Pasquils mistresse: or The vvorthie and vnworthie woman VVith his description and passion of that furie, iealousie.

❧ PASQVILS MISTRESSE . NOt shee , that braues a picture for a face , Nor shee whose waste is little as a wand : Nor shee whose eye can glance it with a grace , Nor shee that hath a Spider fingred hand , Nor shee that doth vpon her Tiptoes stand : Nor shee that is with beauties drosse bedight , Is she , of whom my Muse doth meane to write . For Beautie fadeth like a Morning flower , And sicknesse windes the bodie soone awry : And Pride is but the shadowe of a power , Nor in a finger , doth all fairenesse lie . For when foote , hand , head , heart , and al must die , And death hath made a Carcasse of a Creature , What good do then the Ornaments of Nature ? No , no : there is an other kinde of thing , Which in the heart doth grow , as some do gesse , That secretly doth through the spirit spring , And heauenly powers especially doe blesse : Which as it growes , by measure , more or lesse : Doth beautifie the bodie where it growes , As wit and reason , all in wonder showes . Which some do call the Quintessence of Nature : Other set downe for reasons gouernment : And some do call the forme of honours feature : And other some the spirits Instrument , That giues each limme , & sense , their ornament : But all and some agree on this , I finde , It is the wonder in a womans minde . It is the Minde that giues the Maiestie : The purest beautie , is within the Minde . It is the Minde that makes the dignitie , It is the Minde that makes the Nature kinde , And keepes the eye , that neuer can be blinde : It is the Minde that guids both heart & head : For kill the Minde , the body is but dead . And this same mind , that monarcheth the thought Wherein it doth by inspiration dwell , By whom , the ground of euery grace is sought , The eye to see , eare heare , the tongue to tell , How euery sense may in it selfe excell , This minde I say , the maiestie of Nature , Is onely it , that makes the perfect Creature . This minde , the gift of the Supernall grace , Descending from the life of Mercies loue , Which in true musique skorns to touch the Base , But ( in the height of honours best behooue ) Doth the true consort of contentments prooue : This minde is it , that in true happinesse , Doth onely make a womans worthinesse . For , let her be as faire as Curds and Creame , Yet if her minde be made of Milke and Cheese , Her water is but like a common streame , That in a puddle doth her honour leese . A Waspish minde is not for hony Bees : While the true minde , where honour hath her height , Can not descend into a base conceit . And let her be a bagge of golde for wealth , Yet , if withall she beare a begger minde : The gratious eye , that sees the spirits health , Knowes that the heart that is to hell enclinde , In vertues heauen can neuer honour finde : While the true minde , where vertue hath her place , Makes gold but drosse , to purchase honors grace . And let her be a very Ape for wit , Yet , if she be enclinde to Monkies toyes : Vertue , that doth the heart to honour fit , Findes it too full of follies fowle annoyes , To seeke the Iewell of true Graces ioyes : While wisdome showes , that in the soule doth sit , There is no honour in an Apishe wit . And let her be a Ladie for her honour , Yet if shee be of an vngentle minde , What heart of worth that will attend vpon her ? That can not grace true vertue in her kinde : But like a Buzzard , let her beate the winde , While the true minde that hath true honor proued , Makes gratious kindnesse worthily beloued . Thus , let her be , faire , wealthie , noble , wise : Yet if these be not inly in the minde , In the cleare iudgement of true wisdomes eyes , Shee is no Creature of an Angels kinde : While shadowes do but Indiscretion blinde . No , t is the minde , that the true worth retaineth : That all by vertue , endlesse honour gaineth . For , if I may describe a worthie woman , Worthie of honour in the highest kinde ( Such , as but such one , knowne to few , or no man ) But by the module of a heauenly minde , If that mine eye be not conceited blinde , I will set downe how gratious thoughts bring forth The perfect wonder of a womans worth . If shee be faire without , gratious within , Noble of birth , and in demeanour kinde : Welthie in purse , yet will with bounty winne The worthy honour of a Noble minde : Such a rare Phoenix in the world to finde , And to be matched in her worth by no man , May well describe the wonder of a woman . But if her beautie be a common blaze , To fire the heart of euery foolish head : Or like a glasse , be euery woodcockes gaze , By fond affectes to bring a foole to bed : If such ill humours haue the spirit fedde , Where wisdom wants to giue the minde a grace , It makes a picture of a painted face . And if she be of Noble Parentage , Yet turne her minde vnto a meaner string : And by the want of honours cariage , Will grace a begger , and disgrace a King , And leaue a Larke to heare a Cuckoe sing : Vnfitly was that honours title giuen her , When a base minde hath to such beggery driuen her . And if she be as rich as Croesus was , Yet if her minde be giuen to greedinesse : And doth for wealth more than for honour passe : And thinkes no honour but in wealthinesse : In the true Rules of honours worthinesse , She is as farre from true Nobilitie , As an olde Churle from true Gentilitie . And if she be as wise as wit can make her , Yet if that wisdome doe not guide her mind , Such Apish humours will so ouertake her , That oftentimes she will be wilfull blinde , And loose the worth that better wit might finde : And then the wit that hath but folly proued , Will make her little worthy to be loued . Oh then , let vertue gouerne beauties eye , And honours loue , a noble spirit Nurse : Let wisdome , wit , to cares discretion tye , And Bounty keepe the wealthy Ladies Purse : So in the blisse where neuer fell a curse , Perfections grace the spirit of that kinde , That so can make a bodie of a minde . For such a bodie of a minde so framed , Containes more worth then passion can expresse . Which wonder , being in a woman named , In honours title can deserue no lesse Then Reasons grace in Natures worthinesse : Which on the earth in any one well knowne , Might make her only , by her selfe , alone . The Noble minde regards true Noblenesse , And bends no eye vpon a base aspect : Reiecteth pride , rewardeth thankfulnesse ; And vnto vertue hath a chiefe affect : And is not of the subtill humour'd sect: But plainely sees and markes , & loues the hart , That onely seekes for honour by desart . It loues no creeping that doth sinell of craft , Where faire before doth hide the fowle behinde : Nor is it pleased in a sugred draft , That fils the stomacke onely but with winde : Nor loues a Falcon of a Buzzards kinde : But like a Phoenix soaring in the Sunne , Begins to liue when that her life is done . It maketh patience kill each discontent , And reason comforts in their kindes to measure : It breedes the humour of the best intent , And tels the heart , what should be her chiefe treasure : And but in heauen doth place the spirits pleasure : It liues on earth , but hath not heere her liuing , While heauenly loue hath al her essence giuing . What worth hath wonne the fairest womens fame ? But that which honor in the minde hath wrought : And what hath wrought the truest honors frame ? But that which vertue in the minde hath taught : To which the bodie is a thing of naught : For in the minde the gratious spirit dwelleth , That giues the ground , wherein each sense excelleth . The gratious glorious Queene of womankinde , The virgine Marie , mother of all Blisse , What wonne her honour , but an humble minde ? That shewes the vaine where truest vertue is : Leading the soule it cannot goe amisse : But in perfection plainely hath approued , The onely life that is of God beloued . Venus was faire , but to Diana , fowle : Minerua wise , till Pallas came in place : But oh , to match an Eagle with an Owle , A baggage spirit with an Angels face : Honour can neuer yeelde to such disgrace . No : vertues hand , that giueth honours crowne , Wil strike the thought of al dishonour downe . Oh , the true noble beautie of the minde , The hearts chiefe riches , and the spirits treasure , That doth the soule to sacred seruice binde , That only seekes in Paradise her pleasure , Hath euen of heauen already made a seisure , And shewes where vertue doth the wit refine , It makes the creature to be knowne Diuine . It makes the eye of beauty blesse true honour , And honour grace the heart of humblenesse , And wisdome make best wits to waite vpon her , While wealth rewardeth seruice thankfulnesse : And fils the minde so full of worthinesse , As where such true perfections are approued , Can not but be of heauen and earth beloued . Penelope was constant in her loue : Which to her beauty gaue a glorious grace : Did not Lucretia as great honour proue , Against Tarquinius , in a wofull case ? Oh , modest beautie hath a blessed face : But faire and noble , constant , wise , and kind Doe shewe an Angell in a womans minde . Oh this same minde , a spirit of that power , That ioyes in nothing but in doing good : And will omit no meane , no place , nor hower , That may bring in the height of honours slood , Caries no falshood , in too faire a hoode , But , onely grieues at an vngratious Nature , Doth in a woman make a worthy Creature . Oh that same minde of true humilitie , Doth gaine more grace , then mountain mines of golde : Where the true badge of true Nobilitie : Doth shewe the honour that will euer hold , While baggage humours will be bought & sold : Where beggers pride , the Towre of Babilon , Will quickly fall vnto confusion . To shewe examples of our former times , In true recording of those worthy mindes , That would but fill my paper vp with Rimes Of commendations , in deserued kindes , Which wisdomes iudgement in perfection finds , It were too tedious : let thus much suffice , To shewe the mind wherin true honour lies . But , as in all things , contrarietie Doth shew the difference twixt the good and bad : And in all humours , the varietie Shewes which deserueth chiefest to be had : Which makes the minde most grieuous or most sad : So let me shewe the trueth of euery token , That makes a woman , in her fame forespoken . If that her eyes doe trowle like tennis balles , Her tongue be alwaies licking of her lips : Her heeles be so vpon the slippery falles , They scarce haue power to carrie vp her hips : If that she tread awry among her trips : Although her face be like an Angell painted , Ho there alas , her credit will be tainted . If that her tongue be like an Aspen leafe , Her haire vnkembed like a Cart-horse taile : Her fingers ends like to a threshed sheafe , Her gate be like vnto a garden snaile : While winter dust hangs knotted at her saile , And haue a minde to answere euery part , She is a darling for the diuels dart . If she be basely borne , and vilely bred , Dogged in Nature , sottish in conceite : A Camels visage and a beetle head , And holde her nose vp to a steeples height , And yet can scarcely on a trencher waite : Though she be nointed with the Curriersoyle , She will be counted but a filthie royle . If she make curtzy like Maide Marian , And weare her linnen neuer so well slickt : And be the flower of all the frying pan , And haue her bosome with a Nosegaie stickt : And in her tyre be neuer so betrickt : And shall be married to the Bailifes sonne : She shal be but the wench , when all is done . If she can aske , what lacke you Gentleman , And with good words make profit of her ware : If she can turne the Kirrling in the pan , And knowes both how to spend & how to spare , And how to shift , to make a priuate share : She may doe well , for one of her vocation : But ther 's the top of all her commendation . If shee can flaunt it brauely at her doore , And haue her Ruffes , cleere starched and well set , Her Stomacher beare out a yard before , Her Motley cheekes with pure Vermilion wet , And for a skoffe be found in no mans debt : Yet , he that sees her cloath , & knowes the woll , Findes her a Gugin but to hang a Gull . If she can play vpon an Instrument , And sing , and turne the white vp of the eye . And tell a tale of wantons merriment , And fleere and flatter , laugh , and looke awry , And make a shewe for very loue to die : Yet may her minde be of so vile a making , That scarce her body may be worth the taking . But , if she haue the gift to brawle and skolde , To skowle , and frowne , to lowre , & hang the lip : And be not past a hundreth winters olde , And like a flower , that a frost doth nip : And goes no further than a flea can skippe : How euer wicked wealth hath ouergon her , He needs no other plague that lights vpon her . And , if she knowe not how to make her readie , Nor what to weare , nor how to speake , nor looke : But in her humours will be proud and heddy : And neuer reade , but in a golden booke , And will be caught but with the golden hooke : Surely , I feare , her golde is all but drosse , And he that buies her , will but liue by losse . And if she be in her conceite so muddy , She hath no minde , but of her home made cloath : Or in her wicked humours be so bloudy , She cares not how she fils the diuels froath , Nor how she sweare , nor how she coyne an oath : Oh such an egge so full of hellish euill , Is euen a morsell fit to feede the diuell . And she that is into a beast transformed , By all the humours of vnhumane Nature : And by good counsaile , will not be reformed , But is resolu'd to be a wicked creature ( How euer like a woman be her feature ) Who euer hath to doe with her , shall finde She is a woman of a wicked kinde . And shee that credits euery tale she heeres , And tels her minde to euery idle eare : And euery idle fiddling gossippe cheeres , That can but flatter , prate , and lye , and sweare : And now and then , let fall a fained teare : Such a good gossippe with her huswifery , Will quickly bring a man to beggery . If she be fowle , ilfauor'd , and worse fac't , Wry mouth'd , crooke legd , lame handed , & squint eyde : And euery way so thoroughly disgrac't , As for a monster might be made a bride : Whose vgly face doth no ill feature hide : If such a creature may be worth the wooing , Woe be to him that hath the deede in dooing . But if she be but breasted like a Cowe , Neckt like a wilde goose , toothed like a dogge : Lipt like a horse , & snowted like a Sowe , Breath'd like a Foxe , and sprited like a logge , And in effect , halfe sister to a hogge : Yet thinke her penny is good currant mony , Hard is his hap that takes her gall for hony . But if that she can simper like a Mare , And like a Hobby horse can holde her heade , Prate like a Parrat , like an Owlet stare , And sleepe and snort before she goe to bed , And in her pocket haue a crust of breade , And play the wanton on a wodden bench , Who wold not cast his gorge for such a wench ? But if shee can saie yea , and no forsoothe , And fie , and tushe , and how now , pray away : And blowe her nose , and picke a rotten tooth , And weare her best cloathes on a holiday , And skim the creame pot when her dam's away , And make her spindle twist without a whirle , Who would not spend his groat for such a girle ? But if she get the garland on the greene , By truly treading of a Morris daunce : Or in a wheat Cart , as she sits vnseene , Vnto her lubber can conuey a glaunce , To bring a poore man in a pittious traunse : Who would not daunce vntill he could not stand , That had so sweete a pigeon by the hand . If she be sluttish , pieuish , and vntoward , Wilful , and wanton , lazie , curst , and sullen , Franticke , and foolish , whincling , and froward , And scarce can make a threed of russet wollen , But must be taught how to put vp her pullen : To haue a wench well followed with such fits , Would make a poore man halle beside his wits . If that her eyes be bleer'd , and runne a water , Her nose hang dropping all the Summer long , Her mouth doe slauer , and her teeth doe chatter , Her breath be for the swinish nose too strong , And ban , and cursing be her howrely song , With such a Beldame who is forc't to dwell , Needes in this world to haue no other hell . But , if she doe but loue the nappy Ale , And lye a bed vntill eleuen a clocke , And secretly can set her ware to sale , For a redde Petticoat or a Canuas Smocke , Diue in a pocket , or can picke a locke , And call her husband Rascall , Foole , and Scab , Neuer seeke further for a filthie Drabbe . But if she haue a filthy brasen face , That will not blush , what euer weather fall , Sweare , and speake baudie , thinke of no disgrace , Play with all commers , cogge , and throwe at all , And tosse her kindnesse like a Tennis ball : In the true course of vices declaration , She is the Nurse of all abhomination . If she can smooth it with a Carde of ten , And speake no word , but truely , and indeede , And seeme as though she could abide no men , And had no ioy , but holy bookes to reede , Looke like a flower , and be a wicked weede , And for her gaine can play the Parasite , She were a fit wife for an Hypocrite . If she be neither honest , faire , nor kinde , Well fac't , wel bodied , handed , legg'd , nor footed , Good hart , good thought , good nature nor good minde : But in the poyson of all rancour rooted , And in the mire vp to the knees be booted : Such a strange monster , fit to match with no man , I thinke t were pittie should be cald a woman . But , if shee can vse cunning words of Art , To make her copper seeme good currant coyne : And weepe , & sweare her loue is from the heart , And with an humour iumpe , and Issue ioyne , And finely so can giue a foole the foine : Though she her matters carry nere so cleane , She shall be but a conny-catching queane . But , if she be a foole that can not speake , But only blush , and looke the tother way : And will alone into a corner sneake , Because , alas , she knowes not what to say , But loues with children , & with fooles to play : Such a sweete Parnell , if a man were mad , Might thinke himselfe halfe happie if he had . But , if she can but picke her fingers ends , And pare her nailes , and wash , & wipe her hands : Runne to the Faire , be merry with her friends , And tell her mother how the market stands , And picke the sheaues , who euer make the bands : Such an odde Mawkin were a mistresse fit , To make a rich man with the begger sit . But , if she can both seawe , and knit and spinne , Seawe slight , knit false , and spin a rau'led threede , And cunningly can play Ioane Siluer pinne , With idle humours , how a foole to feede , If such a lesson she can kindly reede , She and a Tinker , in a market towne , Would helpe to cosen many a silly clowne . But , if she can be quiet , and content , Speake faire , make curtsie , feare for to offend : And looke as sober as a Iacke of Lent , What is amisse , be carefull to amend , And bring distempers to a quiet end : Oh such a wench would be a member fit , To cosen twenty thousand with her wit . But , if she haue no patience in her passions , No settled humour , but all in selfe wil , No pleasing fansie , but in proouing fashions , Nor for her meale , goe further than the Mill , And cares not whether it be good or ill : Such a vile baggage , were a purgatory , To sinke a very soule in misery . She that is giuen but to all wickednesse , And loues to liue but all in wantonnesse , And will be led but all by wilfulnesse , And spend her yeares but all in wretchednesse , Not caring how to ende in wofulnesse : Such a fowle fiend is fit in filthinesse , To match the diuell in his hellishnesse . She that can looke a head , and stroake a beard , And picke a moath , and finely set a ruffe , And make her selfe of euery flie afeard , And seeme to take all idle wordes in snuffe , And weare no cloath but of the purest stuffe , And make her Coll a Nightcap for the cough , God helpe the man : for she is well enough . She that can haue her breakefast in her bed , And sit at dinner like a maiden Bride , And all the morning learne to dresse her head , And after dinner , how her eye to guide , To shewe her selfe to be the childe of pride , God , in his mercy , may do much to saue her : But what a case were he in that should haue her ! She that will ride but on an ambling Nagge , And trauell not aboue a mile an howre , Will not be pleased but with the golden bagge , And haue her coyne come raining like a showre , And giue an Angell for a Gilliflowre : That is a wench , that if she had a spring , Would make a begger , that were halfe a King . She that can walke the by-lanes and the Allies , And make close matches twixt yong lads & wenches And from the mountaines can suruey the vallies , And lay such Ambuscadoes in her trenches , That she will make her profit of her benches : Such an odde whiffler swears that shewil thriue , As long as she can finde one man aliue . But if she will be cosened with faire speech , And think all golde that makes a glistring show , And doth mistake a blacke thorne for a Beech , Because she doth no better timber knowe , If heedelesse will doe feele a helpelesse woe , What saies the wag that got the wench with child ? Had she beene wise , she had not beene beguilde . She that can neither boyle , nor bake , nor brue , Nor rarely well conceited for her wit : Nor scarcely honest , nor was euer true , But euery way , an idle headed Tit , Yet thinkes her selfe for a good husband fit : Oh , how accursed was that creature borne , That tooke that wench , to dub him with a horn ! But , hoping there is no such kinde of woman , But t was a dreame of some mistaken creatures , That women will be curst , nor false to no man , But of good humours , & of better Natures , And haue their fancies fitting to their features , I will describe those gratious womens liues , That make good husbands happy , in their wiues . She that is faire , and wise , curteous and kinde : Patient to beare the crosses of conceite , Of Nature milde , and of an humble minde , Constant in loue , and free from all deceit , And will the time of her content awaite : Such a true virgine , to become a wise , Will make a man to knowe a happie life . She that is carefull ouer that she hath , Painfull in that she wisely vndertaketh , And will not tread out of discretions path , But all fond idle thriftlesse waies forsaketh , That to the least of her dishonour maketh , She , that is knowne to haue this kinde of cariage , Will make a man halfe happie in her mariage . She that doth loue to keepe within her house , And to the doore can haue a watchfull eye : She in her heade that will not leaue a louse , Nor in her heart a thought to goe awry , From the true course of vertues constancy , And keeps the honor of her husbands bedding , Doth make a man twise happy in her wedding . She that doth goe to Church but for deuotion , And feareth God , and loues his word in deede , And in her heart will harbour no ill motion , That may her fancie with corruption feede , And in her garden will abide no weede : She , to that man , that on her vertue staies , Giues a prolonging of his happie daies . She that forbeares to talke with euery Tit , And will not bend her eare to euery tale , And will employ the spirit of her wit , In keeping passions in true patience pale , And for a Nut will not mistake a shale : But shun all sly conceits that may beset her , Wil make his life thrice happy that can get her . She that can truely iudge twixt good and ill , And paints her face , but with a Maiden blush , And to the best doth euer bend her will , And cramp all thoughts that would true honour crush , And make her soule vnto her minde a brush , And loues entirely , where she takes affection , Makes mans life happie in his loues direction . She that is Nobly borne , and Princely bredde , Heauenly enclin'd , and holily disposed , A Sarahs spirit , and a Indiths head , And haue her comforts in that care enclosed , That haue their rest in vertue all reposed : Such an Angelicall Creature in a wife , Might make a king to knowe a happie life . She that doth rather loue to heare than speake , And rather striues to vnderstand than teach , And neuer will the bands of honour breake , Nor euer seeke to clime aboue her reach , Nor in her thoughts let folly make a breach : Such a wise wench , in true wits wealthinesse , Will make a man finde his lifes happinesse . Shee that will rather a defect amend , Then to defend , or any way excuse , Nor coine a lie , nor an vntrueth defend , Nor from a friend a good aduise refuse , Nor the true honour of her loue abuse , Nor hath that blame , that worthily may blot her Makes the man happy , for a wife hath got her . She that will weare according to her calling , Such decent garments as she may maintaine , And will not in her busbands eare be bawling , To feede her humour with an idle vaine , And make his purse beyond his penny straine : Such a kinde wench , that so her will doth cary , Doth make him happy that doth liue to marry . She that can goe to market for her meate , And not stay twatling there with good wife Twat , Come home and dresse it , and can kindly eate That which God sendes , and be content with that , And take the leane together with the fat , Know when to be a spender , when a sauer , Wil make a poore man happy that could haue her . She that doth weare but her owne proper heare , And hath no beautie , but of Natures blisse , Can not commaund a kinde of fained teare , But when iust cause of hearty sorrowe is , And rich , or poore , will neuer runne amisse : Such a true wench , to make a happie wife , Would make a man to leade a blessed life . She , that doth beare the eye of modestie , The face of grace , minde of humilitie , The tongue of trueth , the heart of honesty , The parentage of true Gentilitie , In the true notes of true Nobilitie , In my conceit , would surely prooue a wife , To make a Lord , to lead a happie life . She that is full of liberalitie , And to the begger neuer shuts her doore , And loues to keepe good hospitalitie , And hath delight for to relieue the poore , Yet hath a care for to enrich her store , Doth make a man a very happie Creature , That marries with a wench of such a Nature . She that doth hate to brabble , brawle and scolde , To sweare , and lie , and talke of Robin Hood : And will no longer any question holde , Then while she wel may make her iudgement good To prooue that shee her selfe hath vnderstood : Such a rare wench , for a well gouernd wit , Wold make him happy that were matcht with it . She that is free from infamies deface , Wealthie in lands , her Cophers full of golde , Her minde of vertue , and her heart of grace , And doth no honour but in vertue holde , That true sweete Ladie be she young or olde , Will make that man to leade a happie life , That knowes what makes man happy in a wife . Shee that is mistresse of her owne affection , And vnto reason hath subdued her will , And will not harken vnto imperfection , To leaue the good to entertaine the ill : In the true rules of my experience skill , I thinke that woman where she is a wife , Doth make a man to know a happy life . Shee that in wealth and wo , sicknes , and health , Is all alike vnto her setled loue , And in the world doth count her chiefest wealth , But in the life but of her turtle doue , And seekes on earth no other heauens to proue : In my conceit , who had her to a wife , Had no small means to make a happy life . She that is wholly giuen to godlynesse , And hates to leade the life of wantonnesse , And hath true patience in vnhappinesse , And onely seekes the spirits wealthinesse , In the true weight of honours worthinesse : If that a man were in hearts heauinesse , With such a wife might liue in blessednesse . Now , hoping that ( although the birde be rare ) The Phoenix in a woman may be found , And doubting not , but many women are Of their good husbands happinesse the ground , I wish the wise a womans worth to sound , And deerely loue her for that worthinesse , That makes a man to liue in happinesse . But , if that Youth for wealth wil match with Age , And witlesse age , will dote on wanton Youth , If discontent doe growe to rancors rage , When hollow hearts do hammer with vntruthe , If ruine then be subiect vnto ruthe , What shall I say ? but sobbe for such a woing , Where kindnesse hath no confort in the doing . Make then thy choyce , not all alone by chaunce , Let reason guide thine eye , honour thy minde , Vertue thy heart , and so thy thought aduance , That wisdomes care may happie comfort finde : That if that fortune fall to be vnkinde , Yet heauenly loue , that doth the life reioyce , Will make thee happie in a heauenly choyce . If thou canst get thee wealth , then doe not want : But chiefely take good heed thou want not grace . For gratious spirits in the world are skant : And conscience liues in such a pittious case , That faith on earth can hardly shewe her face : And simple loue alas , without some liuing , Is like a present hardly worth the giuing . And therefore leauing each one to their lot , To like , to loue , and liue as likes them best , To keepe their choyce , or if it like them not , When as they feele their spirits most opprest , To vse their best discretion for their Rest , I wish good husbands all to haue good wiues , And all good louing wenches all good liues . So hoping that the best will be content To know the worst must haue a time to mend : Who haue bin ill may haue a good intent , To bring bad humours to a better end , Vnto your kindnesse kindly I commend Pasquils mad humour , to describe a woman , Fit to be lou'd of all , or lik't of no man . FINIS .

❧ PASQVILS DESCRIPTION OF HIS Mistresse , with a passion vpon the Ielousie of her match . MY sweete Muse beholde a creature , Of the world the sweetest feature , Garnisht with those inward graces , That adorne the fairest faces : Which described in their essence , Shew the earth a heauenly presence . Haires , no haires , but golden wires , Binding life in loues desires : Eyes no eyes , but starry glories , Reasons states , and honours stories : Cheekes enchaining hearts beholding , Lippes maintaining loues vnfolding . Necke , no necke , but alablaster , Natures mistresse , Reasons master : Breasts , not breasts , but beauties mountains , Of Mine●uas milke the fountaines : Armes embracing loues deseruing : Hands vnlacing loues preseruing . Belly , no , but Venus bedding , All too faire for Vulcans wedding , Nauell , not , but Natures signet , All the graces grau'n within it : For the secret sweete of reason , Careful thoughts must speak no treason . Thighes , no thighes , but beauties pillers , Made for beauties best welwillers : Knees , not knees , but Pallaes bending , While Diana was commending : Legs , no legs , but honours passage , To the life of louers message . Feete , no feete , but fauours staying , Where no fauours are decaying : Toes , not toes , but each a token Of more trueth , then may be spoken : That in all , for much perfection , Natures draught by loues direction . This faire creature ▪ wonder-woman , Scene to few , and knowne to no man , By those heauenly powers created , That haue hellish humours hated , While the Angels all were sleeping , Fell to cursed creatures keeping . Cursed creatures , carnall diuels , Hates of good , and grounds of euils , Wronging vertue , killing reason , Vowing trueth , but working treason : These , oh these , by loues illusion , Wrought the course of my confusion . Hatefull course in heart concealed : But , by hell to be reuealed : In wich briefely is contained , Neuer eased , euer pained : In which cruell cares termented , Liues my comfort discontented . Pittie weepes to see this wonder , Loue and vertue liue asunder , Honour sigheth without ceasing To beholde this hell increasing , And the heart of loue is dying , While he heares his darling crying . Oh how is the soule agrieued , Where no sorrowes are relieued , And where crosses are so many , Nor the comforts can be any ! Thinke if this be hell mistaken , So of heauenly hopes forsaken . But , oh wicked wretched fre●nzy , That hast so corrupted fancy , Helplesse , hopelesse , matchlesse shamelesse , Dost thou thinke thou shalt be namelesse ? No : the world shall knowe thine euill : Ielouzie , thou art the diuell . This is that same inward treason , That hath so confounded reason : This is that same hellish humour , Fils the world so full of rumour : This is it that kils the louer , That he neuer can recouer . This is that same hellish fiende , That was neuer vertues friend : This is that same foolish blindnesse , That confoundeth louers kindnesse : This is it , by proofe of many , Neuer yet did good to any . Then , on thee , and thy possessor , Wilfull follies plaine professor , ( That hast so my mistresse wronged , And her helplesse woes prolonged ) Fall the curse of loues confusion , By the death of loues illusion .

A description of Ielousie . WIthin the hart ther breeds a kind of thought Begotten ( as some gesse it ) by the eye : But , I doe rather thinke it to be wrought , By a blinde sight that euer lookes awry , And only feedes but of a Lunacy : Which being gotten kindly in the head , Workes a weake wit , to bring a foole to bed . It thinks it knowes not what , nor how , nor why : But once perswaded , t will not beremooued , Cares for no trueth , belieueth euery lye , That hath apparance , though it be not prooued , Loues but in feare , and feares it is not loued , Frets , chafes , and grieues , and neuer is at rest : Because the worst doth euer doubt the best . It workes , and watches , pries , and peeres about , Takes counsell , staies ; yet goes on with intent , Bringes in one humour , puts another out , And findes out nothing but all discontent , And keepes the spirit still so passion-rent , That in the world , if that there be a hell , Aske , but in loue , what ielousie can tell . It would haue more then all it doth possesse , And turnes content vnto a crosse conceite , It brings discretion but into distresse , Where feare doth onely but on folly waite , While doubts do only dwell vpon deceite : It doth abuse the wit , distract the minde , And knows not what to seeke , nor how to finde . It doth amaze the eye , enchaunt the eare , And wholie kils the stomackes appetite . With spightfull thoughts it doth the spirit teare , And keepes poore patience in a pitious plight , While darke suspicion makes the day a night : It is , in summe , a very hellish fiende , That neuer yet was loue , nor beauties friend . It is a plague , that Nature was ordained , In beauties eie , to wounde the heart of loue , An inward poyson , that hath throughly vain'd The haplesse wit , that workes for wils behoue , To make a Iacke Dawe of a turtle Doue , Where best , contentments are too much abused , While wilfull follies can not be excused . It is the death of ioy , twixt man and wife , Where loue is too much loaden with mistrust : It makes the maide to feare the married life , Least firmest faith should fall to be vniust : It beats the braine and grindes the wit to dust , It makes the wise a foole , the wealthie poore , And her that wold kepe house , to ope the dore . Oh , t is a childe of an vnhappie choyce , Nurst by the milke of an ilfauour'd beast : Which neuer suffers reason to reioyce , But keepes the heart within an Hornets neast , Which nought but venome bring into the breast : It is , in summe , a kinde of secret ill , That neuer yet did good , nor euer will . How it hath handled many a haplesse heart , Let them describe it , that do better knowe it : But how it workes the sowles continuall smart , He that is able , let him truely showe it , Or seeke by all meanes how he may forgoe it : But for my selfe , I say no more but this , God blesse me from it , and my misteris . And such as will be madde , let them be so . Who cannot iudge of good , conceiue it ill . He , that will take a finger for a toe , Must either blame his wit , or else his will , That knowes his folly , and will be so still . Who will be ledde but onely by illusion , Must be content to fall vpon confusion . And thus my friend , what so thou be that readest These fewe inuectiue lines of Iealousie ( Hoping that thou thy fancie better feedest , Then with the aspen leaues of Lunacy , Whose iuyce giues nothing , but inconstancie ) I wish thy loue more kindly to be borne , Or for thy iealous head , a huge great horne . What ? art thou angry ? are thy ribbes so gaid , They cannot bide the chinking of a spurre ? Be still a while : and be not so appald : A thousand gownes are surd with Cony furre : Euery one 's not dead , that hath the Murre : Loue●s may looke , and laugh , and happ'ly like : But many a one may frowne , that wil not strike . Because her eye is faire , shall thine be fowle ? Because that she is wise , wilt thou be fond ? Because that thee doth smile , must thou needs scoule ? Because that she is free , wilt thou be bod ? Oh make not to a puddle of a pond : Be ple●sd to thinke of euery thing the best . F●r , Ielousie is but an idle iest . Mistrust doth argue but a misconceit : Suspi●ion , s●●ewhat in thy selfe amisse : Doubt , but a dreaming only on deceite : Feare , but a curse , where neuer fell a blisse , Tush , smile , and laugh , em●●ace , and coll & kisse , And thou shalt liue as merry as a cricket , While Iealousie shall stand without the wicket .

FINIS .