❧ A little treatise called the Image of Idleness, containing certain matters moved between Walter wedlock and Bawdin Bachelor. Translated out of the Trojan or cornish tongue into english, by Oliver Old wanton, and dedicated to the Lady Lust.   

The Table of this present book.  

THe preface of the translator. Capi. i. The first part of a certain Epistle sent by Bawdyn Bachelor to Walter Wedlock, wherein doth appear the ground that caused the setting forth of this treatise▪ Capitulo ii  
¶ Bawdyn Bachelor being suitor to a certain gentlewoman for marriage, writeth to a friend of hers for to have his help and furtherance in the matter. Capi. iii.  
¶ Whereas Bawdin had been suitor to a certain gentlewoman for marriage, and was in good hope to obtain, he received knowledge to the contrary by letter from a gentleman that had been partly a means for him, and thereupon wrote back to the said Gentleman as followeth. Capi. iiii.  
¶ Here Bawdyn writeth to the Gentlewoman mentioned in the last letter. Ca v.  
¶ Where as a certain Gentlewoman bare in hand that she was determined never to marry, and was nevertheless likely to be much sued unto for marriage, here Bawdyn informeth her by his letter under what sort she were best to use and give over her suitors. Capitulo vi  
¶ Here Bawdyn writeth to a certain gentlewoman that was dangerous to be seen or spoken withal by such as came to sue unto her for marriage. Capi. seven.  
¶ Here Bawdyn writeth to a certain Gentlewoman at whose hands he had been disdeynefully refused upon treaty of marriage. Capitulo viii  
¶ Here Bawdyn writing to a certain gentleman his friend, among other things bewaileth himself of his evil speed in wooing and treaty of marriage. Capi. ix.  
¶ Where as Bawdyn served in Garryson and had compounded with a certain gentleman, his friend, to repair thither at all times of danger, the same being so streyghted in a time of commotion, that he was forced for his safeguard to take another howled, where as were many Gentlewomen, which furniture the other greattly wanted. Here Bawdyn maketh him ryquest to have some fruition of that commodity. Capitulo ten  
¶ The answer made to the said letter. Capitulo xi  
¶ Here Bawdyn replieth to the foresaid answer, and percuing his continual evil speed, doth determine to give over all such kind of suits. Capi. xii.  
¶ The second part of the epistle sent by Bawdyn Bachelor to Walter Wedlock. Capitulo xiii  
¶ Here Bawdyn to prove that women are never so much addyet or bend to their own will and opinion, but that by wisdom and good policy they may easily be broken thereof, showeth a lively example of late experience. Capi. xiiii.  
¶ The third and last part of the epistle sent by Bawdyn Bachelor to Walter Wedlock. Capitulo xu   
¶ Here endeth the Table.   


¶ The preface of the translator. Capitulo primo.  
¶ To the right honourable and his especial good Lady, the lady Lust of Pawesforde, Oliver Oldwanton, your Ladyship's bondman, wisheth a joyful life and continual felicity.  
Galling to mind the opinion of Aristippus, a certain Philosopher of thepicurians sect, who by profound arguments and sundry authorities used to maintain, that it was lawful for man and woman at vacant times to exercise themselves with kyssinge and embracing (together with the suits and ceremonies thereunto belonging) rather then to sit still and be idle. The same my jolly good Lady hath caused me so greatly to detest the wicked vice of Idleness, that in eschewing thereof I have had sundry devices, how I might most conveniently be occupied, and thereupon finding myself more apt than able, for thexercise aforesaid. And moreover aswell ignorant in every craft and faculty of bodily labour as destitute both of learning and knowledge, whereby to invent or set forth any worthy matter of new. I determined at length because I have understanding in sundry tongues, to take upon me the translation of some work into english, and for that purpose, perusing a numbered of books, I chanced to find a little queare entitled, the Image of Idleness, written many years passed in the Trojan or cornish speech, being the mother tongue of this noble Realm, then called britain, which made me the more willing to take the same in hand, thinking that it might draw again to memory the valiant people of Troy, whereof for my part (be it spoken without advante) I am one of the worthy offspring. But than came to my remembrance the words of Plato, who saith, that man liveth not chiefly for himself, but rather for his country, meaning that we should not apply our travel or study to our private pleasure or commodity: but rather to th'advancement of our common wealth: which this purpose seemed not to concern, and therefore might chance by some men's opinion ought not to be travailed on. Yet nevertheless like as commonly most men be not soon persuaded to give over the thing that they are affectionated unto, upon any surmise or report, that the doing thereof should stand against the rule of good order: But rather to justify their cause, will search for some colourable argument to prove that the same may stand within the compass of order. Even so I being bend to this translation, (with the help of my wits which in this case favoured my will) have under such sort wrested common reason, that in mine opinion (being enough as I suppose for the discharge of mine own conscience) the doing thereof may well enough stand with the precept of Plato. If not indirectely, yet at the least way by a means which I prove as thus.  
To be a student of the laws, a councillor or a minister in the common wealth is well allowed with Plato, and then to encourage or assist such person in his study or ministration, must needs be of like effect. And that in my mind shallbe accomplished in this work. For it is apparent unto us, that secious and sad study which pertaineth to the governance and ministration in a comcom wealth is so contrary to most men's nature, that if the mind be not recreated with some pleasant matter, the wits will soon appal, and the lively spirits wax feeble or dull. And therefore it seemeth (that as it is necessary) to have students counsellors and ministers in a common wealth. Even as necessary it is that some men should travel to set forth such matter as may revive their spirits, being mortified by continual grave study, which otherwise as accloyed and weary, should of force be driven by unaptness, to cease in their study or ministration, and surely Madam, the iniquity of time is now such: that the very graveste and most wise sort of men (yea and even they which have ministration in the common wealth) will sometime soon laugh and rejoice to here and read evil of women: yet not as though being evil marched themselves, they should seem glad to perceive other men in like case, as if the evil were as common as women are great in numbered, or that they think that they may by reading of books more safely reprove their wives faults then by express words. But rather cometh as a certain plague of lightness or franzie by thoperation of some perverse planet, or evil humour that causeth them indiscreetly to condemn themselves, by defaming their most natural and best known parent. Like as if the Tercell would say that his Ceryer or dame were a Puttock or Kite, which argueth himself never likely to prove good hawk: And even so it is of these mad men that delight to speak and here evil of women. Howbeit now very shortly, when by the benevolence of the bodies above, there shall no more such occasions be ministered. I doubt not but that men will amend their misreports and give over such unseemly delectations. But yet in the mean season it shallbe necessary to serve the time. And therefore the matter of this translation being interlased with certain surmised faults against women, seemeth to be as an aid to the ministers in a common wealth, to refresh with all their wits, being as I said before, appalled with grave study. So that whereas such ministers by their study and travel do serve the common wealth indirectly: Even so by this work, which tendeth to meinteine and continue their wits apt for study and ministration. Me thinketh I serve the common wealth by a means, so that my travail herein may well enough stand with the precept of Plato. And that thereby at the least way I Hall deserve as much commendation, as the Smyth which maketh a wrist to tune thinstrument: Who although he be ignorant in music, is yet worthy of some thanks for tharmony, by reason that and if his travail had not been, the strings could not have been brought to agree in tune, and then had there been no melody at al. But alas, a lamentable case to remember how the folly and malice of man is increased, sith the days of Saint john the Evangelist, who for his recreation after long prayers (as these discrete old wives bear in hand) used to refresh himself in playing with his bird. And likewise holy Saint Anthony in teaching his little pig to tumble and vault, and did not delight to here or understand of women's faults or doubleness, as men do now a days, which alteration by th'opinion of some doctors, cometh by thinfluence of some disordered planet. As in deed Venus of late to advance herself hasted her ordinary course, thinking to make her ascendaunte above the head of jupiter, but by a mischance she stumbled on Scorpio, and under such sort was tangled, that not only she failed th'advantage of her pretended purpose, but moreover lost two degrees, and half of her possessed pre-eminence, the revolusyon whereof seemeth to be a great part of the cause that maketh many women now adays to stray out of order, and minister much occasion of evil report, as coveting to be accounted of higher estate and ability then in deed they are, or in making their beauty and comeliness seem more than it is, to garnish themselves with more sumptuous apparel and costly jewels than doth appertain. For the meyntenaunce whereof, they abuse that part of their bodies where as the sign of Scorpio doth commonly reign, and by such means for a time serneth well their purpose, and doth increase their preferment and estimation. Howbeit at length either by smelling or suspicion, they fall into defame and oblequy of the people, and be less esteemed or set by then when they first began. But what soever the cause of such alteration be. sithen I perceane that men are now so perversely bent to report and here evil of women, yet for the reverence and zeal that I bear unto all women, I have thought best, because they may be the readier with theirs answer or excuse, if any of them shall happen to be charged with any of the faults or evil properties mentioned in this book. For to make them first privy thereunto, by directing of this my simple work unto your Ladyshyppe, being of all honourable women in these days (none discommended) aswell for singular wit and good conveyance, as for great policy and long experience counted most notable, not doubting but that all women by your Ladyshyppes good advise and instruction, will be well able to defend or excuse themselves, what so ever shallbe laid to their charge, which chiefly hath holdened me to bring this matter into our vulgar speech, accoumpting more honour for then to have it come in question and be well answered, then by silence to let it always remain in suspicion or doubtful. In the furtherance whereof if it may lie in me either by my words or weapon, to do them any service or pleasure: be their cause right or wrong, I am and shallbe both their advocate and champion till my lives end.  
For doubtless Madam, I had rather a thousand men should perish by the feeling of their faults (if any such were) then that I would defame or condemn the very simplist woman of your Ladyshyppes train, by confessing of aught that might make against her. And for my travetyle and good will in this behalf do require nothing else at your Ladyshyppes hands, but only that after this transitory life, when your good Ladyshyppe for your worthy works in earth, shallbe glorified in the celestial throne of the goddess Venus, that I may be restored again to youth, and made page of your Ladyshyppes Chamber, & that in the mean time it may please your Ladyship notwithstanding the debility of my body, yet for the myghtynesse of my mind and skilful practise, to admit me Captain general of your band, which I doubt not, what by mine own policies, and what by the diligence and secret shifts of mine expert Heralds, and circumspect espials so advisedly to lead and govern, as they shall escape all reproach and danger of their bodies. And as for the safeguard of their souls, because it concerneth not the charge of that office, I will refer the same to friar Floysterar, your Ladyshyppes Penitence, who for a small portion of the spoil (as some folk bear in hand) will take their whole peril on himself, as best knoweth the black Provincial, who long preserve your good Ladyshyppe, and prosper your proceedings for ever and ever Amen.   

The Image of Idleness. ¶ The first part of a certain Epistle sent by Bawdyn Bachelor to Walter Wedlock, wherein doth appear the ground that caused the setting forth of this treatise. Capitulo ii  
GOodman Wedlock my hearty commendations laid apart, whereas I perceive by the report of Thomas Talker your Secretary that ye say it is a shame for me to be so long time unmarried, affirming that I despise and eschew marriage, as a careful and unquiet life, being good for nothing else but only to bring sinful people, that can patiently here it to heaven by the penance thereof, as the very self purgatory that many learned men have so long time contended upon. Doubtless Walter I do marvel much what hath moved you to charge me with so great an iniquity, as that I should dispraise the blessed Sacrament of matrimony, being instituted by God himself, the very ground and some of all goodness, yea and that is of such perfection, that if any mortal man had invented the same, he should thereby have worthily deserved immortal praise and fame, the grounds thereof are so commendable and necessary. Nor surely I never had other then very good and reverent opinion of it in all my life, and yet in deed Walter I daily see and have said that wedded men for the more part have always woeful and cumbrous lives, upon grounds and occasion ministered by their wines. But for very troth by the default and negligence of themselves, that commonly lacketh either grace or discretion to order and use their wives as they should do. Which nevertheless is not to be marveled at, for surely the right feat thereof is a secret that God revealeth not to all men, left then they should live in such continual pleasantness and felicity that they would never willingly depart this life: which by th'opinion of the Vtopyans is a great suspect of perdition, but as for me in deed I have the gift thereof. And therefore I ensure you, have been very desirous to marry. Yet not so much for mine own commodity, as for that I would give other men example how to use and govern their wives in the right sort, whereby to expel the inconvenience that I perceive doth ensue by the contrary, but my chance hath not been to obtain. For the devil vyll to emmpesshe so good a purpose of quietness in the world by one means or other, hath always hindered my suit, which is the very cause that I am so long time unmarried, and for no such error or evil opinion as ye have untruly surmised of me, for the more plain declaration whereof, I have herewithal, sent you a note or copy of such letters as with careful heart I wrote before this unto divers to entreat for myself upon marriage, which when ye have perused, then will I declare unto you further of my mind in this behalf.   

¶ Here Bawdyn Bachelor being fuset t● a certain Gentlewoman for marriage, writeth to a friend of hers for to have his help and furtherance therein. The third Chapter.  
AFter my very hearty commendation, ye shall understand that partly for mine own comfort and commodity, knowing by sundry means what joys and felicity there may be in marriage: and partly moved of compassion, perceiving a number of men ignorantly abusing themselves in ordering of their wives (which by my good ensample might be reform) live in misery and great unquietness: I am utterly determined with all speed to be a married man, but yet not minding to bestow myself so unadvisedly, for any haste, as to choose a wife for covetise of goods or land whereas my heart will not serve me to love and favour the person: nor for doting love or favour, where as there is not some convenient ability in substance toward such charges as followeth marriage: neither yet for both where as the age shall much differ from mine own. Which things circumspectly considered, I judge them all according to my hearts desire, with a number of good conditions to be joined together in mystres B. your kinswoman, to whom of late I have been suitor in that behalf, and do perceive by sundry means, that she will follow your advice. Wherefore sir I shall very heartily desire you to have your help and furtherance therein. Which to recompense (if my suit take place) I dare be bold to promise you a thousand thanks of her part, for the speeding of her to so good a husband, as by my demeanour towards her I intend to show myself. And yet for all that, I have such despair and mistructe in the matter, that do the best ye can, I will wage with you forty pound that I get her not, and on my fidelity pay you truly if I lose. I learned this wager of a crafty priest that by such means with losing of a little money, won a good bynefice. Like as for my part I trust in this case to lose and yet be a geyner, as knoweth the maker of matrimony, whom I would gladly had somewhat enterlased the pleasance thereof with some collar or bitterness, for fear lest the continual case and quietness that I shall find therein, should happen to cause me desist and forget to wish and work for heaven. etc.   

❧ Whereas Bawdyn had been suitor to a certain Gentlewoman for marriage, and was in good hope to obtain, he received knowledge to the contrary by letter from a Gentleman, that had partly been a mean for him, & thereupon wrote back as followeth. The fourth Chapter.  
AFter my right hearty commendations, ye shall understand that I have received your letter containing a determinate nay in my suit to the Gentlewoman ye wot of, which with a forced patience I am contented to accept accordingly. And in persuading myself the easilier to bear the same, do consider that and if my desire had been granted, the one of us should of necessity (being borne so far asunder) have been constrained to abandon and forsake our country and kindred, whereby might ensue to us both more unquietness, than any commodity thereof growing would be able to countervail.  
With this and like conjectures, I am now feign to feed my fantasy of intent to make light what lieth at my heart most heavy. The devil I think, for despite caused me now (contrary to my common wont) to tender such suit so earnestly: other else God hath appointed it as my penance for that I have oftentimes treated much of like matter, whereas in heart I mente nothing less, which requireth by consequence of equity to mind much and be little regarded▪ as now it followeth. And yet to accumpt indifferently, me thinketh I can not well ascribe it to neither of them both, but all wholly to myself, that intending by policy to expel (as it were) a smart, have conceived a continual ache. As thus, lamenting the loss of my very friend he late husband, which to my heart was 〈◊〉 less sorrowful, then if mine own life should immediately have followed, I thought that yet if I might get some commodity by his death, that dyring his life time, could not be obtained: the comfort of the one would so qualify the grief of the other, that it should the more easily and sooner be digested. And thereupon did consider that the most sovereign jewel in this world (which many men misseth) is to have a wife of commendable qualities and conversation. Whereof she (as I had known by the report of him, whose judgement being grounded on experience, was not to be doubted) did appear to be one. And therefore to recover her as my recompense, was the original and only cause of my suit at the first unto her. Which sithence by circumstances did increase to such presumption of speed (in mine opinion) that I accounted her as obtained. And therewithal pacyfyenge my former torment, as counterpoised with the same, did revive my mortyfyed spirits with the blossoms, whereof few men findeth the fruit, & accepted her in heart none other but as a member or parcel of myself. Which now being concluded contrary, can to me be no less painful, than the loss of mine hands or any other limb of mine own body, the languor whereof is incredible to be written. Thus doth it now appear what it is to contend against the divine purveyance, as in murmuring against the hand of god, (which we little know for what well or woe it is mente) to go about the alteration thereof by worldly policy, which for the more part turneth to our own harm. As ensample by myself that intended to annoyed the smart that I have doubled.  
Wherefore from henceforth my council and practice shallbe in felicity not to presume, nor in adversity to dispayze, neither yet to employ our wits for to seek the alteration of neither, but with humble spirit suffer the governor to proceed, trusting all to be for the best, as in deed for my part now in this extremity and perverseness of fortune, I find the same by experience, for by the myssing of my mind, mine affection is altered into meditation, whereby I do consider both his power and mine own weakness, more than before time I did. And therewithal as the best thing that I may perceive to have obtained by this my suit and enterprise, I satyffie myself not thinking my travel and good will to be spent all in vain, etc.   

Of Idleness. ¶ Here Bawdyn writeth to the Gentlewoman mentioned of in the last letter. The fifth Chapter.  
Because I am loath to bestow more kindness on you, then of your part shall thankfully be accepted, I have me commended even as heartily and as often as best can content your mind and none other wise. Lo now may ye perceive what a profitable and loving husband ye might have of me, if ye had been happy, for hereby doth appear that I love not to bestow any thing in waist, and yet the same notwithstanding, to satisfy your fantasy, can be contented to give you liberty over the treasure of my heart, to spend thereof at your own will and pleasure. Further you shall understand that I have received your refuse concerning my late suit unto you, which on the one pa●te because it doth so much contraty my desyze, ought not in reason to be a little mine unquietness of mind. But yet on the other side, considering that such is your will and pleasure, which I have always determined to prefer and follow a 'bove mine own, I can but accept it in good part, and be contented therewith, and for the time will no more trouble you with any further request in that behalf, as in deed there is good cause why, for as I understand ye are already else where promised, whereof God send you joy. And as for my part if reason in me do not the rather subdue affection, I intend to practise the common proverb, which saith that new love driveth away old sorrows. But surely it shallbe done all by protestation, that ye fall not widow again, for and if ye do, I will once more attempt you, what so ever promise shall happen to pass me in the mean time, trusting to speed never the worse at your hands, though now for certain considerations I seem to take the missing of your good mind lighter than inwardly I feel it.  
Further concerning my dear friend your notable late husband, like as it is not possible to recover again his body, so were it injury to suffer his deserved good fame perish. For the preservation whereof I have here Sithall sent certain verses in manner of an Epytaph, which I pray you cause to be graven and fixed on his sepulture, and thus heartily far ye well.  

¶ The Epytaph.  
jews lieth here, so fell his fatal hour  
Blethin surnamed, of south wales the flower  
In knowledge of the law, worthy eternal fame.  
In wisdom and temperance, coequal to the same.  
With all good qualities, shortly to conelude  
And honest trade of life most plenteously endued,  
Whom cruel death alas, in his xxxv year  
Wasting of this world, hath laid along on bear.  
Wail his want Welshmen, to rathe ebbed was his tide.  
God send you many such, and longer to abide.    

¶ Where as a certain Gentlewoman bare in hand, that she was determined never to marry, and was nevertheless likely to be much sued unto for marriage, here Bawdyn informeth her by his letter, under what sort she were best to use and give over her suitors. The sixth Chapter.  
GOod mystres N. I commend me unto you, being right sorry that I can not season my commendations with some heartiness, how be it I assure you it is not left undone for any lack of good mind, but only for that I am not as now master of mine own heart, and can therefore in nothing utter any perfect heartiness, yet nevertheless if it may do you any pleasure to have my hearty commendations, ye may be therein as it were your own carver. For doubtless my heart is with you, so that ye may use the office thereof even as ye list yourself. And then having the heart after such sort, it may not be forborn but that the body must needs be at your commandment. And if ye doubt the contrary on my behalf, I pray you command me to do what lately ye denied me of, and then the truth will appear. Further, where as ye refuse to accept me in marriage: yet not for any mislykinge as ye say, but only for that ye are utterly determined never to marry: Surely I account myself more bounden unto you, for that gentle answer with your friendly entertainment besides, than I should be to some other for the granting my whole request, & therefore if in any thing I may do you service or pleasure, ye shallbe well assured thereof. And as a proof or earnest penny of the same, I will at this time be so bold as somewhat to council you concerning such matter as, I suppose ye have presently moste need to be well advised of which is (sith as ye say ye are determined never to marry) somewhat to show you under what manner is shallbe best for you to use, and give over such as may happen to sue unto you for marriage. Which kind of suitors ye shall understand are divided in three sundry sorts. The one sueth for love of the person, another for love of her living, and the third are they that make of wooing their pastime or recreation: practising by suits at large done in sport, how to fashion themselves and place their words against such time as they shall happen to be earnest suitors in deed, and not meaning to marry although their request were granted, but rather scoffyngly to retreat, and dishonestly make their advaunte of that they might have had. The diversity and dispositions of which persons it shallbe necessary for you to endeavour yourself with all the sleights and policy that possible ye may devise to perceive and know, and thereafter to give them entertainment and answer.  
For as to any of the first sort, a sudden refuse is death without redemption, and therefore unto such you may not give the repulse at first, but rather with an answer of double understanding, by little and little quail their hope of speed: Or otherwise by counterfaytinge yourself to be fro ward or entangled with some other evil tatche, to make them think you better lost then found, so that they may rather seem to give over then to be refused.  
But as for the second meinie (whereof God wot there are so many) ye can not use them to evil. For surely unto such wretches, the very torment and pain of hell (so that the poor soul were saved) is scarcely sufficient punishment. And therefore besides an utter nay at the first, to show them as much sullayne strangeness as ye can devise, whereby the rather to bring them in despair of speed, shallbe but well done: Respect yet somewhat to be had that ye seem not to take unthankfully that which is offered under a friendly pretence, and beware that in such case ye give no credit to any creature that speaketh in their favour or furtherance. For no doubt it is often seen that such suits grounded on covertise be so compassed with gold and gifts, that many times one friend selleth another, whereby both the bier and seller are geytners. But woe may be the poor wife that payeth for all, and yet is never the rather married, for in such case the goods be married, and not the woman, and as we may see by experience either of them cherished and set by accordingly.  
But now to the third sort of suitors, these eluyshe dissemblers that I spoke of before, when ye have a little denied them, which I would wish were done under a mild indifferent sort, only to eschew that ye minister them none occasion to boast of any thing granted, and not to bring them in utter despair of speed, whereby to give over their suit and lose no more but their labour▪ For that were to little penance, and therefore ye must in such case when ye have said them nay, countervail your word with a loving lip or friendly eye, as though, not perceiving their dissimulation, ye meant them much better than ye spoke, and therewithal to increase their affection, ye must entertain them with port and fashion, as ye shall think most to their contentation, which nevertheless must be done with such demure simplicity, as it seem not to pass the bounds of womanhood and honest estimation, and under so good await, that ye seem not in the same presence to show the like grace and familiarity to any other: assaying by such means to make of such counterfeytes' right venerians, and then smiling at their smart, scornfully to give them over, on my faith I think in conscience were none offence at al.  
I write you these things as a warning that ye recompense not the fainer with the faithfulls reward, nor marry away your living, and remain widow yourself for fear of repentance, as in days paste, and not thinking thereby the rather to allure you (although I be one of the first sort) to show me any grace or favour. Yet nevertheless if any such good chance happen me being for truth in my behalf not looked for, and yet much trusted upon, I assure you, ye shall gratify yourself with such a good turn, as upon the proof ye will be sorry to have so long time forborn, and so far ye well.   

¶ Here Bawdyn writeth to a certain Gentlewoman that was dangerous to be seen or spoken withal by her suitors. The seventh Chapter.  
MYstres B. after my hearty commendations, whereas ye use to absent yourself and will not be spoken withal at such time as I and other good fellows come to treat with you upon marriage, I can do no less for good mind that I bear you, but to wish that ye would leave such demeanour. For I assure you there are many men that gather evil opinion thereof, and think the cause to be that doubting yourself to go with child, ye abash to be seen in any presence of skilful judgement. How be it as for my part, on my faith I suspect no such thing, but reckon surely that ye do it only of intent thereby to avoid suitors, whose presence and words might else happen to win you unto wedding, by the which ye should leave your chaste wyddowyshe life, and lose the merit that in heaven is for the same ordained. How be it, and if your meaning be none other than so, then sith ye are so well assured in refusing of such requests, as before this I have hard you bear in hand, better were in my mind that ye common thereof with as many as list sue unto you, for the more temptation ye withstand, the greater shallbe your meed. And yet because my learning in scripture doth not extend to discuss what blissful reward may be due for such unnatural and fruitless penance, the best and surest way for you in my judgement were to accept such one of your suitors to your husband or familiar friend, as ye may think loveth you most heartily, and in no wise to refuse them all least hereafter ye repent as other have done. For what merit God giveth to the chaste souls I know not, but it is very certain that the Goddess Venus punisheth right sharply the bodies that are repugnant to her loving laws, as partly doth appear by the histories following, which I tell you are not feigned, but written by good authority in the book of Cupid's saints, and be thus. There was sometime a knight named Permalides that loved most heartily the Lady Agglarose, who for no suit that possible might be made, would ascent to his desire. The importunate sorrows whereof should shortly have ended his woeful life days, had not been the great mercy of Venus, who by plain miracle, pyteinge to see her faithful servant so tormented with the cruelty of a merciless Lady, made an exchange of both their desires, so that this Lady loved this knight above all creatures, and he to the contrary hated her beyond all reason, whereupon when she had long time followed him with many lamentable and piteous complaints requiring his favour and might not obtain, died even of love. Lo thus ye may see Venus can wound her disobedient subjects with their own weapon. There was also before this one Narcissus, of such beauty and seemliness, that divers women came out of far countries only to behold him, whereof many perished by his default, for he would in no wise incline to love, which caused Venus to take displeasure and to punish him as ye shall here. On a time this Narcissus, to go in a disguising with other company, happened to attire himself in the apparel and garments of a woman, and passing over a bridge, perceived in the water the shadow of his own comely person and strange attire, which him thought to be wonderful seemly, and thereupon for lack of discretion to know himself, which Venus withdrew from him, had no mind on his disguised apparel, but judged verily the same to be one of Dyanas' Nymphs, who in such like places used oftentimes for recreation in the summer season to make her abode, and thereupon waxed so amorous of his own shadow, that after many humble requests of love, and instant desires of speech, spedelesse he determined to refer himself to her grace and mercy, saying that in so goodly a creature love nor pity could not be absent, and then with arms displayed leapt into the river, thinking to embrace his Lady, (who also held her arms abroad of entē●t to his fond opinion, only for to receive him) and was there drowned. Thus was his cruelty rewarded with folly.  
There was also not long agone in Genoa, both a knight and a Lady, who for the excellency of their persons and qualities, were of such fortune, that divers sued unto them for love, and could by no means obtain. For not regarding faithful heart and good mind, they covered so much high parentage & great ability, that they thought none of their suitors worthy to be accepted. The knights name was Malmtrophus, and the Ladies Syllera, who at length by thappointment of Venus fell both in love, and were amorous each of other. Then either of them called to remembrance how many suitors they had suffered to perish by their obstinacy in love before time. And thereupon fell into despair by remorse of conscience, thinking verily that in so much as they had so misused Venus' laws, Venus from whom all grace to obtain in love doth preceade, would grant them none, although it were required and devoutly prayed for. In so much that the one of them never durst motion tother of love, but always tormented themselves with inward desire and desperate thoughts, till at length this Lady Syllera in following the feminine nature, which of necessity must by some means disclose their secret thoughts, wrought all her mind and opinion with silk in her sampler, and soon after died only of love longing, whereof when Malipiero merophus had knowledge, and wist of he● sampler, as enraged for sorrow, he strangled himself therewith and so miserably ended. Thus for lack of audacity to disclose their minds each to other (which grace for their stubborn boldness in refusing of true lovers before time, Venus withheld from them, they died all both at mischief, which if it be well noted, is a great ensample for other to eschew like offence in avoiding the like or worse punishment.  
Wherefore I will advise you to accept some one of your suitors unto your favour, and to leave this hardness of heart in scorning their painful lives. For doubtless Venus is now of as great a power as ever she was and as able to punish her rebels. yea and although by her godly patience she space you a season upon proof of amendment, yet may you be right sure, she will at length punish you with some displeasure if ye thus continu●. Wherefore at your apparel do as ye list now that ye are warned, & thynken not that I write you these examples of intent to far myself unto your favour, albeit that to my judgement I am he that most loveth you. For ye have so often denied me that I am utterly desperate therein: as shortly will appear by the end of my woeful life days for sorrow of the same, which chance of all creatures ye shall have most cause to lament. For thereby shall ye be sure both to lose a friend in earth, and to have a shrewd Sollycitour in heaven. For when Venus shall inquire the cause of my sudden coming thither, then must I needs disclose your obstinate demeanour in love, which no doubt will be extremely punished, unless your amendment may appear upon some other in the mean time. Or else and if your cruel heart be so stout that it will not alter for fear of her displeasure and punishment, yet then let it alter in hope of her grace and favour. For doubtless she is not so rigorous in punishing her rebels, but that she is more benign and gentle in cherishing her faithful and obedient servants. And therefore in all holy scripture this is taken for her posy or proverb, love and lack not, and if that be not enough to bring her bounty in your credence, ye shall to affirm the same, here of a miracle which in the old days she wrought, and was thus. One Pygmalion, (a very cunning graver or workman in stone and metal) made in Alabaster the image of a woman which was of so goodly proportion, favour, and countenance, that on a time as he beheld her he was suddenly taken with her love, and that so fervently that he could not suffer to have her out of his fight. Whereupon he bought her costly and rich apparel, and daily would set he at his table, carve to her of his best meats, at after none read before her stories of love, show her all his mind in secret causes, and at night take of her clothes and lay her by him in naked bed, greatly bewailing her deadly dombnesse, and so continued a long season, notwithstanding the contrary council of all his friends. Which demeanour the blessed Venus from above right well beheld, greatly commending his steadfast loving courage, and to recompense the same, on a winter night as he lay in his bed, well near frozen with embracing this cold image, she gave her natural heat, life, and quickness, so that they were afterwards married together, and lived long time in blissful love, and much joy, till at length this Pigmalyon died, and then was his wife turned again into an image of Alabaster, which to this day so remaineth, and is accomp●ed through out all Greece their best and chiefest pilgrimage for to remove or expel the passions and pains of jealousy, which for truth came first to knowledge and credence by this miracle. The princes of Tarent, but after some books of Ottronto, finding her Lord and hushande in bed with one of her Chamberers, fell into such a maylyncoly and pensiveness, that in manner she was at the very point of death, and then being warned by a vision to repair unto this blessed image for help, did avow her pilgrimage thither, and received this oracle, (Marsoyse these duan Guisea ancorne ●og hatre arta) being expounded by the priests of that temple to this effect in english.  
If to wear the horn thou find thyself aggrieved. give him back agaynt, and thou shalt soon be eased. Whereby both she and sithence that time a great number of other being in like case have been wonderfully comforted and helped. Whereas before the disease was in manner utterly incurable. And surely all this is done by grace derived from Venus. What creature then trow ye may better spend their time then in the service of her that so benignly rewardeth her faithful servants, doubtless none. Wherefore yet ones again, as he that for all your unkindness showed, can bu● wish youwel, I will exhort you to enter and spend your life in blissful love, which unfeyled among worldly felicities is the very greatest joy. Howbeit I sp●ke it not as he that hath had any experience thereof, for always it hath been my chance to love unbeloved, which for truth is the greatest pain in earth, but yet the same maketh me perceive in reason the blysfulnes which may be in your love, that are beloved: for of this I am certain, contrary circumstance will have contrary effect, so that like as my love is painful, because I am not beloved, even so must yours needs be pleasant because ye are loved, wherefore enter into it hardly with a glad heart, and that ye may well persever in the same, ye shallbe assured of my daily prayer, that sometime trusted to be of like religion, and now an abject all desperate, but yet not by mine own default or deserving. Wherefore my trust is that Venus will take at me no displeasure, but at least way recompense my well meaning with the name of a Vencrian, which shallbe a sufficient title for me after this life, to challenge a tabernacle in her eternal throne. And now to conclude if ye shall think me worthy to be imputed of folly, for that I delare so much with such painted process upon so weak a ground or matter, I pray you consider therewithal that the new wine or other troubled liquor, being in a close vessel will for lack of air (if it be not vented) swell and burst his cask. For even so in likewise my poor heart being replenished with the anguish of affection and desire, if it should not thus by uttering of my mind be suffered to assuage and ease itself, would over swell with deadly sighs, and shortly sever in funder. And if ye be so hard of credence that ye will not think all these things to be true, yet than I shall desire you at least way to take them for your pastime in the reading, as I have done in the writing. And so heartily far ye well.   

¶ Here Bawdyn writeth to a certain gentlewoman at whose hands he had been disdeynefully refused upon treaty of marriage. The viii Chapter.  
Mystres Grafter my hearty commendation, whereas by your sundry nays upon the suit that before this I made unto you for marriage, I was minded to give unto the same. Yet your gentle interteynement at our last being together, when as ye granted to common with me further therein at convenient season, & after appointed with my servant both time and place of meeting for such purpose, made me somewhat to renew my former intent, and to attend for you accordingly, how be it ye came not, which caused me (being then bound towards Troynovant) to send a certain friend of mine to know the cause of your stay, unto whom (not answering the same) ye under a disdeynefull sort utterly refused me, which was more than needed to be spoken of at that time, albeit that and if your fantasy had served you needs so to do, yet me thinketh ye might have done it with more temperance and less words, like as it is possible enough I should have done towards you, if ye had granted my request, in which case (on my faith) I am uncertain whether I would have taken or left, for I never use thoroughly to examine myself therein, till time it appear I may be at the choice, and that never found I at your hands. But and if I had a gentle retreat with thanks for your confirmable good mind, had been the least of your recompense, and surely no less I looked for on your behalf, specially considering that women are or should be of a mild and gentle nature. And yet may chance that your meaning 〈◊〉, was better than to some men's judge meant it sounded, as thus. perceiving that mine affection towards you was grounded on special good opinion, which I had conceived of you, ye doubted least I should (even to the death) lament the loss of such a faultless wife, so greatly desired, and therefore of intent to qualify my grief with the portion of my harm, ye have right gently aggravased the one to mollify the other, and contrary to your conversation forced your tongue to declare you both stubborn of heart, suspicious of imagination, and inconstance of mind, that like as then all things considered, my loss was not great, my sorrows ought not to be much. And if ye meant me so friendly, I am the more bounden to thank you, how be it on my faith to say troth, I needed nothing at all of any such confortatyves. For like as some men delight for to trace the hare, more to perceive the wiliness of her doubling and subtle skyppes, then for any joy to recover or bring home the game: Right so in likewise for my part, have I used such kind of suits, more for my solace and recreation, and ●o understand the dealing and demeanour of some folks, then for any hope or intent to obtain the thing that I seemed to seek for, as he that hath alwass thought the pastime of wooing to be much better than the penance of wedding, or and if it myshappen me at any time to be over desirous of speed therein, and in conclusion be denayed, whereby for lack of good advisement I chance a season somewhat to lament my repulse, then in making consolation to myself. I call to remembrance a number of mine acquaintance, that upon ●hteynynge in like suits, whereas they sought and looked for all such commed●●es as I have judged to be in you, when it came to the proof they had not only mist the same, but moreover in the stead thereof, found the clean contrary, with wonderful vnqu●e●nes and displeasure, repenting their speed all they life days after, and tehn straight ways do rejoice mine own hap, and bewail theirs, like as a man that hath escaped from a shipwreck, where many of his friends perished, and ●herwithall am clean out of hand delivered from all such thought and care as though I had never known the party, nor minded such matter. But yet for all these brag, if it shall seem unto you by the manner of my writing, that I take over light the myssing of your good mind, yet would I be right sorry that ye should by the occasion thereof, either set the less by yourself (as to believe that in deed the thing is no better worth) or yet to accumpt me so ignorant, that I can not esteem things somewhat according as they are. But rather think I pray you, the troth to be plain contrary on both parts, and that I write under such sort either as a common policy, to set little by the thing that can not be had, or else for that I doubt it might disteyne the gravity which should be long to the number of mine years, for to be acknown any thing entangled with the afflictions of love, although that in deed it toucheth my very near, or otherwise that I do it because I serve in Barrison and place of war, and would by the bold bearing out of such a loss, show myself to be of such high spirit and invincible heart, that I will not seem to be overcomen with the thing, whereunto both the mighty and wise have sundry rhymes given place, whereby the outward appearance of my week and simple person, by counterfeiting the inward virtue, after the opinion of some men called magnanimity (temperately bearing both felicity and adverse fortune) I may seem better worthy to supply the same, or better come, and so to assay whether by the spending of my good mind unrewarded, I may find means to obtain better estimation than I have deserved, or at least way if I miss of them both, yet thento quiet myself with the hope of the one, although in vain. For doubtless this transitory life is entangled with so many kinds of misery, provoking pensiveness, that unless a man sometime will flatter himself with some kind of vain glory, or contrary to the lively eye of his reason, delight or rejoice in some one trifle or other, the calamity and unquietness thereof, will so fret nature, that none shallbe able to live out half their natural course, and therefore although it shall seem unto you, that I might better have spent the time then so to make su●e, or thus to declare myself, yet bear so much in my favour I beseech you, as to think that it is doom to some purpose of effecdte, and not all of folly, as in deed it may hap ye shall hereafter so pereave at large, and in the mean time I pray you accept the simple verses following, as my friendly token, and so wishing you as to myself both in lodging and otherwise, heartily face ye well.  

The wise fathers of old have always taught  
That we should not show unto our foo  
The pensiveness of our secret thought  
Though in our heart, we suffer deadly woe  
But here it forth as if it were not foo  
For our dicomfor▪ shall cause him to be glad  
Where as our will is, for to make him sad.   

But reason alas, in me is so appalled  
That I can not unto such council fall  
Though in my letter I have righ● now assayed  
And falsely myself a dissembler did call  
Because that you my deadlyest foo of all  
Should not peeceave mine woeful heaviness  
For well I wots ye joy at my dystesse.   

Yet folly now forceth me, the truth for to express.  
What so ever my letter doth contain  
Wherefore with woeful heart I openly confess  
How that your love hath put me to such pain  
That with the life I may no more sustain  
And if there be no grace but that I shallbe dead  
Yet this shallbe my last, God send you well to wed.    

Of Idleness. ¶ Here Bawdyn writing to a certain Gentleman (his friend) among other things, bewaileth himself of his evil speed in wooing and treaty of marriage. The ix Chapter.  
MAster D. After my very har●ye commendations, trusting that ye are passed the danger of this late universal sickness, the new swear, these shallbe to advertise you, that even so am I, and that with as much peril of life as ever man escaped, how be it all for the best as it hath chanced, for whereas before time, by reason of my age and evil diet, my complexion was plain malynedlyke, mixed with over much collar, now by this means the unkindly heats are subprest, and all evil humours so expelled, that (the blood tempetately allayed with steume having mastery) I am turned to as goodly a sanguine as ever ye saw, and therewithal grown as full of love, as any noppy new alt is full of barm, the crop whereof, much after the self same sort (saving not altogether so high a lof●e) worketh, coveting vent and utterance, nevertheless I am determined not to departed therewith, but only under the blylfull band of matrimony, which holy and pleasant sacrament, because I will no there rashly enter into, nor yet bashefully (for any refuse at a few hands) give over. I have with good advisement made a calendar of all such maidens, and widows (in these parts) as can content me that way, which in the whole together with an old fellows wife, that I dare say will not live out this next March, are to the number of xi Upon which appointment I have not showed myself to be so nice or daungetous to please, as to allow, none other but only such as are clean without any fault, for fear lest then I should not have so liberal a choice in so small a circuit, and therefore conferring their evil tatches with their good qualities, I have accepted or rejected, according to the more part or greater number, having respect therewithal for mine own advancement, that one profitable commodity shall countervail to evil properties, unless they be of certain notable forts, which are not to be borne withal. And more over preventing lest my tender simple heart might happen to brusie for sorrow of a repulse, if I should lay all my whole love and good mind in one of them ●t once, and then be refused, I have taken this order in my suit. When I am somewhat well entered in communication of marriage, with the first, then after two or three meetings, and before I demand to have any direct answer there, I begin to entertain the second, and when I have noted in her some one thing or other to my contentation that the other hath not, then straight ways I return to know her determinate mind, which although it be not agreeable to mine, I greatly force not, for than I stand in hope to be aswell sped or better of the second, and so proceeding in like manner with her, I go to the third, always retaining one within possibility of speed, under this fort I have already perused vii of my number, and yet feeding my fantasy with hope that the best is behind, my heart remaineth as fresh and whole as when I first began. But yet by saint Mary like as it shallbe wise doom to cast the worst before it fall, so I consider that and if my fortune be so evil, that for lack of skilful interteynement I should chance to fail also of the rest, I doubt it would bring me into such perplexity and sorrow, as I shall then be never able to expel, for dangers once grown to th'extremity, are seldom or never reconered, and therefore sir I shall desire you so much to assist me herein, as to ●certeyne me by your letter, under what sort ye used yourself, upon obtaining in like suit, that I may somewhat practise the same, wherein for lack of power to recompense you otherwise, of this ye may be assured, mine gotten by your means (as reason is) shallbe at your commandment, and so heartily far ye well.   

¶ Where as Bawdyn served in Garryson, and had compounded with a certain Gentleman, his friend, to repair thither at all times of danger, the same being so sireighted in a time of commotion, that he was forced for his safeguard to take another howled, where as were many Gentle women, which kind of furniture the other greatly wanted, here Bawdin maketh him request to have some fruition of that necessary commodity. The ten Chapter.  
The rather to allure you for to satisfy my necessity, having presently a certain kind of lack, I have thought good that ye should first be advertised how well I intended towards you, if so were that for your part ye had needed of men, which is none other, but that my lodging was prepared to receive you, and my force in readiness for your defence, if ye had listed to have drawn hither now in this dangerous time, according to the tenure of our composition and old band of amity. My well meaning wherein, I crave not to be recompensed with any gold or costly jewel. But (by your mediation) with the presence and favour of some one of your fair Gentlewomen (whereof as I here say, ye have plenty and spare) of intent that being now forced to be a man of war, in very deed, whereas heretofore, I have been but as it were a shadow thereof, I may wax in love, and be valiant, whereby the rather not only to with stand, but also to subdue these unruly and disobedient people that manase to assault this Garryson, being a place I assure you, not only pleasant and of great strength both by building and situation, but also plenteously furnished with men, munitions, and all other things requisite for the wars, that grace of amoures only excepted, which being had kindly of itself, and not delayed nor perverted with the band of wedlock, is to a man of war as a spur to a dull or slow horse. Or to express more lively, well near as great an increase of hold and forward heart, coveting high enterprise, to obtain honest estimation and favour at his mystres hands, as dreary wed lock appalling the lively spirits provoketh cowardry. And yet to say troth I have sometime known wedded men in warlike affairs do right boldly and well, but that hath been by way of desperation, choosing rather to die, if Fortune would ascent, then longer to live under such yoke of servitude, from the which our Lord deliver you, and preserve me.   

¶ The answer made to the said letter. The xi Chapter.  
AFter my very hearty commendations, these shallbe to advertise you that I have received your letter, and by the same do plainly perceive your faithful friendship meant towards me, greatly to my comfort and rejoicing, but not as who would say, for that now in extremity and just time of trial, I should have consolation to find myself in your behalf, assured of that which before time I stood in doubt of, but rather for that it doth now expressly appear, that my wits and judgement, whereof before time I doubted hath serue●● me a right, in choosing such an carnest● friend as ye are conjecturing of you afore hand, as justly hath followed. Which to recompense with the best of my little power, ye shall at all times be assured of. Nevertheless as to satisfy your request in that ye write, concerning my Gentlewomen, whereof in deed I have plenty, and spare, (as cause reasonable shall require) I can do you no pleasure therein, for as ye know it must needs be done by their own consent, and resteth not in me to appoint, having no further charge, but to the defence of their persons. How be it for troth I have in your behalf had communication with sundry of them, aswell Ladies as other, of whom I have received sundry answers, for some of them say that if your demeanour were good, it is likely that ye might be accepted near home, whereas ye are better known, and not forced thus to sue in foreign parts, and some say that they are uncertain whether of both may be most myslykte, your crabbed face or your crooked conditions, and some of them say, that they disdain to take the refuse of so many, as heretofore ye have been suitor unto, and some also saith, that ye are so spent with age and travail, that to th'effect of their most need, they think that they should be but deceived with you. This is as much as I can hitherto get at their hands, but that they acquit your gentle request, with their hearty thanks, faithfully promising to do their best for your speed elsewhere, so it be not on any of their friends, and in affirming the same, have hereunto every of them set their hands, and so right heartily far ye well, wishing that the laws were of such liberty that every man might bestow his own as himself lysteth, for than I know where ye should for a time be well pleased, and your very friend thereby much eased.   

¶ Here Bawdyn replieth to the same, and perceiving his continual evil speed, determineth to give over all such kind of suits. The xii Chapter.  
IF I were ignorant of mine own impedidimentes, and evil fortune, or forgetful of that I daily have in remembrance, (which for troth, more than the number of mine years, hasteth me to my grave) ye should have done but well, upon the answer of my late letter, to express my faults, and sufficient cause of refuse, at your Gentlewoman hands, as ye have done, and yet considering as the time now requireth, that we are of all sides forced to prepare and fashion ourselves for the wars, wherein bold and adventurous heart (who never showeth so well, as where there is a pleasant and amorous mind) resteth for a principal part, it should have been good policy for all men (in mine opinion) not only to dissemble and bear each one with the folly and faults of other, lest contrary might happen to engender either froward controversy, or feeble pensivents, but moreover every man for his own part to feed and starts themselves with some kind of vanity or vainglory, without having any respect to desert, or not deserving, which in deed dependeth much upon the vain tryffles and toys of women, being a kind of creatures, although scarce worthy to be accounted as reasonable, & rather an impediment unto man, upon matters of gravity or importance, than any furtherer, yet to encourage battle & like mischief, a very handsome & wouderful necessary instrument, which was the only cause (the time thereunto now so requisite) that I made request to have some one of yours, for to revive my dull spirits, being mortis ●yed with contemplation, to stir up, and make the same more apt for feats of arms and chivalry, altering every virtues quality of the mind, into some boldly excercise of activity or policy of war. But now sith I perceive my self by your writing to be thus evil accepted, at so many discrete gentlewomen's hands, and for so sundry faults and impediments as by them is alleged, I am become utterly desperate to obtain in any like suits hereafter, and therefore do determine no more to attempt the same, but rather if I may chance to escape the hazard and danger of these wars, to be professed an Armyre, and to live alone in wilderness, but yet for mine own consolation in the mean time, considering that the thing which can not be had, ought wisely to be forborn, I thought it good policy to persuade myself that their company is more cumbrous than comfortable, and for that purpose did delight to see and read such books as spoke or treated any thing to the dispreyse or blame of women, whereas I found written aswell by sundry Philosophers, that know by learning and natural causes, as also by other Sagies that wist by practice and experience in manner and form following. first one of them saith that they are crafty conveyors, of all manner shrewdness, and ignorant innocentes in all kind of goodness. Another saith: Blame not all women though one have offended, Say well by the worst, the best may be amended. Another saith: Of that they may have, they set little store, And what they can not get, they long for evermore.  
Another saith: Liberty they covet, to do what they will, yet what they take in hand commonly they spill. Another saith: What they be desired, they utterly refuse, And what they ye denayed, most greedily will they use. Another saith: Abide by them, and they are soon caught, But out of sight, and out of thought. Another saith: For to know divers they always love, judging him to be best, which they never did prove. Another saith: They are discryvers of counsels, and fayners of fables, Not recking who rolleth his dice on their tables. Another saith: Weary may they be, but satisfied never, Their box is enclosed in such a kind of leather. Which sayings soundeth most blyffull and comfortable to me, and as I trust will shortly so creep into my credence, and temper my desire towards all women, that I shall think the best of them to be better lost then found. For surely all old writers do thoroughly agree as a very ground or principle, not to be denayed or doubted of, that the greatest felicity and most pleafaunt part of matrimony on the man's be half, resteth only in the wooing and entreaty of marriage, whereof the Gods be thanked, I have right largely had my part and yet was always refused, which maketh me to think myself more happy than wise that under such sort enjoying as it were the grain and leaving the chaff, I escaped the harm that so busily I sought for.   

¶ The second part of the Epistle sent by Bawdyn Bachelor to Waltex Wedlock. The xiii Chapter.  
LO Walter, now may ye perceive how desirous I have been, and what means I have made to marry. For although by some part of my writing I seemed to reprove or scorn such as I was suitor unto, yet for troth I mente to entreat or flatter them, considering that women will often times accept things clean contrary, and therefore I thought busy to prove both ways, but all would not avail me, for I was still refused, which brought me into such a perplexitis and pensiveness of mind, that I was well near fallen into a consumption by plain despair and malyncoly, accumpting myself the most unfortunate of all men, thus to lose with much travail, what commonly other folks get with ease, and to lament the losing, of that other men repent the winning. But such is the frowardness of Fortune, that to cumber all men, disposeth perverdy all things, as a wife to him that lacketh skill how to guide her, and none at all to the doctors of that science. Yet at length searching for mine own case, how best to quiet myself, I did consider how God mindeth to furnish heaven, aswell of wyrgyns as of martyrs and other saints, judging that he intendeth to reserve me in this estate, only for that purpose, whereby to incrense my felicity in the world to come. For I remember where as Paul doth but barely allow matrimony, he commendeth virginity, and therefore for mine own part, sith this is mine appointed talon, I am contented to slande thereto, and from hence forth will seek for no change. The most that grieveth me is, that wedded men can not now learn at my hand as I intended they should do, for doubtless the mystery of that doctrine can neither be disclosed nor perceived by words or wryeting, so well as it may by sight of the doing, like unto the common experience of holding the plough, which is not so soon learned by reporce, as by saying the thing done. But yet sithen that now it may be none otherwise, I will therein write partly mine opinion, trusting that it shall take some effect, although not so much as I intended, if my suit for marriage had taken place. There is a common opinion (and in deed experience oftentimes approveth the same) that the thing which is not well come by, prospereth not with the owner, I mean to this effect, men commonly now a days come not by their wives as they ought to do, which causeth them to agree the worse when they be together. For where as they should marry for affection to the woe man and in hope of children to be broughe up in the fear and honour of God, surely Walter the more part of your sect neglecting all both, doth make of marriage as it were a for hunting, which as you know is not meddled withal, but when the case is somewhat worth. And then the hunter, after knowledge had where the game is, besetteth the covert with hewers to course at advantage, if he may preventing before hando upon diligent inquyry made, what tochet or borrow it useth to resort unto, as his chief refuge, and there at thentry taketh it with a pursenet, when it thinketh to be most out of danger, and so being with much crafty policy and travel gotten, is carried home with gladness, by common presumption to plain meaning people for love of the flesh, but contrariwise within a very short while the case is pulled of, and the carcase not esteemed. And even so it is of these greedy men that marrieth for the love of riches, without respect to the woman, or her qualities, who not only suborneth her familiars for money, in stead of hewers to be plain liars, exalting the suitor about all other men in such qualities or ability, as they shall perceane the simple woman most to delight, or otherwise persuadeth her under colour of religion, as in safeguard of the dissemblers life, that else would die for love, where as in deed he never loved other than her living, but moreover preventeth her at such hands, as she is most likely to resort unto for council, which crafty counsellor, although he mind to further the purpose, yet will he not speak therein for doubt to be suspected of corruption, but when she cometh to sick his advice, he is then like a pursenet, and knytteh up the matter which soon after is repent. For the good man regarding none other but only the thing that he chiefly sought (which was the good and land) esteemeth not the wife, and then she finding herself deceived of the love and good mind that she looked for, casteth to shorten his days by anger and displeasure, trusting to speed better next. And so marriages disorderly begun, have commonly cumbrous continuance, and an evil end, I make this little dygression Walter to put you in remembrance, against your next marriage, if you come thereto, for surely by that ye surmise that I have an evil opinion of marriage, I suspect that either you feel the same discommodities yourself, & that you would gladly have me to be in like case, or else you are like to the greedy rich man, that is loath to have any poor neighbours, yet not for any charity that is in him, but rather for fear lest they would be borrowers. What I mean hereby I doubt not ye know well enough. And now to th'effect of my promise which was to instruct you how men might live most quyetely with their wives. You must first understand (Walter) that notwithstanding▪ all the evil properties and shrewd tatches that ever were written of women, yea or that is in them, in very deed (which for truth is much more than conveniently may be expressed) yet are they not therefore to be blamed or found fault withal, by reason the same is given them even of very nature, whose gifts being in manner forced of necessity (be they good or evil) deserve neither praise nor blame. For sith the time that the serpent tempted Adam and Eve, in the similitude & likeness of a woman, doubtless the fraud and malice of that spirit, hath always been most incident to the same sects, & maketh them naturally inclined to dissimulation, in constancy, and frowardness, with a number of other vices. But what of that, should we exclude them from our company as unworthy, or should we disdeynefully accept them (according to the common term) as evil necessaries, or should we (being worst of all) as mistrusting that the Gods were not able to work therein sufficiently themselves, take on us to alter them by art. As before this Virgyl (whose presumption was prevented by death) For he after such time as he had atchened many strange and defuse conclusions, enterprised to make glass abide the hammer, determyving soon after to make all women constant in lone, and conformable to the will and pleasues of their husbands, and all by art magic and sorcery, nay nay gods forbid. And what then, marry let us consider, that like as there is nothing in earth so thoroughly good, but that to some purpose, and after some sort used, it may be evil. That even so there is nothing of his own nature so evil, but that to some purpose, and after some sort used, it may be good, and yet this hope we have of women above all other things. The great god himself upon the creation of Adam (as appeareth in Genesis) said, let us make man an helper, and then made Eve, of whom all other women are descended, which proveth that being skilfully used, they must needs be helping and comfortable to man, for God never lieth, and then me thinketh considering that the matter toucheth the quiet of man's person so highly as it doth, it is most necessary that men should apply their wyrtes to search out the right use of them, so as they may justly serve the purpose that God promised, as in deed (Walter) for my part I have done even so, and that with a contemplative spirit, minding to live with them in marriage accordingly, and do perceive the hole state and mystery thereof, being disclosed unto me by revelation in my sleep, which in effect is thus. Ne●m●nedes the God of matrimony, for the consolation of married men, upon lamentable complaint of their miserable estate (by reason of their wives crabbedness) granted by a certain branch of heavenly influence to distill into the heart of the bride at every wedding, a certain kind of ●umour, called by the Bretians Spurfalxe, being as much to say as the juice or vapour of the ring, and in english named a wives to thee, a term of long time known, and yet but lately and to few men perceived. The nature whereof is vehemently to enforce her sprites to cover pre-eminence in certain points, which being obtained and allowed her, it dissolveth the malice of all her former evil qualities, much after the common opinion, that one poison expelleth another. Hitherto (Walter) I suppose ye find little comfort in my words, for that it seemeth they are not by this miracle any thing amended, but rather altered from one evyil into another, which may chance is worse, Nevertheless if you note me well, ye have right good cause to rejoice, for hereby these e●abbedues that by long continuance in many discentes was grown to be in manes natural, and therefore vn●●rable, may be taken away, and in stead thereof other things placed, that ye may easily expel if ye list yourself. I dare say you marvel what I mean by this circumstance, and do long to know the effect thereof. Well, I am content that you shall so. Surely the pre-eminence that the wives doth covet at their husband's hands by virtue of that humour, is none other, but only to have liberty in three kind of things, which is, to say what they will, to have what they will, and to do what they will, wherein you know the husband may easily bear with them, and surely doing so, they are the most quiet and comfortablest creatures, that ever were ordained for man. But restraining them thereof, they are so crabbed and so cumbrous, as that there is nothing so displeasant as their company, which the discrete husband must by: his wisdom consider, and for his more ease use them thereafter. For seeing that by the law they are all both but one body, and must remain at one bed and board, it is not in maver possible that he may long live in quiet, when she is thoroughly offended. Wherefore it shallbe necessary for him to use her, like as he useth other brittle things, as for example, If ye have a very fair drinking glass, it is both necessary in use and pleasant to the sight, and will so continue long enough if it be ordered accordingly, but and if by rashness or lack of consideration, you force it more than the tender nature thereof may suffer, you suddenly destroy your own commodity, for than will it break and be worth nothing at all. And surely even so is it of a fair pleasant and loving wife, which is the greatest treasure and comfort that man may have in earth, whilst she remaineth in that estate and that will she till her dying day, if she be gently used, and left to have her liberty in these three things. For althoughs they use of their own accord to submit themselves enough, yet their noble hearts may in no wise suffer to be forced nor brought into subjection by violence, muches like for that purpose to the hawk, whose nature of all living things they draw nearest unto, for the female kind of them is always most stubborn, most eager, and most apt to evil, and yet by gentle means may be recleymed and brought to do much pleasure, but the Fawkener must beware that although she chance to check, or to sore awry and range, he may not therfure at her return misintreate her with any rigour, but skilfully considering the cause, as lacks of bathing, or otherwise, must prevent to eschew the like, and so patiently suffering for the time, may reform and win her from her wild and rammishe nature, by policy and gentleness. Much more reasonable is it then, that the husband should bear, and by such gentle sufferance qualify the crabbedness of his wife. For whereas th'one purpose serveth but only to meyneteyne his wain pleasure, tother toucheth him most highly, both in the quiet of his person, and estimation of his name, which above all other therres is chiefly to be considered, yea and 〈◊〉 (Walter) giving them a face of liberty to have their own will in these three points, they may by policy be trained to do your, and in deed some of them will so even of their own mind and free will: Like as the hawk when she flieth well and slayeth her fowl, serveth her master's purpose and doth him singular pleasure, and yet meaneth none other than her own commodity, how be it, both their delights being bend to one effect, are served under one Even so some wives are wholly of like inclination as their husbands, and then loseth he nothing at all by granting them such liberty, for then: doing the thing that pleaseth herself, she in likewise contenteth him. And some of them also are of such worthy and honourable qualines, that they will show them selves in their benevolence, as it were able to compare with the great Alerander, who after such time as he had in a dangerous battle with great peril of his person, and loss of many men, overcome the mighty king Porus, a certain prince of the Indians, coveting nought else but only the glory of victory, and power to take what he list. Received him afterwards into anutie, and enlarged his dominion with an other kingdom of his own. And even so it sufficeth such worthy wives only to obtain the pre-eminence at their husbands hands without setting the same in vet, but will rather of their mere and gentle nature incline themselves to the will and pleasure of their husbands. But in deed some again are so presyse in keeping their prerogative, that think if they do any thing wyttyngely to their husbands contentations, they less their liberties and shame themselves for ever Such wines their husbands may neither menace, nor yet entreat, but must compass them by policy, as thus. Look what he would have them to do, let him seem to ●uette the contrary, for then thinking to serve her own turn, she will serve his, or else let him get some gests to his table, that by way of talk shall surmise some other man's wife, which dwelleth a far of, to use herself towards her husband, under such sort as the goodman would wish that his wife should do, giving her much praise and commendations for the same, and then will she for very vainglory, to purchase like report, do in likewise, or else let him cause some of her gossips, whom she hath in displeasure (as commonly they are never without some such) to rejoice and laugh her to scorn, for the misusing of her husband, for than will she amend only to spite her enemy withal. But (Walter) like as a crabbed Toulte must be ridden with a tough bit, even so if the wife be to outrageous she must be used after a more sharper sort, as thus. Let the husband feign himself to be sick, complaining altogether in his head, and thereupon send for the physician, with whom he must be at a point before hand, who at his coming, shall in open presence make the matter light and put him in comfort to do well, and then taking her a part, show her in secret that he is wonderfully inclined to a Franzie, ●serybynge him a special dycie for the defence thereof, which aswell for dainty feeding, under pretence to engender good blood as also for gentle entertainment for doubt to stir up the choleric humours, shallbe even as the goodman himself had before hand devised, & if afterwards he shall perceive her to break any part of the same, then must he straight ways seem to be stark staring mad, and among other light and unwonted parts be sure to beat her well, and to enforce the matter, make as though he would leap out at the chamber window, but let not her be to near at hand lest she happen to help him onward, & when he hath a while stormed in his rage, then let the physician come again, and blaming the wife for breaking his order, seem to pacify him by medicine, yet first hardly let him be well bound, even after the right Bedlam fashion, but let it not be to straight, least finding him at such advantage, she happen to be even with him, and afterwards when he is well come to himself, and informed under what manner he misintreated his wife, let him utterlydenay it, as though he knew not what he had done in his woodness, swearing and staring that and if he would be so lewd it were pity of his life, affirming that in all the world, there is not so benign and loving a woman to her husband, no● that so little doth de●erue to be under such sort used, but at length when by his wives tears, her broken eye, her black sides, and sore bones, he must needs be persuaded that it was true, then must he counterfeit such woeful repentance, as though he should straight ways out of his wit again for pure sorrow, wishing rather to die a thousand sold, then to be vexed again with the like passion. Let him use her two or three times after this fort (Walter) and I dare warrant she will for her own case observe the physicians order, albeit she would disdain to do the same at her husbands appointment, but the husband nereth to beware and handle himself wisely in those points, for and if she chance to espy his fetch, she is incurable for ever, like unto the For, which being once tangled in a trap and escapeth, will be so e●rcumspiete, that he is never taken by any kind of engine afterwards. Sundry other means and sleights there is to qualify t●e rigour of their liberty, which if the husband do consider and wittily provide for, their company (be they never so evil) is tollerarable enough. But Walter in any wise, and as you inte●de to eschew the danger of all their whole natural malyet, look yeast serve not from your principle, as to su●●● them to have their will in tho●e three things, or else at least way, so to use them, as they may think they have it, for surely the same is so incident unto them that till time they have obtained it, they are never contented, nor in manner of right mind or tractable, and that once allowed them, they are quiet enough, and framable to many good purposes. Thus Walter I have performed my promise, which was to instruct you how the husband may best use himself to live quiet with his wife, I pray God all your sect may perceive and follow it well, which I think they should do much the better, if I confirmed my doctrine by some lively example of experience, but that can I not do in aught that chanced under the yoke of matrimony, by reason I have had no practise that way, nevertheless to make you understand, that by gentle means and good policy, there is commodity to be had at women's hands, which rigour or violence shall never obtain. I will show you an example, whereunto I was somewhat privy, that happened of late between a certain Gentleman and Genglewoman, both being of mine acquantaunce, & was thus.   

¶ Here Bawdyn to prove that women are never so much addict or bent to their own will and opinion, but that by wisdom and good policy, they may easily be broken thereof. showeth a lively example of late experience. The xiiii Chapter.  
ON a time a Gentleman of the Weshe parts (who shallbe nameless) at Charing Cross in his way home wards from London (then called Troynovant) over took a certain fair Mystres, whom when he had saluted, and by communication did perceive that she should ride four or five days in his company, he was wonderful glad thereof. For being himself a cock of the game, he thought her to be a hen of the same sort, and trusted well to have some jolly good treading by the way. And therefore after a little acquaintance, demanded her whether she could be contented to avow and use herself as his wife in that journey or not (which words nevertheless, were uttered under such sort, that and if his motion were not well taken, all was spoken but in sport) whereunto she dissembling as though she misunderstode him, (and the rather by some pensiveness appearing in her person, to persuade him that she was not apt to receive such in●erteynement) said, that in deed she had been a wife but as then was none, nor never would be. And thereupon taking occasion to speak of her dead husband, seemed as thought she would shortly have followed him for pure sorrow, which when this gentleman by good exhortation had somewhat appeased, & then after a little pause recited again th'effect of his former words, promising that & if she would show him so much gentleness, he would not only bear her expense, but moreover be glad to show her any kind of pleasure that should appertain to the duty of an husband for the time. Whereunto she being then in manner forced to make direct answer, with sober countenance said. Alas how have I rejoiced without cause, for whereas being a stranget in these parts, I thought it a comfort to meet with company, the same to have so evil opinion of me, as to demand such question, is most to my discomfort, and therewithal protested before god that she never was woman of that conversation, nor never would be. Then the Gentleman leaving to his first advantage, swore that he durst depose the same in her behalf, and that he spoke but in board to pass away the time, desiring her not to be offended therewith. How be it for all that, he intended not so to give over his enterprise, but determined to prosecute the same by another means, and thereupon thought good to do as men commonly use to do with sick folks, that (for lack of appetite) when they are axed whether they will have this meat or that made ready for them, they utterly refuse it, whereas being a cawdell or other good morsel, if without such questioning it be made ready & brought them, the pleasant savour or sight thereof, will provoke their stomachs to receive it, therefore although being after this manner refused, yet he thought if he might meet her in convenient place with his things in readiness, he had good trust to be accepted, for the common proverb saith, that women love better to have it, then to hear sp●ke of it, and thereupon determined by sum one policy or other to meet her warm a bed, and then to proffer it without making of any question or demand. But first as the physicians use to give preparatyves before they minister the substance of their medicine. Even so because he would the better be allowed when he came, he entertained her before hand with all kind of gentleness, for at her Inn she lacked not wine, spice, nor no other thing that he might perceive she coveted to have, nor no jellies, or other confections that were good to make her cockyshe hot or apt to receive what he mente towards her, and by the way to help her up and down, or to amend any thing that was amiss about her, her own servant was not so attendant as he, so when he had by such expenses and diligence, brought himself in some credit and favour, then to give he some warning before hand, lest she should abash to much at his coming. Among other pleasant talk, he showed her how he doubted that he was not well chrystened, for as he said, he used oftentimes to rise out of his bed in his stepe, and going about the house, should do he wist not what himself, and that when he were in such case, he might go whither so ever he would, for there was neither lock nor bar but would open against him, exhorsting her therefore, that and if he should happen to be vexed with that passion in her company, and come into her chamber by night, that she should not be afraid thereof, nor make none outcry, for he used not to do ●ny harm at all, At which words she laughed and said, that and if he came ther● she would so scourge him with her rod, that he should repent his coming. The night following (being in the Summer time) they came to Salisbury, where as this Gentleman determined to set in ure theffect of his devise, and after supper, perceiving the Gentlewoman gone into the garden with the wife of the house, and her servant in the stable, leaving her chamber door abroad, he made his servant privy of his mind, and bade him lock fast his chamber door, as though he had been gone to bed, and then secretly getting into the Gentlewoman's chamber, hid himself under her bed, intending when she were a stepe, to get in by her. And so devising in his mind what a busy night he should have, thought it good somewhat to refresh himself before hand, and so fell a stepe, during which time there came into the same Inn one of sir Ogter Penkeyls servants, who when he was alighted, perceiving the door abroad, came sireyght into the same chamber and leaving his capease there, locked the chamber door, and took the key with him, which when the Chamberlain perceived, he made request to have it again, sayings that he could not lie there, for that the come was otherwise appointed, whereunto the t'other answered that the same had always wont to be his chamber, and there would he lie who so ever said nay, unless he were fet out by the ears. In so much that the Chamberleyne knowing him to be a common geste of the house, and a froward fellow, was loath much to strive with him, and therefore showed the matter to the Gentlewoman (somewhat blaming her servant for leaving the door open) and desired her to take another chamber, wherein she was soon entreated and did so. And when time came gate her to her bed, as in like wise the serving man to his, all this while the Gentleman lying under the bed fast a sleep, and knew nothing of this alteration. About midnight he awaked and harkening whether he could here any folk sterring about the house, heard no thing save one softly drawing breath within the bed, which he supposed verily to be the Gentlewoman, wherewithal his heart tickled for joy, which straight ways was turned to high displeasure. For as he came forth from under the bed, thinking to unray himself, he stumbled on the chamber pot, and made such a noise that the ●erurynge man suddenly awaked, and under a ●ough sort asked who was there, when the Gentleman contrary to his expectation hard a man's voice, he was wonderfully abashed, but yet (coniecturinge that it was the Gentlewoman's servant abed with his mysteries) he boldly answered and said, it is I the good fellow that have ridden so long in your company (Mystres I speak to you, although it be your servant that asketh me the question) & now to show you the cause of my coming hither, the troth is, I suspected that ye were not so clear in your living, as you would seem to be accounted by your words, for the proof whereof I have purposely watched you, and now do perceive what ye are. When the seruingeman hard this strange answer, not knowing what the matter ment, he thought it was some naughty fellow that came to pick his purse when he were a sleep, and that now perceiving him to be awaked, would counterfepte himself to be a fool, the rather to have his misdemeanour borne withal, and thereupon leaping out of his bed to his weapon, cried out, thieves, thieves, and made such a noise, that within a while the goodman of the house, and all tother gests, broke open the chamber door, and with torch light and clubs came into them and asked what was the matter, whereof being advertised by the declaration of the seruyngeman (who mistaking the purpose that was meant, made the act very heinous) Gogs body master Bachelor said the good man, little need had you to use yourself so in this house, for by the holy mast I would rather have laid all the plate in my house at gage for you, then that ye should lack money if I had known it. Gramercy mine Host said the Gentleman, but to make you perceive that I had no such need (the rather thereby to judge that I meant no such thing) ye shallbe privy with my purse, and therewithal opening the same, showed forth in money and jewels, to the value of twenty or, thirty. pound, and then said, sith the matter is come to this point, I will now out of hand show you the thing that I thought not to speak of till that lent were come, that I should meet with my ghostly father, and thereupon (giving money to the residue of the company to departed, and drink a gallon of wine for their pains) he took the good man of the house and the seruyngeman aside, and showed them the whole circumstance of his purpose and intent, whereat when they had a while well laughed (exhorting him to use more circumspection in the matter at his next lodging) they departed, every man promising to keep council. Howbeit according to the common proverb, which saith that two may chance to keep counsel, but three never. Even so this matter was so long talked of in council from one to another, that before five of the clock in the morning it came to the Gentlewoman's ears, who although she were nothing in default, was nevertheless wonderful sorry to have it reported that such thing was meant towards her, accounting that there might enter into the hearers thereof some suspect of her evil, which by any honest woman should be eschewed, in manner as much as the very evil itself. And therefore perceiving that she could not remedy what was past, she thought yet to prevent what was to come, so that in the morning when this Gentleman sent to know when she would ride, she feigned herself sick, and so forsook his company, wherewith he was not a little offended, and thereupon imagining the cause of her stay, determined to remain all night at the next bait, which was Shaftesbery, thinking that when she had once perceived him past and gone, it should not be long or she would come after, and even as he thought so it chanced, for in deed the same night she came to Shaftesbery, whereof although the Gentleman were wonderful glad, yet would he not be acknown to her until the morning that she were a horseback, for fear less she should fain like excuse, to eschew his company as she had done before time. But in the morning as soon as she was gone, he came dashing after, and bad her good morrow, wherewith the Gentlewoman being abashed, made answer and said, yea, are you there, had I known ye were no further paste, I would not have been thus far forth, that would God I had never seen you: Why so mystres said the Gentleman, have I showed you any such unkindness, that ye should have cause thus to loath my company: Nay said she ye have showed me none, but rather the contrary what so ever ye meant towards me But as th'intent of every act deserveth the thank or blame, so the pretence of your gentleness tendering to my slander (as now I know it did) deserveth no thanks at all. As to show you what I mean by these words, it shall not need, for I am sure ye know it well enough yourself, and in like wise doth all the country. What rumour for shame have ye caused to be made of me the other night in the town behind, thence is no other talk among the people but of you and me, wherein although for my part I did nor meant any evil at all, yet am I assured by your means not to escape slander, and therewithal 'gan piteously to weep. When the Gentleman perceived the matter taken in so evil part, he was right so ty, but yet somewhat recomforted again because she wept (for commonly the spite and displeasure of a woman weareth away with her tears, so that when th'one is spent tother is past, and she then much more tractable to any friendly purpose then afore) whertupon after a little counterfeit e●ghynge to be advised how to excuse himself, he thought best, sith his doings in the matter were so apparent that it could not be denayed, that yet he would denay any evil of his part mente thereby, or of hers receaned. And then said, I wysse mystres whereas ye say that I have caused you to to be slandered, if ye understood aright, there could never thing chance better for the declaration of your honesty, then for me to come into your chamber under such sort as I did, for whereas it might be suspected that there was some misdemeanour used between us (riding together as we have done) now that it is perceived home I durst not proffer to come unto your bed, but by stealth and unknown unto you, the same sufficeth for your declaration in that behalf, for all men may judge that and if ye had been privy, or assenting thereunto, I would have come in more boldly, so that in my mind, there could never thing have happened better for your purpose, then for me to do as I did, and as to think that I intended you any evil by my coming, by the blessed god I mente you no more harm, then to mine own body, wherefore good mystres I pray you quiet yourself, and be not thus offended without cause, no more harm than to your own body said she? no, I think well that, howbeit what so ever ye would to your own body, I am sure ye meant thereby none honesty towards me. As I be saved said he, I meant you no dishonesty at all, and now to show you my mind further, sith the matter is come to this pass, on my faith mistress I never in all my life knew what love meant till time I met with you, why and do ye know now what it meaneth? said she, yes mystres yes, much more to my pain, than I have as yet been acknown of said the Gentleman. For doubtless your comely person and discrete demeanour hath so drawn mine affection towards you, that without your presence and favour, it is not possible for my life any while to endure, and surely to show you thereof in secret●, and somewhat to be satisfied therein, was the only cause that made me attempt the coming to your bed, and for no dishonesty at all as god shallbe my judge. A well said she, now I perceive it shallbe an easy thing to prove you either a dissembler or a liar, or else both. For and if ye say ye love me, and do not, then are ye a dissembler, and on tother side, if ye do love me and would come to my bed (as ye say yourself, to be saryffyed in love) the same doth imply as much as to dishovest me, and therefore to say ye meant me no dishonesty though the term be rude ye are therein but a liar. Alas mystres were it then your dyshonesty that I should embrace and kiss you abed said the Gentleman, yea but meant you none other thing save only so, said she? Why no by the blessed sacralente said he, and if I did or do intend, otherwise towards you, God let me never light from this horse in my right wits. So that in conclusion, with swearing and staring that he mente her but all well, and partly in recompense of the Gentleness and liberality showed in that journey towards her, she was contented the next night following to leave her chamber door open, and to give him liberty with kissing and embracing to do his heart an ease. This thing so concluded, then broke they into other talk that all their folks might here to drive away suspicion, & so with pleasant thoughts passing the day, came the next night to Charred, where as she was lodged at th'one end of a long Gallery, and he at the other, and in an other chamber, which stood between both, there lay another gest, which was bound towards London, and came in a little before them (one master jewegur a Gentleman of devonshire) who being of the other Gentleman's acquaintance, supped with him in the Gentlewoman's chamber, and after supper walked for recreation altogether into the garden, whereas after a little talk, this master jewegur (being a suspicious and wily fellow) perceived by countenances that his companyans coveted to have some secret talk, wherein to give them scope under colour to look in a little book that was in his bosom, he slaked his pace, but nevertheless had his cares attentive to their talk, and hard the Gentleman with a soft voice say, look ye keep your promise for else ye sle me, and she to him yes yes, but for God's sake look ye come secretly. Yea thought the other: then I know what ye mean. Well? though I be not bidden to the banquet, yet may I chance to have some part of the cheer, and thereupon repairing to them again, fell into sundry devices, till at length a damosel of the house came to the Gentlewoman, saying her chamber was ready, and that if it pleased her to go to it, she would bring her to bed, whereupon the Gentlewoman departed, but the Gentlemen remained there as long as the day light would serve them to walk, and when night came drew either of them to his chamber, severally watching of a convenient time for one purpose, Howe beit the smell feast had advantage of the bidden gest (for by that names will I from henceforth call them) because he stood so in the way, that as long as any stering was in his chamber, the other had no safe passage. At length when the smell feast perceived the household abed, and all things in quiet, saving in the bidden gests chamber (for whom he was determined how to provide) he unrayed himself to his bare shirt, and then taking occasion to look on his sword, found fault that the same was cankered, and then devising a meet place for such a purpose (in the Gallery not far from the bidden gests chamber door) he set his servant awork with scouring thereof, and in the mean time went himself to the Gentlewoman's chamber, whereas he found the door open, and was friendly entertained, but yet whether he were satisfied with kyssinge and embracing as was promised, or not, I somewhat doubt because it was not he that made the promise. And surely the self love of our unhappy time is such (God amend it) that we shall seldom see any body forbear his own commodity, for the observing of another man's promise, and again if she thinking him to be the same that made the promise, should perceive him to proffer further than was promised, yet were she better to suffer in silence, then to make any great noise in the rescue, lest it should sound in the ears of some (as in deed there lay strangers near at hand) that not knowing her simple meaning, would think her in default to suffer him come so near. But what so ever was done in the mean time, in conclusion, secretly as he came, so he departed, and she for her part supposing that she had honestly acquitted herself of her promise, determined for the residue of the night to take her rest, and therefore rose up and softly locked the door after him. So by this we may see that it is not to be marveled at, though some men labour sore, and can not thryne, and that some other doing nothing at all waxeth rich, for oft rhymes Fortune giveth one man the fruit of another's travel. When the bidden geste who had long time walked up and down in his chamber, Harkening here and there in abiding his good hour, understood all things hush and still, and that there was no blynche of candle light in any where apearing, than he thought time to set forwards, and with trembling foot and hand, as though his life and death lay in balance, did even so, but when he came to the Gentlewoman's chamber, and found her door fast (thinking then that she meant only to scorn him) all his hot love or lust (whether of both I may best call it) was suddenly turned into rage and fury, so that with a swollen heart he returned back again to his own chamber, and there tumbling on his bed, passed the residue of the night in great malyncoly and displeasure. In the morning the smell feast departed very early without taking of his leave (as commonly all men knowing themselves guilty, will be lothen to tarry long near their fault for doubt of espymge, but the bidden gest road not till it was near viii of the clock, whom when he was a little in his way, the Gentlewoman with a feigned frowning countenance began to challenge and said. A sir, I can you thank, ye kept well your promise to night, a woman is well at case to set her honesty in your hands upon any oath (as who would say he had gone further than was promised) What so ever thank ye can me for keeping of my promise (said the Gentleman) I can you none at all for the breaking of yours, and surely I am not contented with you, for ye used me very naughtily therein, (very noghtely said she) I pray you why so? Marry laid the Gentleman, because ye made me watch a great part of the night, and to proule about in the dark, promising to leave your chamber door abroad and did not so. Then wist she well that she had been deceived, and searching for a woman's shift how to save all things upright, suddenly found one, and said: Why sir and were ye there in deed? and I meant to challenge you because ye came not. Yea that was I by the good Lord (said the Gentleman) even at midnight, and found it falste locked. Now by out blessed Lady said the Gentlewoman, than ye deceived yourself, for my door was left open purposely for you, marry there was another door fast by it which in deed was locked, and of likelihood for lack of light ye took the one for the other. Now on my faith, said the Gentleman, it was even so sure enough, and thereupon laughing at the matter, held her excused, determining to use himself more circumspecrely the next night following, but in the mean time as the devil would, there came against them a kinsman of the gentlewoman's (to guide her thither as she was bounden) who conneyed her out of his company. And so by the crafty dealing of the subtle smell feast, the bidden gest was disappointed of his purpose, which by the perverseness of Fortune without any default in the woman, he could never recover afterwards.   

¶ The third and last part of the Epistle sent by Bawdyn Bachelor to Walter Wedlock. The xu Chapter.  
By this experiment Walter we may (among other things) perceive thinstability of women's determinations, and how by discrete diligence and policy, they may be alured whereunto men list, be it good or evil, so that Fortune be not utterly bend to the contrary, as it seemeth she was against the bidden gests enterprise. For in deed then there is no remedy, as before this, the wife in excusing herself, when she was blamed for giving her husband the loathsome livery, said that she could not do therewith, by reason that it was his fortune to have it, and was thereby very well allowed both of justice Minos himself, and of all the whole court. But Lord God Walter how rash witted am I become of late, for had I not chanced to fall again into like matter, I should have omitted one of the chiefest things that concerneth the purpose I treat upon, which is to preserve the quiet between man and wife. For surely by aught that I can perceive, the greatest breach thereof, is when she chanceth to lie with some other man, which thing the husband in some countries useth to take wonderful grievously, and yet let the matter rest there, as in deed it might well enough if he were discrete, and then were there no harm done at all, for I have known a number of men so used, and yet remain as wholesome in their bodies, as quiet in their minds, and as sufficiently furny shed to all purposes, as if it had never so chanced.  
What is it then think ye that causeth their torment and distemperance, marry the knowledge thereof: Why and whose default I pray you is that, is it the wives: Nay nay God wots, but his own that pryeth to perceive it, much like the mad man that seeketh for a knife to ●le himself. Oh uphappye plague, that cometh only by Satan, for nature would have it kept privy, and therefore provoketh to have it done in secret, nor God would not have it disclosed, and therefore setteth in the people's hearts never to show the husband thereof, though it were so that all the rest of his parish should happen to know it, and will he then himself seek his own harm, and make earnest of game. Well and if he will needs be so foolish, let him languyshe with the fruit thereof, and I shrew all such as will moon him, it is me thinketh much like the eating of a fly blow (being a certain kind of small worms that is oftentimes found in cold mutton, and such like meats, in the summer time) whereof although a man eat a thousand (as commonly men do when they feed hungerly, and looketh not for them, yet doth it no harm at al. But and if afterwards searching more narrowly, he perceaneth by them that are left, that in deed he 〈◊〉 eaten some. Then straight ways he 〈◊〉 his gorge, and maketh ado as if he 〈◊〉 poisoned, which for erothe is not for any ●uyll that is in the thing, but cometh only of a certain squeymyshenes and imperfectionn of the stomach. And surely Walter, even so is it in the other matter, yea and in all both cases to think that it be so, is as great displeasure and unquietness of mind, as if it were so in deed, which declareth the inhicilitie of man's nature in that behalf, and proveth plainly that it is rather a vain quarrel of the mind grounded on no necessity, than any sufficient or effectual cause of displeasure. But yet Walter for all that, if ye be one of these that can not patiently bear it (if it so chanced) than mine advice shallbe that ye never mistrust it, nor yet make means to know it, for than I dare warrance ye shall never be grieved therewith. Or cast the worst, as that ye chance to espy it yourself unlooked for, yet then beware that in no wise ye make any noise or words thereof, but keep it as secret from all other men's knowledge as ye can. For well wist the witty Duyde what discommodities groweth by the contrary, when he wrote the parable how Vulcanus finding his wife in bed with Marse, transformed the sheets that they lay between, by a certain magytycall means, into a cage or net of wire, and brought all the Gods to wonder at them, who nevertheless did but laugh him to scorn for his folly showed therein, and esteemed his discretion the less ever after. Doubtless a worthy example for us to eschew the like mysdemeanoure, if we chance to come within the danger thereof, for it appeareth that by so doing, we get nothing else but rebuke and shame. No Walter, not so much as to let your wife herself perceive that ye do know it, for then either will she be abominable bold, saying you contented to bear therewith. Or else must ye thinking to break her from it, make such a stir and business, as all the world shall wonder at you both, and surely much better it is to dissemble at the matter for a time and abide the coming of age, who is the common amender of all such faults, to which effect I will show you a notable experience that chanced of late, and was thus. In the town of Penborgh a certain Smyth on a time came to the Provest of the college there, and told him that sir Henry Polmarghe a priest of the same college resorting much to his house under pretence of cousinage, used his wife over boldly. Whereunto the Proveste answered, peace john john, for I dare say it is not so: or and if it be, I promise thee I will cause him to leave it. Nay master said the Smyth I neither doubt of the one nor hope of the other, but my desire shallbe, that your master ship for my poor honesty, will cause him to use himself more circumspectly therein then he hath done, for yesterday as he and I sat together at breakfast, master Saghers man called me forth to shoe a horse, and when I came to the clinshing of the nails, I mist my pyncers (being in my hall window) which when I came to fetch, I found my wife and him interlased upon my bench, under such an homely sort, that on my saith I was ashamed to look on them, and thereupon went back again before they espied me, and borrowed a pair of pyncers of my neighbour. And sir, aswell might there a stranger have come in, and shamed me for ever, as by my troth, if I had been certain where the pyncers had lain, I would have sent master Saghers man in for them. And sir because the matter toucheth me so nets as it doth, I think it not best for me to speak unto them therein myself, aswell for doubt I shall not keep due temperance in my words, or for sundry other considerations, nor in deed I would not they should perceive that I know so much therein as I do, and therefore good master Provest make no notherwise unto him, but that ye suspect it of yourself upon report at large, for that shall suffice to make him more ware and circumspect, which is as much as I look for as yet. Nor sir I tell it not you, but as it were under confession, trusting that ye will kept it secret. If this rude man this Smyth that never red Ovid, nor no other good author, could after such discrete sort temper his cause, much rather should they do so that art of more knowledge and better learned. And to you ye Venerian wives, though ye chance to be narrowly taken, and charged therewith, yet be well ware ye never confess it to the death, but speak and prate in your excuse to the uttermost, as though ye were innocent in the matter. For what so ever the presumption or lykelynes thereof be, yet of this ye may be certain, the very effect resteth on so defuse and secret a point, that in manner it is not possible to be plainly known, without ye will be so mad as to condemn yourselves, and then farewell your good days all your life after. Whereas by a little stout standing at your defence, with a sober or circumspect life following, ye shall soon grow out of suspicion, for this ye must understand, men are easily persuaded to believe the thing, such as in their heart they covet it should be. And for your parts ye Cupydyan knights, ye must ieme to delight in such pastime and recreation, as ye shall perceive the good man to do, whether it be huntynge, hawking, gaming, or otherwise, for so may ye best grow into familiarity with him, and colour your repair to the house to be only for his company. But then beware that your open light demeanour, disclose not your secret intent, as the wench that pretended heroften going to the Church to be all for devotion, but when it came to th● purpose, her affection so much overpast h●● reason, that she set aside the Pax, and kissed the parish Clerk, whereby her mind that before time was private to herself, was made common to the whole parish, therefore take heed that ye do not in likewise, & when ye lift to reward your mystres with some jewel or garment, look ye make no gift thereof, but lose it unto her upon some wager, made in the husbands presence. And what so ever the uchemency or overboldness of her affection shall hap to be, yet be you well aware that ye neither disapoynte or interrupt him at any such time, as he shall mind to have her attendant himself, for that is audible, and will soon engender suspicion, and besides that in deed it is against all good courtesy, wherein the people of this Realm have been accounted to exceed all other. And surely a chief part thereof, is to suffer the good man (be he never so simple) to have pre-eminence and chief attendance of his own wife, notwithstanding her friendly familiarity mente towards any other, being of better ability or more estimation. Yet for my part not meaning hereby to excite or entice you to any dissolute manners or incontinent trade of life, but only yourselves being bent thereunto, that then it may be so conneyed, as least rumour and inconvenience may there of follow, in preserving the ●uyernesse that I wish to have continued between man and wife, which I chiefly do for the reverence I bear to the pleasant sacrament of matrimony, because my poor father was sometime accounted to be one of that band. No sirs, nor by saint Mary I will not known that such enterprises of yours is lawful, for what so ever hath been permitted upon considerations in the former ages, or written by the Philosophers or Po●tes of that time, yet I remember well we have this familiar proverb, of authority. (New Lords, new laws) and therefore may chance that by the coming of christ, such old rites and customs are abrogated and then is there peril in the use thereof.  
And also it seemeth that the gift claimed by these wives from Neomenius, maketh not so much for their purpose as they think it doth, for in deed it is none other, but only to make them cou●t liberty, for to say, do, and have what they will, not expressing that the same shallbe lawful for them, nor yet doth not dispense with thIniquity thereof if it be otherwise. And surely Paul to the contrary saith, that the husband is the wives head, and that she should hold herself to him only, and be confirmable to his will, and therefore advise them at their own peril, for if they chose the wrong way, I will not bear the wite thereof by abetting them thereunto. And now Walter to conclude with you, whereas ye have unjustly accused me, that I should despise marriage, I trust I have both sufficiently declared myself therein, and also given you ensample of a Christian charity, aswell in exhorting you (notwithstanding your railing rage showed towards me) how patiently to suffer the harm that can not be eschewed, as also in counselling how the same may best be kept from the knowledge and wondering of the world, which for troth in such case is more pain and rebuke then the very evil itself, requiring no more at your hands for all my travail and good will herein, but from hence forth, to have your good word, and ye shallbe sure of mine.   
FINIS.   

Imprinted at London by William Seres, dwelling in Paul's Church yard at the sign of the Hedgehog.