ghtily
replenished with such numbers of monstrous, wicked and unhappy women,
who hide their wickedness and ill natures under their powdered locks,
and flattring looks; and like a Camelion, in their Maiden estate, will
be agreeable to all things that are propounded to them; but being
married, they abandon all rationality, make their own passions their
masters, and cannot understand by any means the pleasures of their
husbands. Though they certainly know, and have daily experience, that
there is nothing under the Sun, which hath a bewitchinger power upon
the hearts of their husbands, then the friendliness and kind
compliance of their Wives. This hath in ancient times done a thousand
wonders and is as yet the most powerfull to drive all stuborn and
ill-natured humors out of the heads of men; and can lead them, as it
were by the hand, in to the paths of Reason, Equity and Love.

O happy Women, who, in this manner have the hearts of men in your
hands, and can bring the same to your obedience where you will; what
means and waies ought you not to indeavour by dallyings and kind
actions to gain the same on your side! you certainly know, that the
main Butt which is aim'd at by all mankind, is to pass through this
short life of ours with pleasure and quietness: But alas! what life,
what rest, what pleasure can he possess in this World, who hath hapned
upon a scolding, and no waies friendly wife?

Oh if all Lovers knew this so well, they would never suffer themselves
to be led away captive by the jettish eys, and marble-like breasts, or
strangle themselves in the curled locks of women; but would imbrace
their kind naturedness to be the surpassingest beauty.

But the carnal desires, and covetousness of mony, blindeth the eys of
so many, that oftentimes for the satisfaction thereof, they will,
contrary to all exhortations, run headlong, and cast themselves into a
pit of infinite horrors and vexations of Spirit: chusing rather a
proud, finical, blockheaded Virgin with two thousand pound, then a
mean, kind-hearted, understanding one, with ten thousand Vertues.

This was that which the prudent King Lycurgus sought to prevent, when
he gave out his commands that no Parents should give any portions with
their Daughters in marriage, or might leave them any thing for an
inheritance; because he would not have them to be desired in marriage
by any, but for their beauty and vertues; in those daies the vitious
remained, just as now doth the