s and delights. What state or condition is
there in this World that may be compared to such a loving, friendly
and well accomplished match! For without jesting, it happens hardly
once in a thousand times that a match falls out so well. And although
it did, yet it is not free from a thousand crosses and dissatisfactions,
which are done unto you either by children, wicked friends, or
somtimes bad neighbours: and are oftentimes so many, that if they were
all drawn up in one Picture; we should, in good truth, see more grief
and horror in it, then is demonstrated in the very Picture of Hell it
self. But one pound of the hony of sweet love, can easily balance a
hundred weight of that terrible and bitter Wormwood.

But where is there one among all the whole number of tender young
Gentlewomen, who being incountred by an airy exquisite Lover, that
doth not start back with a thousand troublesom cogitations; and
beleeves, that he, who thus earnestly affects her, is at the least
possessed with one of these terribly evil natures? Nay, perhaps with
some what else, as a cross-grain'd pate, a grumbling gizzard, not wel
in his sences, jealous thoughts, or the actions of a Cotquean are his
companions; and that is more then all these, keeps hid a certain
imbecility in his defective nature; which is no waies to be
discovered till the nuptial rites be absolutely celebrated.

This seems to be a great occasion and reason to have an abhorrance for
marrying. But when we begin again with serious judgement to consider,
the weaknesses, strange humors, and deficiences, that the most
gaudiest and neatest Ladies are subject to; experience will teach us,
that they are Cakes bak'd of one Dough, and Fruits of one Tree.

And therefore they are very happy, if two of one mind, and alike
natured meet together; but if two of contrary humors happen together,
there is nothing to be expected but grief, sorrow, and destruction;
unless it happen that the understanding of the one knows
extraordinarily how to assist the weakness of the other; by somtimes
letting loose a rope and then drawing it in again; whereby they may
the prudentlier sail against wind and tide. These do arrive in the
Haven of the Pleasures of Marriage, whereas others on the contrary
suffer most miserable Shipwrack.

[Illustration: 116 _Published by the Navarre Society, London._]

THE SIXTH PLEASURE.

_The Woman hath got the Breeches. What mischeefes arise by it. Counsel
for the unma