here are no keener
Swords, or stronger steels to penetrate through the hearts of men,
then the handsom bodiedness, comly and kind behaviour of women.

This is oftentimes the occasion that the son hath more inclination
towards her, then he hath for a Gentlewoman of a good family and
indifferent fortune; nay it transports him so, that they finally make
use of one bed; and the son (much unexpected by the Parents) is come
to be Father himself. But what an inestimable Pleasure of Marriage
this is for the new Grandfather and Grandmother, every one may judge.
Especially, if it happens, as I saw once, that the Prentice lay with
his Masters Daughter; and the Son with the Kitchin Wench; and the
Prentice run away with the daughter; and the Son would by all means
marry with the Kitchin Wench. Which was such a great grief for the
Parents, that it might be justly termed rather one of the Terrors than
Pleasures of Marriage. So that we see, although the Children be at
home by their Parents, or in the shop, and remain under their view and
tuition; yet nevertheless, by one or other, never to be expected,
occasion, they fall in to evill courses; which every one that brings
up children hath such manifold and several waies experience of, that
it would be infinite and too tiresom to give you an account of all the
Confessions. Therefore we will pass by these (as if we were running a
horse-race), and to shorten our journy, return again to our well
married Couple, from whom we are cruelly straied.

You see and observe then, O well married Couple, what strange tricks
and actions that children will play. If yours act then the part of a
liberal Son, or wanton Student, rejoice therein that you have not
brought forth a dunce or blockhead; but since his Doctor saith that he
is sharp-witted, and a hopefull youth; doubt not, but that you will,
when he comes to his seriouser years, with delight and pleasure see
him to be a great man.

[Illustration: 181 _Published by the Navarre Society, London._]

For it hath many times hapned, that those who have been the maddest
and wildest Students at the University, have afterwards come to be
noble Personages, Ministers of State, and learned Doctors. Of whom we
could relate unto you several examples, if we knew certainly that the
revealing of that Confession would not be ill taken.

Thrice happy are you, O noble Couple, that you are yet in possession
of the Pleasures of the first Marriage, and are not troubled