they are, and how handsomly they agree
together. To which end they trick and prick themselves daily up in
their best apparel; garnishing both the whole city and streets with
tatling and pratling; & staring into the houses of all their
acquaintance to see whether they are looked at.

[Illustration: Folio 52. _Published by The Navarre Society, London._]

Do but see what a mighty and surpassing mirth! for they hardly can go
ten or twelve furlongs but they constantly meet and are saluted by
some of their acquaintance, wishing them all health, happiness and
prosperity; or by others invited to come in, and are treated according
as occasion presents, wishing them also much joy in their married
estate; Yea the great Bowl is rins'd, and about goes a brimmer to the
good prosperity of the young couple. Well, thinks the young woman,
what a vast difference there is between being a married woman & a
maid! How every one receives & treats you! What respect and honour
every one shews you! How you go daily in all your gallantry taking
pleasure! And how every where you are fawn'd upon, imbrac'd and kist,
receiving all manner of friendship! It is no wonder that all womankind
are so desirous of marriage, and no sooner lose their first husbands,
but they think immediately how to get a second? Oh, saith she, what a
fulness of joy there is in the married estate, by Virginity! I resolve
therefore to think also upon my Bridemaids, and to recommend them
where ever there is occasion.

And this is the least yet, do but see! what for greater pleasure! for
every foot you are invited out here & there to a new treat, that is
oft-times as noble and as gallant as the Wedding was, and are plac'd
alwaies at the upper end of the Table. If next day you be but a little
drousie, or that the head akes; the husband knows a present remedy to
settle the brain; and the first thing he saith, is, Come lets go to
see Master or Mistriss such a one, and walk out of Town to refresh our
selves, or else go and take the air upon the _Thames_ with a Pair of
Oars. Here is such a fresh mirth again that all _Lambeth_, the
_Bankside_, and _Southwark_ shakes with it. Oh that _Apollo_ would but
drive his horses slowly, that the day might be three hours longer; for
it is too soon to depart, and that for fear of a pocky setting of the
Watch. So that its every day Fair-time. Well, who is so blind that he
cannot see the abundant pleasures of marriage?

To this again, no sooner ha