[3] I. 1577.
[69.]
¶ To the Reader.[1]
1
Now listen, good huswiues, what dooings are here
set foorth for a daie, as it should for a yere.
Both easie to follow, and soone to [atchiue],
for such as by huswiferie looketh to thriue.[E426]
2
The forenoone affaires, till dinner (with some,)
then after noone dooings, till supper time come.
With breakfast and dinner time, sup, and to bed,
standes orderlie placed, to quiet thine hed.
3
The meaning is this, for a daie what ye see,
that monthlie and yeerlie continued must bee.
And hereby to gather (as prooue I intend),
that huswiuelie matters haue neuer an end.
4
I haue not, by heare say, nor reading in booke,
set out (peraduenture) that some cannot brooke,
Nor yet of a spite, to be dooing with enie,
but such as haue [skared] me many a penie.
5
If widow, both huswife and husband may be,
what cause hath a widower lesser than she?
Tis needfull that both of them looke well about:
too careles within, and too lasie without.