A virtuous woman’s counsel; her winged spirit
Is feathered oftentimes with heavenly words,
And, like her beauty, ravishing and pure;
The weaker body still the stronger soul.
* * * * *
O what a treasure is a virtuous wife,
Discreet and loving! not one gift on earth
Makes a man’s life so highly bound to heaven;
She gives him double forces, to endure
And to enjoy, by being one with him.”