154 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle 



some have great capacities, as may be perceived in their 

 discourse : but yet their speech is like those that are lame, 

 which limp and halt, although the ground whereon they go 

 is even, smooth, and firm. But some have such large capaci- 

 ties, elevated fancies, illuminated souls, and volubility of 

 speech, that they can conceive, create, enlighten, and deliver 

 with that abundance, curiosity, facility, and pleasure, as their 

 conversible company is a heaven, where all worldly delights 

 reside. 



But to return to the ground of this Epistle. I desire all my 

 readers and acquaintance to believe, though my words run 

 stumbling out of my mouth, and my pen draws roughly on 

 my paper, yet my thoughts move regular in my brain ; for 

 the several tracks or paths that contemplation hath made on 

 my brain, which paths or tracks are the several ways my 

 thoughts move in, are much smoother than the tongue in my 

 mouth, from whence words flow, or the paper on which my 

 pen writes ; for I have not spoke so much as I have writ, nor 

 writ so much as I have thought. For I must tell my readers, 

 that nature, which is the best and curiousest worker, hath 

 paved my brain smoother than custom hath oiled my tongue, 

 or variety hath polished my senses, or art hath beaten the 

 paper whereon I write ; for my fancy is quicker that the pen 

 with which I write, insomuch as it is many times lost through 

 the slowness of my hand, and yet I write so fast, as I stay not 

 so long as to make perfect letters. 



But if they will not believe my books are my own, let them 

 search the author or authoress : but I am very confident that 

 they will do like Drake, who went so far about, until he came 

 to the place he first set out at. But for the sake of after 

 ages, which I hope will be more just to me than the present, 

 I will write the true relation of my birth, breeding, and to 

 this part of my life, not regarding carping tongues, or malicious 

 censurers, for I despise them. 



Margaret Newcastle. . 



