248 The Duchess of Newcastle 



masters that know how to govern their families wisely, 

 as there are kings that know how to rule their king- 

 doms wisely; but that is no wonder, for first, where 

 there is one king of a kingdom, there are thousands 

 masters of families, and a king is the master of 

 all those families, insomuch as a king hath more 

 masters to govern and rule, than the richest master 

 of his kingdom hath servants. But if servants 

 were as they should be, masters would not only 

 thrive by the trusty labours of their servants, and 

 servants by the wealth of their master, but masters 

 and servants would live easily, by the diligence 

 of the one, and the prudence of the other; also 

 they would live delightfully, by their sports and 

 pastimes, where the master would sit as a kingly 

 spectator, whilst his servants were pleasant actors, 

 in all which both masters and servants would be 

 very happy, so as this world would seem an earthly 

 paradise. But, Madam, if I write any more, I shall go 

 near to make you a servant to your servant in a 

 laborious reading her long letter, but it was your 

 command in your last letter, that I should write you 

 long letters, and I believe in this I have fully obeyed 

 you, which is my desire to all your commands, to let 

 you know that there is none more truly and faithfully 



Your Ladyship's servant than I. 



ON HER EXTREME LOVE 



Madam, — In your last letter you chid me for loving 

 too earnestly, saying, extreme love did consume my 

 body and torment my mind, and that whosoever 

 love to a high degree are fools ; if so, I confess. Madam, 

 I am as much a fool as ever Nature made, for where I 



