The Art of love. OR, Love discovered in an hundred several kinds.  
ET VSQVEAD NUBES VERITAS TVA  
Printed at London by P.S. for William Leake: and are to be sold at his shop in Paul's Churchyard, at the sign of the Greyhound. 1598.   

To the Right Worshipful Ma: Henry Prannell Esquire, the true Friend and Favourer of all laudable Professions.  
SIR, the stranger may these my salutations seem unto ye, in that I being a Stranger and never treading on English ground till this instant, make choice of you for my first Entertainer, intruding myself as a guest, whereas yet I have no acquaintance at all. But if you shall deem me blameworthy herein, (as I will not greatly stand in maintaining any presumption) the fault indeed is a kind Countrymen of yours, who would needs have me leave my honourable Friends in Italy, and those great preferments allotted me in France, to try the air & climate of fair England's Maiden Kingdom. And whereas divers others entreated me to honourable habitations, yea, as great places of reckoning as any mine own native Soil afforded me: yet the persuasions of this your well-wishing Friend hath overruled me, to lay all my fortunes at your feet, & either by your favour to live here for ever, or by your discountenance to return back disgraced. The rude English I speak, I learned it of him: the danger I may incur, I impose upon him: only (for his friendly association in my travel) if you allow me any grace, bestow it on him. For, as his affection to you exceedeth that of many: so, (in mine opinion) if you try him, you shall find him as forward to your welfare as any.  
Your Worships to be commanded: Hecatonphila.   

Jn Artem amandi Decastichon.  
EXimiè scripsit Cicero, benè pinxit Apelles,  
Inuidiae morsum sensit uterque tamen.  
Conscia mens recti cum te comitetur euntem,  
Sperne venenato quicquid ab ore fluit.  
Quòd liber est nitidus, miscetur & utile dulci,  
Dexter Apollo tibi; Fama perennis erit.  
Ergo macte animo, nec publica commoda tardes,  
Ingenij vivent sic monumenta tui.  
Candidus Interpres laudetur, & optimus Author,  
Vivat uterque diu, cedat utrique decus.  
FRANCISCUS MERES.   

The Argument.  
VIncentio Bentivoli being Duke of Ferrara, a solemn contract of marriage was concluded, between Ludovico his Son, and fair Annabella, Daughter to the marquess of Montferrat. And when the tìme of the Nuptials came to be performed, there wanted no resort of honourable Personages, nor any magnificent cost and royal pomp, as might well be seem a matter of such importance, as also the time so necessarily urging it. Triumphs, Tiltes, Masks, Barriers, were one while Companions with this gracious Assembly, than another while stately Tragedies, and quaint conceited Comedies holp to beguile the idle hours: & when neither of these were thought expedient, then civil discourse and familiar conference liberally passed between the Lords and Ladies.  
Into several Companies were these Discoursers divided, some entreating on martial affairs, others of civil and domestical occasions. But they who are the Argument of our present Treatise, their talk consisted only of Love, laying down Rules, grounds, and principles, whereby (at full) to instruct the true Art of love.  
One Lady (among the rest, terming herself Hecatonphila) was allowed to be chief Speaker in this discoursing of Love: and though at divers times before she had indifferently instructed all (or at least the most part) of them, concerning the proceeding in so weighty a matter, yet now at this instant they request a further satisfaction.  
She, loath to deny any thing remaining in her power, and seeing the pastime which was prepared for that night to be a pleasant Comedy, even almost at the point of presentment, while the Actors were attiring and furnishing themselves to their intended merriment, she delivered this her short Instruction to the Art of Love, fitting it with the brevity of the time, & the earnest desire of them that so much importuned her thereto, beginning her Discourse as hereafter followeth.   

HECATONPHILA The Art of love. Written by Master Leon Baptista Alberto, Florentine: wherein is taught an hundred kinds of love.  

I Take it to be a part of humanity, as also an action of pity & compassion, seeing for the most part amongst you (fair Ladies) so many signs of an afflicted spirit, only through the weighty oppressions of love, that by all the wit and cunning remains in me, I should instruct how this burden might be more easy, and less troublesome unto you.  
For beholding at this instant (most sweet Sisters) many of ye leaning your heads on your hands, others cross armed o'er the breast, some (bitterly sighing) hiding their eyes with their fingers, other some lending their looks to all parts of this Theatre, as it were to espy among the multitude, the man whom they most of all expect, & with greatest longing desire to see.  
Whereby I cannot choose but take pity on them, whom I know to be in the same agony, which I myself have heretofore felt, being then less seen and skilled in loves affairs, than now I am at this instant.  
Now albeit you are furnished of good judgement and singular wisdom, whereby to direct & govern ye in the case of Love; yet make no doubt at all (fair patrons of beauty) but being less experienced therein than I, that you shall hear some thing delivered from me, as pleasing to hear, as profitable to practise.  
At no time can be found a better Physician, than he, who having first tasted an infirmity himself, learns thereby the skill of helping others infected with the same disease. As for myself, concerning mine own love, and others made known to me; I find, that without any repenting, I have satisfied my desires (for one woman) more than an hundred other Lovers could do: so that at every Fall of the leaf, & likewise for every Summer season, I might justly make account of a whole years experience in love.  
Upon this occasion, learned men (who above all other most please and content me) in their private amorous Discourses call me Hecatonphila, which is as much to say, as An hundred Loves; wherefore from me, beyond all other, they would seek to gather the fruits of the second Triumph, concerning the sweets and pleasures of love.  
Therefore (fair Friends, and my dearest Delights) while the Comedians delay their time of appearing on the Stage, listen to me as diligently and attentively as ye can: yea, to me I say, who am a perfect Mistress in this Art, and desirous withal to make you deeply learned therein; that you may learn how to end your Loves with marvelous pleasure and contentment, without dread of any sinister accident, that may befall in the progress of your love.   

CAP. 2.  
AS concerning mine own Loves, (which till this instant were never more than two) with those of others, wherein I have employed my labour and industry: but only of the first, through my want of providence, I have no great occasion to complain: And that was in my young years, when I set a high rate on mine own beauty, esteeming more a bare victory of opinion, than the endowment of such an especial occasion, whereby I might solely study & endeavour, to make myself fair and beautiful indeed.  
But for this ever afterward I gave thanks to Venus and Cupid, who in my first affections & younger errors, gave me a Love discreet, wise, modest, virtuous, pitiful, patiented, and worthy of all commendation: of whom I learned (that which is only sufficient) to love secretly, and without pride, controlling daily mine own imperfections, and practising the knowledge of many things necessary to true and perfect loving: as for example, to rehearse large Histories by looks only, & other especial matters by least suspected behaviour.  
But most happy is the Lover whatsoever, whose fortune is so good as to light on so true and faithful a Friend: sweet love, sweet pastime, but sweetest of all is the first kindled heat, which brings the lover both pleasure and profit together, whereby he may the better attain his own contentation.  
The first love, being not counterfeit but surely grounded, can never be removed from the remembrance: but truly the sweetness of those joys were rare and numberless, were they not often troubled by crooked & finister means, as oftentimes happens to us women, such as I was in my young & vainer days, as showing ourselves too disdainful, & reckoning the meanest of our own private opinions, to be far beyond all others.  
Fools that we be, how many wonderful pleasures lose we, in nice shunning them? Afterward, both alone and public, how much do we bemoan our own stern rudeness? Thus first (through our own fault) we find the cause of our annoyance, till with floods of tears we wear out the flint of our stony stubbornness, learning thereby to become more mild and tractable.  
It is best then to learn, how to love without fierceness or disdain, but it falls out very seldom, that without some bitterness one can endure the sweet which grows by loves beginning, except we first make choice of such an one, as shall appear most meet and worthy to be beloved.  
Listen then (fair Virgins) & learn of me to pass pleasantly the course of your life, as also to bring such quiet to your Love, as the issue thereof shallbe most peaceable and glorious.   

CAP. 3.  
Here then will I first instruct ye, how to make choice of a right good Lover: & afterward teach, in what manner and by what art you may take & entertain him, with all the grace & good will in such cases requisite. Lastly, ye shall understand from me, with what ease and security ye may long time triumph in your amorous enterprises. For which good Lessons, I would next of all know, what thanks or kindness (on your behalf) I shallbe requited withal?  
But out alas, what recompense shall I expect from ye (fair lovely Creatures) when ye have proved, what pleasure, profit & contentment these my instructions shall enrich ye withal? Well, come what may, I will wait for nothing else from ye, or make any other demand, but when ye have attentively heard my speeches and admonitions, that ye would bestow your love effectually on the party, by whom ye find yourselves to be loyally beloved.  
For this I dare certainly assure ye, that whatsoever she be among ye, that in her course of love will not observe my Advertisements, let her never look for any amorous content, without very great crosses and perturbations, neither shall she live without the charge and oppression of infinite cares, griefs and heart-killing passions. Listen then advisedly, how much it shall avail ye to love discreetly, and how prejudicial beside, the want of this knowledge in love will be unto ye.   

CAP. 4.  
FIrst than must we show ye, what kind of Lovers they ought to be, of whom you should make choice: and therefore (sweet Sisters) be careful of this first precept, that ye choose not a man either too young, or overwearied with years: for no age can be more successful in loving, than when a man is in the state of firm strength & ability: which being already spent and gone in old men, makes them unapt or incapable of those sweet pastimes the case of Love requires.  
Think with yourselves what a hell it is, to love where the like cannot be returned again. Whereas the able gallant Youth, being in the first flower of his manly age, hath a most delicate aspect or countenance, declares a more firm & potent constitution, and is able to endure watchings or other weighty burdens, in better sort than those of weaker disposition can.  
But learn with me (I beseech ye) to know, how many discommodities attend upon such men, as being over young, are likewise unapt for love.  
They are not expert, & every small occasion seems in their minds to make a very great shadow, being always hasty, & subject to no patience.  
They are sudden, rash & indiscreet, knowing little, & therefore improvident, suspicious in all things, & easily carried away with any disdainful conceit. Seldom shall ye see them without some following friend, to whom they will discourse a whole history of their amorous passions, taking delight in counterfeiting and defending appearances of truth, and making open vaunts of approved falsehoods.  
Here hence ensues it, that these reports passing from one to another, whatsoever is spoken of us women, be it never so false, as quickly will some be found to believe it.  
Thus by the means of these indiscreet young heads, before we can scant know the name of him we purpose to love, we are made common reports and prattlings of the people.  
And sometimes it happeneth, that when all sinister language is silent of us, than our own fortune resembles the young Liones following the Hart, who jested & dallied very long with her yet in the end cast her off: rather than which inconvenience should happen to me, I would make election of an elder Lover, than one so over young and void of reason.  
The Lover more seen in years, will be wise, discreet, ready to know and accomplish whatsoever, according to time, place, and all offered occasions: whereas the young gadding head, not observing those necessary rules, can never know how to fit himself with these needful furnitures.  
Note well the discreet Lover, and ye shall see him silent, secret, patiented, modest & advised: but the young Fantastic will go up and down all day before your door; where, though he be alone, yet every passenger shall be a witness of his inward affection.  
The elder Favour it, except thereto induced by some mighty occasion, will never give over his enterprise, his Love is his heart's Heaven: but if he cease to love, yet never will he become an enemy, hate, or seem molestuous unto ye, either by word or deed.  
The young wanderer, like one that newly comes into a public market place, walks along every side, and admireth all things, desiring to enjoy each thing he beholdeth: but with the least look he is presently changed: and no greater misery can happen to her that truly loveth, than to affect the man, whose heart and soul are not solemnly dedicated and linked together, to desire or covet more than one only love.  
But that which is worst of all, these young amorous Gallants, for every small occasion give over their affection, converting their behaviour and all else towards us, as if we were their very greatest enemies.  
Unhappy then are we, that by loving such young stragglers, proud minded, and void of counsel, must live continually in fears, compassed in with worlds of endless molestations.  
In a soft and gentle mould, any print or form we like, may easily be effected: even so in this first estate of green & delicate youth, sooner (believe me) may love be extinguished, than rightly enkindled.  
This makes every one timorous to deal with so sweet a solace: remembering the beautiful Rose, that it both springs & dies in one Summer; and hail stones fallen in the morning are no where to be found the same day at night.  
Hereby ye may perceive, fair virgins, that men over aged, are not the aptest for love: likewise these younger sort to be very dangerous, and therefore not to be dealt withal; but such as flourish in a mature and settled middle age, may perform, what the too old are unable for, and know that, which those young and green wits are utterly unexpert and ignorant in.  
An apple being well knit together and mellowed, is more sweet and pleasing than when it is green; yet that apple being over-ripe and too much mellowed, becomes wrinkled, sapless, and well near savourlesse: even such is the love of men over young and over old; the one sour and sharp, the other dry and senseless.  
Hear too I must now add, that in love are infinite pleasures, no less delightsome, than to be admired; as in the marriage bed, where is all kind conference, discovering of griefs, recounting afflictions passed, clearing all suspicions, correcting with sweet accusations one another: thus outwearing the slow-paced hours, one while with true-love's tears, another while with entire rejoicing.  
To the faithful Lover, nothing is more pleasing, than to feel on her cheeks, or in her bosom, the tears of him she loveth, sweetly trickling down: what honey of Hybla, what cinnamon of Arabia, or what Nectar prepared for the gods themselves to drink, can be imagined so sweet, (fair Glories of Virtue) as one little tear of him whom you entirely love? A thing inestimable, a delight admirable, nothing so precious, wherewith may not be valued all the pearls of India, the gold of the Persians, or Empery of the Latins; no, not with the very lest tear (sweet Sister) of thy affected Lover.  
Oh happy Maiden, oh fortunate Lover, that seest shining in thy soul's eyes, love, faith, pity, and all other sweetness, religiously combined fast together. So that by these, and infinite other heavenly pleasures, which though available▪ yet here I let pass for brevities sake, and some other serious respects: affirming this, Green Youth is not for ye, old Age is as unnecessary, only the mean between both, the sound settled spirit, is above all other to be preferred.   

CAP. 5.  
hitherto ye have heard, of what Age your Lovers ought to be: there are now other things most profitable, concerning their election, which I will rehearse to ye as briefly as I can.  
Never could I find myself inclinable to love a man over-rich, because these money-mongers will buy love without exchange of good will, and seeking to serve their turn with many, never keep faith with any.  
As hard a matter do I account it, to love a man over-beautiful, because he being desired of divers, though I love him never so earnestly, yet shall I be in continual fear to lose him.  
As dangerous I take it, to love a man lifted by Fortune to any great dignity, because he can never intend to love without many witnesses, both strangers and domestical, abroad & at home.  
He can never go abroad, but with a mighty throng of Servants and Friends, which makes him ordinarily more noted of the world, than others are.  
Such men are commonly of proud spirit and puffed up courage, compassing many things rather by violence, than any favour, love, or friendship.  
As little wisdom is it, to love such as are slothful, dull spirited and couragelesse, who through want of better wit or exercise, make an art or occupation of their love, gadding abroad with frizzled locks, embroidered garments, & other open marks of their lightness, only but to procure their own scorn and derifion.  
Fly from such (fair Sisters) and take heed of them, for they love not a jot, but spend the day in these odd courses, not as requiring your kindness, but for lack of other labour: and look what they say to you, the same will they to whomsoever they meet withal; and doubt not, but what they speak of others, the same will they of you, be it true or false.  
I hold it in like manner as blameworthy, to forestall good fortune in better place, and stoop to the affection of a Boor, Peazant, Carterly clown, or such like, because it is a submission to men of the very vilest and basest condition: for mark what inconvenience follows thereupon. These abject hirelings and mercenary grooms; think to attain some title of honour, by giving it forth in public to be known, that they are favoured by such a Gentlewoman, or beloved by a Lady of so great height and calling.  
Moreover, under colour of religion, to love him, who pretending zeal in his speeches, shall discover and reprove that publicly, which himself seeks for in secret, and gladly would attain unto; I condemn as much as any of the rest, and hold it for a misfortune hardly to be repaired.  
Then all these rehearsed, uz. The too rich, too beautiful, too fortunate, too negligent, too base, and too holy, are men not to be regarded, neither contained within my lessons, any way to be beloved; let us learn to know them then, that are to be termed worthy of affection.   

CAP. 6.  
MAke no doubt (dear Sisters) in fixing your fancies on such a lover, as is not poor, misshapen, defamed, or a villain: ye shall easily perceive when he is endued with wisdom, modesty, patience and virtue.  
It hath evermore been my natural inclination, to love such an one, (as I have said before) that was addicted to good letters, learned, and adorned with many virtues, even such an one as my first husband was; whom (indeed) I loved more dearly, than I did mine own self: for he was of goodly parsonage, of exceeding qualified conditions, accompanied with a majestical countenance, gentle & affable, complete in all parts of humanity, and of a mind (divine as it were) far beyond all other men.  
He abounded in all virtues, especially those that best beseemed the greatest Princes, being of comely & strong parsonage, courageous, hardy, affable, grave, secret, modest, merry, pleasant, where he deemed it best became him; eloquent, learned, amiable, pitiful, wary, expert, quick witted, and (above all) most loyal, & exceeding in all the parts of gentleness.  
Very skilful was he in the exercise of Arms, managing great horses, and either at his lance, bow, or such commendable qualities, right ready: well seen in sciences, music, painting, engraving, yea all other Arts whatsoever; and ye can name no laudable action fit for a man, but I imagine he could therein very hardly be seconded.  
Impossible it is for me to recount the moiety of his admirable virtues, which worthily made him famous, affected, and every where regarded.  
Think then (fair Ladies) I need not be ashamed, both to esteem and term him my Lord, being such an only most sweet and loyal Lover, neither a matter hard or laborious to me, readily and at all times to please and obey him; nay, I thought myself most happy and fortunate, if I might express my uttermost diligence, in doing whatsoever he pleased to command me.  
Who better could deserve such duty and reverence at my hand, than such a worthy husband? Oh my Lord, most blessed have I ever reputed myself, seeing Fortune bestowed such a Love on me, as had not his like. But alas, my mishap chanced afterward, cutting off the felicity of such a heavenly kind of life, by taking him from me into a far distant Country, and death could be no worse to me, than this sour separation: yet this is some consolation to my soul, that the remembrance of thy faith and love continueth alive in me, which I keep and will do with all religious duty I can, as a most memorable testimony of our never sundered affection.  
Such a Love as this (fair Ladies) yea, such a Love, if such a one may be met withal, do I council ye to make choice off, and entirely to love him, never preferring any to the sovereignty of your affections, but such as are wise, virtuous, and modest.  
These are they that will requite your faith and kindness with endless recompenses, and by whom ye shall never need to doubt any sinister accident.  
These (like Poets, Times glories) will make your names immortal, giving true fame and eternity to your beauty and virtues: Lesbian, Corinna, Cynthia, and many more deceased a thousand years since, yet live, by being beloved of virtuous and learned men.  
Love then (sweet Sisters) those that are learned, wise, modest & virtuous: so shall your lives be here as none the like, and your loves remembered, as none comparable.   

CAP. 7.  
THus having declared, how ye should elect men worthy of your love, now will I show the means to entertain and preserve them still in loving.  
And first of all let me tell ye (fair Creatures) that nothing better becometh your excellent perfections, and sooner prevaileth in conquering his heart you aim at, than a sweet carriage of countenance, as also a comely, discreet, and modest presence: one piercing look heats and enkindles the dullest desire, one modest amorous glance awakens sleepy thoughts, fetcheth fire from the flint, and makes the heart as yielding, as your own can crave enjoying.  
Herein I have discerned many young Damosels, (through want of better wit) very much to deceive themselves, imagining, that a man no sooner looks on them, but presently he is in love with them: which makes them very liberal in eyeing every one, and take pleasure in gazing on each goer by, still thinking their beauty increased by their often beholding, whereas men are rather wearied with noting their vanity.  
But believe me (dear Friends) it is no part of beauty's glory, to attract a troup of eyes, or be beleagerd with an host of idle regarders: covet rather privately to be seen, as one adorned with virtue, courtesy and humanity, than gold, purple, silk or silver, for that shall make thee truly honoured, when the other will leave thee foolishly despised.  
One only light makes an entire and perfect shadow, whereas many lights being together, confounds & defaceth it: even so from one only Friend and loyal Lover, true and perfect love is to be expected; for well may she be compared to the Brood-hen, that all the day long bestows her pains in all the dust she meets withal, and yet sleeps at night hungry and unsatisfied.  
It is good then for her that loveth, to employ all her endeavour, to find the means for preserving one entire Love only: for how unwise is she that considers not, how many casualties and dangers happen in love, especially when affection is roving at more than one mark only?  
Understand (fair Sisters true love is a matter immortal, not to be divided or severed: for when it is truly bestowed where your soul solemnly affecteth, what beside it is bragged or boasted on to any other, is words without worth, and golden shows with glassy substance.  
She that can divide her liking into divers parts & proportions, knows not how to love indeed, but profanes so sacred a profession, & she that labours not to maintain love in his true and only glory, deserves not to have the benefits of love, but rather to be generally hated and contemned.  
And though all other reasons availed as nothing in this behalf, yet think with yourselves, that being pursued with a multitude of rivals, what expectation is to be had thereof? I will not stand to rehearse all the inconveniences, but let this one suffice for the residue.  
If ye lend good looks to every one, ye bring yourself into a hell & intolerable servitude: for then, if ye grace one more than another, presently ariseth hatred and contentions between them. What daily is then to be looked for about your doors, but brawls, quarrels, frays & murders, made only about you? The people lay the blame hereof upon you, worthily despising ye for these rude incivilities.  
Some one of them, either to despite his enemy the more, or because he will be singular in his own conceit, bears down the rest with terms and bravadoes, he becomes the kill-cow, he will have more than any, though he merit less than any: where ere he comes, he brags of your favours, presents, letters, and tokens, yea, sometime of kindness that might be kept closer. And hearing the like delivered from another, with oaths and protestations, how true I know not, (fury being enkindled) nothing but blood can allay this hot tempest; and you being the cause thereof, are publicly condemned, that never can your credit be afterward repaired.  
But admit that all your Lovers were civil and modest, no way injuring your fame and reputation, yet shall ye find great defect in this multitude of followers, and that the prosecuting of their love will prove very perillons.  
Continually will they be to one another as spies, murmurers, and secret enemies, so that no place or time can yield ye any safe assurance or privilege, but by one or other ye shall be continually siedged, & never enjoy one minutes rest, from their ceaseless perturbations.  
Therefore would I advise ye, not to be so general in your affection, but to elect one Lover only, such a one as before I have deciphered unto ye, to whom ye may safely disclose your heart's secrets, and find your love every way effectually requited.  
To all other beside, ye must be very scarce and sparing of your behaviour: for they perceiving themselves not to be regarded, will suffer ye to enjoy your own choice the more quietly, because no man will love longer, than he hath hope to be esteemed.  
If they discern in your looks no apparent signs of love, they will cease all pursuit, and for bear further molestation: abuse not then yourselves with the opinion of some vain headed wantoness, who are persuaded that the only means to make them affected, consists in bravery of attire, and gay decking of the body to be gazed on.  
But I assure ye (dear Sisters) that neither gold, pearls, periwigs nor painting, but fair & comely demeanour, humanity, gentleness and modesty, are the true weapons to win Love withal, and the only fair Trophies that beautifies his Triumph.  
I have seen more homely in aids beloved for their civil demeanour & modesty, than fair faces for their pride and boldness and reason gives us knowledge by most apparent proofs, that a proud mind can never love as it should do.  
What think ye (sweet Sisters) did first of all incite and provoke ye to love? Questionless neither gold, purple, precious stones, or any other of Fortune's ornaments: but rather discreet behaviour, virtue, modesty, gentleness and civility, discerned in your amorous Servants: then look what first procured you to affect, the self same in others makes you to be favoured.  
Give then yourselves to one modest Lover only, not audaciously, as divers overbold and impudent use to do, but with a womanly carriage, an affable demeanour, true signs of humanity, simple facility, & a pleasing disposition, whereby you shall gain as much grace, good will and equal affection, as you can wish or desire from your chosen Favourite.   

CAP. 8.  
THus ye see how ye should make your election of one only Lover, of mature age, virtuous, modest & civil behaviour, as I have already described unto ye: him and no other would I wish ye to affect, even as ye seek to be required with the like again in him.  
Not much differing from this present purpose, I begin now to remember mine own former loves, when sitting weeping by my dear beloved mother, I would make complaint unto her, that my Husband (the only moiety of my soul, to whom I frankly gave myself, despising the thought of any other) seemed unkind to me, and in outward appearance did not manifest such affection toward me, as my simple wisdom craved and expected.  
Continuing in the heat of these amorous oppressions, I found but one comfort only in this my martyrdom; which was, to weep my fill daily, and declare my griefs to my pitying Mother, still accusing (to my uttermost) my Husband with great cruelty.  
When such large expense of tears and heart-renting sighs availed not, I would often entreat and desire him, that he should not forsake my company, and seem so disdainful to her, that entirely loved him: but his discreet answers (as now I can confess they were, though then my folly would not suffer me to discern so much) declared him to be a wiser Husband than I was a Wife, and his council was more available, than I had wit to conceive.  
But I being then young, and in the extremity of loves flames, as many other in the like case do, took all in the worst sense, fretted, grieved, and wept alone by myself, imagining still, that I loved but in vain, & fancied where I was not affected.  
These troubles and molestations made me so forget myself, that I used the advice of forcerers and charmers, herbs, verses, ointments, or any thing thought likely to induce & procure love: them I made proof of, as deeming I had him not sure enough, who loved me better than I did myself.  
In tears at length I told all to my Mother, and she being well acquainted with youths peevish follies, worthily controlling my deep indiscretion, used these or the very like speeches unto me.  
Daughter, the eye only is loves director, no herb, no potion, no enchantment, neither Circe's nor Moeris, that could change themselves, & other human shapes, into beasts and monsters of strangest qualities, have any power at all by their spells or exorcisms to procure love, or prevail against a mind not determined to love.  
Let her then that will declare herself a Lover, affect truly him whom she deems to be the like.  
One knows not a physician, but either by his voice or touching his instrument: even so ye cannot be reputed a perfect Lover, but by the testimony of the true signs belonging to love.  
Figures are fallacies, & shows no substances; love more privately, than may be noted apparently, so shall ye express your loves value, and your wits virtue: for by following this course, ye shall have this assurance, to be as entirely affected, as yourself can fancy, and the least friendly look shall find as favourable liking.  
Heertoo she added divers other reasons, but none so pleasing (me thought) as this.  
Beware Daughter (quoth she) that when reports come of others despising thee, thou be not as ready to believe, as the other to belie, and so prove as sudden in hatred, as they were swift to incense thee.  
We should be naturally inclined rather to love than hate, because love is full of sweetness, and hatred hath no felicity but in bitterness & sourness. Therefore thus resolve with thyself, that whosoever shall perceive thy hearts firm affection, will hold it as religion to return thee the like: leave then these had courses, to base abusers of their time, for they that so live, shall worthily be loathed, and run into more contempt, than thou hast reason to consider.  
Love, and thou shalt be beloved; be kind, courteous, gentle, and debonair, that thy outward demeanour may 〈…〉 heart's fervour: for thus shall the fire that warms thee, heat him, and make him as tractable, as thyself can be affable. What though he be somewhat slow in discovering his affection? thou oughtest not to misdeem thereof, but conceive the best in such a case, governing thyself by this rule; That he who is long ere he loves, is much longer ere he mislikes, for hasty fancy hath as hasty flight: whereas love growing by leisure, hath advise for his guide, comfort by his continuance, and true fame after death to make him eternal.  
He never slips or falls, that runneth with discretion; and the tree which is slack in sprouting, is as slow in perishing.  
Well worthy regarding were these good admonitions, for (to my cost) since then, I have found them most certain.  
How many disdains, how many molestations, more hurtful to myself, than offensive to him: yea, how many wrongs bore my Husband at my hand, only through no other occasion, but because indeed I knew not rightly how to love?  
All which notwithstanding, his affection to me never failed, & scantly would he seem to show himself any way offended: he saw it was but my want of better judgement, &, being borne weak by nature, I must needs declare the same in nurture; which though he had admirable patience to endure, yet had I no reason at all to discern.  
My Grandam being a Woman experienced in many things, but especially in the Art instructing to love, told me that long since, which I found most true in my Husband. A patiented man (quoth she) is the true honour of manhood; for being evermore wise and secret to himself, be his wrongs few or many, his bosom is their burial, and tongues abroad shall not tattle of his troubles at home. Even so did I find it in my Husband: for though I daily gave him cause to be displeased, and (indeed) presumed a little too much on his patience, yet (God knows) much grief would he smother with a smile, pitying to to have my errors shown, or his disquiet revealed to any.  
Consider then (fair Ladies) on the good precepts rehearsed, be constant in love, & doubt not of the like: the next way to purchase contempt, is by showing yourselves unkind, & the surest way to win love, is by expressing true love; hate then the one, and be sure to enjoy the honour of the other.   

CAP. 9  
YE have hitherto heard, sweet Sisters, what election ye should make of modest and virtuous Lovers; likewise, that civil conversation and fair demeanour, both prevails and purchaseth such meet men for ye. It remains now to know the latter part, how this love may be kept in perfect continuance, that the pleasure thereof may for ever be preserved.  
Which I hope ye will account as a most necessary consequent, and that no less skill is to be used in keeping, than was in obtaining: for in compassing of a thing, we are oftentimes assisted by fortune and good hap, but to keep the same in such estate as it should be, requires industry, wisdom, & careful diligence: for the felicities of Love are subject to many infirmities, one while, by time and course of occasions, another, by the iniquity and malice of envious persons, sometime through lets and hinderances ensuing by fortune, than again by want of knowledge, how to guide and govern ourselves in loving.  
To Time and Fortune (fair Ladies) we must needs be obedient. And as he that intends to pass a River, stays on the bank till the rough storms be overblowen: so in the stern tempests of time, we should await and not wilfully cast ourselves into danger, considering that what may not be done to day, happily to morrow in better sort will be compassed.  
Let the way be never so long, hold on, and at length thou shalt attain the end. Think then no travail tedious in Love: if thou meet any cross encounters, proceed on cheerfully, and at last thou shalt land in the wished haven.  
As for the slander and detraction which oftentimes attendeth on secret love, it may easily be escaped, because hidden Love is fortified on all sides with infinite good excuses, which serves as a rampart against all bad reports.  
But among all the adverse chances incident to us Lovers, (as I have tried by mine own proof, and noted the like in others) there can no mishap whatsoever betid us, but it receives from ourselves the ground & original; as by our overmuch inconstancy, pride, wilfulness, disdain, and such like, which proones more to our own harm, than theirs we seek to hurt.  
And let me assure ye, that there is nothing more prejudicial to the sweet proceeding of love, than our own peevish humours, which being carried away with mere shadows in many things, continually deludes us with vain and idle fantasies in all things.  
Only our own folly and obstinate opinions, makes us afterward sit alone, and sigh out our repentance, nor ensues this fault so much by improvidence, as through pride and vain conceit at the first in ourselves: therefore he spoke both well and truly, that affirmed: A proud Woman could not love effectually, because suspicion continually attendeth her.  
Suspicion ensueth through lack of knowledge, and distrust, waited on by disdain; which makes us to shun, injure and torment them, that too dearly love us: thus our crooked behaviours serve as instructors to them, & look what coin they received of us, they pay us back with the like.  
There are some of us women, who deem themselves never satisfied with pride, fury, and scornfulness, which makes but a bad agreement among us: for where disdain is entertained, contempt of all kindness is the more increased, and it is pity a true Lover should have such a reward for his labour.  
But she that is of a noble inclination, gracious, benign, modest, kind and gentle, will listen to just excuses, and let reason be her ruler. If anger would presume, she will quickly suppress it; if disdain would attempt her, she can forthwith turn it off: remembering, that love must be embraced with love, & where the enemy is repulsed, the solace is with greater sweetness received. Be not then coy, proud or scornful in affection, but (like your fair semblances) full of all affability.  
Which of ye would deny him whom ye dearly love, whatsoever he demandeth? Little can ye do then, if (at his request) ye will not forsake a fond and frivolous opinion: learn, as my Lord taught me in my first affections, to reject and despise all such hurtful follies.  
I took extreme delight, sweet Sisters, in commending him whom I knew to be complete in all arts and virtues, especially this whereof we now confer: yet let it not seem offensive to ye, that among my praises of him whom I loved, and ever shall, I mingle some of mine own infirmities, wherein, either you have likewise fallen through lack of providence, or may hereafter by overmuch peevishness.  
Being a young damosel, rash and unexperienced, I began to love, falling afterward to a little pride in myself, which drew me to disdain, and such fantastic humours, as falling from one perverse opinion to another, I grew afterward suspicious of any occasion whatsoever.  
My Husband was a goodly parsonage, of exceeding pleasing speech and virtuous qualities, which made him called to many companies, loved and esteemed of every one generally, and here-hence began in me a world of afflictions.  
Whatsoever woman looked on him, I judged her immediately a rival in my love, my thoughts were never free from jealous suspicion: if he were in my sight, yet I deemed him not sure enough, and what woman looked upon him but once, I wished she might be blind for ever afterward.  
I could never glut mine own eyes with sufficient gazing on him, but desired that perpetually they might be fixed on him, when he came toward me, no woman in the world could be more contented; and let him but go back again, I imagined no torment might be so grievous.  
My too much reposing trust in him, began to make me distrustful of myself: and, though needless suspicion had got some hold of me, as yet it robbed me not of my loves felicity, nor any way impaired the height of my pleasures.  
So long these golden hours, days, months and years endured, till fortune (envying my further happiness) suffered me to see a certain Gentlewoman, who albeit her deserts else where were worthy liking, yet me thought her familiarity fitted not with my Husband.  
Hereupon, as if I had been wounded with a deadly stroke, my face became pale and wan, deep conceived displeasure sat upon my brow, and my former pleasing disposition converted into such melancholy, as my Husband (being present) & conquered with compassion, gathering by his discretion, what danger hereby might redound to our love, both in tears, & other apparent testimonies of sorrow, he declared how greatly this mishap did discontent him.  
All which was no appeasing of my furious oppression, but I must needs go complain myself to my Mother: who, to witness her own experience, as also to withdraw me from so vain a persuasion, affirmed; That she had both noted and heard their discoursing, marveling I would show myself so immodest, as to judge of honest demeanour so absurdly and rashly, and the Gentlewoman, coming but in kindness to see me, my Husband (for my sake) gave her such entertainment, aswell knowing what became him, far better than I did.  
Her words wanted strength to remove mine opinion, I reputed it an injury, and therefore I would not be otherwise persuaded, but gave this frantic spleen such sovereignty over me, that I grew into a wonderful hatred against him, concluding, never after to love him again, but rather grieving for the affection I had bestowed on him already. And in this heat, I shut up myself to solitude, purposing while I lived to loath men's company: love now was changed to hate, fair looks to bitter frowns, & all else were my utter foes, but such whose fortunes did equal mine afflictions.  
Alas, what fools are we women, transported up and down with these amorous passions? When I perceived my former determination of solitariness, to have no likelihood of continuance, than became I devout and religious, none but Churchgoers might now be my companions, with them (sisterlike) I went from Church to Church, using all the means I could devise, to forget the love of him whom I thought my greatest enemy.  
And, least conference with over-manie, might alter mine intent, I would prattle with dumb pictures, vowing this day and that day to enter religion, because I would become a sworn adversary to love. See here my silly wisdom, as if I could thus have left my Husband, at mine own proper pleasure, being bound to him in the bond of all humility & duty.  
The very thought of Love, I found would not agree with the austerity of Religion; the one, in bitterness, I deemed sweet, and the other, in the very best estate, somewhat too sour.  
Thus, while with one nail I thought to expel another, in seeking to quench Love, I kindled it more violent, and where I was but singed before by the flame, now, in every part of me, I felt the fire hotly burning.  
Thus one while, I would feign be free from loves mighty thraldom, yet loath at another, to lose his continual amorous service, whose very looks were my life, and whose absence was more bitter than a thousand deaths.  
But I was cunning enough to keep all this close, and seemed outwardly to feel no grief at all, when (God knows) how extremely my poor heart was tormented.  
Sullen will made me to delight in solitude, dark rooms and obscure vaults would I daily walk in, where, like a witless fool, I did nothing else but plague myself, and please others, who in secret smiled at my peevish disposition.  
In the end, being well disciplined with mine own disease, and more weary of this oppression, than I would the world should have known, I became a little more friendly to my Husband, desiring that still he would keep me company, and I might be his glass continually to gaze on.  
To ease himself of my daily molestations, and somewhat to soothe me in this frivolous humour, he yielded to let his own affairs run lavishly at random, and suggest my sottishness with all possible conversation & observance.  
When I had gotten this vain victory, it were wonderful to tell you, how proud I became thereof, for than I began to determine a sovereignty in myself, to make my will a law, and his submission the only pillar to maintain and underprop it. I grew then into such extremity of bold and undecent presumption, that I would esteem of him as I list, offend him when I pleased, having no other reason, but only his patiented sufferance: if he laughed, I would lower; if he spoke fair, I would be froward; if he desired to walk, I would tarry at home; if he invited friends to be merry, I would devise all the means I could to make them malcontent: thus home was a hell to him, abroad, little or nothing better, and I (like a very devil) continually tormenting him.  
But who sustained the worst all this while? His patience did privilege him for inward vexation, so that myself bore the burden of this disquiet, and I did myself more harm, than I could do him: for my blood began to dry up, my mind afflicted with insupportable sorrows, all my veins seemed as shrunk and withered, & daily was I subject to (well-near) hourly swoonings. Which my pitiful Husband with great grief beholding, my former fair shape to be so strangely altered, and without any just cause of offence proceeding from himself, he still desired to know the reason of this malady, & whether it lay in him by any means to help it, or if at him I was thus offended. If not (quoth he) but that your displeasure is kindled against some other, wrong not yourself with these sharp torment, but let me revenge it on whom so ere it be: for it is a debt due to Love, and a right which he doth by great reason challenge, that between two united souls, nothing should be kept in secret, but the one be always privy to the others oppressions; because a Lover (in such a case) is to be commanded, and either's counsel is not to be scorned, but obeyed as the only salve to cure any amorous sickness.  
But I (even as it is the nature of many other women, never to be sufficed with injury, much less with revenge) one while took pride to see him humbled, another while practised how to prevail more & more against him, smiling to see him so obsequious, & I sit (as it were) controlling over him.  
I wished that he might know the ground of my grief; yet, if by my speeches he any way perceived it, with stout courage & solemn oaths I would flatly deny it: affirming that he had no way offended me, but the cause of my distemper grew by others. Then would I show disdainful looks, scorn to keep him company, and express manifest hatred against him: and so long I continued in these pestilent humours, only to make him weary with the weight of this martyrdom, that I could sing when he sighed, smile when he wept: & (though indeed I loved him) yet I took a great pride in these commanding behaviours.  
Thus, though outwardly I appeared to be high minded and imperious, yet jealousy within kept me hot & fiery, loading me with more mighty molestations, than those foolish conceits of mine could burden him withal: yet still his patience exceeded my presumptions, and the more I grew stubborn, the less he cared for it. How sorry have I been (many times) within myself, that I could not by my disdains and outrages, provoke him to anger? I could have wished myself in hell, to have gotten him but half way thither. See (poor souls) the folly of ourself wills.  
When all the rest prevailed not▪ to plague him as I would, I fell to this wicked purpose, to seem in outward show quite weaned from his Love, and that my affection was inclined to some other; which to make him the more sound believe, in his sight I would talk idly & fond with young Gallants, to kindle the same fire in him, that flamed so extremely in me.  
Thus after long seeking mine own misery, at length I found it; and I was not so greedy of compassing it before, but then I would as gladly have been rid of it again.  
Much rain wears out the roughest marble, and with continuance of strokes the hardest steel is pierced: even so, the greatest patience (by extremities) may be perverted, and the kindest heart made cruel by intolerable torturing.  
His love, which before flamed toward me like Aetna, became now more cold than frosty Caucasus; his kind looks, fair presence, and admirable sufferance, were now sour frowns, moody gestures, & stern impatience: which (finding to my cost, and feeling to be so cruel) then, each word I had spoken, each deed I had done, & every private thought which had displeased him, with true tears I bewailed, & with sighs from my soul entirely repent.  
But what a hell is it, when repentance avails not? Let me complain, it was to no purpose, though I sighed and sorrowed, it had no success: his wrongs had been so mighty, and my wilful transgressions so many, as I could not but expect a just deserved punishment, having thus (through mine own folly) procured both his hurt and mine own.  
Infortunate wretch, my tears and torments I cannot express unto ye: the nights seemed too long, wearying me with a thousand revolvings and repentances, the days likewise appeared gloomy and dark, because I had no succour but solitude only.  
My breast was nothing else but a storehouse of cares, griefs and vexations; my thoughts, like distempered seas, diversly transported, one while with anger, then with repentance, now with disdain, than again with love; now with pitying myself, then him whom I had displeased: I would, and I would not, I wept, pleaded excuses, told myself the whole story of my silly behaviour, wishing I could again have recovered so much time spent in vain.  
At length it was my good fortune, (though all this while I had been so unhappy) to know for certainty, that my former suspicion concerning the Gentlewoman, which had been the cause of my so long discontentment, was nothing else but the folly of mine own peevish fancy, and no offence at all committed by my Husband.  
Had I not then great reason to be ashamed of myself, as one almost unmeet for any virtuous company? judge you (fair Ladies) that are careful of your honours, and would not have your good names to be any way scandalised: was it time to submit myself speedily or no? & to beg favour of him, to whom I had been so far unfriendly?  
But to see how different the nature of men is from us women, & where true wisdom is embraced, how no malice can have long predominance: he, who never was acquainted with uncivil disdain, but evermore despised all frantic follies, upon my submission was immediately satisfied; all offences passed before, were presently forgiven, and as effectually forgotten, as if never at all committed.  
Then could I not choose but confess my infirmities, finding that most true which himself had always taught me, that in love the least suspicion is forthwith to be disclosed, & a conceit no sooner taken, but presently to be told.  
For, a lovers best strength is subject to much weakness, and suspicion once entered the mind, will hardly with reason or persuasions be mastered. It may be compared to an Egg, the more it is heated, it waxeth the harder: so jealous suspect, the more it is credited, the worse it is for us; and the less we regard it, the greater is our quiet.  
They that pay for experience, as I did, will rue it as I do; and they that prevent the sweets of Love by their own wilfulness, may wish for them afterward, and yet walk without them. My luck was little better, which I sigh to remember, because when our felicity began again to be firm, and that now I would not lose the least portion of pleasure, our countries affairs robbed me of my Husband's company; where, with the loss of him, I would my life had perished.   

CAP. 10.  
THus falls it out with us (fair Sisters) alas too often, we care not for delight when we have it in possession, but would give our lives for it when it is too far from us.  
See then how many inconveniences attend on false suspicion: suspicion breeds disdain, disdain covets revenge, revenge prosecutes injuries, which injuries do bring the wrack and ruin of all love delights: this makes our souls oppressed with infinite molestations, being a more plague to our own selves, than them we would offend. Thus in stead of smiling, we sluice forth whole rivers of tears; for friendly conference, we use bitter taunts and terms: & love being created a heaven, we make it worse than hell; then shun suspicion as a deadly poison, for that is the only enemy to true loves felicity.  
Seek not for that which ye will be sorry for afterward & inquire not too curiously after your lovers lives: for believe me (fair Ladies) if you be wronged in love, and know it not, the blame is theirs, not yours; and an injury endured, is better than one offered.  
Covet not then to know, what ye cannot wisely govern: if he be kind to you, it is sufficient; if he err without cause, your glory is the greater. But never will he stray abroad, that finds all well at home; & never will he care for another, that may have his own in quiet.  
Without thread, a needle serves to no use, nor the pleasures of love, without due prosecution: and though a needle have two, three eyes or more, by reason whereof it carries as many threads with it, yet it makes but one entrance, marry it makes the work the faster: even so, he that delights to dally with many, binds himself thereby the more strictly to her he loves indeed.  
But happy is she that knows how to joy with him whom many covet to enjoy, and she that can skill of making herself the chiefest, shallbe sure to find no equal in her loves good fortune.   

CAP. 11.  
Love then (sweet Souls) the men that love you, be contented with your liking, and seek not to know that which will hurt ye: fly suspicion, disdain, and all other proud humours; believe none but him love, if ye wish well to your own selves: for look what love ye extend, the like shall ye find again, and the firmer ye keep your faith, the faster shall ye find his, whom ye have chosen to affect.  
Think not but men's constancy in love must needs go beyond ours, for men be less suspicious than we are; therefore they have the greater wisdom and government.  
They persevere more than we can, because they are less obstinate.  
They are not so sudden in ill conceit as we be, because they have better courage and lofty disposition.  
They cannot bear hatred so long as we use to do, by reason they are of a more magnific mind, and affable nature.  
No hindrance whatsoever can stay them in their amorous designs, because their permanency exceeds ours, and their qualities are not so apish as ours.  
Some of us women are timorous, and the least occasion offered, is our guide to suspicion: which frivolous humour makes us scorn others, albeit our own errors go far beyond theirs.  
Each small offence we seek revenge for, having no moderation in malice and misliking, but live as capital enemies to them that love us most.  
We know how to offend, but not to suffer: we are quickly led into error, but never firm in belief, for look how our opinions are, such be our behaviours, and an imagination once settled, is not in haste removed.   

CAP. 12.  
THis opinion hath always been the destruction of kindness. For (as my Husband once told me) it resembles the Mole, that being in the deep earth's obscurity, strays about every way, passing thorough the hardest mould she meets withal; now, so soon as she comes but to the daylight, all her force and strength immediately fails her: even such in this jealous opinion hid within the dark cloud of an afflicted mind, it never ceaseth to remove fresh thoughts with infinite perturbations: but when truth doth discover it, it is presently nothing.  
When ye manifest your conceit to him ye love, using withal some reasonable excuse, ye clear both his doubts and your own dread: increasing (withal) his affection the more toward ye: for than ye declare, all trust is not removed, and show a desire of love to be continued. Which in like occurrences happening afterward, makes him the more careful of offensive behaviour; and when occasion is hindered, the less wrong can be offered.  
Whereas on the contrary, suspect kept within the heart and not revealed, carries ye headlong from one bad conceit to another; and than ye see what mischief immediately follows. For a man tossed in the tempest of continual molestations, if he find that reason be utterly abandoned, though he give ye leave to pursue your headstrong opinions, yet he will bestow his love, where he may find it in better sort requited. Is not this a fair harvest of such foolish humours? and a very meet recompense for such vain and rude demeanour? Ye may then sit and sigh, but who will bemoan ye? You may cry for comfort, and it flies the faster from ye.  
And when this shall come to the cares of others, what censure will they presently pass upon ye? That ye were rash, indiscreet, unthankful and unkind: ye were beloved, and despised it; had a true Love, & knew not how to use him; therefore worthily do ye bear the burden of your own abuses.  
Others, less acquainted with these mighty disgraces, seeing ye not walk as ye were wont, not your Love keeping ye familiar company, they judge as their opinions please them; That; either greater faults are committed, than may well be endured, or such imperfections cross your course, which rather deserve burying in silence, than publicly to be spoke of, for scandal of the Sex.   

CAP. 13.  
IT may so come to pass, that your Lover being over passionate by reason of your offences, and touched too near with the piercing point of your continual injuries, will revenge himself with your shame, and ease his own oppression by your public defamation. For ye must thus be persuaded, that he whom your rigours have brought to an extreme estate, as it were next neighbour even to death's door; will regard your disgrace no more, than you did his disease; and take as little compassion on your honour, as you did on his life.  
Remember then (dear Sisters) that by being so unjust, proud, unkind and disdainful, the lamp of fair renown is quite extinguished: and in stead of true love with the pleasures thereunto pertaining, ye shall receive but counterbuffs of your own cruelties, and a just measure of revenge, for being so desirous to seek it.  
Alone shall ye be left without Lover or Servant, accompanied only but with tears and sighs: & where before you suspected a rival in your love, you shall then find yourself not to be loved at all: but, like one cast off and despised, fearing (withal) to be further afflicted.  
Consider (fair Ladies) the most constant patience (being too far provoked) converteth into fury; and a wrathful Lover is more to be feared, than a savage monster that hath no reason.   

CAP. 14.  
HEertoo could I add divers other such discommodities, no less to be respected, yourselves being the original. Ye shall find that those pleasant places, where before ye were wont to pass the time in sport & delights, through want of his company that then graced the Assembly, they are become like solitary deserts, and unhaunted walks, not so pleasing before, but now as uncouth. Alas poor souls, what a torment will it be unto ye, to see the years fair seasons so often wheel about, when ye were wont to be at amorous sports, sweet conference, and other delicate recreations: now to find no more, but that there were such times, and once ye had a Love, who made all those delights in their very chiefest lustre? For now the times are miserably changed; ye are left companionlesse, joyless, neighboured on every side with grief and calamity: sighs and tears abound, but return no benefit; many eyes look on, but none lending pity; and that which indeed is the very worst of all, abandoned by him, who was your lives solace, & baited at by every one for a course so careless.  
Then be no more (sweet Sisters) like to blown bladders, puffed up with proud opinion and needless suspicion, seeking thereby to make conquest of your Lovers. What victory call ye that, which hurteth your own selves, and bringeth (beside) the loss of your Love? Strive to vanquish & surmount him in loyalty and kindness, and then the victory will be to either's profit.  
It is a far greater empery, to make yourselves beloved by loving, than reaching thereat by sinister ways, to procure your lovers damage, and your own downfall: for in nothing is a gentle & brave mind more to be discerned, than in lenity, humanity, pity, and affability; where contrariwise, loathsome disdain breeds all incivility, and none but a wicked mind doth nourish such thoughts, as knowing neither how to revenge, nor how to pardon.  
Then lest ye should fall into such misfortune, & have your fair names blemished by so foul a blot, follow the courses I have already declared, give yourselves to love truly, and ye shall find love again as truly.  
Choose a Lover as I have advised ye, neither young nor old, modest and virtuous: win his love by gentleness and all fair behaviour; so shall ye still preserve Love in his chiefest sovereignty, and make the issue thereof peaceful and glorious.   

CAP. 15.  
REmember here withal, that your quiet will be the more effectual, if so soon as a fond suspicion is conceived, ye seek for immediate resolution therein, remaining firm and immovable in yourselves, as also toward him whom your heart hath elected, as knowing the benefit that ensues by the one, and the unrecoverable loss happening by the other.  
And, affecting thus with intyrest faith, diligent observance, and all kinds of gracious usage: the miseries and mishaps attending on proud opinion, which is the utter shipwreck & perishing of love, can never prevail against ye, but hourly joy and felicity evermore await on ye.   

CAP. 16.  
HAd I more leisure, I would teach ye many other rules to be observed in love: but I see the Comedy is in some forwardness, & the Personages ready attired that are to present it: then till some other time & place convenient will I refer what remains as yet undiscovered, as having not gone through a quarter of the hundred kinds of love. In mean while, sweet Sisters, show yourselves pleasing and tractable to your Lovers, be not offensive to them, and thereby hurtful to yourselves. Be warned by the multitude of so many examples, change not pleasure for pain, solace for sighing, and all loves heaven, for foul hates hell.  
As ye desire to be beloved, so show you the like: no enchantment, no herb, no charm prevails so much in love, as the very power of an immoovable affection.  
Love then, and shun all misbelief of your Lover, then will he embrace ye with all due correspondence: disrobe yourselves of jealous doubts, disdains and opinions; so shall your lives be matchless, and your loves immortal.  Tutto vince Amare.  
FINIS.