'tis not otherwise: OR: The praise of a married life.  
To the tune of, I'll never love thee more.  
 
 

A Young man lately did complain  
because that he was wed:  
And counseled others to abstain  
from Hymeneal bed:  
Had years but given him manlike thoughts,  
he'd not been so unwise,  
For wives increase man's happiness,  
then 'tis not otherwise.   

What joy is there upon the earth  
but Marriage makes it more,  
It is to man a second birth.  
and openeth the door  
To happiness, and such delight▪  
that none but they comprise:  
They pleasures have both day and night,  
then 'tis not otherwise.   

When I was single I did stray  
in heart, in words, and life,  
But I have found a better way  
I thank my loving wife:  
I now live free from all suspect,  
and many wicked lies,  
The good I wished, hath took effect,  
then 'tis not otherwise.   

Much company I used to keep,  
before I had a wife,  
The memory doth make me weep,  
for 'twas a wicked life:  
Such comfort now at home I find,  
from Marriage to arise,  
I wish all men were in my mind,  
then 'tis not otherwise.   

Unthrifty games I now have left  
as Tables, Cards and Dice,  
That oft hath me of wealth bereft,  
I curse no Ace, nor Sice:  
I do not now the Cards bid burn,  
that made my anger rise,  
A wife hath caused me to turn  
then 'tis not otherwise   

So civil I am grown of late  
since that I made my choice,  
I hate each swearing swaggering mate,  
which makes me to rejoice:  
The company I now do keep,  
are honest men and wise,  
That not with drink, but sense do sleep,  
then 'tis not otherwise.   

No Constable nor watch fear ay,  
that crieth Who goes there?  
I do not reel, but soberly  
can pass them daid of care:  
I use no candles in the morn,  
I drink not out mine eyes,  
My wife hath made me these to scorn,  
then 'tis not otherwise.   

This diet makes me to forget  
the headache that some have,  
Which makes them for all things unfit,  
(to drink I am no slave.)  
Those men their virtue hath outworn,  
that drink doth so disguise,  
My wife hath made me this to scorn,  
then 'tis not otherwise.   

The second part.  
To the same tune.  
 
 

AGainst I from my labour come,  
my wife provides me meat:  
When I was single none at home,  
found I, or what to eat.  
At sight of me she lays the cloth,  
and then for me at she hies,  
Which makes me to forget all floath,  
then 'tis not otherwise.   

If I seem discontent with aught,  
she kindly prays me tell,  
If that it may be begged or bought,  
(or where it is to sell:)  
That would me please, & merry make:  
the tears stand in her eyes  
Till I my discontent forsake:  
then 'tis not otherwise.   

It is a comfort for to see,  
good women meek and mild,  
That to her come in charity,  
when that she is with child:  
They comfort her if she do sound,  
one for strong water hies,  
And so their husband's healths drink round,  
then 'tis not otherwise.   

When that she doth in childbed lie.  
the neighbours in their love,  
Will with her fit, and pleasantly  
to mirth they do he move:  
By christening of my little lad  
I did in credit rise:  
All this by my good wife I had,  
then 'tis not otherwise.   

For gossipping they send in meat,  
would well serve forty men.  
As good as any man can eat,  
for mutton, pig, or hen;  
They eat not half but leave it me,  
there profit doth arise:  
This cometh by a wife you see,  
then 'tis not otherwise.   

One gives a piece, and one a spoon●  
unto my pretty child,  
And wish that ere to morrow noon,  
their cradles to be filled  
With such a pretty child as this:  
joy there to me doth rise,  
Had I no wife all this I miss,  
then 'tis not otherwise.   

The babe doth grow, and quickly speak●,  
this doth increase my joy,  
To hear it tattle, laugh, and squeaks,  
I smile and hug the boy:  
I with it play with great delight,  
and hush it when it cries,  
And ever wish it in my sight,  
then 'tis not otherwise.   

All Bachelors I wish you wed,  
if merry you would live,  
A single man is oft mis●ed,  
and seldom doth he thrive:  
I lived before, but better now,  
my joy and wealth arise,  
To live well I have shown you how,  
the 'tis not otherwise.     

Printed at London by G. E.