me
to be exquisite in its Kind. And this I shall the rather do, because
the Book it self is not in every body's Hands. The Image is taken from
low Life; 'tis a beautiful Description of Nature in its greatest
Simplicity, and 'tis the more beautiful because 'tis natural.

A fayre and happy MILKE MAID.

Is a Country Wench, that is so farre from making herselfe
beautifull by Art, that one Looke of hers is able to put all
_Face-Physicke_ out of Countenance. Shee knowes a fayre Looke is but
a dumbe Orator to commend Vertue, therefore mindes it not. All her
Excellencies stand in her so silently, as if they had stolne upon her
without her Knowledge. The Lining of her Apparell (which is her selfe)
is farre better than Outsides of Tissew: for tho' shee be not arraied
in the Spoyle of the Silke Worme, shee is deckt in Innocency, a far
better Wearing. Shee doth not, with lying long a Bed, spoile both her
Complexion and Conditions; Nature hath taught her, _too immoderate
Sleepe is rust to the Soul_: She rises therefore with _Chaunticleare_
her Dames Cocke, and at Night makes the Lambe her _Corfew_. In milking
a Cow, and straining the Teates through her Fingers, it seemes that so
sweet a Milke-Presse makes the Milke the whiter, or sweeter; for never
came Almond Glove or Aromatique Oyntment on her Palme to taint it. The
golden Eares of Corn fall and kisse her Feete when shee reapes them,
as if they wisht to be bound and led Prisoners by the same Hand that
fell'd them. Her Breath is her owne, which sents all the Yeere long
of _June_, like a new made Hay-cocke. Shee makes her Hand hard with
Labour, and her Heart soft with Pitty: And when Winter Evenings fall
early (sitting at her merry Wheele) she sings a Defiance to the giddy
Wheele of Fortune. Shee doth all things with so sweet a Grace it
seemes _Ignorance_ will not suffer her to do Ill, being her Minde is
to do Well. Shee bestowes her Yeeres Wages at next Faire; and in
chusing her Garments, counts no Bravery i'th' World, like Decency. The
Garden and Bee-hive are all her Physicke and Chyrurgerie, and shee
lives the longer for't. Shee dares goe alone, and unfold Sheepe i'th'
Night, and feares no manner of Ill, because shee meanes none: Yet to
say Truth, shee is never alone, for shee is still accompanied with old
Songs, honest Thoughts, and Prayers, but short ones; yet they have
their Efficacy, in that they are not pauled