An honest woman will the scandall shun,
Of that report is made of wantonnesse,
And feare her credit will to ruine run,
When euill speakers doe her shame expresse:
And therefore from this rule a practise drawes,
That the effect may cease, remoue the cause.
Th'ird dutie is, that of no proude pretence,
She moue her husband to consume his meanes,
With vrging him to needlesse vaine expence,
Which toward the Counter, or to Ludgate leanes:
For many ydle huswiues (London knowes)
Haue by their pride bin husbands ouerthrowes,
A modest woman will in compasse keepe,
And decently vnto her calling goe,
Not diuing in the frugall purse too deepe,
By making to the world a pecocke showe:
Though they seeme fooles, so yeelde vnto their wiues,
Some poore men doe it to haue quiet liues.
Fourth dutie is, to loue her owne house best,
And be no gadding gossippe vp and downe,
To heare and carry tales amongst the rest,
That are the newes reporters of the towne:
A modest vvomans home is her delight,
Of businesse there, to haue the ouersight.
At publike playes she neuer will be knowne,
And to be tauerne guest she euer hates,
Shee scornes to be a streete-wife (Idle one,)
Or field vvife ranging vvith her vvalking mates:
She knows how wise men censure of such dames,
And how with blottes they blemish their good names.
And therefore with the doue sheele rather choose,
To make aboade where she hath dwelling place,
Or like the snayle that shelly house doeth vse,
For shelter still, such is good-huswiues case:
Respecting residence where she doth loue,
As those good housholders, the snayle and doue.
Fift dutie of a wife vnto her head,
Is her ohedience to reforme his will,
And neuer with a selfe conceit be led,
That her aduise prooues good, his counsell ill:
In Iudgement being singular alone,
As hauing all the wit, her husband none.
She must not thinke her wisedome to be thus,
(For we alasie are weakelings vnto men)
What singular good thing remaines in vs,
Of wife ones in a thousand, show me ten,
Her stocke of wit, that hath the most (I say,)
Hath scarse enough for spending euery day.
When as the husband bargaines hath to make,
In things that are depending on his trade,
Let not wifes boldnes, power vnto her take,
As though no match were good but what she made
For she that thus hath oare in husbands boate,
Let her take breech, and giue him petti-coate.
Sixt dutie is, to pacific his yre,
although she finde that he empatient be,
For hasty words, like fuell adde to fire,
And more, and more insenceth wraths degree:
When she perceiues his choller in a fit,
Let her forbeare, and that's a signe of wit.