that was in my yong yeares when I set a high rate on mine owne beautie esteeming more a bare victorie of opinion than the endowment of such an especial occasion wherby I might soly studie endeuour to make my selfe faire and beautifull indeed But for this euer afterward I gaue thankes to Venus and Cupid who in my first affections yonger errors gaue me a Loue discreete wise modest vertuous pittifull patient and worthie of all commendation of whom I learned that which is onely sufficient to loue secretly and without pride controuling daylie mine owne imperfections and practising the knowledge of manie things necessary to true and perfect louing as for example to rehearse large Histories by lookes onely other especiall matters by least suspected behauiour But most happy is the Louer whatsoeuer whose fortune is so good as to light on so true and faithfull a Friend sweet loue sweet pastime but sweetest of all is the first kindled heate which brings the louer both pleasure and profit together whereby he may the better attaine his owne contentation The first loue being not counterfet but surely grounded can neuer be remooued from the remembrance but truly the sweetnes of those ioies were rare and numberlesse were they not often troubled by crooked finister meanes as oftentimes happens to vs women such as I was in my yong vainer dayes as shewing our selues too disdainful reckoning the meanest of our owne priuate opinions to be farre beyond all others Fooles that wee bee how manie wonderfull pleasures lose we in nice shunning them Afterward both alone and publique how much do we bemone our owne stearne rudenesse Thus first through our owne fault we finde the cause of our annoiance til with floods of teares we weare out the flint of our stonie stubbornnesse learning thereby to become more milde and tractable It is best then to learne how to loue without fiercenesse or disdaine but it falls out verie sildome that without some bitternesse one can endure the sweete which growes by Loues beginning except wee first make choyce of such an one as shall appeare most meete and worthie to be beloued Listen then faire Virgins learn of me to passe pleasantly the course of your life as also to bring such quiet to your Loue as the issue thereof shalbe most peaceable and glorious CAP. 3. HEere then will I first instruct ye how to make choyce of a right good Louer afterward teach in what maner and by what arte you may take entertaine him with all the grace good wil in such cases requisite Lastly ye shall vnderstand from me with what ease and securitie yee may long time triumph in your amorous enterprises For which good Lessons I wold next of all know what thanks or kindnes on your behalfe I shalbe requited withall But out alas what recompence shal I expect frō ye faire louely Creatures when ye haue proou'd what pleasure profit contentment these my instructions shall enrich ye withall Well come what may I will wayte for nothing else from yee or make anie other demaund but when yee haue attentiuely heard my speeches and admonitions that ye would bestow your loue effectually on the partie by whom ye finde your selues to be loyally beloued For this I dare certainly assure yee that whatsoeuer she bee among yee that in her course of loue will not obserue my Aduertisements let her neuer looke for anie amorous content without verie great crosses and perturbations neither shall shee liue without the charge and oppression of infinite cares greefes and heart-killing passions Listen then aduisedly how much it shal auaile ye to loue discreetly and how preiudiciall beside the want of this knowledge in loue will be vnto ye CAP. 4. FIrst then must wee shew yee what kinde of Louers they ought to bee of whom you should make choyce and therefore sweet Sisters bee carefull of this first precept that yee chuse not a man either too yong or ouer-wearied with yeares for no age can bee more successefull in louing than when a man is in the state of firme strength abilitie which being alreadie spent and gone in old men makes them vnapt or incapable of those sweet pastimes the case of Loue requires Think with your selues what a hell it is to loue where the like cannot be returned againe Whereas the able gallant Youth being in the first flower of his manly age hath a most delicate aspect or countenance declares a more firme potent constitution and is able to endure watchings or other weightie burdens in better sort than those of weaker disposition can But learne with me I beseech ye to know how many discommodities attend vpon such men as being ouer yong are likewise vnapt for loue They are not expert euery smal occasion seemes in their mindes to make a verie great shadow being alwaies hasty subiect to no patience They are sudden rash indiscreet knowing little therefore improuident suspitious in all things easily caried away with any disdainful conceit Sildome shal ye see thē without some folowing friend to whom they wil discourse a whole historie of their amorous passions taking delight in counterfeiting and defending apparances of truth and making open vaunts of approoued falshoods Here hence insues it that these reports passing from one to another whatsoeuer is spoken of vs women bee it neuer so false as quickly will some be found to beleeue it Thus by the meanes of these indiscreet yong heads before wee can scant know the name of him we purpose to loue wee are made common reports and pratlings of the people And sometimes it happeneth that when all sinister language is silent of vs then our owne fortune resembles the yong Liones following the Hart who iested dallied verie long with her yet in the end cast her off rather than which inconuenience should happen to me I would make election of an elder Louer than one so ouer yong and voyd of reason The Louer more seene in yeares will be wise discreet readie to know and accomplish whatsoeuer according to time place and all offered occasions whereas the yong gadding head not obseruing those necessarie rules can neuer know how to fit him selfe with these needfull furnitures Note well the discreet Louer and yee shall see him silent secret patient modest aduised but the yong Fantasticke will go vp and downe all day before your doore where thogh he be alone yet euerie passenger shal be a witnesse of his inward affection The elder Fauour it except theretoo induced by some mightie occasion will neuer giue ouer his enterprise his Loue is his hearts Heauen but if he cease to loue yet neuer will he become an enemie hate or seeme molestuous vnto ye either by word or deed The yong wanderer like one that newly comes into a publique market place walkes along euerie side and admireth all things desiring to inioy each thing hee beholdeth but with the least looke he
quick witted and aboue all most loyall exceding in al the parts of gentlenes Verie skilful was he in the exercise of Armes managing great horses and either at his launce bow or such commendable qualities right ready well seene in sciences musique painting engrauing yea all other Artes whatsoeuer and yee can name no laudable action fit for a man but I imagine he could therein very hardly be seconded Impossible it is for mee to recount the moitie of his admirable vertues which worthily made him famous affected and euerie where regarded Thinke then faire Ladies I neede not be ashamed both to esteeme and tearme him my Lord being such an onely most sweete and loyall Louer neither a matter hard or laborious to me readily and at all times to please and obey him nay I thought my selfe most happie and fortunate if I might expresse my vttermost diligence in doing whatsoeuer he pleased to commaund me Who better could deserue such dutie and reuerence at my hand than such a worthie husband Oh my Lord most blessed haue I euer reputed my selfe seeing Fortune bestowed such a Loue on me as had not his like But alas my mishap chaunced afterward cutting off the felicitie of such a heauenly kinde of life by taking him from me into a farre distant Countrey and death could bee no worse to mee than this sowre separation yet this is some consolation to my soule that the remembraunce of thy faith and loue continueth aliue in me which I keepe and will doo with all religious duty I can as a most memorable testimonie of our neuer sundred affection Such a Loue as this faire Ladies yea such a Loue if such a one maye be met withall doo I councell ye to make choyce off and intyrely to loue him neuer preferring anie to the souereigntie of your affections but such as are wise vertuous and modest These are they that will requite your faith and kindnes with endlesse recompences and by whom ye shall neuer need to doubt any sinister accident These like Poets Times glories will make your names immortall giuing true fame and eternitie to your beautie and vertues Lesbia Corinna Cynthia and manie more deceased a thousand yeares since yet liue by being beloued of vertuous and learned men Loue then sweete Sisters those that are learned wise modest vertuous so shall your liues be heere as none the like and your loues remembred as none comparable CAP. 7. THus hauing declared how ye should elect men worthie of your loue now will I shew the meanes to entertaine and preserue them still in louing And first of all let me tell yee faire Creatures that nothing better becommeth your excellent perfections and sooner preuaileth in conquering his heart you ayme at than a sweete carriage of countenance as also a comely discreete and modest presence one piercing looke heates and enkindles the dullest desire one modest amorous glaunce awakens sleepie thoughts fetcheth fire from the flint and makes the hart as yeelding as your own can craue enioying Heerein I haue discerned manie young Damosels through want of better wit verie much to deceiue themselues imagining that a man no sooner lookes on them but presently he is in loue with them which makes them verie liberall in eying euerie one and take plesure in gazing on each goer by still thinking theyr beautie increased by their often beholding wheras men are rather wearied with noting their vanitie But beleue me deare Friends it is no part of beauties glorie to attract a troope of eies or be beleagerd with an hoast of idle regarders couet rather priuately to bee seene as one adorned with vertue courtesy and humanitie than gold purple silke or siluer for that shall make thee truly honoured when the other will leaue thee foolishly despised One onely light makes an entyre and perfect shadow whereas manie lights being together confounds defaceth it euen so from one onely Friend and loyal Louer true and perfect loue is to bee expected for well may she bee compared to the Brood-hen that all the daye long bestowes her paines in all the dust shee meetes withall and yet sleepes at night hungrie and vnsatisfied It is good then for her that loueth to imploy all her endeuour to finde the meanes for preseruing one entire Loue onely for how vnwise is shee that considers not how manie casualties and dangers happen in loue especially when affection is rouing at more than one marke onely Vnderstand faire Sisters true loue is a matter immortall not to bee deuided or seuered for when it is truly bestowed where your soule solemnly affecteth what beside it is bragd or boasted on to anie other is woords without woorth and golden showes with glassie substance She that can deuide her liking into diuers parts proportions knowes not how to loue indeed but prophanes so sacred a profession shee that labours not to maintaine loue in his true and onely glorie deserues not to haue the benefites of loue but rather to be generaly hated and contemned And though all other reasons auailed as nothing in this behalfe yet thinke with your selues that beeing pursued with a multitude of riualls what expectation is to be had thereof I will not stand to rehearse all the inconueniences but let this one suffise for the residue If yee lend good lookes to euerie one ye bring your selfe into a hell intollerable seruitude for then if ye grace one more than another presently ariseth hatred and contentions betweene them What daily is then to bee lookt for about your doores but brawles quarrels frayes murders made onely about you The people laye the blame hereof vppon you worthily despising yee for these rude inciuilities Some one of them either to despite his enemie the more or because he will be singuler in his owne conceipt beares downe the rest with tearmes and brauadoes he becomes the kill-cow he will haue more than anie though he merit lesse than any where ere hee comes hee brags of your fauours presents letters and tokens yea sometime of kindnesse that might be kept closer And hearing the like deliuered from another with oathes and protestations how true I know not furie beeing enkindled nothing but blood can allay this hot tempest and you being the cause thereof are publiquely condemned that neuer can your credit bee afterward repayred But admit that all your Louers were ciuill and modest no way iniuring your fame and reputation yet shal ye finde great defect in this multitude of followers and that the prosecuting of their loue will proue very perillons Continuallye will they bee to one another as spyes murmurers and secrete enemies so that no place or time can yeeld yee anye safe assurance or priuiledge but by one or other ye shall bee continually siedged neuer enioy one minutes rest from their ceaselesse perturbations Therefore would I aduise ye not to be so generall in your affection but to elect one Louer onely such a one as before I haue deciphered vnto
ye to whom ye may safely disclose your harts secretes and finde your loue euerie way effectually requited To all other beside ye must be verie scarce and sparing of your behauior for they perceiuing themselues not to be regarded will suffer yee to enioy your owne choyce the more quietly because no man will loue longer than hee hath hope to bee esteemed If they discerne in your lookes no apparant signes of loue they will cease al pursute and for beare further molestation abuse not then your selues with the opinion of some vain headed wantons who are perswaded that the onely meanes to make them affected consists in brauery of attire and gay decking of the bodie to bee gazde on But I assure ye deare Sisters that neither golde pearles periwigs nor painting but faire comely demeanour humanitie gentlenesse and modestie are the true weapons to win Loue withall and the onely faire Trophees that beautifies his Triumph I haue seene more homely in aides beloued for their ciuill demeanour modestie than faire faces for their pride and boldnes and reason giues vs knowledge by most apparaunt proofes that a proud minde can neuer loue as it should doo What thinke ye sweet Sisters did first of all incite and prouoke yee to loue Questionlesse neither golde purple precious stones or any other of Fortunes ornaments but rather discreet behauiour vertue modesty gentlenes and ciuilitie discerned in your amorous Seruants then looke what first procured you to affect the selfe same in others makes you to bee fauoured Giue then your selues to one modest Louer onely not audaciously as diuers ouer-bold and impudent vse to doo but with a womanly cariage an affable demeanous true signes of humanitie simple facilitie a pleasing disposition whereby you shall gaine as much grace good will and equall affection as you can wish or desire from your chosen Fauourite CAP. 8. THus ye see how yee should make your election of one onely Louer of mature age vertuous modest ciuill behauiour as I haue alreadie described vnto ye him and no other would I wish ye to affect euen as yee seeke to bee required with the like againe in him Not much differing from this present purpose I begin now to remember mine owne former loues when sitting weeping by my deare beloued mother I would make complaint vnto her that my Husband the onely moitie of my soule to whom I frankly gaue my selfe despising the thoght of anie other seemed vnkind to me and in outward appearaunce did not manifest such affection toward mee as my simple wisedome craued and expected Continuing in the heate of these amorous oppressions I found but one comfort onely in this my martirdome which was to weepe my fill daily and declare my greefes to my pittying Mother still accusing to my vttermost my Husband with great crueltie When such large expence of teares and heart-renting sighes auailed not I would often intreat and desire him that hee should not forsake my companie and seeme so disdainfull to her that intyrely loued him but his discreete aunsweres as now I can confesse they were though then my folly would not suffer mee to discerne so much declared him to bee a wiser Husband than I was a Wife and his councell was more auailable than I had wit to conceiue But I being then yong and in the extremitie of Loues flames as many other in the like case doo tooke all in the worst sense fretted greeued and wept alone by my selfe imagining still that I loued but in vaine fancied where I was not affected These troubles and molestations made me so forget my selfe that I vsed the aduice of forcerers and charmers hearbes vearses oyntments or anie thing thoght likely to induce procure loue them I made proofe of as deeming I had him not sure enough who loued me better than I did my selfe In teares at length I told all to my Mother and she being well acquainted with youths peeuish follies worthily controlling my deepe indiscretion vsed these or the verie like speeches vnto me Daughter the eye onely is Loues directer no hearbe no potion no enchauntment neither Circes nor Moeris that could chaunge themselues other humane shapes into beasts and monsters of strangest qualities haue anie power at all by theyr spells or exorcismes to procure loue or preuaile against a minde not determined to loue Let her then that will declare her selfe a Louer affect truly him whom she deemes to be the like One knowes not a Musitian but either by his voyce or touching hys instrument euen so ye cannot be reputed a perfect Louer but by the testimonie of the true signes belonging to Loue. Figures are fallacies shewes no substances loue more priuately than may be noted apparantly so shall ye expresse your loues value and your wittes vertue for by following this course yee shall haue this assurance to be as intyrely affected as your self can fancy and the least friendly look shall finde as fauourable liking Heertoo she added diuers other reasons but none so pleasing mee thought as this Beware Daughter quoth she that when reports come of others despising thee thou be not as readie to beleeue as the other to belye and so prooue as sudden in hatred as they were swift to incense thee We should bee naturally inclined rather to loue thā hate because loue is full of sweetnesse and hatred hath no felicitie but in bitternes sowrenesse Therefore thus resolue with thy selfe that whosoeuer shall perceiue thy hearts firme affection will hold it as religion to returne thee the like leaue then these had courses to base abusers of their time for they that so liue shal worthily be loathed and run into more contempt than thou hast reason to consider Loue and thou shalt be belou'de be kinde curteous gentle and debonaire that thy outward demeanour may 〈…〉 harts feruor for thus shall the fire that warmes thee heate him and make him as tractable as thy selfe can be affable What thogh he bee somwhat slow in discouering his affection thou oughtest not to misdeeme thereof but conceiue the best in such a case gouerning thy self by this rule That he who is long ere he loues is much longer ere he mislikes for hastie fancie hath as hastie flight whereas loue growing by leasure hath aduise for his guide comfort by his continuaunce and true fame after death to make him eternall He neuer slips or falls that runneth with discretion and the tree which is slacke in sprouting is as slow in perishing Wel worthie regarding were these good admonitions for to my cost since then I haue found them most certaine How manie disdaines how manie molestations more hurtfull to my selfe than offensiue to him yea how manie wrongs bare my Husband at my hand only through no other occasion but because indeed I knew not rightly how to loue All which notwithstanding his affection to me neuer failed scantly would hee seeme to shew himselfe anie way offended he saw it was
equall in her loues good fortune CAP. 11. LOue then sweete Soules the men that loue you be contented with your liking and seeke not to know that which will hurt ye flie suspition disdaine and all other proud humors belieue none but him loue if yee wish well to your owne selues for look what loue ye extend the like shall ye finde againe and the firmer ye keepe your faith the faster shall ye finde his whom ye haue chosen to affect Thinke not but mens constancie in loue must needs goe beyond ours for men bee lesse suspitious than wee are therefore they haue the greater wisedome and gouernment They perseuere more than we can because they are lesse obstinate They are not so sudden in ill conceit as we be because they haue better courage and loftie disposition They cannot beare hatred so long as we vse to do by reason they are of a more magnifique minde and affable nature No hindrance whatsoeuer can stay them in their amorous deseigns because their permanencie exceedes ours and their qualities are not so apish as ours Some of vs women are timorous and the least occasion offered is our guide to suspition which friuolous humour makes vs scorne others albeit our owne errours goe farre beyond theirs Each smal offence we seek reuenge for hauing no moderation in malice and misliking but liue as capitall enemies to them that loue vs most We know how to offend but not to suffer wee are quickly led into errour but neuer firme in beleefe for looke how our opinions are such bee our behauiours and an imagination once setled is not in haste remooued CAP. 12. THis opinion hath alwayes beene the destruction of kindnes For as my Husband once told mee it resembles the Mole that beeing in the deep earths obscuritie straies about euerie way passing thorow the hardest molde she meetes withall now so soone as she comes but to the day-light all her force and strength immediately failes her euen such in this iealous opinion hid within the darke clowde of an afflicted minde it neuer ceaseth to remoue fresh thoghts with infinit perturbations but when truth doth discouer it it is presently nothing When ye manifest your conceipt to him yee loue vsing withall some reasonable excuse ye cleare both his doubts and your own dread encreasing withall his affection the more toward ye for then yee declare all trust is not remooued and shew a desire of loue to be continued Which in like occurrences hapning afterward makes him the more careful of offensiue behauiour and when occasion is hindred the lesse wrong can be offered Whereas on the contrarie suspect kept within the heart and not reuealed caries ye headlong from one bad conceit to another and then yee see what mischeefe immediately followes For a man tost in the tempest of continual molestations if he finde that reason bee vtterly abandoned though hee giue yee leaue to pursue your head-strong opinions yet hee will bestow his loue where hee may finde it in better sort requited Is not this a faire haruest of such foolish humours and a verie meete recompence for such vain and rude demeanour Yee may then sit and sigh but who will bemone ye You may crie for comfort and it flyes the faster from ye And when this shall come to the cares of others what censure will they presently passe vpon yee That ye were rash indiscreete vnthankfull and vnkinde yee were beloued and despised it had a true Loue knew not how to vse him therefore worthily do ye beare the burthen of your owne abuses Others lesse acquainted with these mightie disgraces seeing ye not walk as ye were wont not your Loue keeping yee familiar companie they iudge as their opinions please them That either greater faults are committed than may well bee endured or such imperfections crosse your course which rather deserue burying in silence than publikely to be spoke of for scandall of the Sexe CAP. 13. IT may so come to passe that your Louer being ouer passionate by reason of your offences and touched too neere with the piercing point of your continual iniuries will reuenge himselfe with your shame and ease his owne oppression by your publique defamation For ye must thus be perswaded that hee whome your rigours haue brought to an extreame estate as it were next neighbour euen to deaths doore will regard your disgrace no more than you did his disease and take as little compassion on your honour as you did on his life Remember then deare Sisters that by beeing so vniust proud vnkinde and disdainfull the lampe of faire renowme is quite extinguished and in stead of true loue with the pleasures thertoo pertaining ye shall receiue but counterbuffes of your owne cruelties and a iust measure of reuenge for beeing so desirous to seeke it Alone shall ye be left without Louer or Seruant accompanied onely but with teares and sighes where before you suspected a riuall in your loue you shall then finde your selfe not to be lou'd at all but like one cast off and despised fearing withall to be further afflicted Consider faire Ladies the most constant patience being too far prouoked conuerteth into furie and a wrathfull Louer is more to be feared than a sauage monster that hath no reason CAP. 14. HEertoo could I adde diuers other such discommodities no lesse to bee respected your selues beeing the originall Yee shall finde that those plesant places where before ye were wont to passe the time in sport delights through want of his companie that then graced the Assembly they are become like solitarie deserts and vnhaunted walkes not so pleasing before but now as vncouth Alas poore soules what a torment wil it be vnto yee to see the yeares faire seasons so often wheele about when ye wer wont to be at amorous sports sweete conference and other delicate recreations now to finde no more but that ther were such times and once yee had a Loue who made all those delights in their verie chiefest luster For now the times are miserably changed ye are left companionlesse ioylesse neighboured on euerie side with greefe and calamitie sighes and teares abound but return no benefit manie eyes looke on but none lending pittie and that which indeed is the verie worst of all abandoned by him who was your liues solace bayted at by euerie one for a course so carelesse Then bee no more sweete Sisters like to blowen bladders puft vp with proud opinion and needlesse suspition seeking therby to make conquest of your Louers What victorie call yee that which hurteth your owne selues and bringeth beside the losse of your Loue Striue to vanquish surmount him in loyaltie and kindnes and then the victorie will bee to eithers profit It is a farre greater emperie to make your selues belou'd by louing than reaching thereat by sinister waies to procure your Louers damage and your owne downfall for in nothing is a gentle braue minde more to be discerned than in lenitie humanitie pittie and affabilitie where contrariwise loathsome disdaine breedes all inciuilitie and none but a wicked minde dooth nourish such thoughts as knowing neither how to reuenge nor how to pardon Then least yee should fall into such misfortune haue your faire names blemished by so foule a blot follow the courses I haue alreadie declared giue your selues to loue truly and yee shall finde loue againe as truly Chuse a Louer as I haue aduised ye neither yong nor old modest and vertuous win his loue by gentlenes and all faire behauiour so shall yee still preserue Loue in his cheefest soueraigntie and make the issue thereof peacefull and glorious CAP. 15. REmember heer withall that your quiet will be the more effectuall if so soone as a fond suspition is conceiued yee seeke for immediate resolution therein remaining firme and immouable in your selues as also toward him whom your hart hath elected as knowing the benefite that ensues by the one and the vnrecouerable losse hapning by the other And affecting thus with intyrest faith diligent obseruaunce and all kindes of gracious vsage the miseries and mishaps attending on proud opinion which is the vtter shipwrack perishing of loue can neuer preuaile against yee but howrely ioy and felicitie euermore await on ye CAP. 16. HAd I more leasure I would teach yee manie other rules to be obserued in loue but I see the Comedie is in some forwardnes the Personages ready attyred that are to present it then till some other time place conuenient wil I refer what remains as yet vndiscouered as hauing not gone throgh a quarter of the hundred kindes of loue In meane while sweet Sisters shew your selues pleasing and tractable to your Louers be not offensiue to them and thereby hurtfull to your selues Be warned by the multitude of so many exāples change not plesure for paine solace for sighing and all loues heauen for foule hates hell As ye desire to be beloued so shew you the like no enchauntment no hearbe no charme preuailes so much in loue as the verie power of an immoouable affection Loue then and shun all misbeliefe of your Louer then will he embrace ye with all due correspondence disrobe your selues of iealous doubts disdaines and opinions so shal your liues bee matchlesse and your Loues immortall Tutto vince Amare FINIS
but my want of better iudgement being borne weake by nature I must needes declare the same in nurture which though he had admirable patience to endure yet had I no reason at all to discerne My Grandame beeing a Woman experienst in manie things but especially in the Arte instructing to loue tolde mee that long since which I found most true in my Husband A patient man quoth shee is the true honour of manhood for being euermore wise and secret to himselfe bee his wrongs few or manie his bosome is their buriall and tungs abroad shal not tattle of his troubles at home Euen so did I finde it in my Husband for though I daily gaue him cause to be displeased and indeed presumed a little too much on his patience yet God knowes much griefe would he smoother with a smile pittying to to haue my errors showen or his disquiet reuealed to anie Consider then faire Ladies on the good precepts rehearsed be constant in loue doubt not of the like the next way to purchase contempt is by shewing your selues vnkinde the surest waye to win loue is by expressing true loue hate then the one and be sure to enioy the honor of the other CAP. 9. YE haue hithertoo heard sweete Sisters what election yee should make of modest and vertuous Louers likewise that ciuill conuersation and faire demeanour both preuailes and purchaseth such meete men for ye It remaines now to know the latter part how this loue may be kept in perfect continuance that the pleasure thereof may for euer be preserued Which I hope ye wil account as a most necessarie consequent and that no lesse skill is to be vsed in keeping than was in obtaining for in compassing of a thing wee are oftentimes assisted by fortune and good hap but to keepe the same in such estate as it should bee requires industrie wisedome carefull diligence for the felicities of Loue are subiect to manie infirmities one while by time and course of occasions another by the iniquitie and mallice of enuious persons somtime thorough lets and hinderaunces ensuing by fortune then againe by want of knowledge how to guide and gouerne our selues in louing To Time and Fortune faire Ladies wee must needes bee obedient And as he that intends to passe a Riuer stayes on the banke till the rough stormes bee ouer-blowen so in the stearne tempests of time wee should awaite and not wilfully cast our selues into daunger considering that what may not bee done to day happily to morrow in better sort will bee compassed Let the way be neuer so long hold on and at length thou shalt attayne the end Thinke then no trauaile tedious in Loue if thou meete anye crosse encounters proceed on chearfully and at last thou shalt land in the wished hauen As for the slaunder and detraction which oftentimes attendeth on secrete loue it may easely bee escaped because hidden Loue is fortefied on all sides with infinite good excuses which serues as a rampart against all bad reports But among all the aduerse chaunces incident to vs Louers as I haue tried by mine own proofe and noted the like in others there can no mishap whatsoeuer betide vs but it receiues from our selues the ground originall as by our ouer-much inconstancie pride wilfulnes disdaine and such like which proones more to our owne harme than theirs wee seeke to hurt And let me assure yee that there is nothing more preiudiciall to the sweete proceeding of loue than our owne peeuish humours which being carried away with meere shaddowes in manie things continually deludes vs with vaine and idle fantasies in all things Onely our own folly and obstinate opinions makes vs afterward sit alone and sigh out our repentaunce nor ensues this fault so much by improuidence as through pride and vaine conceit at the first in our selues therefore he spake both well and truly that affirmed A proud Woman could not loue effectually because suspition continually attendeth her Suspition ensueth through lacke of knowledge and distrust waited on by disdaine which makes vs to shun iniure and torment them that too dearly loue vs thus our crooked behauiors serue as instructers to them look what coyne they receiued of vs they pay vs backe with the like There are some of vs women who deeme themselues neuer satisfied with pride furie and scornfulnesse which makes but a bad agreement among vs for where disdain is entertained contempt of all kindnesse is the more increased and it is pittie a true Louer shuld haue such a reward for his labour But she that is of a noble inclination gracious benigne modest kinde and gentle will listen to iust excuses and let reason be her ruler If anger would presume she will quickly suppresse it if disdaine would attempt her shee can foorthwith turne it off remembring that loue must bee imbraced with loue wher the enemy is repulsed the solace is with greater sweetnes receiued Be not then coy proud or scornful in affectiō but like your faire semblances full of all affabilitie Which of yee would denie him whom ye dearly loue whatsoeuer he demaundeth Little can ye do then if at his request ye will not forsake a fond and friuolous opinion learne as my Lord taught me in my first affections to reiect and despise all such hurtfull follies I tooke extreame delight sweete Sisters in commending him whom I knew to be compleat in all arts and vertues especially this whereof wee now conferre yet let it not seeme offensiue to ye that among my praises of him whom I loued and euer shall I mingle some of mine owne infirmities wherein either you haue likewise fallen through lacke of prouidence or maye heereafter by ouermuch peeuishnesse Being a yong Damosell rash and vnexperienced I began to loue falling afterward to a little pride in my selfe which drew me to disdaine and such fantasticke humours as falling from one peruerse opinion to another I grew afterward suspitious of anie occasion whatsoeuer My Husband was a goodly personage of exceeding pleasing speech and vertuous qualities which made him called to manie companies loued and esteemed of euerie one generally and herehence began in me a world of afflictions Whatsoeuer woman lookt on him I iudgd her immediatly a riuall in my loue my thoughts were neuer free from iealous suspition if he were in my sight yet I deemed him not sure enough and what woman lookt vppon him but once I wisht she might be blinde for euer afterward I could neuer glut mine owne eyes with sufficient gazing on him but desired that perpetually they might be fixed on him when he came toward me no woman in the world could be more contented and let him but go backe againe I imagined no torment might be so greeuous My too much reposing trust in him began to make me distrustfull of my selfe and though needlesse suspition had got some hold of me as yet it robd me not of my loues felicitie nor anie way impaired the
sighed smile when he wept thogh indeed I lou'd him yet I took a great pride in these commaunding behauiours Thus though outwardly I appeared to bee high minded and imperious yet iealozie within kept me hot fiery loading me with more mightie molestations than those foolish conceits of mine could burden him withall yet still his patience exceeded my presumptions and the more I grew stubborne the lesse he cared for it How sorie haue I been manie times within my selfe that I could not by my disdaines and outrages prouoke him to anger I could haue wisht my selfe in hell to haue gotten him but half way thither See poore soules the folly of our selfe wills When all the rest preuailed not to plague him as I would I fell to this wicked purpose to seeme in outward shew quite weaned from his Loue and that my affection was inclined to some other which to make hym the more soundly beleeue in his sight I would talk idly fondly with yong Gallants to kindle the same fire in him that flamed so extreamely in mee Thus after long seeking mine own miserie at length I found it and I was not so greedie of compassing it before but then I would as gladly haue been rid of it againe Much raine weares out the roughest marble and with continuance of strokes the hardest steele is pierced euen so the greatest patience by extremities may be peruerted and the kindest hart made cruell by intollerable torturing His loue which before flamed toward mee like Aetna became now more cold than frostie Caucasus his kinde lookes faire presence and admirable sufferance were now sowre frownes moodie gestures stearne impatience which finding to my cost and feeling to be so cruell then each word I had spoken each deede I had done euery priuate thought which had displeased him with true teares I bewailed with sighes from my soule intirely repented But what a hell is it when repentance auailes not Let me complain it was to no purpose though I sighed and sorrowed it had no successe his wrongs had been so mightie and my wilfull transgressions so manie as I could not but expect a iust deserued punishment hauing thus through mine owne folly procured both his hurt and mine owne Infortunate wretch my teares and torments I cannot expresse vnto yee the nights seemed too long wearying me with a thousand reuoluings and repentances the dayes likewise appeared gloomie and dark because I had no succour but solitude onely My breast was nothing else but a store-house of cares griefes and vexations my thoughts like distempered seas diuersly transported one while with anger then with repentance now with disdaine then again with loue now with pittying my self then him whom I had displeased I would and I would not I wept pleaded excuses told my selfe the whole storie of my silly behauiour wishing I could againe haue recouered so much time spent in vaine At length it was my good fortune though all this while I had been so vnhappie to know for certainty that my former suspition concerning the Gentlewoman which had been the cause of my so long discontentment was nothing els but the folly of mine owne peeuish fancie and no offence at all committed by my Husband Had I not then great reason to bee ashamed of my selfe as one almost vnmeet for anie vertuous company Iudge you faire Ladies that are carefull of your honours and would not haue your good names to bee anie way scandalized was it time to submit my selfe speedily or no to beg fauour of him to whom I had beene so farre vnfriendly But to see how different the nature of men is from vs women where true wisedome is embraced how no malice can haue long predominance he who neuer was acquainted with vnciuill disdaine but euermore despised all franticke follies vppon my submission vvas immediately satisfied all offences past before vvere presently forgiuen and as effectually forgotten as if neuer at all committed Then could I not chuse but confes my infirmities finding that most true vvhich himselfe had alvvaies taught me that in loue the least suspition is foorthvvith to be disclosed a conceit no sooner taken but presently to be told For a Louers best strength is subiect to much weaknes and suspition once entered the minde will hardly with reason or perswasions be mastred It may bee compared to an Egge the more it is heated it wexeth the harder so iealous suspect the more it is credited the worse it is for vs and the lesse wee regard it the greater is our quiet They that pay for experience as I did will rue it as I doo and they that preuent the sweetes of Loue by their own wilfulnes may wish for them afterward and yet walk without them My lucke was little better which I sigh to remember because when our felicitie began again to be firme and that now I would not loose the least portion of pleasure our Countreyes affaires robd mee of my Husbands companie where with the losse of him I would my life had perished CAP. 10. THus fals it out with vs fair Sisters alas too often we care not for delight when wee haue it in possession but would giue our liues for it when it is too farre from vs. See then how manie inconueniences attend on false suspition suspition breedes disdaine disdain couets reuenge reuenge prosecutes iniuries which iniuries doo bring the wracke and ruine of all loue delights this makes our soules opprest with infinit molestations beeing a more plague to our owne selues than them wee would offend Thus in stead of smiling we sluce foorth whole riuers of teares for friendly conference wee vse bitter taunts and tearmes loue being created a heauen wee make it worse than hell then shun suspition as a deadly poyson for that is the only enemie to true loues felicitie Seeke not for that which yee will be sorrie for afterward enquire not too curiously after your Louers liues for beleeue mee faire Ladies if you be wronged in loue and know it not the blame is theirs not yours and an iniurie endured is better than one offered Couet not then to know what ye cannot wisely gouern if he be kinde to you it is sufficient if he erre without cause your glorie is the greater But neuer will hee stray abroad that findes all well at home neuer will he care for another that may haue his owne in quiet Without thred a needle serues to no vse nor the plesures of loue without due prosecution and though a needle haue two three eyes or more by reason whereof it carries as many threds with it yet it makes but one entrance marrie it makes the worke the faster euen so he that delights to dally with manie bindes himselfe thereby the more strictly to her hee loues indeed But happie is she that knowes how to ioy with him whom manie couet to enioy and she that can skill of making her self the cheefest shalbe sure to finde no
is presently chaunged and no greater miserie can happen to her that truly loueth than to affect the man whose heart and soule are not solemnly dedicated and linkt together to desire or couet more than one onely Loue. But that which is worst of all these young amorous Gallants for euerie smal occasion giue ouer their affection conuerting their behauiour and all else towards vs as if we were their verie greatest enemies Vnhappie then are we that by louing such yong straglers proud minded and voyd of counsell must liue continually in feares compassed in with worlds of endlesse molestations In a soft and gentle molde anie print or forme we like may easily be effected euen so in this first estate of greene delicate youth sooner beleeue me may loue be extinguished than rightly enkindled This makes euerie one timorous to deale with so sweete a solace remembring the beautifull Rose that it both springs dies in one Summer and haile stones fallen in the morning are no where to bee found the same day at night Hereby ye may perceiue faire virgins that men ouer aged are not the aptest for loue likewise these yonger sort to bee verie daungerous and therefore not to be dealt withall but such as florish in a mature and setled middle age may perfourme what the too olde are vnable for and know that which those young and greene wits are vtterly vnexpert and ignorant in An apple being well knit together and mellowed is more sweete and pleasing than when it is greene yet that apple beeing ouer-ripe and too much mellowed becomes wrinckled saplesse and wel neere sauourlesse euen such is the loue of men ouer young and ouer olde the one sowre and sharpe the other dry and senselesse Heere too I must now adde that in loue are infinite pleasures no lesse delightsome than to be admired as in the marriage bed where is all kinde conference discouering of greefes recounting afflictions passed clearing all suspitions correcting with sweet accusations one another thus out-wearing the slow-paced howers one while with true-loues teares another while with intyre reioycing To the faithfull Louer nothing is more pleasing than to feele on her cheekes or in her bosome the teares of him she loueth sweetly trickling downe what honnie of Hybla what cinamon of Arabia or what Nectar prepared for the gods themselues to drinke can be imagined so sweet faire Glories of Vertue as one little teare of him whom you intirely loue A thing inestimable a delight admirable nothing so precious wherewith may not be valued al the pearles of India the gold of the Persians or Emperie of the Latines no not with the verie least teare sweete Sister of thy affected Louer Oh happie Maiden oh fortunate Louer that seest shining in thy soules eyes loue faith pittie and all other sweetnes religiously combyned fast together So that by these and infinite other heauenly pleasures which though auaileable yet heere I let passe for breuities sake and some other serious respects affirming this Greene Youth is not for ye old Age is as vnnecessary only the meane betweene both the sound setled spirite is aboue all other to be preferred CAP. 5. HEthertoo ye haue heard of what Age your Louers ought to be there are now other things most profitable concerning their election which I will rehearse to yee as breefely as I can Neuer could I finde my selfe inclinable to loue a man ouer-rich because these money-mongers will buy loue without exchange of good will and seeking to serue their turne with manie neuer keepe faith with anie As hard a matter do I account it to loue a man ouer-beautiful because he being desired of diuers though I loue him neuer so earnestly yet shall I be in continuall feare to loose him As dangerous I take it to loue a man lifted by Fortune to anie great dignitie because he can neuer intend to loue without many witnesses both strangers and domesticall abroad at home He can neuer go abroad but with a mightie throng of Seruants and Friends which makes him ordinarily more noted of the world than others are Such men are commonly of proud spirit and puft vp courage compassing manie things rather by violence than any fauour loue or friendship As little wisedome is it to loue such as are slothfull dull spirited and couragelesse who through want of better wit or exercise make an arte or occupation of their loue gadding abroad with frizled lockes embroidered garments other open marks of their lightnesse onely but to procure their owne scorne and derifion Flie from such faire Sisters and take heed of them for they loue not a iote but spend the day in these odde courses not as requiring your kindnesse but for lacke of other labour and looke what they say to you the same will they to whomsoeuer they meete withall and doubt not but what they speake of others the same will they of you be it true or false I holde it in like manner as blame-worthie to fore-stall good fortune in better place and stoop to the affection of a Boore Peazant Carterly clowne or such like because it is a submission to men of the very vylest and basest condition for marke what inconuenience followes thereupon These abiect hirelings and mercenarie groomes thinke to attaine some title of honour by giuing it foorth in publique to be knowen that they are fauoured by such a Gentlewoman or beloued by a Ladie of so great height and calling Moreouer vnder colour of religion to loue him who pretending zeal in his speeches shall discouer and reprooue that publiquely which himselfe seekes for in secrete and gladly would attaine vnto I condemne as much as anie of the rest and holde it for a misfortune hardly to be repayred Then all these rehearsed vz. The too rich too beautifull too fortunate too negligent too base and too holie are men not to bee regarded neither contained within my lessons anie way to be beloued let vs learne to know them then that are to bee tearmed worthie of affection CAP. 6. MAke no doubt dere Sisters in fixing your fancies on such a louer as is not poor misshapen defamed or a villaine ye shall easily perceiue when he is indued with wisedome modestie patience and vertue It hath euermore been my natural inclination to loue such an one as I haue said before that was addicted to good letters learned and adorned with manie vertues euen such an one as my first husband was whom indeed I loued more dearly than I did mine owne selfe for hee was of goodly personage of exceeding qualified conditions accompanied with a maiesticall countenance gentle affable compleat in all parts of humanitie and of a minde diuine as it were farre beyond all other men He abounded in all vertues especially those that best beseemed the greatest Princes being of comely strong personage couragious hardie affable graue secret modest merrie pleasant where he deemed it best became him eloquent learned amiable pittifull warie expert