University of Virginia Library

II A 16

[If dutie wyf leade the to deeme]

If dutie wyf leade the to deeme
that trade moost fytt I hold moost deere
first god regarde next me esteme
thy childrene then respecte thow neere
our howse both Sweete and clenlye see
ordre our fare thy maides kepe short
thye mirth with meane well myxed be
thy curtese partes in chast wyse sort
in sober weede the clenly dresse
when joyes me rayse thy cares downe cast
when gryeffes me grype thy solace sease
who so me frendes frend them as fast
in preasse gyve place what so I say
apart complayne yf cause thow fynde
let liberall Lypps no trust bewray
nor jelous humor payne thy mynd
yf I the wronge thy gryef unfold
yf thow me vex thyne error graunt
to seke straunge soyles be not to bold
the stryfles bedd no jarrs may haunt
smale sleap and tymely prayer intende
the Idle lyff as poyson hate
no credytt light nor much spech spende
in open place cause no debate
no thwartes, no frowns, no grudge nor stryf
eschew the badd embrace the best
to troth of worde joyne honest lyff
and in my bosom buyld thy nest