To longe have I lyved without ony make

"To longe have I lyved without ony make; All to longe have I used my yonge age: I wyll all for go and a wyfe to me take For to increase both our twoos lynage; For saynt John sayth that he is sage That ayenst his wyll doth him governe, And our lordes precepte hym selfe for to learne

"There is no greter pleasure than for to have A wyfe that is full of prudence and wysdome. Alas, for love nygh I am in poynte to rave. These cursed olde men have an yll custome Women for to blame, both all and some; For that they can not theyr myndes full fyll, Therfore they speke of them but all yll.

"Now, syth that I have my tyme used For to follow my folyshe pleasaunces, And have my selfe oftentimes sore abused At plaies and sportes, pompes and daunces, Spendynge golde and sylver and grete fynaunces, For faut of a wyfe the cause is all: To late maryed men may me call."