A Good Wife, or None.  
To a pleasant new Tune.  
 

The glazing Torch is soon burnt on't,  
the Dimonds' light abides,  
The one in glory shines about,  
the other it's virtue hides:  
That spark (if any) shall be mine,  
that else give light to none:  
For if to 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:  
But if my love should seem to me,  
of every one so known:  
She never more should shine on me,  
I had rather lie alone.   

I'll not consume and pine away,  
as other lovers do,  
For such as wand'ring walk astray  
and never will prove true:  
I'll set as light by any she,  
as she by me hath done:  
And fix my love and constancy,  
Or else I'll 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 free 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 I did see,  
But she did most unconstant prove,  
and set no love by me;  
And ever since my mind is such,  
to lend my love ●o 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 fair with me,  
her joys in love are gone,  
Wherefore the wanton world shall see,  
I'll choose to lie alone.   
 

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 lovesick grown,  
For she hath kibed it with disdain,  
therefore I'll lie alone.   

Within that face I once did see,  
two Dimend 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 brings golden ease,  
no jealous thoughts offend,  
the wedded 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 must make amends,  
now that the first is gone,  
For Croesus' kind had many friends,  
else still had lyn alone.   

For could I but call my choice,  
out of Diana's train,  
who would not hear the tempters voice,  
than I might love again:  
And cause some of more constant light  
than that which lately shone,  
My equal f●n●y to requite,  
or else I'll lie alone.   

For time and opportunity  
will w●e the coyest Dame,  
And overcome the chastest she,  
that bears the bravest 〈◊〉:  
Yea, man was made for woman's good,  
not idle like the drone,  
But for to heat and stir the blood,  
and not to lie alone.    

London, Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, and J. Wright.