Cleora monologue — Philip Massinger

Then thus to you, My noble father, and these lords, to whom I next owe duty; no respect forgotten To you my brother, and these bold young men (Such I would have them) that are, or should be, The city’s sword and target of defence, To all of you I speak; and if a blush Steal on my cheeks, it is shown to reprove Your paleness, willingly I would not say, Your cowardice or fear; think you all treasure Hid in the bowels of the earth, or shipwreck’d In Neptune’s wat’ry kingdom, can hold weight, When liberty and honour fill one scale, Triumphant Justice sitting on the beam? Or dare you but imagine that your gold is Too dear a salary for such as hazard Their blood and lives in your defence? For me, An ignorant girl, bear witness! heaven, so far I prize a soldier, that to give him pay, With such devotion as our flamens offer Their sacrifices at the holy altar, I do lay down these jewels, will make sale Of my superfluous wardrobe, to supply The meanest of their wants.(127)