Chap. 10.
1
God sendeth and giueth both mouth and the meat,
and blesseth vs al with his benefits great:
Then serue we that God that so richly doth giue,
shew loue to our neighbors, and lay for to liue.
2[1]
As bud by appearing betokneth the spring,
and leafe by her falling the contrarie thing:
So youth bids vs labour, to get as we can,
for age is a burden to laboring man.
3
A competent liuing, and honestly had,
makes such as are godlie both thankfull and glad:
Life neuer contented, with honest [estate],
lamented is oft, and repented too late.
4
Count neuer wel [gotten] that [naughtly] is got,
nor well to account of which honest is not:[E26]
[Looke] long not to prosper, that [wayest] not this,
least prospering faileth, and all go amisse.
Laie wisely to marrie.
5
True wedlock is best, for auoiding of sinne,
the bed vndefiled much honour doth winne:
Though loue be in choosing farre better than gold,
let loue come with somewhat, the better to hold.[E27]
Concord bringeth foyson.
6
Where [cooples] agree not is [ranker] and strife,
where such be together is seldome good life:
Where cooples in wedlock doe louelie agree,
there [foyson] remaineth, if wisedome there bee.
Wife and children craue a dwelling.