A good Wife, or none,  
To a pleasant new Tune.  
 

●●e blazing Torch is soon burnt out,  
the Diamonds light abides:  
the one ●● glory shines about,  
the other its virtue hides:  
●hat spark (if any) shall be mine,  
that else gives light to none;  
●or if t● every one she shine,  
I had rather lie alone.   

the Glow-worm in the dark gives light,  
unto the view of many;  
the moon she shows herself by night,  
and yields herself to any:  
〈◊〉 if my ●ove should seem to be,  
of every one so known:  
〈◊〉 never more should shine on me,  
I had rather lie alone.   

〈◊〉 no● consume no● pine away,  
●o other lovers due;  
●or such as wandering walk astray,  
and never will prove true:  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as light by any she,  
as she by me hath done:  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 love 〈◊〉 constancy:  
〈◊〉 else will lie alone.   

A willow Garland for my head,  
I never mean to wear;  
I need no pillow for my bed,  
I yet am void of care:  
A single life, is without strife,  
and freed from sigh and groan;  
For such contentments of my life,  
I'll choose to lie alone.   

Once did I love the fairest Love,  
that ever eye did see;  
But she did most inconstant prove,  
and set no love by me:  
And ever since my mind is such.  
to lend my love to none;  
Because I have been crossed so much,  
I'll ever lie alone.   

The beauty of the fairest flower,  
so pleasing to the eye,  
Doth fade and wither in an hour,  
and no man sets thereby:  
So deals my fairest fair with me,  
her joys in Love are gone;  
Wherefore the wanton world shall see,  
I'll choose to lie alone.   

The second Part. To the same tune.  
 

Well may we picture Cupid blind,  
which roving shot his dart,  
And made my lover most unkind,  
to steal away my heart:  
Which cannot be restored again,  
it is so love sick grown;  
For she hath killed it with disdain,  
therefore I'll lie alone.   

Within that face I once did see  
two diamond eyes, whose bright  
And glistering beams so dazzled me,  
that I was ravished quite,  
And struck so blind, I could not see  
the way that I had gone:  
But from fond love I'm now set free,  
and choose to lie alone.   

This single life breeds golden ease,  
no jealous thoughts offend;  
Unwedded wights go where they please,  
and fear no changing friend;  
While married mates with musing mind,  
Do sob, and sigh, and groan,  
Because their Turtles prove unkind:  
therefore, I'll lie alone.   

What if the Willow Garland be  
appointed for my lot;  
Yet this content shall comfort me,  
false love is soon forgot:  
A second Love may make amends,  
now that the first is gone;  
For Cressida kind had choice of friends,  
else still had lain alone.   

For if I could but cull my choice,  
out of Diana's train,  
Who will not hear the tempters voice;  
then might I love again:  
And choose some yet more constant light,  
then that which lately shone,  
My equal fancy to requite:  
or still I'll lie alone.   

For time and opportunity,  
will win the coyest Dame,  
And overcome the chastest she,  
that bears the bravest name:  
Yea, Man was made for woman's good,  
not like the idle drone:  
But for to heat and stir the blood;  
and not to lie alone.   
FINIS.    

Imprinted at London for Francis Coules.