of those Ladies are, who frequently spend the time in the Playhouse, which the affairs of their household, or the exercise of Devotion might have more reasonably and more profitably employed elsewhere, and that they fail in the very art of injuring me lawfully, nor did I ever in my life tread on a Stage, nor was I ever acquainted with, or allied to any Stage-players, or so much as a Gossip to any of them, nor am I by Law, Quality or disposition of mind liable to sustain injuries without due resentments in myself, or the endeavour of having due punishment inflicted upon the Authors of them. I shall give these Ladies to understand, that though I have hitherto proceeded as leisurely, as the Knights of the Band are to walk by the Rules of their Order, that justice to be administered shortly against them, as reporters of false news, will free me from this their lying imputation, and make them suspected in what they shall report hereafter against me. This I shall be forced unto in due time, for to spare them too long in a case of this nature, would be a criminal indulgence, and a shrinking from the due maintenance of my Honour, which I am bound to uphold. In the mean time I shall leave it to the silent admiration of all sober persons, how that any fancy could be so wild, as to think the world can be persuaded to believe, that a person of a generous Education and Condition, should turn a Stage-player, they should, to have made their stories more currant, have imitated Heliodorus, who though a fabulous Writer, as Bochartus saith of him, Conatur tamen scribere vero quam simillima. They should first of all have persuaded the wo●ld, that I was not descended from, nor allied to the most Honourable and Illustrious Family de la Torre in Venice, and to the Noble Families of Genova, where my Mother yet lives in an opulent Condition, being the Wife of one of the States of Genova, or that I had less to my Portion then three or four thousand pounds, which sum I brought in Marriage to my Husband, who is the Son of an ancient Noble man, and none of the latest Earls of this Kingdom, or that we were destitute of means to support our Quality and Degree, all which if they had done, they might have had more hopes to be believed; But some guess, their purposes were to gratify the Genius of this City of Dublin with some report of News, though never so foreign from Truth, as thinking perhaps it was, as Guildas says of England in his time, Semper aliquid audire volens. Lastly, some of those who have been too busy in inventing or reciting this calumny, have at last so much ingenuity to acknowledge, that I am not guilty thereof. This Calumny therefore which was laid on me, as an argument to induce the belief of other untruths, having lost its force by a total evacuation, I shall endeavour to shatter the whole superstructure, with confidence, that my Reader will allow reason in matters of this nature to be the Grand Patron of belief, and that the lowdness of an ungrounded clamour ought not to prevail against the calm reason of a modest answer.  
Object. 2. In the next place it is objected against me by those Ladies, That a certain Learned Person is civilly treated by me when he comes to visit me.  
Answ. For Answer hereunto, I say, That the malice of those Ladies (for so they would all be called) is as friendly to me in effect, as it was mischievous in their intentions, insomuch, that their detraction seems as it were suborned to commend their enemy; for it hereby rather proves me civil, then convinces either of us guilty of sin. But, if in their way of reasoning, they will infer from the admittance of civil Visits an inclination to, or guiltiness of immodesty, I must needs say, that according to my Logic, which is as artificial as theirs, it is a too violent and forced consequence, unless they will confess, that the much more frequent visits which they receive daily from younger Gentlemen, and of less strict behaviour, may render themselves justly suspected of what they would seem to charge me with. Again, I appeal to several of the said Ladies, whether the same Gentleman hath not been admitted to as private familiarities, and frequent converse with them as ever he had with me. In the next place, I shall refer the Consideration hereof to the whole City and Kingdom, where he hath shined from his infancy hitherto, as an Illustrious Example of refined morality, and an extraordinary gravity, which hath rendered his Company always acceptable to the gravest and most virtuous of both Sexes wheresoever he resided. And wherefore I should be accounted an Heteroclite in morality, by conforming to the rule and example of the Best, I shall leave to the admiration of all judicious persons, whose ears are not stuffed with obstructive prejudice, who will easily pronounce, that this argument is as light as the breath that framed it. Much more may be said in Answer hereunto, but having said so much already, I shall resolve against needless amplifications, which are but testimonies of ostentation, or at the most but expletives to fill up the place of arguments. I shall only add this Consideration, That these Ladies seal their own do with the Signature of approbation, and brand mine with a mark of dislike, whilst we do the very same things, which I cannot conceive to be agreeable to the rules of decency, of civil deportment, or of justice: for though they be styled a Convention, they have not authority sufficient to bring their judgement into credit against this transcendent rule of Nature, Quod tibi fieri non vis, alteri ne feceris; for their jurisdiction being but a usurpation, it is as incompetent as their debates have been impertinent. Finally, where the judgement of a Court is covered with the veil of a black hood, it is no wonder if the Sentence be erroneous.  
The next Objection against me, is, That I have practised witchcraft to gain some ends on the Person . I should look upon this Objection as a matter of infinite amazement, were I not assured that it proceeded only from the fancy of them, who use to be afflicted with their own dreams, as taking them for divine advertisements, and who are daily troubled with Chimeras, like those of the Allumbradoes of Spain, which have no being but in the monstrous composition of wild and distempered brains, infected with a diabolical malice and envy, which by singularity of denomination, is called the Sin of the Devil.  
It is my happiness, and I hearty render thanks to God for it, all ears that have heard this report are not so credulous, as the tongues of that busy Sisterhood are licentious; yet I shall nevertheless say something in answer to this Objection, whereby it will appear, that I am rather miss randa, to be pitied, for being causelessly loaded with profane calumny, then crubescenda, to be put to shame, for any thing of guilt they can truly charge upon me of this kind. And let the world fi●st judge, according to its common apprehension of things, whether most of my Adversaries have not more likely features in their faces of such infernal intelligencers, and more Signatures of wrinkled Old Age, the most usual characteristics of Witches, than any they can discern in me, who have not yet completed the 24th. year of my Age. This premised to the consideration of the world, I shall now write a wotd or two by way of Introduction to the understanding of the nature of Magic and Witchcraft, though I shall not pretend to the ability of handling it learnedly; for, Magus quo peritior, eo detestabilior, which done, I shall ente● in●o a more perspicuous path for the clearing of myself briefly, without bringing myself or the Readers into the circles of tedious Discourses. As for Magic, and all other Arts of that pernicious kind, the invention whereof is ascribed to Zoroastres the King of the Bactrians, who wrote much thereof, I must rather refer it to the invention of the Devil, for no man could have invented so much mischief, who had not the Devil for his Tutor; for these works do far exceed humane understanding, as appears in the Canon Law, 26 q. 2. cap. Qui sine Salvatore, where it is said, hoec vanitas magicarum artium ex 〈…〉 ione malorum Angelorum in toto orbe terrarum plurimis secu●● 〈…〉 luit. Therefore I am of opinion, that Zoroastres is said to be the first inventour of those Arts, not in a strict sense, because he first found them out, but because he first received them by tradition from the Devil, and committed them to writing, and taught them to other men, so that I am none of those who deny Witches or Witchcraft, but of the number of those who make the Devil the author of all Witchcraft and Fascinations. And though the several Laws of the Code, under this title, De Maleficis & Mathematicis, are conceived only in the masculine Gender, I conceive they are to be extended unto, and do comprehend the feminine Gender. For it is a rule in that Law, and, as I take it, in Divinity also, that a masculine pronounced in a matter i● different to man or woman, doth comprehend the feminine, ff. De verborum significatione. So that I shall grant, that there are women of that Diabolical Art; for though the said Law of the Code doth express such persons in the masculine Gender, yet I observe, that the Glossaries, and most Authors who have written on that Subject, do speak most of all in the feminine Gender, not because the feminine, contrary to the  Law, doth comprehend the masculine, but because these Arts are oftener found in the practice of women then of men, which some argue from the ensuing reasons;  
First, Women having less experience and learning then men, are more prone to believe, whereby they are more easily deceived, according to that ●●●te saying, Quoe facile credit, facile decipitur.  
Secondly, Women abound in curiosity, and desire the knowledge of such things as least appertain to them; and it is well known, that curiosity is a great disposition to Superstition and Witchcraft. And, forasmuch as, this, for the most part, is the more simple sex, the Devil often deceives them, sub specie recti.  
Thirdly, Women are of the softer complexion, which renders them the more easy to take impression from evil spirits; and, even as when, they are instructed and governed by good spirits, they become great examples of virtue and devotion: so when they yield to the suggestions of the Devil, they become the worst of creatures; for, Non est malitia super nequitiam m●lae mulieris.  
Fourthly, The frailty of woman is greater than that of man; wherefore the Devil, even in the beginning, laid siege to Eve, and drew her to sin  
Fifthly, This sex entertaining dislike or hatred against any persons, swells higher in excess of anger, with sharper resolutions of revenge, then ordinarily men do, but being weak in power. And, forasmuch as, Vana est sine viribus ira, the Devil having obtained so fair an advantage, offers opportunities of revenge, and promiseth the help of his assistance.  
Sixthly, Many women are pusilanimous, and when they fall into fits of sadness and disastrous distractions, they know not well how to free themselves from that state and condition; and therefore many times remain so long therein, until the Devil may have the advantage of time to tempt and overcome them.  
Seventhly, Illiterate women are, for the most part, given to too much tattling; and therefore if they have learned any evil Arts, they are apt to reveal them to their Consorts, and can easily persuade them ro desire the like knowledge.  
I confess, that I have made a modest and industrious inquisition into the secrets of Nature, but herein I laboured more to humble myself by sublime speculations, then to satisfy a vain and pernicious curiosity; for which reason, though I have addressed my painful studies to the understanding of many ancient and modern Philosophers, yet I never had the courage to addict myself so much as to judicial Astrology, though in itself lawful, lest it should creare in me a desire to draw back the impenetrable veil, which hangs between me and forbidden Knowledge; for the Casuists which I have read, for the right information and due regulation of my Conscience, have sufficiently instructed me of the danger that may ensue therefrom, much less than would I condescend to the beggarly Art of Witchcraft, which is altogether unlawful. By what hath been said it appears, that I confess there are Witches, that the invention of Magic and Witchcraft are truly ascribed to the Devil, that there are women-Witches (I might have added, that some one or more of my Adversaries, either are skilled in that hellish Art, or at least have made use of those who exercised and professed the like Trade. I could also relate the curious Questions, and report the Answers that have been given by the Professors of that Art, to one or more of that Sisterhood) and that they, for the reasons above rehearsed, do exceed the number of men who exercise that Diabolical Art. But for myself, I utterly deny that I did ever exercise, or know any thing of Witchcraft; nor can any of my Actions (though perhaps far transcending the capacity of those Ladies to comprehend the motives and force of them) with any colourable reason render me in the least suspected thereof; nor have they, neither can they allege any proof thereof, insomuch, that this calumny is so far from being believed on the evidence of demonstration, that it wants the recommendation of probability. But if the great signs of Witches be to have no measure of their hatred, nor no end of their malice, which commonly sends ignorant women, (and such are most of that Sisterhood) to revenge, which makes them often consult with the Devil, who persuades them upon such occasions to be Witches. Who then are more in reason to be suspected of Witchcraft, they, who with infinite hatred, and the long continued series of a most malicious prosecution, arising from no known cause or provocation by me given unto them, nor any concernment of theirs in the late debate of things have afflicted me incessantly; or I, who in this affliction have used no other guard against them, than innocency, patience, and my daily prayers to Almighty God, to right me, and pardon them, as knowing, that a sanctified affliction is better than triumphing impiety, and that innocency is always best, though sometimes unsafe; as also that the tears of my undeserved affliction, will in the end prove sweeter than the immerited Trophies of their barbarous and unheard of revenge, prosecuted by such means as were never used before, by women of quality or prudence, insomuch, that all they, who have been versed in those rules, which may serve to conduct us through the practical intercourses of this life, stand amazed, as being unable to parallel them out of the Histories of mere Scythiàns and Barbarians.  
Again, It is ordinary with Negromancers and Witches to raise illusions and phantasms instead of realities: So Apollonius made Achilles appear in his Tent twelve foot high. Bantabaremus showeth to Basilius the soul of his son Conctantine, lamlicus made to appear in Syrta two figures of little children like Cupids, all which had nothing of reality, but were mere Spectres. Even so these Ladies are not only content to corrupt some truths with many perfidious prevarications, but represent things altogether false under the colour of truth, which is the more diabolicle Spectre, by how much the more it tendeth to wrong an innocent Stranger; nay, these Ladies, for proof of their skill, endeavour to represent that as reason, which contradicts common sense, as will appear by that, which is the matter of my next enquiry, into the reasons wherefore, and the means whereby I should be thought to have exercised Witchcraft, to work out some designs of mine on the  Person.  
It cannot be thought that I should use Witchcraft to create an affection in him towards me, or to increase it; for it is well known, that almost at our first interview, even before I could well pass the formalities of becoming a Witch, we had a high esteem and affection for one another, and settled upon such solid grounds of virtue, that they are as unalterable as they are unblameable.  
Nor can it be supposed, that I should endeavour to squeeze out of him any part of his goods or estate by Witchcraft, or other base means, much below me to think of; I should rather, had I that Art, use it to those who have greater estates, and less Charge to maintain. What other ends I could have to bewitch one I honour so much, others may guests. But I know not.  
As for the means used to bewitch him, I hear no other alleged, than my giving him a Ring with a Greek Posy in it. First, I answer, as in the presence of God, That I never knew that he had a Ring with a Greek Posy. Secondly, That I never gave him any Ring at all.  
In the next place, It is as groundlessly reported by some of those Ladies, as it was maliciously invented by others of them, That I am a common Liar, which were it a true allegation, it might easily be proved, because things that are common, are more clearly and frequently observed. But I am so well known to all those Persons of Quality who converse with me (who only are competent Witnesses in such a Case) that I am not guiltty hereof, that I may say to the loudest Reporter of that untruth. What was given in answer by Libanius to Telemachus upon the like occasion, Velim ego apud to mendax esse, dum caeteri te mendacem esse dicere desinant.  
But to gratify them by yielding so much as I can in this particular, I must ingenuously confess, That this their imputation only wants truth to convince me of being a Liar. Again, So conscientiously have I always conformed myself to the speaking of truth without equivocation, or mental reservation, and shall always so continue to do the like, that, as I had rather these few Leaves were an unwritten Blank than a rude Defence; so also that it were an absolute Confession of Gild, than a lying Apology.  
Thus much may suffice in answer to this Objection, until my Adversaries shall instance in any one untruth that they ever heard proceed from my Lips; and if it shall be thought that I have in this, or any other particular part of my Answer, said too much against those Ladies, I wish I could have said no more, though it be a great satisfaction that one of them, who formerly lifted up her voice like a Trumpet, with loudest exclamation against me, is, by denying what she had said falsely of me, become a double liar.  
But no more of exaggeration against them in this or any other particular; for my chiefest aim, Gentle Reader, is my own inoffensive defence; for which reason also, though I want neither information, power, opportunity, nor sharp provocations, I have not, not shall I in the whole Contexture of this Book, either causelessly object any thing against them, or wrongfully detract from them, as they have done from me, but shall only call them down as base moneys to their true value, nor will I give them any new stamp of impression, for the Image ●nd Superscription which they now bear in the World's estimation, sufficiently notify them to be what they are, not only injurious to me, but also as blamesble for many other things, not mentioned here, as they are mainly culpable of several of those things which they have falsely objected against me. If these Ladies, in the exercise of their late assumed authority, had regulated their behaviour in this matter, according to the advice and example of a Noble Lady, who did not think fit to countenance their assembly with her continual presence, their passions would have moved according to the severe allowance of prudedce, gravity, and piety, and the due proportions of provocation given to, or apprehended by them, and they would have vented themselves by the sealed measures of right reason; but not submitting to that regulation, they are become, in the Spanish Phrase, jeugo de muchachos, a laughingstock of Children. And their actions, relating to me, have not been warranted in any one particular by any Principle of Piety, Rule of Charity, Moderation, Learning, Prodence, or Maxim of Policy; if they had had a regard to Prudence and Policy, they would not have intermeddled in this matter farther than the proportion of concern they had therein; for, Culpa est immiscere se rei ad se non pertinenti. If they had been tempered by moderation, they would not have managed a business of so little concernment, extending no farther than to private persons, with as much vigour of debate and contest, as if the entire interest and propriety of the three Nations had been concerned in the debate: if they had been skilled in Argumentation, they would not have laboured to infer immediate consequences from far fetched surmises, ungrounded rumours, and peevish suspicions, they would not have represented that for reason, which contradicts common sense; they would not have screwed up every light and temerary suspicion to the height of a violent presumption; nor would they have thought, that their own bare reports were to be believed on the credit of their proper Test, without farther enquiry and examination they would not have concluded, because I was civil to a Person of merit and civility, that therefore I had submitted to unchaste embraces, as if every civil friend must needs be a partner in sin; or that because that Person commended the liberality of Nature and Art, in bestowing on me many gifts and endowments which they wanted, that therefore I was destitute of modesty, and He guilty of a sinful Converse with me. I give but a touch of this matter here, because I have refetted it to the more secure and prudent management of my Council, who will prosecute it with effect in the Archbishop's Consistory, who may easily make it appear, that they ought to be chastised with the sharpest Rods of Ecclesiastical Discipline; for, injured reputation, in re gravi, requires a reparation as public, as the injury is notorious. In the m●an time it is well known to those who converse with me, that though I be young, and in the verdure of my Age, I am none of those who sport themselves in the green ways of fading Pleasures, but exercise myself painfully, and with no small asperities, in those studies, which may facilitate my progress to the chief of my aims, which is the Kingdom of Heaven; and I have always preferred the Garland of a Marital Chastity, before all glittering favours which can possibly flow from the glorious circle of the brightest Imperial Diadem on Earth; nay, I had rather enjoy that virtue, then to be crowned with the Royal State, and Imperial Command of all the Kingdoms upon Earth. Nay farther, I had rather, were it not for the Conjugal state of life, whereunto I am bound by the Ordinance of God, withdraw myself into the recess of a Religious Retirement, then converse with any man whosoever he be; nay, I had rather live chastely and innocently in the lowest and darkest dungeon of a melancholy retirement, than I would consent to the least proposal of any immodest desire. Lastly, I had rather die a speedy death, then to continue or prolong life with any disgrace, which may spread itself with a diffusive stain, to the least disparagement of those Illustrious Families from which I have descended, or whereunto I have the Honour to be related; for which reasons, and for my own Vindication, I have directed a legal proceeding against them for the clearing of my Reputation, which though most tender, will bear a Trial before so indifferent and learned a judge as is the Archbishop, or his Chancellor. Some things, I know, are so tender in their own nature, as if they be once fullied, they are hardly capable of washing: as for example, Garden Envi●●, which, as Avicenna saith, loseth its virtue in washing; and therefore he saith in the words of his Latin Translation, Interdictum est ab ablutione ejus lege & medicina. But though the Reputation of a Lady be tender in its self, and requires many nice rules and instructions for its Vindication. I shall, with very much confidence, rely on the judges and Advocates for the management, of my Defence, and the clearing of my Reputation, which will neither shrink, nor lose its virtue in the washing.  
But to return from whence I have a little digressed, I must needs say, That if I had been guilty of some of those enormities , it was no argument of their prudence to urge them publicly against me; for if their memories had been so officious to them, as to retain a representation of what they have done themselves, and whereof they are guilty, they would wisely have spared me for at least some of their own sakes; much less doth it become them, whose roofs are covered with brittle Glass, to throw stones at the more solid covering of their Neighbours houses; for such is the prudent Advertisement of a Spanish Proverb, El que biene teiados de vidro no tire piedra●, all de tu vezino.  
Again, They have not carried themselves after the manner of Christian Charity towards me, nor according to the duty of their own Conscience; for that would have required, that they should first have spoken to me, with a desire to have received satisfaction, before they had published any thing against me, at least, without proof, to my prejudice. Secondly, They have been uncharitable to themselves, in that they have, by their course of proceed against me, caught others a facile way and method of injuring themselves; for, as Ordinata Charitas incipit à seipsa: so doth uncharitableness many times end in itself: and these Ladies may be assured, that as Tyrus had not long rejoiced at the misery of jerusalem, when the same misery came upon herself. So this injury which they have done to me, if it be not punished in them, it will, as well by example as merit, bring on them the like affliction, which hitherto I have so sadly born, hereof I know they will become sensible hereafter (though their Conscience be now sealed up with slumber and obduration) when the eye of their reason (now dimmed with foggy mists, rising from their tumultuous and fiery passions, shall behold my cleared innocency clothed with the brightness of a greater glory (foe true metal will prove the brighter for rubbing) then will they wish that they had been checked by the reins of a sober and religions restraint, so as to have kept within the bounds of Truth, and that they had followed a less passionate, and more reasonable course against me; for; without peradventure, when they shall be returned to their more settled thoughts, they will be of another mind, and hearty desire that they had never endeavoured, out of undeserved malice, either to muffle up the face of Truth in the obscurity of a black Bag, or to fit things to their malicious desires, and destructive designs, by turning truth into lies, as hitherto they have done, wish a too bare-faced confidence, having cast off from their front the comely veil of due modesty; for such hath been their carriage hitherto towards me, that if I should have represented in my actions and deportment the absolute portraiture of Aristotle's moral ●●●tues; or should I have lived in as strict a regularity as a Carthusian, or could my course of life and conversation have entitled me to a Rubric in the Calendar, or justified the painting of me with rays, yet they would have figured no better thoughts of me, than they ought to have of themselves, they would have censured me as extremely vicious; for deflexion from, and dissimilitude to virtue, are the fiercest censurers of the virtuous, and will draw all their actions into the worst interpretations. It hath been said, I know not how truly, of the Belgic Inquisitours, that they did confess, when they met with any of the Ancients, speaking otherwise then the Church, Quovis Commento, they used any shift to remedy it; and although these Ladies want ingenuity to confess the figments and prevarications which they have used to make me seem otherwise in my words and actions, than truth can warrant them to report of me; yet, thanks be to God, I am happy in this, that he hath placed me in the Noble City of Dublin, inhabited by very many prudent and truly Noble Persons of both sexes, who have observed my deportment, and are not unacquainted with the Maskaries these Ladies have used against me in their late Earie-like Scenes, wherein they would have represented me to the eye of the World, in the false dress of their malicious impositions. It hath been long since said of Stage-players, that they are many times high in applause, but poor in reputation. These Actrices, perhaps in their first Scenes, found some applause amongst themselves, but the World knows they have not mended their own reputations, by endeavouring to destroy mine; and it now appears in great visibility to every understanding person, that though they have wounded their own consciences to slain my reputation, their wounds will not be so soon cured, as my reputation cleared. Wherefore I do so much pity them, as that I desire they may escape the Satirical Whip of Poets and Lampoons, and that they may be freed from the Strappadoes of an evil Conscience, by using the due remedies prescribed by the Casuists, which are Retractation, Compensation, and a lowly penitent dejection of mind before God, which if they forbear to perform, they will not only render themselves hereafter hateful to their own imaginations, but also liable to be cast headlong to the lowest and most painful tormentory of hell, which I pray God to prevent in his mercy, by giving them a sight and true sense of their sins, and thereby to put a seasonable stop to the fury of their malicious proceed against me; for if their own awakened prudence cannot bring them to these sentiments, yet I am well assured it is possible, that the Omnipotent Lord of Heaven and Earth, who made the Sun, that mighty Creature, the Prince of all the Lights in Heaven, to stop and stand still in the rapid Career of its greatest velocity, can in an instant prohibit their causeless prosecution against me, or render it vain, and of no effect; and that the same God, who made the impetuous Current of the raging Sea to recoil, and the merciless flame of devouring fire to become a soft refreshing air, can so temper the rage of these tumultuous Ladies, as to make them immediately pull in their horns, and blunt their stings, otherwise, at least, when their immortal fouls shall be summoned by grim Death to diflodge from their tottering tabernacles of cold clay, and shall begin to enter into the disputed Confines of Eternity, then will they wish that they had been as free from injuring me by their Calumny, as I am innocent of the matters they falsely lay to my charge.  
I shall not at this time say much more to these Ladies, I shall therefore dismiss them with a few Observations.  
I must confess, that though they have all been culpable, yet I do not think that they have been equally cruel to me, notwithstanding which, I shall say, that every one of them hath been too cruel; for it is observed, that the most tame of Tigers is a cruel beast.  
Secondly, I observe, that those Ladies who were interwoven in the Contexture of so strong a Faction against me, are not the only persons who have injured me, for they who have excited them to detraction are not without sin, nay perhaps more guilty; for Malletus the Casuist saith, These do not only offend, as the Detractor, effectu detractionis; but also are unto others causà detrahendi. Nay, the Detractor is but the Author of his own sin, but these are Authors of their own and others: for which cause, sayeth another Casuist, Tenetur ad restitutionem, nisi Detractor ipse restituat.  
Thirdly, Whosoever hath delighted himself in hearing detractions, though, as the Casuists say, he doth not offend contra justitiam, because he is not efficax causa damni; yet he offends against charity, for that he takes pleasure malo Proximi, which cannot stand with charity.  
Fourthly, Superiors in Government, who do not correct Detractors, do not only sin against charity, but also against justice, Come Obligatione restituendi si subditus, non restituat. so say Lessius Reginaldus, and Molina.  
Fifthly, Parents, Husbands, and Masters, who have silently heard their Children, Wives, or Servants detract from any one, though without delectation, are guilty of a moral incitation to detraction; for, Qui tacet, consentire videtur: and Fernandes gives two reasons for this Observation, Tum quia non impedit malum Proximi, tum quia non emendat errantem.  
Sixthly, They who have defamed any one by detraction, are bound to restitution, not only where the party had a positive good fame, i. e. bene audiebat, and therefore did suffer the loss boni cessant●●; but also where the party had but a negative good name, i. e. non male an●ichat, and therefore suffers an immergent loss, by positive infamy brought upon him; but especially in the former case, wherein I have been so highly injured.  
Seventhly, Restitution is not always made according to the quality of the offence before God, but proportionable to the infamy arising therefrom; and therefore he who divulgeth a true crime to the defamation of his neighbour, shall make equal restitution with him who objected or imposed a false one; wherefore Fernandes saith, Aequalitas restitutionis non oritur ex aequalitate culpae, sed ex aequlitate damni.  
Eighthly, Though Tolet be of opinion, That where a good fame is not to be restored in proprio genere by retractation, it is not to be restored by way of another compensation: and though he enforceth his opinion from this consideration, That as life, so a good fame is not pretio aestimabilis, and therefore cannot be proportioned to any estimation. I shall hold the opposite opinion, maintained by the Angelical and subtle Doctors Thomas Aquinas, and Scotus Thom. q. 32. ar. 2. Scot in 4. d. 15. 9 4. as also by Soto 4. q. 6. art. 3. who say, That though life as well as a good fame do entitatively and essentially exceed any price, yet in respect to she estimation of men, they may be reduced to a certain value: and I have read, that it is held to be the common opinion of School-Divines, that quando debitum compensari nequit, ad aequalitatem in eodem genere compensandum est in al●o, quoad fieri potest compensando,  
I am afraid that I have held the Courteous Reader too long in the thorny terms of Casuistical and School-Divinity; yet because it is necessary to cure my Adversaries, not only by a prick of reprehension, but also by stirring up their Consciences by some pungent incitations to repentance and satisfaction, I hope to be excused, and the rather, for that I shall lead the Readers patience by a mor● easy and short way to a Conclusion, having but one Consideration more to subjoin, which is this.  
If the private dislike of so many Ladies, fomented by envy, after so many spies set on my behaviour, and so vigorous an inquisition had against me, and having a voracious will to destroy my Credit, cannot find any evidence to convince me of any thing scandalous, it is no slight Argument of my Innocency. If all their endeavours against me met together, as the beams of the Sun, on a burning-glass cannot kindle a fire to my destruction, their most frequent attempts proving as the Rays under the meridian which cannot produce a flame by reflection on a burning-glass, for want of solid matter to work on. I hope the Reader will free me from all Attachments of busy suspicion for the future, and that no man will own a necessity of believing suggestions upon the reputation of their accusing me hereafter, for the reputation of such people as are found false accusers, or like an Irish pair of Tongues, which grow shorter in the use.  
I shall conclude with a steadfast Declaration of a well-grounded hope, which is, that all Persons of Quality of both sexes in this City, which is the Metropolis of Loyalty as well as preeminency, will compassionate my injured innocency, hitherto groaning under the insolency of she-cruelty and oppression, trampled upon, as it were, to dust, by the barbarous feet of pride and unwomanly insultations; but that which begets in me my most secure confidence, is that of joh, Behold now, my Witness is in heaven, and my record is on high, whereunto appealeth  
Frances Plunkett.  
FINIS.   

ERRATA.  
P. 14. lege Syria. p. 19 l. Endive. p. 21.