Pleasant dialogues and dramma's selected out of Lucian, Erasmus, Textor, Ovid, &c. ... By Tho. Heywood |
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 | Pleasant dialogues and dramma's |  |
An Emblematicall Dialogue,
interpreted from the Excellent and most learned D. Iac. Catzius; which sheweth how Virgins in their chaste loves ought to beare themselves.
1. The Argument.
Two modest Virgins, of unequall time,Th'one past, the other growing to her prime,
(Anna and Phillis) interchange some chat
Of Love, of Mariage, and I know not what.
2. The Argument.
(Whose tender brest was free from all deceit)
Feares lest her youth to lust she might ingage,
And bids her to be counsel'd by her age.
(Saith she) three times nine Winters have me taught:
Take me thy Guide, and no way thou canst erre,
Who before Venus sweets, chaste love prefer.
In view and presence of the Marriage bed,
Phillis, whom youth and fresh love doth possesse,
Her amorous thoughts begins thus to expresse.
We, when in health, for sicke folks counsel finde,
But sicke our selves, we quickly change our minde.
Two Turtles bill, and either court it's mate,
I cald to minde the palme which I might spy
Drooping, because the male plant was not nye,
Whom with erected lookes when she beheld,
She buds, she bloomes, with fruit her branches sweld,
At which I said (O Venus) were I dead,
But that I thinke it a sweet thing to wed!
Which as I spake, (and more would have exprest)
I felt soft love to steale into my brest.
Trees have their Ardor, and the birds their flame,
The Mountaine bores, and wild beasts have the same
Nor doth the scaly fish want their desire,
Why then should onely Virgins shun this fire?
Whether of beasts, or men, (whom reason guides,
Horses or Cattle, what's beneath the Sunne,
Into this firy ardor madly runne.)
Which being tryde they oft repent us.
An.
Thinking there Roses, and sweet Apples lie?
If such a thing as pleasure be? search round;
In mans rude armes it never can be found.
What is this snare to which young Virgins haste,
But like the Osier weel in rivers plac't?
The fish yet free, to enter wind about,
Whilst they within are labouring to get out.
Boyes in their first heate, want the wit to tarry,
And Girles (not ripe) are mad untill they marry;
When scarce the one hath warm'd the others side,
But they wish beds and houses to divide.
Diog Laert tells us that it was a saying of Socrates, that young batchelers desirous of marriage were like to fishes who play about the weele, and gladly would get in, when on the contrary they that are within strive how they should get out.
Phi.
Love bids, and Hymen prompts me to proceed.
The tedious silence of a forlorne bed
To me is hatefull, therefore must I wed:
Looke how the Ducks mourne when they misse the male,
No one but droopes her wings, and flags her tayle,
But he once come, the pond with clamour rings,
And you then see another face of things.
The good man absent: then the fire doth freeze,
The house is sad, the wife her mirth doth leese.
(They all are troubled,) when the maide doth aske
To goe to rest, shee's put to some new taske.
A beard's the houses prop, (besides is none)
There can be no delight to sleepe alone.
Impose the burthen of virginity on none (saith Ignatius the ancient Theologist) being a yoake which even the V rgin Vestals (of old) in Rome were not able to beare, to whom onely five yeares were injoyned to abstaine from marriage, and to keepe the holy fire from going out.
An
Yet gently heare me what I shall relate,
The flame (too raging) that by heate is blowne,
To fit the marriage bed was never knowne.
Observe the Cooper when he joynes his tunne,
That the con racted planks may evenly runne,
(The fury of the violent heat to tame)
In a round Iron cradle keepes his flame,
By his example thine hot fires suppresse,
With amorous tales let not thine eares be tainted,
Before thy mother be therewith acquainted;
Shee'l tell thy Father; so take off thy care,
They well provide to keepe thee from the snare.
Cicero tells us that it is fit, men should be brought within the compasse of reason and learning.
And Cipri, that the tutors or guardians, namely, the Father, Grand-father, or Brother, were woont of old to contract young Virgins, which ancient custome is upon great consideration observed in these dayes, And amongst other causes, especially in regard of the weaknesse, and bashfulnesse of the sex: and wee read in Euripides that when Orestes sollicited Hermione for marriage, Her answere was, My espousals remaine in my Fathers power, and not mine.
Phi.
My virgin shame forbids me to doe so,
Three lusters, and three yeares ore past, I pray,
Is't not enough? what more can virgins say?
Looke how that watch doth the swift houres divide,
And with its hand doth to the figures guide,
It nothing speakes, yet points (early and late
To what it meanes, such is our virgins state,
Although the mind be silent, and sit mute,
Her mature age (though tongueles) moves her suit.
It shewes her to be enterd in her prime,
And tells the parents that shee loseth time.
Her round brests speak, fresh cheeks & brows so fayer
Thus the whole girle's dissolv'd to silent prayer.
That Father is much to bee blamed, who when his Daughter is in her full maturity provideth her not an Husband. Well therefore said Ignatius, A ripe Virgin to prevent the wrinckles of age, may speake to her Father in private, to dispose of her in marriage.
Who, for her sake neglects his Lords affaires.
Phi.
Tis fit they should transplanted be elsewhere.
The dresser calls and sayes these same will bud,
And prosper bravely if the soyle be good.
I have two swelling brests that twins can feed,
A lap besides to dandle those I breed:
And my virginity (say what you can)
Proclaimes me now that I am ripe for man.
I looke on Wives, and wish that I were such,
But grieve my Father will not see so much:
Yet long he shall not barre me from that blisse
Which law allowes, or I am taught amisse.
That daughter who hath past the age of five and twenty, if she marry without her fathers consent, by the law of some Nations cannot be deprived of her dowry, because the father ought to consider in time convenient to provide his daughter of an husband, and himselfe of a Son-in-law: but when our Phillis professeth her selfe not to bee much above fifteene, it is ridiculous in the maide longing for marriage, to wrest the law, and apply it unto her owne purpose.
An.
To blush at words, and not to blame the fact.
No girle that's wise to lovers will incline,
The choyse should be thy parents, and not thine.
Courtship inchaunts, when lovers vow they faigne,
And enterd once, there's no way back againe.
Vaine is it for the wounded Whale to fly,
Who carelesse earst before the stroke did lye.
Loves arrowes to remove, or ease their smart,
As vaine it is, if once they touch the heart.
Before thy choise: once wounded there's no cure.
If regard be to be had of dignity, comlines or honesty; then in the contracting of marriages, it is more decent and seemely, if the parents troth plight their daughters to their husbands, and tye them together with their owne tongues, than if they themselves immodestly in their owne language subject themselves to one anothers power. Cypr.
Say daily, these to morrow such will bee.
Meane time soft fires into our bosomes creepe,
And the worst trees still root themselves most deepe. Ovid.
An.
Lovers hate such as come to every cry.
Of any sudden conquest they are sick,
Nor what they covet, would have come too quick.
When the Lord sends to bid the Cooke make haste,
He straight gives charge the spit turne not too fast,
Lesse speed is made, the meat's the sooner ready.
Hee hinders and not hasts that is too speedy.
Shee that in Cupids Kitchin would command
Must have dull motion, and a tardy hand:
Tis speed that spoyles all, spurres are in delay,
No lover stoopes unto a yeelding prey.
All delay is odious, yet it brings on wisdome. Sen.
You that would marry, though you both make speed,
Delay't awhile, small stay great gaine may breed.
Delayes oftentimes bring to passe that hee who should have dyed, hath killed him who might have lived. Clem. Alexand.
An.
Such as would faine be tooke, escape the net.
Others that would fly thence, the strings combine,
She that first craves deserves a scornefull smile,
As both in maid or woman hold most vile.
Shee's onely certaine to be caught that flies,
Shee teacheth to bee su'd to that denies.
Coy Dames the brests of lovers most besot,
The sweetest kisses are by struggling got.
That game best pleaseth which is sur'st in chace,
Not that being swolne, and lies dead in the place.
What I most wish may for a time be spar'd,
Nor pleaseth me the conquest that's prepar'd. Petron.
To this purpose is that of Seneca the Philosopher, it shameth me to enter conflict with a man prepared to bee overcome. The sword-player holdeth it a great indignity to bee matched with his inferiour, as knowing it can bee no glory to him to subdue that man, who is vanquisht without danger.
Phi.
What my heart thinks should with my tongue deny?
Past loves, in vaine she studieth to recall,
Who to her friend hath shewed no grace at all,
Whilst golden Venus with a cheerefull face
Smiles on our acts, let's lose nor time nor place.
The wary Ospray whilst the fishes play
Above the wave, stoopes downe to cease her prey.
That Bird for our example is we knowe,
Who slips no time, parts conquerour from his foe.
Catch at occasions, looke e're he passe by thee,
Let him escape, and Venus too will flie thee.
If in the very moment of occasion the opportunity whereof by thy delay or negligence thou hast o'reslipt, in vaine it is to complaine upon it being past. Liv.
Phi
While th'envious Rose, wrapt in new leaves we find,
She hides her beauty in a thorny rinde.
Nor can you crop the bud without a wound.
But stay the time, the flower it selfe will spred,
But if not gathered then, the leaves will shed.
Sweet are young maides to lovers in their prime,
And pleasant love rejoyceth in that time.
She that is long a maid, scarce such appeares,
Virginity still wasteth with her yeares.
Let Cupid have our vigor, and youths fire,
Maides young deny, what old, they most desire.
Standing streames gather mud, but running rivers are fresh and sweet.
Such as resist love, must either have no braine, or no eyes. Protogenes.
Ambition and love are impatient of delay: lingring growes loathsome where necessity craves haste. Quintilian.
And lay my sheats ope to a freer gale.
Such as the subtle traines of love would fly,
Let them upon this embleme cast their eye.
Thou seest that net which hangeth in the glade,
A traine for Woodcocks by the Fowler made;
He doth not touch the strings, but remote stands,
Whilst her owne weight compels her into bands.
If took or not, the traveller scarce knowes,
Because the net inforc't about her flowes.
Virgins beware by this, if tooke at all,
Catch not thy selfe, but by thy suiter fall.
Draw not upon thy selfe that subtle frame,
So shalt thou make the Fowler his owne game.
Many virgins at their contractings rather consent then speake, especially if their parents bee then in presence, lest they should appeare to desire a husband, which in maids is not seemely, and Baldus observes that
Subrubet, aut sponso visa puella novo.
Or blushing maide by her new husband spyde.
An.
Take these: and more, Ile not allow thee chast.
On the vast Seas the Beacon doth display
Its light: directing ships their safest way.
The flame doth show the harbour to be neare,
Yet doth not helpe the Mariner to steare:
'Tis they must guide the Sayles, and ply the Oare,
Save light from it, they can expect no more.
If thy face, speake thee not of Cynthias traine,
And thou the Vestals modest dresse disdaine:
Thou onely on the shore, to light them, stand,
But let the Sayler labour how to land.
It much behoveth a virgin to be very circumspect in cases of matrimony, that for the honour of her sex, she neither seeme to offer her selfe, or to doe any thing against modesty: lest it happen unto her, as (wee read) it did to Icasin a noble and learned virgin, who when she became so gracious in the eyes of Theophilus Emperour of Constantinople, that he seemed to offer her a golden apple as a pledge of nuptiall faith and contract: She was taxed for her too ready answer and acception thereof, and for griefe of mind confinde her selfe into a Monastery. Cypri.
Phi.
Trust me, to tardy louers sport it lends,
And love hath often growne from bare commends.
The Latian King would needs Æneas draw,
To take his daughter, whom (before he saw)
The Trojan lov'd: but fathers that are wise
With better art these contracts may disguise.
More private slights there are: by agents, best
Where many are, still one may helpe the rest.
By Birds, the Fowler to his net, birds drew,
Yet in the act, seem'd as he nothing knew.
Parents of old made proffer of their Daughters to Husbands before they sought after them, neither did they imagine in that to have done any thing uncomly or undecent. Wee read in the first of Kings, chapter eighteenth, Saul offred his Daughter unto David. Homer reports that Alcinous did the like to Vlysses. Virgil. that Latinus did the same to Æneas: Terence, that Chremes did it to Pamphilus. Herodotus, that it was done by Megacles to Pisistratus, and Zonoras and others, that Darius did as much to Alexander, &c.
An.
For dost thou thinke that craft can be secure?
Wretch th'art deceiv'd. We live in corrupt times,
Nor can craft long conceale her subtile crimes.
Adde that the profferd bride few humors fits,
As fearing there be baites laid in their bits.
Whilst aged Priam to Achilles sues
To take his child, he doth the match refuse.
Let Fathers pause untill their minds they know,
and whether they be well dispos'd or no.
The Foxe his eare unto the Ice doth lay
E're venter on; if heare them crack, hee'l stay.
Whilst Darius to Alexander, Priamus to Achilles: Alcinous to Ulysses, without due circumspection made
An.
Receive these few rules fit to be imprest.
Cost (within compasse) doth the young man taste,
Neatnesse best pleaseth love, where there's no waste.
When once thy virgins habit is laid by,
And th'art a wife, thy gifts will then grow high.
If thou (before) in princely jemmes shalt shine,
He'l say; my gifts are sleight, shee needs not mine.
Rich vesture I have seene Lovers to'affright,
Youth starts at Iewels when they shine too bright,
Much oyle chokes lampes. The Lysard when he lies
Too open to the hot Sunne, faints and dies.
A cleanlinesse is to bee used by women, neither despised, nor too exquisit, onely let it avoid clownish and sordid negligence. Cicero.
She that hath too much care over her attire, sheweth she hath little regard of her vertue. Cato Cens.
Husbandmen praise best those eares of corne which bow down, and make the stalk crooked, more then such as grow straight and upright, as being assured to find more grain in the one than in the other. Humblenes in heart & habit, is both pleasing to God, and acceptable with man.
An.
(What in my brest, I ever since have laid)
Then Peach trees (when they flower) nothing more faire,
And none more sordid when their bowes are bare.
That wife growes often loathsome by neglect,
Who (yet a Maid) her selfe too nicely deckt.
How comes this too much liberty of dresse?
When a whole day is spent in't (and no lesse)
Nor did it ever suite the marriage bed.
It oft falls out, such as most leasure find,
To paint their cheekes, their husbands do not mind:
But from all ages, this a maxime was,
None loves her distaffe, who admires her glasse.
Let not thy habit be too rich nor too base, make it neither for admiration, nor contempt; their ornament is cald womanly neatnesse, by which is meant modest handsomnesse, free from curiosity or cost: and Vives in the same place proceeds thus: in thy garments it is injoyned thee that they be not over nise or precious, but without spot or staine. For I cannot imagine how much the purity of the mind rejoyceth at the matronlike neatnesse of the body.
An.
And the sad suiter at thy mercy stands;
Though burne within, perswade him thou dost freeze.
For still to smile, will much advantage leese.
The Sunne shines clearest breaking from a cloud,
Sweet is the North-wind when it breaths not lowd.
Heat flies, love bates, and suiters weary grow,
When the fond Girle doth too much favour show.
Water doth make the lime-chalk scortch with heat,
And the Smiths flame by water grows more great.
Learne to say nay, love heightens by deniall,
And hath through wounds and difficult things best triall.
Better the Bee on flowers doth feed,
Having first tasted on a weed.
The starres of greater lustre show,
After the North-wind leaves to blow.
When Lucifer hath chac't hence night,
The blushing morning showes more bright. Boeth.
It may be called a disease rather than mirth, ever to smile on them who alwaies laugh at thee, or to frame thy countenance unto every mans humour. Seneca.
Ph.
To no such lawes she tender virgins ties.
If like the Sabines we contract the brow,
Give them bad words, use them we care not how;
We shall our loves make weary of their lives,
As farre more fit to be made Souldiers wives.
Cupid inur'd to lie soft and secure
In Venus shades, no hardnesse can endure.
Say, brittle be his shafts, that their points turne,
Flashie his fire, and cannot ever burne.
To cleare the taper, if you snuffe too deepe,
Out goes the lighr, i'th darke you may goe sleepe.
When one churneth milke he bringeth forth butter: and hee that wringeth his nose causeth bloud to come out: so he that forceth wrath bringeth forth strife. Pro. 30.
Or else thy favours he'l not hold so deare.
An.
(I speake strange things) love doth by brauling grow:
He first retyres and must goe back some step,
Who hath a mind to make the stronger leap.
The further Cupid drawes his elbow back,
He deeper strikes, and makes the greater wrack.
Warre begets peace, jarre to atonement tends,
Thus Mars and Venus quarreld, and were friends.
Adde this: his wrath up to the height to wind,
To search what gall thou in his breast canst find.
Anger will lay his heart wide ope, and bare,
In rage, (for men to hide their thoughts) 'tis rare.
Those Doves, who late, each other sought to wound,
Now joyne their bills with murmure and sweet sound. Ovid.
An.
And let your banquets be of junkets sweet.
With a sad soule beneath his feet shalt bow.
The beane-stalke by a slender wand doth clime,
Shooting his head up to the ayre in time.
The top it aimes at, having reacht unto't,
He bowes his wanton head downe to the root.
Lovers rash heat unto the utmost aimes,
And though thou grant it much, yet more it claimes.
Give all; 'tis not enough, unlesse thou grant
(Of what hee hath) He to his friend may vaunt.
This also is to bee admonished them, that virgins smile not on all such as laugh upon them: which indeed is not seene in any but such as are rather immodest or madde, shee ought not also to suffer her selfe to bee tugged or over wantonly toucht, but rather to shunne the place, or forbeare the company. If shee cannot otherwise avoide it. Vives.
An.
Nor his laments thy tender brest invade.
Seest thou that Reed, which when the North winde blowes,
Bowes downe it's head, and like a suppliant showes;
But the gust past, it growes straight as a line,
And of the former storme remaines no signe.
The Bee makes honey till his sting be gone,
But that once lost, he soone becomes a Drone.
The sutor sues, and seekes, and gives good words,
Whilst she stands off, and no kind grace affoords:
But with contempt and scoffing he'l retire,
When he hath once obtain'd his wisht desire.
Rash oathes by raging lovers uttered, bind
Like words inscrib'd on water, or in wind.
Hot love groweth soone cold; and faith plighted with feigned vowes as it is tyed without conscience, so for the most part it is broken without care.
An.
See thou to no obscene talke lend thine eare,
When wanton youth 'gainst modesty makes warre
To make it captive, such their weapons are.
Therefore, if any with a blushlesse face,
And talke uncomely, presse into the place;
Grace nothing, but a brow censorious take
And answer him, as if some Matron spake.
Observe the snaile, on which if salt you cast,
To water first it turnes, to naught at last.
Let but thy words into lowd thunder breake,
And instantly, hee'l have no word to speake.
Posthumia the vestall, because shee was free in laughter, and more liberall in discourse with men, then became her order, was cald in question about incest: but being acquitted of that crime by Spurius Minutius, then High Priest or Flamin, he admonished her that thenceforward shee should conforme her language to her life. Plutarch.
As the North-wind driveth away the raine, so doth an angry countenance, the slandering tongue. Prov. 25. 23.
Phi.
To marry, in my thoughts much better were,
It strengthens bashfull shame, preventing feare.
An.
Who eates with too much speed may hap to choake.
When Palamedes birds the rusticks take,
They snares of paper, daub'd with birdlime, make.
The meate the fowle loves, in the midst is plac't,
Which whilst the hungry bird desires to taste,
The slimy paper blinding both her eyes,
She now a pray before the fowler lies.
Most justly they the Cities scorne are made,
Who will be caught, yet see the traine that's laid.
The way to marriage is doubtfull and double, the one
It is more honest after thou hast once determined, to love, rather than begin to determin when thou hast loved
An.
From thy chaste house let him be banished:
Admit him not, so much as to be jeer'd,
Some scoft at first, have after prov'd indeer'd.
If he have any wit at all, he'l show it,
And prove in sundry straines to let thee know it,
Imbracing first, strive a forc't kisse to win,
Such kisses have to virgins fatall beene.
So by degrees into thy brest love steales
And wanders round, but his soft steps conceales;
Whilst Fowlers play upon their pipes, and sing,
Th'unwary fowle into their nets they bring.
Wonder not that thou art deceived by him that speakes thee faire and flatters thee, but rather wonder how thou hast escaped from not being deceived by him. Demosthenes.
Callida sic stultas decipit esca feras.
So beasts, by crafty baits, a thousand wayes.
Phi.
Since neither shame, nor fame we lose thereby.
Who can beleeve a soft kisse can ecclipse
Our honor, comming from a young mans lips.
And laden with sweet juice, hies to her bower,
Yet neither one nor other is since dride,
But both still flourish in their wonted pride.
What with compulsive strength the young man tooke,
The maide wipes off, and keepes her former looke.
If it be lawfull light from light to take,
Why should we maides to kisse, such scruple make?
Why swelst thou Satyrist, kisses are vaine,
And thine owne spit will wash them off againe. Ex Gr. Ep.
An.
From amorous sutors; harme not those young maides.
No Poet (howsoever his vaine please)
Shall sway me; but there's poison in all these.
Touch not the purple grape: for then 'tis ripe,
And that pure colour cannot brooke the gripe.
'Tis fresh, now the Vines grace, and hath affinity
Vnto the Genius of untoucht virginity;
Shun them, they have sweet poison mixt among:
The lip but toucht, doth weare the impresse long:
For wash thy face a thousand times, the sinne
Thou canst not wipe thence, for that lies within.
Nothing is more tender than the fame and reputation of women, or more subject to injury: in so much that it may be properly said to hang by the small thread of a Spider. Vives.
No Father can have too great a care of preserving his daughters chastity. Plaut. in Epidic.
An
If thou beest wise (maide) studdy to forbeare,
Tis not enough, thine acts are free from blame,
Since thou (meanetime) maist suffer in thy fame.
If the Nuts-shels, thou shalt asunder draw,
Doe what thou canst, there wil remaine the flaw.
Yet scandall shall thy chastity indure.
Though thou the ruine studiest to repaire,
Thou canst not make it good with all thy care.
How-ever joyne the shells, the breach is seene,
Though hide thy wounds, yet will they still be greene,
Her modesty once blam'd,
She is for ever sham'd.
Remember still thy fame to cherish,
That lost, thy selfe doth likewise perish. Ovid.
It behoveth the chast one, not onely to abstaine from crime, but also to avoyd the sordid aspersion of blame. Dion.
An.
That of her carriage, no tongue can speake ill.
Heare me with patience and Ile teach thee then,
What dangerous rocks t' avoide, both where & when.
Part to thy Love with nothing that thou haste,
Farre be free hands to virgins that are chaste.
If give but trifles, hee'l for greater looke:
Part hath beene offerd, when the whole was tooke.
Besides, thy gifts to every one hee'l show,
Speaking them thine, to all whom he doth know.
Fat spilt in frying, makes the flame so great,
That it both wasts it selfe, and spoiles the meat.
Let the woman give nothing to the man: for whosoever she bee that presents a gift, prostrateth her selfe. Vives.
And there may bee reason rendred, that whosoever gives may bee thought to insinuate himselfe into that mans favour to whom hee giveth; alluding to that of Martial.
Because with thee I should comply.
An.
Gripple we are, gifts will our sexe betray:
They weaken us: she that hath long out-held
(A gift receiv'd) to yeeld hath beene compeld.
The baser coyne they to the Seas commend,
But the choise Gold, to the white bosome send.
Where steele can force no entrance, Gold is free,
Let Danaes brazen Tower witnesse for mee.
Then Steele give place, to Gold thy strength resigne,
(Woe me) that choller, hath a power divine.
By Iron some few; Their number, who by Gold
Have beene made prostrate: never can be told.
There is nothing so sacred which is not to bee violated and prophaned, nothing so defenced, which is not to be scaled, and entred by money. Cicero.
Gold onely, over them prevaild.
Receive no gifts, (a hooke lies in the meate)
None but have birdlime, and their poison's great. M. Verinus.
Lovers give not but to gaine.
An.
Vpright) from Lovers gifts to keepe thine hand.
Seest thou Love painted naked in all drafts
With quiver onely, and some few small shafts?
He weares no pocket, but hates all their tribe,
Who in Loves free converse expect a bribe.
Can Diamond, Iemme, or golden chaine beguile
Thy modesty so farre; to become vile?
The gaping Oyster, intertaining stones,
By'th Crab injected, is dispoild at once.
Once guilty of a gift [if put to triall)
Thou hast not power to make the least denyall.
To receive a gift, is to sell thy liberty. Seneca.
An
They 're such, yet worthy to be read, (no lesse)
To tumble on the grasse, urge them to try
Maistries: These fit for chaste ones I deny.
A Bee's hid in the flower, a maide doth come,
To crop it 'tweene her finger and her thum.
No stayes, no rest, her tender flesh it stings,
It smarts, it swels, she cryes, her hands she wrings,
And saith, why Bee, thus seek'st thou me to kill,
I came to sport, and purpos'd thee no ill.
When maides with youngmen try, they doe not well,
But oft catch stings, which make their flesh to swell.
Sporting hath beene the occasion of many evils, as we may read. Horace.
Anger, contention, warre, commixt with strage.
In pastime & sport, womens brests are easily discovered: according with that of the Poet.
Our very mindes lie open in our play.
An.
For he allowes the virgins foot that strayes,
He doth advise the Romane girles to meet
In Theatres, and gad about the street,
In my opinion, he amisse perswades,
If I be judge; it is no worke for maides.
In streets lust rageth, there thou canst not be
Safe; then keepe home, that's the best place for thee.
The sheepe that through the briers and thornes doth stray,
Much of his wooll, oft loseth by the way:
Neither can she her modesty keepe long,
Who much frequents the Dionæan throng.
The ornament of women is to flourish in honesty and elegancy of manners: and for the most part to
Either young wenches, or new wine.
Phi.
As in close houses ever to abide?
Is it enough that we a mistresse feare,
And from her teasty fingers blowes oft beare?
Our mind's now stronger grown, love bids us play,
And of the City take a free surveigh.
Locks cannot let, Venus sets wide the dore,
When lovers entrance to clos'd maides implore:
Love hates all durance, he was ever free,
And Bacchus too delights in liberty,
New wine: young maides: by too strict keeping still,
Hazard the caske, and house: Both apt to spill.
No woman can be restrain'd against her will. Lib. Amor. 3.
That which is most kept from us, most we crave,
The prey calls theeves, few love what they can have. Id.
Such as have leave to sinne, commit least ill,
The power to offend, oft takes away the will. Id.
That lesse pleaseth us to which wee are most perswaded: that rather wee desire from which wee are most disswaded.
For Maiden-heads in their nativity.
Phi.
Observe first with a knife to wound the shell:
If with unbroken skin it touch the fire,
'Twill break in pieces, and with noise retire.
Who to chaste love shall make her brest obdure,
From Venus, oh what panges shall she procure?
She burnes, nor can her youth take least content,
That's cloistred, and at home in prison pent.
The bridle once tooke off, she growes untame,
Some I have seene at lawfull love repine,
And after, madly to base lust incline.
Dangerous is the custody of a virginity, and most difficultly is she to be restraind, to whom the yoke of virginity is imposed. Egn.
That which Tacitus spake of the plebe or multitude, may not unfitly be construed upon young virgins. vid. They are altogether impatient of meere servitude, or absolute liberty.
Shun the extremes, and keepe the meane.
An.
I doe not prisons on young Maides conferre,
Onely would curbe their feet lest they should erre.
Phi.
You charg'd me to no sutor lend an eare,
What Husband shal I have then? let me heare.
An.
No loose veneriall sports is pleas'd to know,
On whom Apollo smiles, Themis doth grace,
He will direct thy path, secure thy place.
If rude (thy selfe) one ruder thou shalt try,
Neither the nuptiall office can supply.
Ioyne two unlighted Tapers without flame,
(How so thou wilt,) the darknesse is the same.
What profiteth it thee to grate one tooth against another. Martial.
To'affect the shape, neglect the mind.
Phi.
A Sophist of sterne brow, like Cato bred,
Whom, courts by day; by night, his bookes afflict,
In curtaine businesse, will not he be strict?
Whilst he his clients cause doth onely mind,
Small right (alas) the bed is like to finde.
The gowne the loadstones braine hath, hard things drawes,
But in soft amours cannot plead a cause.
The austeere brow I have no will to prove.
Give me the man that's deepely read in kisses,
And sure my love aimes at no further blisses.
Let us remember that the sexe in its owne nature is weake, as not in body, so neither in minde being able to under-goe things serious and weighty, therefore we must allow them retirement, and relaxation from their cares, and give them some liberty of sporting, and telling tales amongst their friends and neighbours: provided, no curiosity be used, &c. Vives.
An.
When thou a sacred bed shouldst intimate?
Leave lusts to Venus, Husbands are a treasure,
And holy Hymen hates the name of pleasure.
No groome or squire of Venus can be fit
To take a houses charge and mannage it.
These Memnons statue follow (in their suite)
Who when the Sun shines, clamor, else are mute.
Whilst thy choise Paris in his first love rag'd,
'Twixt you a thousand kisses were ingadg'd.
But that heat past, thou (to thy griefe) hast tryd,
Th' art onely an unworthy souldiers bride.
It is hard to maintaine credit where truth is suspected: but howsoever suspition may enter a false action, yet truth will never bring in her plea, to suspect where there is cause is sufferable: but where there is no cause, it is intolerable. Octavius Cæsar Domum suam non solum crimine, sed suspitione criminis, vacare voluit. i. Augustus Cæsar, would have his house not onely free from fault, but even from the very suspition of crime.
An.
Fixing their eyes upon the tapers blaze:
They neither mind the fishers nor their boats,
Whilst the young man, whom mad love doth surprise,
Admires his mistresse front, and star-like eyes:
Or whilst the girle whom childish folly blinds,
His new sprung beard and feature onely minds.
All faults lie hid, there is no further stay,
'Tis now enough if they can kisse and play.
T'wixt these where itching makes such quick dispatch
'Tis often seene Megæra spoiles the match.
As Circe injoy'd not those whom she transform'd into Swine, Lions, &c. but affected Ulysses in his owne perfectnesse aboue all others: So those women who by amorous potions (too which I adde whorish blandishments) have got their husbands, for the most part leade with them an unquiet life, through madnesse. Plutarch.
An.
After 'tis shed, or in the Sunne laine long.
Fond is the love of feature, which doth fade,
And putrid growes, when age doth once invade,
Agues deface, and cares the beauty staine,
And these in young men often breed disdaine.
But wit's more stedfast; 'twill to age indure,
A thousand waies that, favour can procure.
Gray haires, nor wrinckles, can such ardor quench,
Nor love (on vertue built) in Lethe drench.
If match with one, whose mind his shape excels,
That love, till death lasts onely, and none else.
In us we nought immortall find,
Saving the goods of brest and mind. Ovid.
An
Lest thou lie frozen in a desolate bed.
If any; thou a posthume birth shalt beare.
He, if thy child call father, cannot heare.
Or should he have choice whom to make his heire,
Meane time the faire flower of thy youth is spent,
And thy best dayes thou sadly shalt lament.
Why doth the Ivie 'bout the Elme so cling?
'Las; one must perish, if the other spring,
Whilst it (ambitious) 'bout the top branch twines,
The drooping Tree hangs downe the head and pines.
Matrimonium ita demum tranquillè exigi potest, si mulier Cœca, maritus surdus fiat. &c.
Then marriage may be said to be past in all quietnesse, when the wife is blind, and the husband deafe. The nature of women is subject to jealousie, from whence grows clamour and noise, and the wives garrulity and prating offends the husband, which he should bee farre from, if he wanted his hearing, &c.
An.
What mak'st thou in a widdowed bed I pray?
When Hymen joynes you single: these are bred
Are the best pledges of thy maidenhead.
To graft a branch with ripe fruits if thou strive,
'Tis a meere burden, and it cannot thrive.
The withered apples fall (unfit to taste)
For both the stock and graft indure like waste,
Slyps without fruit, transpose unto thy tree,
So shall thy fruit in Autumne better bee.
Do't whilst the gumme in the greene rind doth swell,
Plants without mutuall sap ne're prosper well.
A small benefit may arise to a great profit, if it be seasonably confer'd, saith Curtius.
Time is the best counsellor, and the chiefe president of counsels, saith Antisthenes, and Cicero calleth it the most perfect Herald of truth.
Phi.
My father aymes me at a man that's old.
To an old King, (though he my love should crave.)
An.
What ere he urge, let not thy voyce sound hye,
Prayers arme the virgin, If intreat; 'tis done,
Sterne fathers, by no other art are woon.
Smooth foreheads more prevaile, than these averse
Hard hearts, submission, and not feare can pierce.
The Pine-tree Nut thou canst not break with blows,
But a soft fire, the shels wide open throws.
Mild power doth compasse that which rough violence never can. Claud.
Gods favour, and incourage it,
But the same gods when force is us'd,
(As angry) thinke themselves abus'd.
1.
An.We are in harbour, thou shalt be a bride,
Heare something in that state thy selfe to guide.
The grafter, all the native sprigs doth strip,
That the whole sap may feed th' adopted slip.
All wandring fancies she must quite expell,
Who in a lawfull match would prosper well.
No sooner shall thy nuptiall Tead take fire,
But thou on him must fixe thy whole desire.
Not thy old play-fellow must thine house frequent,
Nor he with whom (before) thine houres thou spent.
Let mother and thy sister now goe by,
Lest former love the adopted sap should dry.
Let men obey the lawes, and women their husbands. Socrates. Silence and patience maketh concord betwixt married couples. A good husband ought to be wise in words, wary in conversation, carefull in provision, diligent in ordering: a discreet master, a carefull father. A good wife must bee grave abroad, well govern'd at home, patient to suffer, constant to love, to her neighbours
2.
An.Am I deceiv'd? or more else should be spoke,
To such as newly enter Hymens yoake.
The stock which late had branches of his owne,
Must now by a strange leafe and fruit be knowne.
The top cut off, it boasts not its owne seed,
But beareth what another branch did breed.
When married; thou thy selfe wilt then withdraw,
For now thy husband is to thee a law.
What he prescribes: to that thou must agree,
(If wise) so partner of his counsels be.
By his direction, all thine actions sway,
To yeeld's to conquer, and (to rule) to obey.
A chaste Matron by obeying her husbands will, getteth command over him, Bias. But give thy wife no power over thee, for if this day thou sufferest her to tread upon thy foot, she will be ready by to morrow to spurne at thy head, &c.
3.
An.Graft then these precepts likewise in thy brest.
Tree's grace the graft, by sap themselves do spend,
And their owne ornament to others lend.
If with thy golden dower thy house shine bright,
And swell his coffers which before were light:
Be not thou proud, nor thine owne wealth proclaime,
Let all thine house rest in thine husbands name.
Who would not thinke that clamorous woman mad,
To cry This, That, from me, my husband had.
These were, and are still mine. It is not knowne
How wives can bost of ought that is their owne.
That the law make men lords, there is no doubt,
And 'tis a right, that goes the world throughout.
Marriage teacheth, that a woman should hold her
Thou, thou, sweet husband art all these to me.
The Epilogue.
Proceeding further we were strooke with feare,Because of noise which Anna first did heare:
Enough if not too much, come now let's breake,
This having said, she blusht, and ceast to speake.
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