_Mis._ Nay, I wou’d speake. What Tyrannies, Oppressions, Massacres, Women stand guiltie of: and which is more, What Cities haue beene sackt and ruinate, Kingdomes subuerted, Lands depopulated, Monarchies ended? and all these by women. _Atlan._ Base snarling Dogge, bite out thy slandrous tongue, And spit it in the face of Innocence, That at once all thy rancour may haue end: And doe not still opprobriously condemne Woman that bred thee, who in nothing more Is guiltie of dishonour to her Sex: But that she hath brought forth so base a Viper, To teare her reputation in his teeth, As thou hast done. _Mis._ O doe not scold, good woman! _1. Iud._ Goe to the purpose. _Atlan._ I forgot my selfe: Therefore, graue Iudges, let this base Impostor Tell me one man that euer gaue his life, To keepe his vow safe and inuiolate, Against the assaults of Lust: and for that one, He find a thousand women, that to keepe Their Chastities and Honours vndefil’d, Haue laid their liues downe at base Tyrants feet. _A Plaudite by Women, crying_, Atlanta, Atlanta, Atlanta! _1. Law._ This is but a flourish. _2. Law._ The Fencers Schoole-play beares it. _Mis._ What hath beene is not now: The Kalender Of Women Saints is fild vp long agoe: For now a vniuersall leprosie, Like to an Inundation, ouer-flowes, And breakes vpon you all: scarce one is free From wanton lightnesse and vaine leuitie. _Atlan._ None like to _Nero_, and _Heliogabulus_. _Mis._ Yes, wanton _Hellen_ and _Cleopatra_. _Atlan._ I cou’d name more. _Mis._ I, ten for one, of Women. _Atlan._ Sense-pleasing _Sardanapalus_ is beyond All Women that can be nam’d. _Mis._ Ile name you one Beyond all Men, th’insatiate _Messalina_: Who when she had to satisfie her lust, Imbrac’d the change of Louers, and was weakened So farre, she could no longer hold it out: And being askt if then she were satisfied, She answerered, No: for though she then were tyr’d, No change could satisfie her appetite. _A Plaudite by the Men, crying_, Misogynos, Misogynos, Misogynos. _Atlan._ O monstrous impietie! _Aur._ Stop the Detractors mouth: Away with him. _Women._ Teare him in pieces. _Not._ Silence in the Court. _Attic._ It is enough: my Lords, proceed to iudgement; And lead away _Misogynos_ to his Chamber. _The two Lawyers lead_ Misogynos _away_. _1. Iudge._ Read the decree. _Not._ We the sworne Iudges of this present Court, In equall ballance hauing weigh’d the reasons, And allegations of both Aduocates, In their late Declamations, doe adiudge, And here conclude that—— _Attic._ Read out. _Not._ That women are the first and worst temptations To loue and lustfull folly: and to this We are here present, ready to subscribe.