_Lor._ _Aurelia_, Queene, by the especiall priuiledge of the Maiestie of Sicilia, to all Ladies, gentle and others, of the Female Sex, sends greeting: Whereas there is a question to be decided in publike disputation before, an Honourable Assembly of both parts, that is, whether the man or the woman in loue comit the greatest offence, by giuing the first and principall occasion of sinning: therefore know, that if any woman will vndertake to defend the innocency of women, against the false imputations of detracting men, let her repaire to the Court, shee shall bee honourably entertayned, graciously admitted, and well rewarded. _God saue the Queene._ _Omnes._ Heauens preserue her. _Lor._ I doe accept it, tis a cause so iust, In equitie and vertue, in defence Of wronged women, whose distressed fames Lye buried in contempt, whose Champion I doe professe my selfe, and doe desire No greater glorie, then to haue that name. What woman can indure to heare the Wrongs, Slanders, Reproches, and base Forgeries, That base men vaunt forth, to dimme the rayes Of our weake tender Sex? But they shall know, Themselues, not women, are the cause of woe. A Champion, a Champion. _Exeunt Omnes._ _Enter_ Atticus, Misogynos, _two Iudges_, _Notarie_, _Cryer_, _and Attendants_——_And then_ Lisandro, _and_ Hortensia _guarded_. _Att._ That Equitie and Iustice both may meet, In paralels, like to _Apollo’s_ Twinnes, We haue ordayn’d this Session. In the which Let all vnequall and impartiall thoughts Be laid aside; with such regard of truth, As not the name of Daughter, or the Bloud Which we call ours, running in her veines, May any way diuert vs. Therefore goe on, And take your seat, stout Champion, and preuaile, As is the truth you deale for, in this doubtfull, And much ambiguous businesse. _Mis._ So I wish—— _Passe to his seat with Trumpets._ _Enter to them_ Aurelia, _leading_ Atlanta, Loretta, _and two or three more women_. _Aur._ Braue Amazonian beautie, learned _Atlanta_, Now is it time your intellectuall powers, Of wit and iudgement shou’d aduance themselues Against the forked tongues of Slanderers, That pierce the spotlesse innocence of women, And poyson sweetnesse with the breath of Malice. So on, and take thy seat! It is our trust, Th’euent will prosper, for our cause is iust. _Atlan._ That makes me confident—— _Passe to the seat._ _Att._ Prepare the Court. _Cry._ O yes! O yes! O yes! If there be any man——or woman——in this Honourable Court——that can produce——any lawfull cause——against either of the Aduocates——why they should not bee admitted——Let them now speake, or for euer hereafter hold their peace—— _Att._ ’Tis well. Now sweare the Iudges.