The bride by S.R.

THE BRIDE . VIrgins , and fellow maydes ( that were of late ) Take kindly heere my weeding dayes a dew , I entertayne degree aboue your state : For Marriage life 's beyond the single crew , Bring me to Church as custome sayes you shall , And then as wife , farewell my wenches all . I goe before you vnto Honour now , And Hymen's Rites with ioy doe vndertake For life , I make the constant Nuptiall vow , Striue you to follow for your credits sake , For greater grace to Womankind is none Then Ioyne with husband , faithfull two in one . God Honoured thus , our great Grand-mother Eue And gaue thereby the blessing of increase , For were not mariage we must all beleeue , The generations of the earth would cease . Mankind should be extinguish'd and decreas'd And all the world would but consist of beast . Which caused me to finde my Mayden folly , And having found it , to reforme the same : Though some of you , thereat seeme melanch●●● That I for ever doe renounce your name . I not respect what censure you can giue , Since with a loving Man I meane to liue . Whose kindest heart , to me is worth you all , Him to content , my soule in all things seekes , Say what you please , exclaiming chide and brall , I le turne disgrace vnto your blushing cheekes . I am your better now by Ring and Hatt , No more playn Rose , but Mistris you know what . Marrie therefore and yeald increase a store , Else to what purpose weare you breed and borne : Those that receaue , and nothing giue therefore : Are fruitles creatures , of contempt and scorne , The excellence of all things doth consist , In giuing , this no reason can resist . The glorious Sun , in giving forth his light , The Earth in plants , and hearbs & countles things The trees their fruit , The Empresse of the Night She bountious giues to rivers flouds and springs , And all that heaven , and all that earth containes , Their goodnes , in Increase of guifts explaynes . But what doe you that neither giue nor take , ( As only made for hearing , and for seeing , ) Although created helpers for Mans sake : Yet Man no whit the better for your being , That spend consume and Idle out your howers , Like many garden-paynted vselesse flowers . Your liues are like those worthles barren trees , That never yeald ( from yeare to yeare ) but leaues : Greene-bowes vpon them only all men sees , But other goodnes there is none receaues , They flourish sommer and they make a showe , Yet to themselues they fruitles spring & growe . Consider beast , and fish and foule , all creatures , How there is male and female of their kinde , And how in loue they doe inlarge their natures : Even by constrayn'd necessity inclyn'd : To paire and match , and couple t is decreed , To stocke and store the earth , with what they breed . In that most powerfull word , still power doth lye , To whose obedience all must subiect bee , That sayd at first , Increase and multiply , Which still enduers from age to age we see : Dutie obligeth every one should frame , To his dread will , that did commaund the same . It is not good for Man to be alone , ( Sayd that great God , who only knowes what s best : ) And therefore made a wife of Adams bone , While he reposing slept , with quyet rest , Which might presage , the great Creator men . In their coniunction , sume of earths content , Mistris Susan . Good Mistris Bride , now we haue hard your speach In commendation of your Nuptiall choyse , Giue me a little favour I beseech , To speake vnto you with a Virgins voyce : Though diuers elder maydes in place there be , Yet i le begin , trusting they 'le second me . We are your fellows but to Church you say , As custome is that maydes , should bring the Bride , And for no longer then the wedding day , You hould with vs , but turne to tother side : Boasting of Honour you assend vnto , And so goe forward making much adoe . But this vnto you Iustly I obiect , In the defence of each beloued mayde , Virginity , is life of chast respect , No worldly burden thereupon is layd : Our syngle life , all peace and quiet bringes , And we are free from carefull earthly things . We may doe what we please , goe where we list , Without pray husband will you giue me leaue , Our resolutions no man can resist , Our own 's our owne , to giue or to receiue , We liue not vnder this same word obay : Till Death depart vs , at our dying day . We may delight in fashion , weare the same , And chuse the stuffe of last devised sale : Take Taylors counsell in it free from blame , And cast it off assoone as it growes stale : Goe out , come in , and at selfe pleasure liue , And kindly take , what kind youngmen do giue . Wee haue no checking churlish taunts to feare vs , We haue no grumbling at our purse expence : We seeke no misers favour to forbeare vs , We vse no houshold wranglings and offence : We haue no cocke to over crowe our combe , Cate. Well said good Susan , now thou pay'st her home . Bride . A little favour pray , good Mistris Sue , You haue a time to heare aswell as speake : You challenge more by odds then is your due , And stand on Arguments are childish weake : Of freedome , liberty , and all content , But in the aire your breath is vainely spent . It is your shame to bost you haue your will , And that you are in feare of no controwle , Your cases Susan , are more bad and ill , Most dangerous to body and to soule : A woman to her will hath oft bin try'd , To run with errour , on the left hand side . Pray did not danger then to Eue befall , When she tooke liberty without her heda , The Serpent ouercame her therwithall , And thorow will , she wilfull was misled : Yelding assoone as Sathan did intice , And of her husband neuer tooke aduise . In wit to men we are inferiour far , For arts for learning , and Ingenious things , No rare Inuentions in our braynes there are , That publique profit to a kingdome brings : T is they that must all callings execute , And wee of all their labours reape the fruite . They are Diuines for soules true happines , They Maiestraites to right offensiue wronges , They souldiers for their martiall valiantnes , They artizans , for all to vse belonges : They husbandmen to worke the earths increase , And they the some of womens ioye and peace . And shall not we performe obedience then ? As wee are bound by law of God and nature , Yealding true harts affection vnto men , Ordain'd to rule and gouerne euery creature : Why then of all on earth that liue and moue , We should degenerate and monsters proue . Besse . Monsters ( forsoth ) nere sleepe in maidens beds , But they are lodged with your married wiues , The knotty browes , and rugged butting heds , Concerne not vs , professing single liues , To learne your horne-booke we haue no deuotion Keepe monsters to your selues , we scorne the motion . Bride . Besse , of such shapes , when your turne coms to marry A carefull mynd , in choyse of husband beare , For if your browes from former smothnes varry , Thinke on this speach , It commeth with a feare : Which I am past , perplexe me no feare can . Being sure I haue a constant honest man . Iane. Belieue you haue , and t' is enough they say , But you and I agree not in a mynde , I read in storyes men will run astray , Yet make their foolish wiues beleeue th' are kind : And therefore since they are so cunning knowne I le keepe my selfe a maide and trust to none . Had I one sutor swore himselfe loue-sicke , Another for his Mistris sake would die , A third thorow Cupids power growne lunaticke , A fourth that languishing past hope did lye : And so fist , sixt , and seauenth in loues passion , My Maiden-head for them should ner'e change fashion . Aeneas told many a cogging tale , To Dido that renowned worthy Queene , And Iason with his flatterings did preuaile , Yet falser knaues in loue were neuer seene : And at this instant hower , as they were then , The world aboundeth with deceitfull men . Doll . Iane , that s too true , for to you all I sweare , How I was bobd by one t is shame to tell , A smoother fellow neuer wench did heare , And as I liue , I thought he lou'd me well : Heere you shall see one of his cunning letters , Which still I keepe , & meane to shew his betters . In Romane hand , on guilded paper writ , Pray Dorothy read you it to the rest , But whether his owne head inuented it , Or robd some printed Booke , I doe protest : I cannot tell , but his owne name is to it , Which proues he takes vpon him for to doe it . The Loue Letter . The truest heart , shall nought but falshood cherish , The mildest man , a cruell tyrant prooue , The water drops , the hardest flint shall perish , The hilles shall walke , and massie earth remooue : The brightest Sun shall turne to darke some clowde , Ere I prooue false , where I my loue haue vowde . Ere I prooue false , the world desolu'd shall be , To that same nothing that it was before , Ere I prooue false mine eyes shall cease to see , And breath of life shall breath in me no more : The strong built frame shall moue from his foundation Ere I remoue my soules determination . Death shall forget to kill , and men to dye , Condemned soules shall laugh , and cease to mourne , The lowest hell shall rise and meete the skye , Time shall forget his course and backe returne : Contrary vnto kinde each thing shall proue , Ere I befalse or once forget my loue . Oh then deare heart regard my sad estate , My passions griefe and wofull lamentation , Oh pittie me ere pittie come too late , That hold thee deare past mans imagination : Preserue my life and say that thou wilt haue me , Or else I die the whole world cannot saue me . Grace . This is a Ballad I haue heard it sung . Doll . Well , be or be not , that 's not to the matter , But who will trust a louers pen or tongue , That vse all protestations thus to flatter : For this base fellow that was so perplext , Sent this one monday , and was married next . Sara . Now out vpon him most dissembling creature , I le warrant you that he can neuer thriue , He showes himselfe , euen of as bad a nature , As euer was in any man aliue : Alas poore foole that hath this fellow got , Shee hath a Iewell of him , hath she not ? Nell . Yes surely hath she , ( waying all things deepe , ) A louer that will tast as sweete as gall , One that is better farre to hang then keepe , And I perswade me you doe thinke so all : Excepting onely partiall Mistris Bride , For she stands stoutly to the married side . Bride . So farre as reason , and as right requires , I will defend them both by word and deede , Yet haue I no apology for lyers , And ill conditions that false hearts doe breede : " All that are married be not faithfull kinde , " Nor all vnmarried , are not chast in minde . Are there not maids ( vpon your conscience speake ? ) Knowne to your selues as well as you knowe me , Will vowe their loue to men , and falsly breake , Which in the number of your Virgins be , That will delude some halfe a score young men , And hauing gull'd them , take some other then . I will not name her was in loue with ten , But in your eares i 'le note her secret ; harke , She had both Courtiers , Cockneys , Country-men , Yet in the ende a Saylor boards her Barke : And therefore put not men in all the blame , But speake the trueth , and so the diuell shame . Grace . I knowe the partie well that you doe meane , And thus much for her I dare boldly say , To diuers sutors though she seemed to leane , To trye her fortunes out the wisest way : Yet did she neuer plight her faith to any , But vnto him she had , among so many : And ther 's no doubt but diuers doe as she , Your selfe in conscience , haue had more then one , To whom in shewe you would familiar be , And comming to the point why you would none : Ciuilitie allowes a courteous cariage , To such as proffer loue by way of marriage . An affable behauiour may be vsed , And kinde requitall answere kinde deseart , And yet no honest man thereby abused , With fained showes , as if he had the heart : When there is purpose of no such intent To gull him with his time and mony spent . Mall . Were I to giue maides counsell , they to take it , And that they would consent to doe as I , Who offered vs his loue , we would forsake it , And like Dianes Nymphs would liue and die : For I protest your louers should haue none , But wiues and widdowes to put tricks vpon . We would reuenge the crafty double dealing , Thousands of harmelesse virgins doe endure , By their deceitfull art of kinde-hart stealing , Keeping our loues vnto our selues secure : And credit to their vowes , should be no other , But in at one eare , and goe out at t'other . Bride . This you would doe , and y' are in that minde now , But I perswade me t is but rashly spoken , And therefore Mary make no foolish vow , For if you doe in conscience t' will be broken : Say you doe meane to keepe you free from man , But to be sure , still put in If you can . Or else you may presume aboue your power , Twixt words and deedes , great difference often growes , You may be taken such a louing hower , Your heart may all be Cupids to dispose : Then we shall haue you sicke , & pine and grieue , And nothing but a husband can relieue . Aske but your elders that are gone before , And the 'le say marry maide as we haue done , Twixt twelue and twenty open loue the doore , And say you were not borne to liue a Nonne : Vnperfect female , liuing odde you are , Neuer true euen , till you match and paire . Iust - Nature at the first this course did take , Woman and man deuided were in twaine , But by vniting both did sweetely make , Deuisions blisse contenfull to remaine , Which well made lawe of Nature and of kinde , To matters reasonles doe nothing binde . Nothing vnfit , nothing vniust to doe , But all in order orderly consisting , Then what seeme they that wil not ioine their two And so be one , without vnkinde resisting : Surely no other censure passe I can , But she 's halfe woman liues without a man . One , that depriues her selfe of what s her right , Borne vnto care , and ignorant of ease , A lustlesse liuing thing , without delight , One , whom vnpleasantnesse best seemes to please : Depriu'd of lifes sweete ioy , from kind remoued , Of worthlesse parts , vnworthy to be loued . Who will in paine pertake with such a one , ( Whom we may most vnhappy creature call , ) Who will assist her , when her griefe makes mone , Or who vphold her if she chance to fall : The burthen one doth beare is light to two , For twisted cordes are hardest to vndoe . The loue and ioy doth absolute remaine , That in posteritie is fixed fast , For thou in children art new borne againe , When yeeres haue brought thee to thy breathspent last : Those oliue plants , shall from each other spring , Till Times full period endeth euery thing . This being thus , what sencelesse girles you be , To iustifie a life not worth embracing , Opposing silly maiden wits gainst me , That will not yeelde an ynch to your out-facing : For were heere present all the maydes in towne , With marriage reasons I would put them down . Prudence . Kinke sisters all , now I haue heard the Bride , Will you haue my opinion , not to flatter , Sure I am turning to the wedding side , I heare such good sound reason for the matter : Let Grace , Doll , Besse and Susan , Mary , Iane , Leade apes in hell , I am not of their vaine . As sure as death i le ioyne my selfe with man , For I perswade me t is a happy life , I le be a Bride with all the speede I can , It 's wonder how I long to be a wife : Grace heer 's good counsell , had you grace to take it Susan t is sound , oh Besse doe not forsake it . Good husband-men we see doe euer vse , To chuse for forfit those that breede the best , And none will keepe bad breeders that can chuse , Euen so your fowlers that often brood the nest , Are most esteem'd , & their kinds worthiest thoght All barren things , by all are counted nought . Who plantes an orchard with vnfruitfull trees , None but a mad man so will wast his ground , Or who sowes corne where onely sand he sees , Assured that there will no increase be found : And in a word all that the world containes , Haue excellence in their begetting gaines . For my part therefore I resolue me thus , Vnto the purpose I was borne , i le liue , All maydes are fooles that will not ioyne with vs , And vnto men their right of marriage giue : Most worthy Bride , here is my hand and vow , I loue a man in heart , as well as thou . Francis . Prudence , I am of your opinion iust , A wif's farre-better then a matchlesse maide , I le stay no longer virgin then needes must , The law of Nature ought to be obayde : Either we must haue inward loue to men , Or else beare hate , and so be brutish then . Doth not the world instruct vs this by others , That wedlocke is a remedy for sinne , Shall we be wiser then our reuerent mothers , That married , or we all had bastards bin : And ere our mothers lost their maiden Iemme , Did not our grandhams euen as much for them . From whence haue you the gift to liue vnwed , Pray of what stuffe are your straight bodies made , By what chast spirit was your nicenesse bred , That seeme of flesh to be so purely stayde : Are not all here made females for like ends , Fye , fye for shame , disemble not with friends . I le tell you one thing which by proofe I knowe , My mother had a cocke that vs'd to roame , And all the hens would to our neighbours goe , We could not keepe them for our liues at home : Abroad they went , though we wold nere so faine ▪ Vntill by chance we got our cocke againe . And so my fathers pigeons in like sort , Our matchlesse hens about would euer flye , To paire with other doues they would resort , ( Pray laugh not Susan , for it is no lye ) I haue it not from other folkes-relation , But from mine owne , and mothers obseruation . Susan . I laugh that you compare vs to your hens , Or straying pigions that abroad haue flowne , To seeke about for cocks of other mens , Because ( you say ) they wanted of their owne : But Francke , though you like them be francke and free , You must not iudge all other so to be . We doe not vse to hunt abroad for cockes , But rather shun the places where they be , The prouerbe sayes , let geese beware the fox , T is easie making prayes of such as we : That will not keepe them from the charmers charme . Mens flatteries doe maiden-heads much harme . Bride . Flatterers are of all to be reiected , As well of wiues as you that are but maydes , We praise not faults wherewith men are infected , Nor yeeld applause to euery one perswades : Our praysing men thus vnderstand you must , T is meant of those are honest , louing , iust . Why there are men doe erre in what you hold , Chast batchelers that neuer meane to match , Who for the siugle life smooth tales haue told , And yet the fleshly knaues will haue a snatch : I le ne're trust those that of themselues doe boast , The great'st presisians will deceiue you most . I knew a prating fellow would maintaine , A married man had but two merry dayes , His wedding day the ioyfull first of twaine , For then God giue you ioy , euen all men sayes : The second merry day of married life , Is that whereon he burieth his wife . And woemen vnto shippes he would compare , Saying as they continually lacke mending , So wiues still out of repairations are , And vrge their husbands daily vnto spending : Yea worse disgrace , he would presume to speake ▪ Which I will spare , least I offend the weake . But note the badnesse of this wretches life , That counted woemen abiect things forsaken , He raune away at last with 's neighbours wife , Worthy of hanging were the rascall taken : Such odious actes haue such dishonest mates , that against marriage , rude and senceles prates . But you most wilfull wenches that oppose , Against the state that you are borne to honour , A prophesie vnto you I le disclose , And she that here doth take most nice vpon her : Pray note it well , for there is matter in it , And for to doe you good thus I beginne it . When fish with fowle change elements together , The one forsaking aire , the other water , And they that woare the finne , to weare the feather , Remaining changelings all the worlds time after : The course of nature will be so beguilde , One maide shall get another maide with childe . When euery Crow shall turne to be a Parret , And euery Starre out-shine the glorious Sunne , And the new water works runne white and clarret , That come to towne by way of Islington , Woemen and men shall quite renounce each other . And maides shall bee with childe , like Merlins mother . Grace . Like Merlins mother , how was that I pray , For I haue heard he was a cunning man , There lines not such another at this day , Nor euer was , since Brittans first began : Tell vs the story , and we well will minde it . Because they say , In written bookes we finde it . Bride . Marry this Merlins mother was welsh Lady , That liued in Carnaruan beautious maide , And loue of Lords and Knights shee did not way by , But set all light , and euery one denay'd : All Gentlemen , ( as all you knowe be there , ) That came a wooing were no wit the neere . At length it hapned that this gallant girle , Which scorned all men that she euer saw , Holding her selfe to be a matchlesse Pearle , And such a Loadestone that could Louers draw : Grew belly-full , exceeding bigge and plumpe , Which put her Mayden-credit in a dumpe . Time running course , and her full stomacke fed , When consumation of fewe months expired , Shee husbandlesse , a mayde was brought to bed , Of that rare Merlin that the world admired : This to be honest , all her friends did doubt i● , Much prittle prattle was in Wales about it . So that ere long , the strangnes of the thing , To heare that Lady Adhan had a childe , Caus'd famous Arthur , ( being Brittans King ) Send for her to the Court , and reason milde : To know how this rare matter could be done , And make her finde a father for her sonne . She told his Maiestie with sighes and teares , That keeping beautie carefull from the Sunne , Within her chamber safely shut from feares , Till Phaebus horses to the West were runne : The doores fast lock'd , and she her selfe alone , Came in a gallant stranger , meere vnknowne . Who euer came in courting manner to her , With all the louing courage could be thought : So powerfull in perswasions force to woe her , That to his will constrained she was brought : Although her heart did firme deniall vow , Yet she was forc'd to yeeld and knew not how . So oft he came ( quoth she ) priuate and strange , When I shut vp my selfe in most sad humor , That I began to finde an inward change , Which brought me quickly to an outward tumor : An 't please your highnes I was in such case , That to the world I durst not show my face . My foes reioyced , all my friends were sad , My selfe in sorrow spent both day and night , No satisfaction my wrong'd honour had , Was neuer maide in such perplexed plight : To be with child whether I will or no , And for my child , no humane father know . Had I bin married ( quoth she ) as I ought , And with my loue , the loue of man requited , I had not to this woefull state bin brought , In all contempt , disgracefully despighted : And tearmed strumpet by the rude vnciuill , Who say my sonne is bastard to the diuell . Wherefore I wish Ladies of my degree , And all the rest inferiour sorts of maydes , To rake a warning ( for their good ) by me , Yeelding affection when kind men perswades : And hate disdaine that vile accursed sin , Least they be plagu'd for pride as I haue bin . How say you to this warning wenches now , That Lady Adhan giues vnto you all , Were you not better marriage to allow , Then in a manner for a Midwife call : I thinke you were if I might iudge the cause , How say you Susan , speake good Doll and Grace . Grace . This is a story that seemes very strange , And for my part , it doth me full perswade , My Mayden-head with some man to exchange , I will not liue in danger of a mayde : The world the flesh , the diuell tempts vs still , I le haue a husband , I protest I will . If I were sure none of you here would blabbe , I would euen tell you of a dreame most true , And if I lye , count me the veriest drabbe , That euer any of you saw or knewe : When a friend speakes in kindnes do not wrong her : For I can keepe it ( for my life ) no longer . One night ( I haue the day of moneth set downe ) Because I will make serious matters sure , Me thought I went a iourney out of towne , And with a propper man I was made sure : As sure as death , me thought we were assured , And all things for the businesse were procured . We did agree , and faith and troath did plight , And he gaue me , and I gaue him a Ring , To doe as Mistris Bride will doe at night , And I protest me thought he did the thing : The thing we stand so much vpon he tooke , And I vpon the matter bigge did looke . Forsooth ( in sadnes , ) I was bigge with childe , And had a belly , ( marry God forbid , ) Then fell a weeping , but he laught and smil'd , And boldly said , wee le stand to what we did : Fye , fye ( quoth I ) who euer stands I fall , Farewell my credit , maydenhead and all . Thus as I cry'd and wept and wrong my hands , And said deare maydes and maydenhead adue , Before my face me thought my mother stands , And question'd with me how this matter grew : With that I start awake as we are now , Yet feard my dreame had bin no dreame I vow . I could not ( for my life ) tell how to take it , For I was stricken in a mightie maze , Therefore if marriage come I le not forsake it , T is danger to liue virgin diuers wayes , I would not in such feare againe be found , Without a husband , for a thousand pound . Susan . Is it euen so Grace , are you come to this , You that perswaded me from loue of late , When you knew who , sent me a Ring of his : And would haue had me bin his turtle mate , You cunningly did make me to forsake him , Because I thinke in conscience you will take him . I le trust your word another time againe , That can dissemble so against your heart , Wishing that I should earnestly refraine , From that which thou thy selfe embracer art : This is braue doing , I commend you Grace , But i le nere trust you more in such a case . Bride . I pray you here let this contention ende , ( We being all of selfe same woman kind , ) And each the other , with aduise befriend , Because I see some of you well enclin'd : To take good wayes , and so become good wiues , I le teach you certaine rules to leade your liues . You that intend the honourable life , And would with ioy liue happy in the same , Must note eight duties doe concerne a wife , To which with all endeuour she must frame : And so in peace possesse her husbands loue , And all distast from both their hearts remooue . The first is that she haue domestique cares , Of priuate businesse for the house within , Leauing her husband vnto his affaires , Of things abroad that out of doores haue bin : By him performed as his charge to doe , Not busie-body like inclin'd thereto . Thus as I cry'd and wept and wrong my hands , And said deare maydes and maydenhead adue , Before my face me thought my mother stands , And question'd with me how this matter grew : With that I start awake as we are now , Yet feard my dreame had bin no dreame I vow . I could not ( for my life ) tell how to take it , For I was stricken in a mightie maze , Therefore if marriage come I le not forsake it , T is danger to liue virgin diuers wayes , I would not in such feare againe be found , Without a husband , for a thousand pound . Susan . Is it euen so Grace , are you come to this , You that perswaded me from loue of late , When you knew who , sent me a Ring of his : And would haue had me bin his turtle mate , You cunningly did make me to forsake him , Because I thinke in conscience you will take him . I le trust your word another time againe , That can dissemble so against your heart , Wishing that I should earnestly refraine , From that which thou thy selfe embracer art : This is braue doing , I commend you Grace , But i le nere trust you more in such a case . Bride . I pray you here let this contention ende , ( We being all of selfe same woman kind , ) And each the other , with aduise befriend , Because I see some of you well enclin'd : To take good wayes , and so become good wiues , I le teach you certaine rules to leade your liues . You that intend the honourable life , And would with ioy liue happy in the same , Must note eight duties doe concerne a wife , To which with all endeuour she must frame : And so in peace possesse her husbands loue , And all distast from both their hearts remooue . The first is that she haue domestique cares , Of priuate businesse for the house within , Leauing her husband vnto his affaires , Of things abroad that out of doores haue bin : By him performed as his charge to doe , Not busie-body like inclin'd thereto . Nor intermedling as a number will , Of foolish gossips , such as doe neglect , The things which doe concerne them , and too ill , Presume in matters vnto no effect : Beyond their element , when they should looke , To what is done in Kitchin by the Cooke . Or vnto childrens vertuous education , Or to their maides that they good huswiues be , And carefully containe a decent fashion , That nothing passe the lymmits of degree : Knowing her husbands businesse from her own , And diligent doe that , let his alone . The second dutie of the wife is this , ( Which shee in minde ought very carefull beare ) To entertaine in house such friends of his , As she doth know haue husbands welcome there : Not her acquaintance without his consent , For that way Iealousie breeds discontent . An honest woman will the scandall shun , Of that report is made of wantonnesse , And feare her credit will to ruine run , When euill speakers doe her shame expresse : And therefore from this rule a practise drawes , That the effect may cease , remoue the cause . Th'ird dutie is , that of no proude pretence , She moue her husband to consume his meanes , With vrging him to needlesse vaine expence , Which toward the Counter , or to Ludgate leanes : For many ydle huswiues ( London knowes ) Haue by their pride bin husbands ouerthrowes . A modest woman will in compasse keepe , And decently vnto her calling goe , Not diuing in the frugall purse too deepe , By making to the world a pecocke showe : Though they seeme fooles , so yeelde vnto their wiues , Some poore men doe it to haue quiet liues . Fourth dutie is , to loue her owne house best , And be no gadding gossippe vp and downe , To heare and carry tales amongst the rest , That are the newes reporters of the towne : A modest womans home is her delight , Of businesse there , to haue the ouersight . At publike playes she neuer will be knowne , And to be tauerne guest she euer hates , Shee scornes to be a streete-wife ( Idle one , ) Or field wife ranging with her walking mates : She knows how wise men censure of such dames , And how with blottes they blemish their good names . And therefore with the doue shee le rather choose , To make aboade where she hath dwelling place , Or like the snayle that shelly house doeth vse , For shelter still , such is good-huswiues case : Respecting residence where she doth loue , As those good housholders , the snayle and doue . Fist dutie of a wife vnto her head , Is her ohedience to reforme his will , And neuer with a selfe conceit be led , That her aduise prooues good , his counsell ill : In Iudgement being singular alone , As hauing all the wit , her husband none . She must not thinke her wisedome to be thus , ( For we alasse are weakelings vnto men ) What singular good thing remaines in vs , Of wise ones in a thousand , show me ten , Her stocke of wit , that hath the most ( I say , ) Hath scarse enough for spending euery day . When as the husband bargaines hath to make , In things that are depending on his trade , Let not wifes boldnes , power vnto her take , As though no match were good but what she made For she that thus hath oare in husbands boate , Let her take breech , and giue him petti-coate . Sixt dutie is , to pacifie his yre , although she finde that he empatient be , For hasty words , like fuell adde to fire , And more , and more insenceth wraths degree : When she perceiues his choller in a fit , Let her forbeare , and that 's a signe of wit . Many occasions vnto men doe fall , Of aduerse crosses , woemen not conceiue , To find vs honny , they doe meete with gall , Their toyle for vs , doe their owne ioyes bereaue : Great shame it were , that we should ad their woe , That doe maintaine , and keepe , and loue vs so . If that a hasty word sometime be spoke , Let vs not censure therefore they are foes , Say t is infirmitie that doth prouoke , Their hearts are sorry for their tongues God knowes : Since we by proofe each day and hower finde , For one harsh word ; they giue ten thousand kind The seuenth dutie that she must endeauour , Is to obserue her husbands disposition , And thereunto conforme her selfe for euer , In all obedient sort , with meeke submission : Resoluing that as his conditions are , Her rules of life she must according square . His vertues and good parts which she doth finde , shee must endeauor for to imitate , The vices whereunto he is enclin'd , Shee must in patience beare in milde estate : So that the meekenesse of her louing carriage , May be peace-maker , of all strife in marriage . She must not doe as foolish woemen vse , When they are met about the gossippes chat , Their absent husbands with their tongues abuse , But vtterly abhorre to offer that : Resoluing that a husbands least disgrace , Sould cause the wife to haue a blushing face . The eight last dutie she must take vpon her , To binde all t'other seauen to be done , Is loue and chiefe regard to husbands honour , Which if at true affection it begunne : Then be he poore , or sicke , or in distresse , See still remaines most firme in faithfulnesse . Best in aduersitie it will appeare , What constancy within the heart remaines , No testimonie can be found more cleare , Then friend in trouble that his loue explaines : For such a one we may resolue is true , That changeth not , though fortune turne from you . And thus faire virgins , to you all farewell , What I haue spoken doe proceede from loue , The ioyes of marriage I want art to tell , And therefore no more talke , but try and proue : With wedding rings , be wiues of credit knowne God send good husbands to you euery one . FINIS .