poor ones, most of them unmarried, and
cast aside, and every Maid was hereby spur'd up, that her Vertues
might in brightness and splendor surpass others.

Happy are you, O Father of the Family, who without the least thoughts
of Lycurgus, have made so good a choice and have gotten a Wife that is
beautifull, rich, good natured, and vertuous; you learnt first to know
her well, that you might the better woe her, and so be happy in
marriage. Make this your example, O all you foolish and wandring
Lovers, who are so desirous to tast of the Pleasures and sweetness of
marriage; and are somtimes so disquieted and troubled till you cast
your selves upon an insulting, domineering Wife, who perhaps hath the
Breeches already on, and will vex you with all the torments imaginable
in the World. Do but use these few remedies for your squandered
brains, and be assured they will bring you to have good fortune and
tranquility.

Search not after great Riches, but for one of your own degree; for the
Rich are insulting, self-conceited, and proud.

Admire no outward beauty; because they are proud of their beauty, and
imagine themselves to be Goddesses, whom their husbands ought to
obey.

Shun those who are much lesser then your self: For when a mean one
finds her self promoted by a great Match, she is much prouder and
self-conceited then one of a good extraction; and will much sooner
than another indeavour to domineer over her husband.

Dissemble not in your wooing. For dissimulation deceives its own
Master.

Be not too hasty. For a thing of importance must be long and prudently
considered of, before a final conclusion can be made.

Follow the advice of understanding friends. For to be wise, and in
love, was not given to the Gods themselves.

Chuse no Country wench: For she'l want a whole years learning, before
she'l know how to shine upon a house or Office, and two years to learn
to make a cursie.

If you marry, arm your self with patience. For he that hath the yoke
of marriage upon his shoulders, must patiently suffer and indure all
the disquiets and troubles that that estate is subject to.

If these things be observed by you innocent and wandring Lovers, they
will much assist you in your choice, but not preserve you from being a
slave; because the Gentlewoman whom you have chosen, hath till this
time be past, had one or other ill condition, which she knew how to
hide and dissemble with, that you never so much as thought of, or