Prudence

Kinke sisters all, now I haue heard the Bride, Will you haue my opinion, not to flatter, Sure I am turning to the wedding side, I heare such good sound reason for the matter: Let Grace, Doll, Besse, and Susan, Mary, Iane, Leade apes in hell, I am not of their vaine.

As sure as death ile ioyne my selfe with man, For I perswade me tis a happy life, Ile be a Bride vvith all the speede I can, It's vvonder how I long to be a vvife: Grace heer's good counsell, had you grace to take it Susan tis sound, oh Besse doe not forfake it.

Good husband-men vve see doe euer vse, To chuse for forfit those that breede the best, And none vvill keepe bad breeders that can chuse, Euen so your fowlers that often brood the nest, Are most esteem'd, & their kinds worthiest thoght All barren things, by all are counted nought.

Who plantes an orchard vvith vnfruitfull trees, None but a madman so vvill vvast his ground, Or vvho sowes corne vvhere onely sand he sees, Assured that there vvill no increase be found: And in a vvord all that the vvorld containes, Haue excellence in their begetting gaines.

For my part therefore I resolue me thus, Vnto the purpose I was borne, ile liue, All maydes are fooles that vvill not ioyne vvith vs, And vnto men their right of marriage giue: Most vvorthy Bride, here is my hand and vow, I loue a man in heart, as vvell as thou.