THe Session of the Parliament of Women being ordered to meet on the 32 day of January about ten days before Michaelmas in the year 7902. They accordingly assembled , and being met in a full house , there was a petition exhibited by the distressed Maids of the Nation , greatly complaining of their unspeakable want , and also exclaiming against several Widows , who , against reason , had been over-occupyed by several Husbands , while , on the contrary , these poor Maidens were ready to starve for a bitt of Man's-Flesh : The Contents of the petition take as followeth :

The petition being read , the matter was debated , Lettice Lackman pleaded in the behalf of the rest ; that things were illegally carryed , and they had not equity done them : For , said she , when I began to grow toward Thirteen years old , I then was possessed with a strange kind of Malady , which filled me with such a longing de●ire , that my thoughts I could have even begged a kiss of every man I saw pass the street ; Nay , I was also perplexed in my ●ery dreams , that when I awaked I was almost stark mad ; for I found my self tumbled into the Abyss of misery , when in my dreams I supposed my self to be at the very heigth of bliss . Then , said Rose Ralewell , How long did you languish in this Labyrinth of trouble , without finding any ease or help ? Truly , quoth she , even to this day , but it was sore against my will , for such was my ill fortune , that I was never so much as once moved to part with my maidenhead ; for I 'le assure you if I had , I would have accepted of the motion willingly , as many I believe have done before me ; nay , I believe there is but a few that would deny it . Hold , hold , have a care what you say , you will reflect upon the House by and by , such comparisons are not seemly in this place , or at this time ; but I must needs confess , that I could hardly have undergone so great trouble and ve●ation as you have done ; for I was but a matter of sixteen years old e're I was acquainted with Bridall enjoyments , and I am confident , had I not been marryed as I was , I could not have lived one year more without a Tickler .

Why then , I hope your Goodness will take into consideration our conditions ; we are all of the same stamp and mould , we are as uncapable of living without the enjoyment of our delights , as ever you could be ; our minutes seem to be houres , while we thus languish in perplexity : we are not able to eat , drink , or rest , wanting the supplys which our Natures look for ; and to be short , we neither can nor will live long in this disquietude . Why , what would you have us do ? said Luce Lackwitt , Why make an Act that we should all have Husbands , and that speedily too , for we have lost too much time idly , and have not been exercised as marryed women are often , the more is our grief to think on 't ; but if you cannot with conveniency effect what is proposed , do as they do in Venice , set up , and tollerate some publique places , where Love sick maids may find ease , by the association of merry boys , who only can administer comfort to them in their distress . It hath partly been acknowledged by one Member of this House , that we have had hard fortune , and , indeed , so it is : For who can indure to see some old withered faces handed along by brisk young gallants ? who tender them for nothing but their money , having not so much as one grain of beauty left ; look but upon them , view them well when they are in their best Array , all powdered , and patched , and you will find them , if your aspect be curious , to resemble nothing more than death's Head enamel'd . And what a plague is this to young Creatures to see and behold : Is any flesh alive able to endure it ? Can this misery be undergone with patience ? 't is a torment to consider what pleasures other people enjoy in their beds , while we poor Creatures lye melting away in Tears , or wasting with s●ghs , and have nothing at all to do , but that which indeed we cannot do , I mean sleep , which now grows almost a stranger to us . Well , said my Lady Lackwitt , we will see what may be done in this business : Nay , quoth Lettice Lackman , it is not what may be done , but what must be done ; And pray mind that we that have lost the prime of our years without tasting the bliss , may be considered in some extraordinary manner , either by being allowed Two Husbands , or , at least , a Husband and a Friend , that we may regain our lost time ; for I am sure we can deal well enough with them : It is not with us as it is with men , that when they come to some considerable age , they grow feeble , and cannot please ; But we of our Sex can take it both briskly and freely when we are well striken in years , especially when we have lived so long without it . Come come ( saith Margaret Makebate ) you are somewhat too greedy , let 's hear what another saith , you must not be only discoursed . Then up starts Alice Alcock , who justified , That what was before discoursed was nothing but reason , and she hoped it was to pass thorough the Judicious Assembly : And as for my part my Name is a trouble to me , for there is a vast difference between Al-cock and no Cock ; and I am sure there never was one inch fell to my share yet , though I would give one of my eyes for a good one . Well ( sayes Margaret Make-bait ) 't is pitty that thou shouldst not have one ; that loves so dearly as to part with one of your eyes for one . Oh! quoth Alice , that 's nothing in comparison : How many have gone distracted for want of a Rowzer ; and in their distraction hanged themselves : Come let me tell you , 't is a sad thing to want it , and indeed there is no living without it , yea ; I believe there hath never been such a complaint before as will be now made if you enquire strictly into the matter ; for , if you examine us all , you will find us all in one tale ; or if any do differ , 't wil be but more to set forth our misery : Therefore we desire your commiseration , and hope to receive finall satisfaction from you by a speedy result .

Whereupon they were commanded to acquit the House , till such time as they were again called . Then Prudens Prateall opened the matter very exquifitively , in the behalf of the petitioners , alleadging that their condition was very deplarable ; For , said she , how great a difficulty is it to live without a man , when we in our own consciences know that we cannot be contented with one , we that are married , but we must now and then violate the bonds of Matrimony by wronging the Bridall bed : And if it be so , that we that have been long accustomed to the pleasures of love , cannot possibly be limitted within the bounds of chastity , how is it possible that they who never injoy'd that happiness , can rest satisfy'd : Let us ingeniously consider with our selves ; and pass some Act of Oblivion for what transgressions have already been ; and also an additional Act for more liberty , for 't is my opinion that some are born under some ill aspect , that they may never be marryed ; and is it reason they should never taste in their whole life time the sweets that others wallow in ? No , no , as we are all of one Sex , let us give liberty to those who are not marryed , to use what opportunities they can meet with to their best advantage , for otherwise , we shall create much trouble to our selves ; and without question they will steale what our too modest Laws shall forbid . Therefore let us do as we would be done by , for we should not like to have an Embargo laid upon our commodities . Then spoke Rose Ralewell , you have spoke reason , for I have a Husband , such a one as it is , that seldome doth any more to me than make a Fool of that which will not be so served , and to tell you the truth , I am fain to borrow of my Neighbours , what I cannot be supply'd withal at home ; which , if my husband were like other men , I should not need to do . Then said Ioyce Ioynwell , Hush , hush , talk no more of that , for I have a Husband young and brisk enough , but yet mythinks sometimes variety is so sweet , that I now and then must taste of changeable dyet , and then if it be so with us that have of our own , what must them poor Creatures do that have not ? Oh! methinks I can remember , when it was my sad case , how I lingred , how I longed , and in what a dismall case I reckoned my self to be in ▪ Come , 't is good to be charitable , let us commiserate these poor Creatures , we are perfectly sensible of their necessities . These manner of debates held for some considerable time , but most of them being sensible of the truth of what was spoken , did Vote for Liberty for maidens that could get no Husbands , and that they might accept of what kindnesses were offered to them . But as for Widows that had lived above Twenty years in Matrimony , and had surpassed the date of Fifty , they should not be allow'd above one Husband , if he be young ; or if he be older than her self , two friends , because one may be sometimes ill , and not in a condition to pleasure her , or sometimes one may be out of Town , and cannot visit ; and for these reasons we are willing to allow of a provision in necessity , for I suppose some of us Members are troubled with old fumbling fellows , that have almost forgot how to do the trick , they do so seldome use it . And in what a case should we be in then , if we had not a friend in a corner : Come sirs Members as we are , are Representatives of the whole sex , and we ought in point of reason , and conscience , so to establish our Laws , as that they may be for the satisfaction of all . Just as they had determined this matter , in comes Christian Closemouth to make complaint , who exhibited her Bill ; the contents whereof take as followeth :

Imp imis , That she had been marryed to her Husband Ten weeks , and she found that he had not got her with Child , neither did she believe he could , for he was so short breath'd , that he was ready to give over before she came to the heighth of the sport , and so dry withal , that one might as easily get a tear from a hot Iron , as one drop of liquidity from his dryed body . But the matter seeming somewhat introcate , and they having sate till their Tongues were weary , the Court adjourned till the next week following , where we will leave them , and pitty poor Christian Closemouth , waiting with a great deale of impatience for the next sitting ; of which I shall give you timely notice .

The day being come , both Houses assembled , and did further proceed about the business afore-mentioned : so after a strong debate , it was agreed upon by a generall consent , that what was petitioned for was nothing but reason in any Womans conscience . Which Laws you shall here have inserted as they were agreed upon in course .