A2r

The Mothers Counsell

Or,
Live within Compasse.

Being the last Will and Testament to her
dearest Daughter.

A square with a compass shape within it. The compass shape is divided into three concentric rings. Within the center ring are two female figures, one holding out a book to the other, with the word “Modesty” written above them. In the next ring, which is divided into four quarters, the phrases “In Chastitie”, “In Temperance”, “In Humilitie” and “In Beautie” appear. In the next ring sentences appear above each respective phrase: “Chastity is the key to Religion”; “Temperance is the mother of [page cut off, illegible word]”; “Humilite is a womans best armor”; “Beauty is a womans golden Crown”. Outside the compass, each of the four corners of the surrounding square contains a word: “Wantonness” is in the corner beyond “Chastitie”, “Madness” beyond “Temperance”; “Pride” beyond “Humilitie”, “Odiousness” beyond “Beautie”.

Modefty

  • In Chastitie.

    Chaftity of body is the key to Relig.

  • wantonnefse.
  • In Temperance.

    Temperance is the mother of 1 wordflawed-reproduction.

  • Madnefse.
  • In Beautie.

    “Beautie is a woman’s golden Crowne.”

  • Odiousnefse.
  • In Humilitie.

    Humilitie is a woman’s best Armor.

  • Pride.

Printed at London for John Wright, and are to be sold at his Shop in
damaged1 wordspur street without Newgate, at the signe of the Bible. 16301630

A2v A3r

Good Counsell to the
Christian Reader.

  • 1

    That you keepe a narrow
    watch over your heart,
    words, and deedes continually.
  • 2

    That with all care the time be
    redeemed that hath been idly, carelesly,
    and unprofitably spent.
  • 3

    That once in the day at least,
    private prayer, and meditation bee
    made.
  • 4

    That care be had to doe, and
    receive good in company.
  • 5

    That your family be with all diligence
    and regard, instructed, watched
    over, & Christianly governed.
  • 6

    That no more care bee spent
    in matters of this world, then must
    needs.
  • A3 7 That A3v
  • 7

    That you stirre up your selve
    to liberalitie to Gods Saints.
  • 8

    That you prepare your selves
    to beare the Crosse, by what meanes
    soever it shall please God to exercise
    you.
  • 9

    That you give not the least bridle
    to wandring thoughts.
  • 10

    That you bestow some time
    in mourning, not onely for your
    owne sinnes, but for the time and
    age wherein you live.
  • 11

    That you looke daily for the
    comming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
    for your full deliverance out of this
    world.
  • 12

    That you acquaint your selves
    with some godly person, with whom
    you may conferre of your Christian
    estate, and open your doubts, to
    the quickning of Gods graces in
    you.

M. R.

The
A4r 1

The Mothers counsell,
Or,
Live within Compasse,
Being the last Will and Testa
ment to her dearest Daughter,
which may serve for a worthy Legacie
to all the Women in the World,
which desire good report from
men in this world, and
grace from Christ Jesus
in the last day.

Live within Compasse:
In Chastitie.

First my Daughter understand,
that Chastity is the
beautie of the soule and
puritie of life, which refuseth
the corrupt plesures
of the flesh. obscured1-2 words
onely possessed of those who be1-2 wordsobscured A4 A4v 2
bodies cleane and udefiled, and it consisteth
either, in sincere virginitie, or in
faithfull matrimony.

The chaste soule is a rich chamber, onely
fit for Christ.

The most bountifull God is a chaste
and pure Spirit, and therefore above all
things thou oughte to call upon him
with chaste prayers.

If the body be not kept pure and unspotted
from whoredome, the Soule can
hardly be fervent in devout prayer.

Pure chastity is beauty to the Soule,
grace to the body, and peace to all worthy
desires.

Beautie is like the flowers of the
Spring, but chastitie like the starres in
heaven.

So must the flesh be nourished, that
it may serve thee; so must it be tamed,
that it be not proud.

As nothing is more vile than to be overcommed
of the flessh, so nothing is
more glorious, than to overcome the
flesh.

Frugalitie is the stave of chastitie.

Chastity is a vertue of the soule, whose
companion is fortitude.

Chastity A5r 3

Chastity is the Seale of Grace, the
staffe of devotion, the marke of the Just,
the crowne of virginity, the glory of life,
and a comfort in Martyrdome.

Idlenesse is the enemy to chastity.

Chastity without charity, is a Lamp
without oyle.

Chastity and modesty are sufficient to
enrich the poore: And wise men in marriage,
rather make choyce of honesty and
manners, than loosenesse of behaviour
with great Lands and rich possessions.

If chastity bee once lost, there is nothing
left prayse-worthy in a woman.

The first step to chastity, is to know
the fault, the next, to avoyd it.

Where necessitie is joyned unto chastity,
thence Authoritie is given to uncleannesse;
for neither is she chaste which
by feare is compelled, neither is she honest
which with neede is obtained.

Doe not say thou haste a chaste minde,
if thine eye be wanton: for a lascivious
looke is a signe of an inconstant heart.

Amongst all the conflicts of a Christian
soule, none is more hard than the
warres of a chaste minde, for the fight is
continuall, and the victorie rare.

Chastity A5v 4

Chastity with the raines of Reason
bridleth the rage of lust.

A chaste eare cannot abide to heare that
which is dishonest.

True felicity though hid from mortall
eyes, yet is it the object of a chaste spirit.

The first felicitie that a chaste woman
shall have after this life, is the rest of her
Soule in Christ: the second shall be the
immortalitie and glory of her body.

That chaste woman hath got to the
height of felicitie, whom no feare troubleth,
no pensivenesse consumeth, no carnall
concupiscence tormenteth, no desire of
worldly wealth afflicteth, nor any foolishnesse
moveth unto mirth.

A chaste woman is to be measured not
by her beauties, but by her vertues.

A woman is the wonder of Nature if
shee wrong not Nature.

A chaste woman is an admirable Angell,
till she be drawne by angells to become a
Devill.

Women that are chaste when they are
trusted, prove often wantons when they
are causelesse suspected.

A virgins heart is like the Cotton tree,
whose fruit is so hard in the Bud, that it A6r 5
it soundeth like steele, and being ripe puts
forth nothing but wooll.

Chastite is a veile which Innocents adorne,

th’ ungatherd rose defēended with the thorne.

O Chastitie the gift of blessed soules,

comfort in death, a crowne unto the life,

which all the passions of the minde controls,

adorne the minde, and beautifies the wife;

that grace, the which nor death, nor time
attaints,

Of earthly Creatures, making heavenly
Saints.

Penelope in spending chaste her dayes,

as worthy as Ulysses was of prayse.

Beleee’t, a woman cannot take upon her

with Beauty, Riches, nor with hie nobility,

to claime the true deserved praise of honor,

if chastitie doe faile by her fragilitie;

for that’s the vertue which defends her honor.

Chastitie is strong, when all that wooe

it doth resist, and turnes them vertuous too.

Unchaste words utter’d to a vertuous dame,

turne and defile the speaker with red shame.

A A6v 6

A Wife is like a garment us’d and torne,

A Maid like one made up, but never
worne.

Gold is not knowne by sight, but by the
test:

Thought makes not chaste, but tryall
proves them best.

Misfortune still such projects doth pursue,

He makes a false Wife that suspects a true.

Their carriage, not their Chastitie alone,

Must keepe their name chaste from suspition.

Out of Compasse in
Chastitie,
Is Wantonnesse.

Wantonnesse when it turnes to lust,
in a womans bosome, is a desire
against reason, a furious and unbridled
appetite, which killeth all good motions
in her minde, and leaveth no place for
vertue.

Shame A7r 7

Shame and infamie waits at the heeles
of unbridled wantons.

Wantonnesse is an enemy to the purse,
a foe to the person, a canker to the minde,
a corrosive to the conscience, a weakner
of the wit, a besotter of the senses, and
lastly, a mortall bane to all the bodie;
so that thou shalt finde pleasure is the
path-way to perdition, and wantonnesse
the load-stone to ruth and ruine.

Wantonnesse maketh a woman covet
beyond her power, to act beyond her
nature, and to die before her time.

Sensuall and wanton vice hath ever
these three companions. First, blindnesse
of understanding; secondly, hardnesse
of heart; and lastly, want of Grace and
perfection.

Wantonnesse is inseparably accompanied
with the troubling of order, with impudency,
sloth, and dissolutenesse.

Adultery desireth not procreation, but
onely pleasure.

Wantonnesse is a strong tower of
mischiefe, and hath in it many keepers
and many defenders, as Needinesse, Anger,
Palenesse, Discord, Love, and Longing.

Euery A7v 8

Every good woman makes not for every
man a good wife, and more than one
dish of meat can please all stomackes;
but every evill woman makes an absolute
ill wife, as a drop of Coloquintida
marres the whole pot of pottage.

Wanton dwarfe-women, or foolish
ones, are the worst to make wives of;
for the first brings forth but a race of
Pigmies, and for the latter, there is nothing
more fulsome as a she-foole.

Wantonnesse is attended on by riot,
and they two impaire health, consume
wealth, and transforme a woman to a
beast.

Wantonnesse is a sin of no single rank:
No ordinary station, that never walkes
unattended with a traine of misdemeanors
at the heeles.

Corrupt company is more infectious
than corrupt aire; therefore let women
be advised in their choise; for that text of
thy selfe that could never bee expounded;
thy companion shall as thy commentarie,
lay open to the world: for it is
seene by experience, that if those which
are neither good nor evill, accompany
with those that are good, they are trans formed A8r 9
formed into their vertue. If those that are
neither good nor evill consort with those
that are evill, they are incorporated to
their vice. If the good companie with the
good, both are made the better; if the evill
with the evill, both the worse; for such as
the companie is, such is the condition.

There be foure vices a wanton woman
is ever most troubled with, sloathfulnesse,
carelesnes, vaine curiositie, and nicenesse.

Hate and Disdain shines in a wantons eyes;

Deceit and Treason in their bosome lies.

Th’are mad, that thinke by any meanes to
stay

A wantons mind that is disposd to stray.

Such is the crueltie of women kind,

when they have shaken off the shamefac’st
band,

with which wise nature did them strongly
bind.

t’obey the hests of mans well ruling hand,

that then all rule & reason they withstand,

to purchase a licentious libertie,

But vertuous women wisely understand

that they were borne to Humilitie,

unlesse the Heavens them lift to lawfull
Soveraigntie.

’Tis A8v 10

’Tis certaine that the wanton woman never

Loves Beautie in her sexe, but Envie ever.

There cannot be a greater clog to man,

than to be troubled with a wanton woman.

’Tis evermore observ’d mongst men,

that be she Base or Hie,

A wanton eye doth guide her wit,

and not her wit her Eye.

Loose women doe repine their sinnes to
heare,

and folly flings, if counsail touch thēem neare.

The foolish and the wanton women use

T’obey them most, who doth them most
abuse.

A witlesse foole & wanton we may guesse,

that leaves the more, & takes her to the lesse.

When wantons finely sooth their owne desires,

their best cōonceits do prove the greatest liers.

Live within Compasse
in Temperance.

Abuse not thy body in thy youth by
Surfet, Riot, or any other distemper, through B1r 11
through an over-weening abilitie of
strength; for youth and Nature passe over
many Infirmities that are growing
till their age.

Live temperately and vertuously, that
thou mayst dye patiently; for who lives
most honestly, will dye most willingly:
and for thy long dayes and better health
on earth, afflict not thy body with too
much unnecessary Physicke, but furnish
thy minde in time of plentie to lay up for
it selfe and others in the time of want;
for surely her end shall be easie and happie,
that death finds with a weake body,
but a strong Soule.

Grieve not to groane under the hand
of sicknesse; for as sometimes it purgeth
the body from intemperate humors, so
doth it oftentimes the Soule from more
dangerous securitie, and the rather, since
there is no perfect health in this world,
but a newtralitie betweene sicknesse and
health.

The eyes are the instruments of lust,
therefore make a covenant with them,
that they betray not thy heart to vanitie.

Suffer with those that suffer, be crucified
with those that are crucified: so shalt B thou B1v 12
thou be glorified with those that are glorified.

True grace and Temperance doe not
lift up, but humble a good woman; therefore
she is not yet partaker of true grace
which doth not walke in humilitie of
heart. The Streames of Gods grace doe
flow downwards, not upwards.

God creates of nothing, and he repaires
of nothing; that therefore thou maist bee
partaker of the Regeneration and Reparation,
be nothing in thine owne eyes, that
is, attribute nothing to thy selfe, arrogate
nothing to thy selfe. Women are weake
and fraile; but judge none frailer than thy
selfe: to be inferiour to all, hurts none,
to be above any, offends many.

Temperance is an enemy to lust, and
lust is an ever-waiting servant to the pleasures
of high bloods.

Temperance calleth a womun backe
from all grosse affects and carnall appetites,
and lets her neither exceed in
foolish rejoycing, nor in ungodly sorrowing.

Shee is firmely to be accounted temperate,
which from the ground of reason
can governe and bridle the vice of sensualitie,alitie, B2r 13
and all other grosse affections of the
minde, and passions.

Temperance is the true Peace-maker
in all the tumults betweene reason and
passion.

When the untamed passions of a woman
have their full careere, and are neither
over-ruled with Temperance nor
discretion; then is the soule lost and forsaken,
or at least, deformed and miserable;
and the more delicately the body is
handled, the more stubbornly it wrastleth
against the minde; for the heavie burthen
of the body is onely the oppresson
of the soule.

Shee cannot commend Temperance
that imagineth the best felicitie to consist
in pleasure.

O it is Temperance, with his golden squire

Between our passions, measures out a mean,

Neither to melt in pleasures hot desire,

Nor fry in heartlesse griefe & dolefull teen:

Thrice happie shee that stayes them both
betweene.

O in what safetie Temperance doth rest,

When it finds harbor in a modest brest.

B2 Of B2v 14

Of all Gods workes which doe this world
adorne,

There’s none more faire, more sweet or excellent

Then womans body, both for power and
forme,

Whilst it is kept in temperate government.

’Tis harder for to learne faire continence

In joyous pleasure than in grievous paine,

For sweetnes doth allure the weaker sense

So strongly, that unneath it can refraine

From that which feeble nature covets fain;

But griefe and wrath that be her enemies

And foes of life, shee better can restraine,

Yet vertue vaunts in both their victories.

Let Wolves and Beasts be cruell in their
kinds,

But women meeke, and of faire temperate
mindes.

Though men mindes can cover with bold
sterne lookes,

Pale womens faces are their owne faults
bookes.

Those vertues that in women praise doe
win,

Are sober shewes without, chaste thoughts
within;

True faith & due obedience to their make,

And of their children honest care to take.

They B3r 15

They melt with words as wax against the
Sunne,

So weake ins many women’s modestie,

For what sometimes they most would
seeme to shield,

Another time unaskt, poore soules they
yeeld.

Out of Compasse
in Temperance.
Madnesse.

A mad woman is like a rough stirring
Horse, and as he must have
a sharp bit, so must shee have a sharp
restraint.

As a blocke though it be decked with
gold, pearles, gems, and precious ornaments,
is not to be regarded except it
represent the shape of some thing: even
so a woman be she never so rich and glorious,
yet if shee want obedience, she is of
no account or estimation.

Such wives as would rather have foolish
Husbands whom they might rule,
than to be ruled by sober wise men, are
like them that would rather lead a blind B3 man B3v 16
man in an unknowne path, than follow
one that can both see and knoweth the way
directly.

She that forsakes her husband because
she dislikes his manners, is like her that
forsakes the Honey least the Bee might
sting her.

They which sacrificed to Juno the goddesse
of married women, tooke ever the
galls from the beasts which they sacrificed;
signifying thereby, that all anger,
madness, and displeasure should ever be
farre from married couples.

In three points women and fooles hold
small difference; they are full of vaine
affections, they are curious and peevish to
please, and ever wilfull to disobay.

There is no creature that more desireth
honour, and worse keepeth it than a mad
woman.

The intemperate woman with her lightnesse,
and children with their small knowledge,
occupy their minds in things present:
but vertuous wise women do thinke
on that is past, they ordaine for that which
is present, and with great study and care
provide for the time to come.

There are in outragious womens eyes two B4r 17
two severall sorts of teares, the one of
griefe, the other of deceit.

Beautie in womens faces, and outrage
in their hearts, are two wormes
which fret life, and waste goods.

Mad women for a little goodnes looke
for a great recompence, but for much
evill no chastisement.

A fierce beast and a dangerous foe is
an outragious woman to a Commonwealth:
for shee hath much power to doe
much harme, and is not apt to follow
any goodnesse.

A mad woman once defamed beleeves
after in no womans vertue, but defameth
all to make her owne vice worthie of a
companion.

The tongue of a mad woman is a slipperie
instrument, nimble to doe mischiefe;
for commonly by it friendship is decayed,
worldly riches diminished, the life most
miserably wasted, and infamy and immortal
paine purchased.

Such a mischievous evill is the sinne of
detraction in the heart of a proud and unruly
woman, that there is neither long
familiaritie, accustomed fellowship, nor
causes of approved friendship, neither yet B4 any B4v 18
any estate or degree that can once bridle
them, or stay them from doing infinite
mischiefe.

She that is given to the vice of detraction,
is worthily subjceect to the common
hatred of men, and to be eschewed of all
as a most pestilent infection; and at her
enterance into any place among good
women, every mouth to be either stopped
against her, or other wise opened to
hisse her out of doores, as a thing altogether
voyde of delight, and filled up but
with danger onely.

Amongst temperate women, madde
women are made bright; but amongst
madde women, temperate women are
made glorious.

It is a great madnesse in any woman
to amuse upon those things which are
farre beyond her understanding.

A faire woman without discretion,
is like a faire house and an evill host harbored
therein.

Many times of wise maides becommeth
foolish wantons, and of foolish
wantons, wise maides.

Let every woman behold her selfe in
a Looking-glasse, and if shee appeare beauti- B5r 19
beautifull, let her doe such things as become
her beautie, but if shee seeme foule,
then let her make good with good manners
the beautie which her face lacketh.

As the body being alwayes opprest
with labour loseth his strength, and so
perisheth; so doth the minde of a woman
oppressed with passions and pleasures of
this world, lose the force, lust, and desire
which shee had to the rest of eternall life
to come.

Excesse of passions may ever hurt,
they can never profit.

When sensualitie reigneth, (especially
amongst women) there reason taketh no
place.

A madde Woman knoweth things
done, but a discreet woman considereth
things long before they come to
passe.

Praise and indiscretion can never be
coupled together.

From idle wit there springs a brain-sick
will,

Which wise men lust, which foolish make
a god;

This in the shape of vertue reigneth still,

But ’tis the onely vice, one worst and odde.

Will B5v 20

Will puts in practice what the wit deviseth;

Will ever acts, and wit contemplates still,

And as from wit the power of wisedome
riseth,

All other vertues daughters are of will.

The heedlesse will true judgement doth
ensnare,

Who’s rul’d by it doth never want her care.

Where womens actions measure no regard,

there lawlesse will is made his owne regard.

Such is the crueltie of women kinde,

When they have shaken off the shame-fac’t
band,

With which wise nature did them strongly
binde

T’obey the hests of mans well-ruling hand,

That then all rule & reason they withstand,

To purchase a licentious libertie:

But vertuous women wisely understand,

That they were borne to base humilitie,

Unlesse the Heavens them lift to lawfull
sovereigntie.

What iron band, or what sharp-mouthed
bit,

What chain of Diamond; if such might be,

Can B6r 21

Can bridle womens wrath, or conquer it,

And keepe them in their bounds, and true
degree?

Craft makes a woman oft appeare in
show,

Merry and sad, when shee is never so.

The lovely lookes, the sighs that storme so
sore,

The due of deep dissembling doubtfulnesse,

These may attempt, but are of power no
more,

When beauty leanes to wit & soothfastnes.

Live within Compasse:
in Beautie.

There is nothing harder for a woman
than to know her selfe; for blinded
with beautie and selfe-love, they flatter
themselves in all things.

There is in every woman two powers,
which draw and conduct her: a desire
of pleasure bred in the beautie of the body,
and a good opinion coveting onely
good things: between these two there is
continuall strife in women, and when the B6v 22
the opinion hath the maistry, it maketh a
woman sober, chaste, discreet, & quiet: but
when desire getteth the upper hand, it makes
her lustfull, riotous, covetous, & unquiet.

Three things a woman ought to hold remarkable,
her soule, her body, the substance
of this world: The soule first, because it is
a thing beautifull, & immortall, made after
the shape of God himselfe: The body next
because it is faire, and is the case and sepulcher
of the soule, and the nearest servant
to the secret spirit: lastly the substance of
this world being necessary, and the principall
instruments and tools of the body.
Let then the eyes of every womans inward
minde first respect the beautie of her
soule, then the comelinesse of her body, and
lastly, the necessitie of riches.

She that loveth beautie more than vertue,
shalt either lack that she coveteth, or
els lose what she hath got with great paine.

Shee that is in love with her owne beautie
is like one that travelleth on the Seas;
if she escape the dangers (which are scandals)
shee is fortunate, but if shee perish,
shee is wilfully deceived.

Trust not beautie, for it never payeth
what it promiseth.

Beautie B7r 23

Beautie in this world is the delight of
an houre, and the sorrow of many dayes;
but in the world to come, eternall rest and
long joy.

Beautie is of two sorts, as of the body,
which is a seemly compositiōon of all the members,
wherein all the parts with a certain
grace agree together; and the other of the
minde, which is a conveniency meet for
the excellency of man or woman, and that
wherin their nature doth differ from other
living creatures; & as the outward beauty
moveth & rejoiceth the eies, so this shining
in their lives by order & moderation, both
in deeds & words, draweth unto them the
hearts of them amongst whom they live.

Beauty is such a fading good, that it can
be scarce possessed, before it be vanished.

The greatest gift that ever heaven bestowed
on a woman, is beautie; for it
both delighteth the eye, contenteth the
minde, & winneth good favour of all men.

The beauty of the body withereth with
age, and is impaired by sicknesse, but the
beautie of the soule, which is innocency
and humilitie, can never be consumed.

A beautifull countenance is a silent
commendations.

The B7v 24

The fairest creature that ever God
created was the world.

Beautie, honor, and wealth, are three
deepe perswasions to make love frollick
and men miserable.

In all things divisible, there is something
more, something lesse, something
equall more or lesse: what can be more equall
than beautie or wit?

The Scorpion if hee touch never so
lightly, invenometh the whole body; the
least sparke of wild-fire sets the whole
house on a flame, the Cockatrice kils men
with his sight, the sting of love and beautie
woundeth deadly, the flame of fancy sets
all the thoughts on fire, and the eyes of a
lover wounded with beautie, are accounted
incurable.

Shee that is an enemy to beautie is a foe
to nature, and shee that doats on beautie
is a high traytor to nature.

Beauties that should be concealed, too
grosly discovered, are faire signes hung
out to entice to an unhospitable Inne.

Beautie without honesty is poyson preserved
in a box of gold.

Let not a womans beauty, but her vertue
be her dower, for her good deeds will remaine B8r 25
remaine when age hath taken her beautie
from her.

Let no woman strive to excell in beautie,
but hold the golden meane, which is
the true mediocritie and best part of any
action, and must be used in all things: it
containeth the full effects of prudence touching
government, and tranquilitie concerning
the soule.

Curiositie and extremity banished woman
from the first modesty of her nature.

To live on the mountaines, and have
too much heat, is to be Sunne-burnt; to
live in the valley and have too little, is
barren; to hold the meane is ever most
fruitfull.

’Tis sacred Beautie is the fruit of sight,

The curtesie that speaks before the tongue,

The feast of soules, the glory of the lights,

Envy of age, and everlasting young,

Pitties commander, Cupids richest throne,

Musicke entranced, never dully sung:

The summe and court of all proportion.

And that I may dull speeches least afford,

All Rhetorickes flowers in lesse than a
word.

’Tis B8v 26

’Tis beauty that is a womans golden crown,

Mans conqueresse, and feminine renowne,

Not joynd with love, who deare yet ever
sold it.

For Beauty is cheape, except loves eye behold
it.

Beautie is still an Adamant to all,

And Natures bush that passengers doth call.

Beautie it selfe doth of it selfe perswade

The eyes of men without an Orator:

What needeth then Apologies be made,

To set forth that which is so singular?

O how can Beauty master the most strong,

And simple Truth subdue avēenging wrong?

O what is he whose youth can say he loves
not,

Or who so old that womens beauty moves
not?

Never were cheeks of roses, locks of amber

Ordaind to live imprison’d in a chamber.

Heaven made Beauty like it selfe to view,

Not to be lockt up in a smokie mew:

A rosie vertuous cheeke is heavens gold,

Which all men joy to touch, all to behold.

The C1r 27

The ripest corne dyes if it be not reapt,

Beauty alone is lost too char’ly kept.

Out of Compasse
in Beautie,
Odiousnesse.

To exceed Nature or thy condition,
is a ryotous excesse in lust, apparell,
or other ornament, it is also a part
of pride, and contrary to decency and comlinesse.

Excesse of bravery brings a woman of
wealth quickly to povertie, and excesse of
beautie to hate and odiousnesse.

They that rather delight to decke their
bodies than their soules, seems women
rather created for their bodies than their
soules.

As the weed cannot be esteemed precious
for the faire flower which it beareth,
so ought no woman to be accounted vertuous
for the gay garment she weareth,
or the beauty shee borroweth.

Beautie may be overthrowne with age, C and C1v 28
and apparell consumed with moaths: what
folly is it then for women to delight in that
which an houre can waste, or a very little
worme destroy?

Raine can never cause the Corne to
bring forth any fruit which is sowne upon
hard stones, nor speech cannot perswade
a proud woman to become an enemy
to brave apparell.

Gorgeous garments are markes of
pride, and nests of riotousnesse.

As a man would judge one to be ill at
ease which weareth a plaster upon his
face, or one that hath beene scourged to
be punished by the Law; so doth painting
betoken in a woman, a diseased soule marked
with adultery.

As it is no wisedome in admiring the
scabard to despise the blade, so is it meere
folly to praise a woman for her bravery, &
discommend her for her modesty.

Odious is that beautie which sleepeth
not with the face.

If by the civill Law the child may have
an action of the case against him which
shall deface the portraiture of his father,
we may well imagine what action God
will have against those women which by artificiall C2r 29
artificiall painting, seeke to correct his
workmanship.

Painting hastens wrinkles before old
age come.

All kinde of painting, artificiall garnishing,
and colouring of haire, was forbidden
among the Spartans, despised of
wise men, and loathed of good men.

There are three things which cost dearly,
and consume quickly; a faire woman
that is unchaste, a rich garment that hath
many cuts, and a wealthy stocke in the
hands of an ill husband.

The tongue of a bitter woman pierceth
deeper than her eyes.

A painted womans sorrowes, howsoever
extreme, ought not to be redressed:
for being trimmed up with dissimulation,
she should not be beleeved.

A painted womans eyes have two sorts
of teares, the one of sorrow, the other of
dissimulation.

False beautie in the faces of women, &
folly in their heads, are two wormes that
fretteth life, and wasteth goods.

All women for little goodnesse looke for
great praise, but for much evill no chastisement.

C2 C2v 30

A fierce beast and a dangerous enemy
to the common-wealth is a wicked woman,
for shee is of much power to doe
muche harme.

An ill womans heart is full of holes,
apt to receive, but not to retaine.

He that can endure a curst wife, needs
not feare the Devill for his companion.

The closet of a bad womans thought
is ever open, and the depth of her heart
hath a string that stretcheth to her tongues
end.

A painted womans face is a liver smeared
with carrion, her beauty baits of dead
wormes, her lookes nets, and her words
inticing charmes.

An unconstant faire woman may bee
likened to Prasiteles Picture which hee
made of Flora, before which if one stood
directly, it seemed to weepe; if on the left
side, it seemed to laugh; if on the right side;
to sleepe.

A sparke of beautie burnes a world of
creatures,

When it is of sophisticated features.

O beauty, still thine Empire swims in blood

And C3r 31

And in thy peace warre stores himselfe of
food.

Beautie a begger, fie it is too bad,

When in it self sufficiency is had:

It was not made to please the wandring eie,

But an attire t’adorne sweet modesty.

If modesty and women once doe sever,

Farewell all fame, farewell all name for ever.

O beautie that betrayes thy selfe
to every amorous eye,

To trap thy proud professors, what
is it but wantons try?

Where through it seldome haps, the faire
from meane deceits to flye.

Truce, war, and woe; doe wait at beauties
gate,

Time lost, laments, reports, & privy grudge,

And last fierce love is but a partiall judge,

Who yeelds for service shame, for friendship
hate.

The Bees of Hybla have besides
sweet honey, smarting stings;

And Beautie doth not want a bait
that to repentance brings.

C3 The C3v 32

The fairest cheeke hath oftentimes a soule

Leprous as sin it selfe, than hell more foule.

Live within Compasse:
in Humilitie.

Shee that gathereth vertues without
Humilitie, casteth dust against the
winde, and loseth her labour.

Happie is that woman whose calling
is great, and her spirit humble.

Humilitie is a twinne to Chastitie and
Nobilitie, and as necessary in a woman as
her virginitie.

Nothing can repaire a decayed Chastitie
but true Humilitie.

Since the Countrey which a woman
desires to dwell in, is high and heavenly,
and the way thither Lowlinesse and Humilitie,
why then desiring this Countrey,
should they refuse the way?

There are three degrees of Humilitie:
the first, of Repentence; the second, a desire
of Righteousnesse; and the third, the
workes of mercy.

Shee that cannot have what shee would, must C4r 33
must be humbly content with what shee
can get.

Sufferance maketh women Angels,
but pride maketh them Devils.

Let not thankes waxe old, when gifts
are in thy possession.

She that refuseth to buy good counsell
cheape, shall buy repentance deare.

Mocke not at any in misery, but by it
avoid the like misfortune.

Give no vaine and unnecessary gifts,
as is Armour to thy maids, Bookes to
thy plow-swaine, or Nets to a Student.

Let thy best apparell be Justice, and thy
uppermost garment Chastitie; so shalt
thou be happy, and thy dayes prosper.

Let Vertue be thy life, Humilitie thy
love, Honour thy fame, and Heaven thy
felicitie.

Let not thy bounty exceed thy meanes,
nor thy free mind thy modesty, keepe thine
eye in equall pace with thine eare, and
thy tongue short of thy feet.

Rather, live wal’d up with an Anchorite,
than hous’d with an evill woman.

Be not secure, lest want of care procure
thy calamitie; nor too carefull, lest C4 pensiue C4v 34
pensive thoughts oppresse thee with misery.

Behold thy selfe in a Looking-glasse,
and if thou appeare beautifull, doe such
things as becomes thy beautie; but if
thou seeme foule, then performe with
good manners the dutie which thy face
wanteth.

If thy Parents ware poore, supply
their want with thy wealth; if froward
with age, beare patiently with their imperfections.

Live and hope as if thou wert not to
live a moment.

Never wish impossible wishes, for it
expresseth but a wanton passion, or a most
greedy covetousnesse, both grounded on
folly.

To frivolous questions silence is ever
the best answer.

Be ware what thou grantest in any sort,
for inconveniences follow one in the necke
of the other.

If thou doubt in any thing, aske
counsell of the wise, and be not angry
at their reproofe, least (as Martiall the
Poet said) it be truth that thou lovest,
not truth.

Shee C5r 35

Shee that talketh much to little purpose,
is like him that sailes with a side-winde,
and is borne to a wrong shoare.

As a woman without humilitie is unpleasant,
so humilitie without severitie
draweth neare to prostitution.

She only may properly be called a womāan
that in her behaviour governeth her selfe
like a woman, that is to say, conformable
to such things as reason willeth, and not
as the motions of sensualitie requireth.

Where any demand is a test, the fittest
answer is a scoffe.

Rather labour to be delivered from
contempt, than practise to be revenged.

The eye can never offend if the minde
would rule the eye, but where there is devision,
there is ever confusion.

Solitarinesse is the onely slie enemy
that separateth both woman and man from
doing well.

Liking is not alwayes the childe of
beautie, but jealousie is ever the busie harbenger
to disdaine.

Shee that will needs stirre affections
in others, must first shew the same passion
in her selfe.

Shee that blameth another, must first C5v 36
first be blamelesse her selfe, especially in
the matter she blameth another for.

Forbearance of speech is most dangerous
when necessitie requireth to speake.

Humilitie is aged, hoary, gray,

With looke full lowly cast, and gate full
slowe:

Who on a staffe his steps doth stay,

To whom who comes must ever stoope
most low;

For strait and narrow is the way that he
doth show.

Humilitie to heaven is step and staire,

Both for devotion, sacrifice, and prayer.

The bending knee in safetie still doth goe,

when others stumble, as too stiffe to bow.

Ah, God shield maid, that any one
should learne to looke aloft:

This reed is rife, that oftentimes
great climbers fall unsoft.

In humble dales is footing fast,
the troad is not so tickle:

And though one fall through heedles hast,
yet is his misse not mickle.

As C6r 37

As on th’unsavory stock the Lilly’s borne,

And as the Rose growes on the pricking
thorne:

So modest life, with sobs of glorious smart,

And cryes devout, comes from an humble
heart.

More honor’s in humilitie,
than safetie is in wals:

Ill livers prove not monuments,
save onely in their falls.

Meeknesse this noble vertue and divine,

Doth make a woman still so rare and od,

As in that one she most resembleth God.

Ever as rage kindleth the fire of wrath,

Meeknes to quench it store of water hath.

Out of Compasse in
Humilitie,
Pride.

Pride perceiving Humilitie to be honourable,
desires oftentimes to bee
covered with her garment, for fears least
appearing alwayes in her owne likenesse, shee C6v 38
she should be little regarded.

Immoderate wealth causeth pride,
pride bringeth hatred, hatred worketh rebellion,
rebellion maketh an alteration
and changeth Kingdomes, even in womens
dissentions.

That kind of fantasticke contemplation
which tends to solitarinesse, is but a
glorious title to proud idlenesse.

The proud conceit of young women,
is, that they can speake wisely, when they
cannot understand themselves.

When Dogs fall on snarling, Serpents
on hissing, and Women on weeping, the
first meanes to bite, the second to sting,
and the last to deceive.

As rewards are necessary for well-doers,
so chastisements are meet for proud
offenders.

Pride is alwayes accompanied with
Folly, Audacitie, Rashnesse, Impudency,
and Solitarinesse: as if one would say
that the proud woman is abandoned of
all the world, ever attributing that to her
selfe which is not, having much more
boast than matter of worth.

Pride did first spring in men from too
much abundance of wealth, in women from C7r 39
from too much trust in beautie, and the
flattery of men.

Pride is the mother of Envie; strangle
her, and her daughter dieth.

She that knowes her selfe best, will ever
esteeme her selfe least.

It is hard for a faire woman not to be
proud.

A proud woman is like Theocritus his
fisherman; shee onely feeds the vanitie of
her fancy with dreames of gold.

If a mans folly make a woman once
his equall, her pride will soone make her
selfe his superior.

Women be of so tender condition, that
they will complaine for a small cause, and
for a lesse will rise up into infinite pride.

There is no creature that more desires
honour, worse keeps it, and sooner loseth
it, than a proud woman.

Proud women in mischiefe are ever
wiser than men.

It is naturall to a proud woman, to
despise that which is offered her; and death
to her to be denied any thing shee demandeth.

Sophocles being asked, why, when he
brought in the persons of women, hee made C7v 40
made them alwayes good, whereas Euripides
made them all bad: “Because” (quoth
he) “I present women as they should be
and Euripides presented them such as
they are.”

A proud womans will is like a Sheffild
knife, sometimes so sharpe it will cut a
haire, and otherwhiles so blunt it must
needs goe to the grindstone.

If women be beautifull, they are to be
won with prayses; if coy, with prayers;
if proud, with gifts; if wonton, with promises;
but if good, with providence and
vertue.

Those women which esteeme themselves
most wise, are evermore the soonest
tickled with selfe-love.

A proud womans mind is ever uncertaine:
it hath as many new devices as a
tree hath leaves, for shee is alwayes desirous
of change, and seldome loveth him
heartily with whom shee hath beene long
conversant.

Trust not a proud woman when shee
weepeth, for it is her nature to shed teares
when she wants her will.

A proud woman in her wit is pregnable,
in her smile deceivable, in her frowne revengeable,uengeable, C8r 41
and lastly in her death acceptable.

Of grisly Pluto, Pride the daughter was,

And sad Prosperpina the Queene of hell,

Yet doth she thinke her pearles worthy to
passe,

That parēentage with pride so doth she swell;

And thundring Jove that hie in heaven doth
dwell,

And wield the world, shee claimed for her
sire

Or if that any else doth Jove excell,

For to the highest she doth still aspire;

Or if ought higher were, then that doth she
desire.

O pride the shelf close shrouded in the port

Of this lifes Ocean, drowning all resort.

Pride makes her rounds, for shee hath never
end,

And Sonets, for she never leaves her noise:

She makes her dumps, if any thing offend,

And to her idoll selfe, with warbling voice,

Sings Hyms & Anthems of especiall choice:

And yet prides quire’s put to silence clean,

Wanting a Base, a Tenor, and a Meane.

Pride C8v 42

Pride is the scourge of sin, the Devils fee,

The head of hell, the bough, the branch,
the tree.

From which doe spring and sprout such
fleshly seeds,

As nothing else but moane and mischiefe
breeds.

Such is the nature still of haughtie pride,

Can nothing lesse than others praise abide.

A proud maid may her owne musitian be,

Her heads device makes pavens to her heart

This hart with lips & pleasures dāanceth free,

All but the measures framing every part;

Like Organs worthy of so sweet an Art,

Her thoughts playes marches on her vaulting
mind,

And Memory her Recorder stands behind.

Finis.