WINE AND WOMEN: OR A brief Description of the common courtesy of a Courtesan. Written solely for the benefit of immodest and intemperate YOUTH. Cavete autem vobis: Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with Surfeiting & Drunkenness, Luk. 21. 34 We see that Lot, of whom Origen saith, Ebrietas decipet quem Sodoma non decipet. Here's neither Wine, nor yet good Women blamed, Though't may be in a place or two they're named: Wine should accilerate our Thoughts above, And make us hate the very thing we love. LONDON: Printed by John Hammond, 1647. To the Honourable Robert Wallop Esquire, one of the Right Honourable Committee of both Kingdoms, and a worthy Member of the Honourable House of COMMONS. SIR, I Must either without prolixity, or flattery, confess that I have received from time to time very many singular and large favours from you and truly I was thinking and premeditating with myself, what I might do to make it manifest appear. I willingly would make requital, in some measure, if I were able, and yet this Duty troubled me the less, in regard with noble and Heroic Minds, still for the most part, where the deed is wanting, the Will completes the Worke. Yet I must confess 'tis very meet, that Charity's eyes be open as well as her hands; though she gives away the Branches, not to part with the Root. Honoured Sir, I do ingeniously confess myself engaged to you, & for your Love: you may conceive it strange I should present you with a present that you do not love; yet Kind Sir, so it is, for I have tendered to you both the excess of Wine, and a Company of Wanton Women, and how you do affect the one or respect the other▪ your Life and Conversation certificats, as fare as Phoebus commonly doth lend his Glorious and most Radiant Rays. I would your unworthy Servant were as free, for I must confess both to God's glory and my own ignomy, unless he please to cover it with the Mantle of Christ's mercy, that the excess of Wine, inordinate affections, chambering and wantonness, hath been habitual with me; but I hope that it will be sufficient, that I have spent the time passed of my Life, walking in Wantonness, Riot, Surfeiting, and Drunkenness. Honoured Sir, I doubt I am too tedious, I am sure I have been so in my Transgressions: Yet ere I part, I would entreat your lenity to patronizle my little small Enchiridion, whilst I by God's assistance shall endeavour to improve my interest in the Lord, and my favour in your Love, And Rest Your assured Servant to command, Ed. Ford. To the courteous Reader. READER consider, as a little Clay In time will fade, and moulder all away, Even so conceive that truth this reason gives, In time will fade the sweetest sweet that lives: And therefore as thou tenderest God's honour, ne'er let a thought that's ill reflect upon her, But see without delay that thou apply'st, To fix 'em on thy proper object, Christ: So shall thy Transmigration happy be Both to thyself, and thy Posterity. Thine in the Lord, Ed. Ford. Wine and Women. IT is the affection some men bear to Wine, That hinders their immergent duties still, And makes them by degrees for to decline; From Actions that are good, to those are ill: And truly I conceive without distaste, 'Tis hard to find a Drunkard that is chaste. Woe to the Crown of Pride, the Drunkards of Ephraim, for his Glorious Beauty shall be a fading Flower, which is upon the head of the valley of them that be fat, and overcome with Wine: for all their tables are full of filthy vomiting, no place is clean. Isa. 28. 1. 8. And likewise 'tis the love that some men bear To wanton Women, that undo them still; For let them speculate a face that's fair, And pray how soon are they induced to ill? And therefore 'tis a most apparent sign, He that loves women, doubtless favours wine. Did not Solomon the King of Jsrael sin by these things? yet among many Nations was there no King like him: for he was beloved of his God, and God had made him King of Jsrael, yet strange women caused him to sin. Nehe. 13. 26. Besides, 'tis Wine that makes a man of strength So imbecil and weak he cannot stand, But measures his own way by his own length, For down he is i'th' turning of a hand: Let reason be expulsed, and Wine take place; A man will reel to ruin a good pace. Therefore thou shalt say unto them, thus saith the Lord God of Jsrael Every bottle shall be filled with wine, and they shall say unto thee, do we not know that every bottle shall be filled with wine, and all the Inhabitants with drunkenness, & I will dash them one against another, even the father and the son together, saith the Lord, Jer. 13 12. 13. 14. Besides, 'tis Women in the heat of Wine That cools man's duty to his bounteous God. And ne'er permits his glimmering light to shine He had directions for to spread abroad; Me thinks a Woman that is sweet and fair, Should never sell her skin to make a Snare. And after this he loved a woman by the Rive● of Sorek, whose name was Delilah, unto whom came the Princes of the Philistines, and said unto her, entice him and see wherein his great strength lies, and by what means we may overcome him, and punish him, & every one of us shall give thee eleven hundred shekels of silver, Judges 16. 4. 5. When Wine has filled the brain and belly full, Then man is put immediate to a Nonplus, And all his sacrifices they prove dull, Being as sleepy still as Eutichus: Down street he squats, and down he hangs his head, And here's a funeral sermon like one dead. For thus hath the Lord God of Jsrael spoken unto me, Take the cup of wine of this mine indignation at mine hand, and cause all the Nations to whom I send thee to drink it, and they shall drink, and be moved, and be mad, because of the sword that I shall send among them. Jer. 25, 15. 16. 'Tis wanton Women make men idolise, And their bought beauty too much to adore, The foolish man can say he is not wise, That wilfully doth run his Ship ashore, I would not have a man that is discreet, Trample his knowledge underneath his feet. But King Solomon loved many outlandish women, both the daughter of Pharaoh, and women of Moab, Ammon Edom, Zidon, and He●h. and he had seven hundred wives that were Princesses, and three hundred Concubines, and his wives turned away his heart from God. 1 Kings 11. 1. 3. And it is Wine we manifest'y find, That makes us wanton in these mournful times, Having no index of a pensive mind, But breviate our days with paltry Rhymes: Take heed of being private with a Woman, But chief if her looks proclaim her common. And the Daughter of the same Herodias came in and danced, and pleaseed Herod, and them that sat at table together: the King said unto the Maid, ask of me what thou wilt, and I will give it thee? So she went forth and said unto her mother, what shall I ask? And she said, John Baptists Head. Mark 6. 22. 24. It is your vicious Women oft inclines Men for to ride a hundred mile together, Only to expiate their Lust and Minds, That is more lighter than the Peacock's feather: 'two'd puzzle one to understand their meanings, That they should have the crop, & God the glean. And when Phineas the son of Eliazar, the son of Aaron the Priest saw it, he risen up from the midst of the congregation, and took a Spear in his hand, and followed the man of Jsrael into the Tent, and thrust them both thorough, to wit, the man of Jsrael & the woman through the belly; so the plague ceased from the Children of Jsrael. Num. 25. 7. 8. It is conspicuous, evident and true, That the excess of Wine makes men absurd, And beckons them for to be careless too, In those soliloques that please the Lord: A drunken man doth seldom care two straws, Either for Maker, or his Maker's Laws. Noah also began to be an Husbandman, and planted a Vineyard, and he drank of the wine, and was drunken and was uncovered in the midst of his Tent. Gen. 9, 20. 21. Every sin that man commits alone, Tends doubtless to his only prejudice, And he it is that solely should bemoan▪ His slighting of the heavenly Paradise: But where Zimri and Co●bi joined be, there's double sins against the Trinity. Then he said, what is the pledge that I shall give thee? And she answered thy signet, and thy cloak, and the staff that is in thine hand: So he gave it her, and lay by her, and she was with child by him. Gen. 38. 18. 'Tis Wine that makes the quintessence of love Depart from the right object of the same, And that reciprocal affection move, That should the essence of our Souls, maintain: Wine makes men strong, and in that strength so blind, That we impart part on't to womenkind. So they made their father drink wine that night also, and the younger arose and lay with him, but he perceived not when she arose, nor when she lay down. Gen. 19 35. 36. It is your Women that 's so coy and nice, That deck themselves in mantles, cawls▪ & wimples And ne'er leaves painting of a piece of Vice, Till they have filled their faces full of pimples: It would be strange, to see one fair and poor, That were not envious, proud, nor yet a whore, The Lord also saith, because the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with stretchedout necks, and with wandering eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: Therefore shall the Lord make the heads of the daughters of Zion bald, and the Lord shall discover their secret parts; in that day shall the Lord take away the Ornament of the slippers, and the cawls, and the round tires. Jsa. 3. 16. 17. 18. 'Tis the excess of Wine that makes men frame Their actions so promiscuously and rude, Procuring to themselves a hateful name, Whilst they continue in their drunken Mood: For little Children when they do 'em meet, Point at them with their fingers in the street. Then David called him, and he did eat and drink before him, and he made him drunk, and at even he went out to lie on his Couch with the Servants of his Lord, but went not down to his House. 2 Sam. 11. 13. 'Tis wanton Women that resemble most The labouring surges of the troubled Sea, For if their humourous humours be but crossed, Nothing but emulation is their plea; And be your fortunes either high or low, Nothing contents 'em but your overthrow. Now therefore slay all the males among the children, and kill all the women that have known man by carnal copulation, but all the women children that have not known carnal copulation, keep alive for yourselves. Num. 31. 17. 18. Excess of Wine 'tis probable and true, Deprives our great Creator of a Heart, And makes a man most earnestly pursue That which in time will aggravate his smart: Then who would be a drunkard, that's bereaven And quite excluded from the joys of Heaven? Woe unto him that gives his neighbour drink, thou joinest thine heat and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest see their privities. Hab. 2. 15. The beauty of a Woman makes a Man Often forget the Author of the same; If it be so, as so it is, why than. Each one will vote this creature much too blame: Beauty hath many one so blindly led, They have forgot where it was borne or bred. And shalt see among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her and wouldst take her to thy wife: Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house: and she shall shave her head, and pair her nails. Deut. 21. 11. 12. The strength of Wine doth so intoxicate The Memory of many now adays, That they affect to prattle, talk, and prate, And without licence publish forth their praise: If you let Wine too often charge your brain▪ 'Tis ten to one you charge, where you'll be slain. And his servant Zimri, Captain of half his Charets, conspired against him as he was in Tirzah, drinking till he was drunken, in the house of Arza. steward of his house in Tirzah, and Zimri came & smote him in the seven and twentieth year of Asa K. of Judah, and reigned in his stead. 1 Kings 16. 9 10. The quick and rolling eyes of some spruce Dames Invites a man to kindle Cupid's fires, And afterwards to scorch him in the flames, Which is as much perchance as she desires: For any love that's tendered to them chaste, Is made too strait and narrow for their waist. The tender and dainty woman among you, which never would venture to set the sole of her foot on the ground for her softness and tenderness, shall be grieved at her husband that lies in her bosom, and at her son, and at her daughter. Deut. 28. 56. Weak ones should never love for to contend With things that are so powerful and strong, 'Tis better for them gently for to bend, Then to stand out and do themselves more wrong: The strength of wine hath conquered more by far, Then Alexander ever did by war. And they went out at noon, but Benhadad did drink till he was drunken in th● Tent, both he and the Kings, for two and thirty Kings helped him, and they slew every one his enemy, and the Aramites fled, and Jsrael pursued them, but Benhadad the King of Aram escaped on a horse. 1 Kings 20. 16. 20 Man would not think, to glance a lustful thought Upon a Woman were so sad a thing, Yet the Messiah tells us it is nought, And that it much distastes our Heavenly King; Lord of thy mercy never let my eyes Love to behold so sad a sacrifice. And when it was eventide, David arose out of his bed, and walked upon the roof of the King's Palace and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon: Then David sent Messengers, and took her away, & she came unto him, & he lay with her, and the woman conceived, therefore she sent and told David, and said I am with child. 2 Sam. 11. 2. 4. 5. 'Tis Wine that makes the illiterate to indite, As though he had drank hard at Helicon, And oftentimes such pleasing strains to write, That to say truth, it would admire one: And makes ye to believe, if you want skill, He came but lately from Parnassus Hill. He causeth grass to grow for the Cattles, and herb for the use of Man, that he may bring fort● bread out of the earth: and wine that maketh gla● the heart of man, and oil to make the face to shine and bread that strengtheneth man's heart. Psa. 104▪ 14. 15. Women they say the weaker Vessels are; If so, it is a Paradox to me, That those that never were trained up in war, So often should obtain the victory: For your fair women still in every place Do conquer valiant men with their bare Face. To bring Queen Vashti before the King with the crown royal, that he might show the people and the Princes her beauty: for she was fair to look upon. But Queen Vashti refused to come at the King's word, which he had given in charge to the eunuches: therefore the King was very angry, and his wrath kindled in him. Ester 1. 11. 12. 'Tis Wine that makes the dearest friends that are To be at odds and sometimes disagree, And usher forth the bitter Character Both of a Coward and an Enemy: So in conclusion, nothing but their Swords Must vindicate their fond and foolish words. Wine is a mocker, and strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby, is not wise. Pro. 20. 1. Sometimes it is the whiteness of a hand That doth contaminate man's heart so foul; Because he doth not mind the great command God dictates to him, to preserve his Soul: Me thinks an object that is fair and white, Should never guide me wrong, but lead me right. Hear me now therefore, O my Children, and hearken to the words of my mouth. Let not thine heart incline to her ways: wander thou not in her paths; For she hath caused many to fall down wounded, and the strong men are all slain by her. Pro. 7. 24. 25. 26. Some men there be, that commonly prefer▪ Flagons of Wine before their real good, And to commix their choicest Wine with myrrh, Under pretence for to revive their blood: But why should Wine engage me to forget, And quite extinguish reason and my wit? Woe unto them, that rise up early to follow drunkenness, and to them that continue until night, till the Wine do inflame them: And the harp, and viol, timbrel, and pipe, and wi●● are in their Feasts; but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the work of his hands. Isa. 5. 11. 12. Women are cunning Creatures, that we must Grant for a truth, and no exceptions made, For they have drilled too many to the dust, That by their night-intreaties have been swayed: Nay, puissant Princes have been subject still To the commands of women and their will. A wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish destroyeth it with her own hands. Pro. 14. 1. 'Tis Wine that makes the Beggar to forget, And quite disband all thoughts of poverty, Yet suddenly deprives him of his wit, In his approaches to iocundity: It makes him in a time of sorrow sing, And to conceive, he is a little King. My heart breaks within me, because of the Prophets, all my Bones shake: I am like a drunken man, (and like a man whom Wine hath overcome,) for the presence of the Lord and for his holy words, For the Land is full of Adulterers, and because of oaths the Land mourneth. jer. 23. 9 10. The twinkling eyes of Women do put out▪ Those eyes that do behold 'em, which is strange, And yet this Metaphor is true no doubt, When men's aspects lasciviously do range: Inhetently my thoughts are very foul, Lord regulate my thoughts, and save a Soul. Ye have heard, that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, that whosoever looks after a Woman to lust after her, hath committed adultery already with her in his heart. Matthew 5. 27. 28. A man in Wine is fit for any ill, That Satan can suggest or tempt him to; For if he be enraged, he'll fight or kill, Nay, he will do what you will have him do: And yet the Boys of Bacchus now adays, whatever they lose, purchase a world of praise. And Nabals' heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, neither less nor more, until the morning arose. Then in the morning, when the Wine was gone out of Nabal, his wife told him those words, and his heart died within him, and he was like a stone. 1 Sam. 25. 36. 37. 'Tis wanton Women, as they see you pass, Would call you by your name if they knew how, Saying, surely I have seen you; when alas 'Tis but a trick to make your virtue bow: For when she hath you where she would desire, she'll bring hot water to augment your fire. A foolish woman she is troublesome: she is ignorant, and knows nothing: She sitteth at the door● of her house one seat in the high places of the City▪ to call them that pass by the way, that go right ●● their way. Pro. 9 13. 14. 15. 'Tis the excess of Wine that makes men steal Into your brothel-houses when 'tis Night, Thinking thereby their actions to conceal From God's eternal and most Radiant sight: But sure no curtains can blindfold his Face, That views the reins, and sees in every place: I sought in mine heart to give myself to wine, and to lead my heart in wisdom, and to take hold of folly, till I might see where is that goodness of the Children of men, which they enjoy under the sun the whole number of the days of their life. Eccl. 2. 3 'Tis wanton Women, that for benefit Will venture to increase their sinful stores, And to that purpose impudently sit; To take men up as they do pass their doors: But I could wish an Order would come forth, To punish these according to their worth. How weak is thine Heart, saith the Lord God, seeing thou dost all these things, even the work of a presumptuous whorish woman? Ezek. 16. 30. 'Tis Wine that makes men commonly surmise Which way to walk for to fulfil their lust, And newfound fopperies for to devise, That are obnoxious, hateful, and unjust: Each handsome Face is a sufficient tie, If it be new, to use immodesty. Thou hast showed thy people heavy things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of giddiness. Psa. 60. 3 'Tis the excess of Wine that makes men rove, Darting their eyes at each lose Lass they meet, Forsaking childishly their firstborn Love, For feigned affection picked up in the street; But sure it is a sign of ignorance, To slight true Love, for Love that's met by chance. They shall not drink wine with mirth: strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it. There is a crying for wine in the streets: all joy is darkened: the mirth of the world is gone away. Jsa. 24. 9 11 'Tis wanton Women that do captivate And snare too many poor men now adays, Either by beauty, or a stately gate, They practise, when they trip so many ways: Your chiefest cause your Harlots walk by night, Is 'cause they do not love to walk aright. Desire not her beauty in thine heart, neither let her take thee with her eyelids: For because of a whorish woman, man is brought to a Morsel of Bread. Pro. 6. 25. 26. And no man doth deny, but it is Wine That doth encourage Cowards for to fight; Yet ' may be, take this man another time▪ And he'll not venture to secure his right: God unto none denies his fruitful Grapes, Yet he restrains 'em when they make us Apes. Whoredom, and wine, and new wine, take away their heart. Hosea 4. 11. 'Tis Wine which makes fond men without a cause▪ Retard the precepts of Almighty God, And daily violate Jehovah's Laws With such ridiculous and absurd applaud; For now each imbecile and tippling Sot Conceives God's Vineyard is an Ace too hot. The son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, behold a glutton and a drinker of wine, a friend unto Publicans and sinners: but wisdom is justified of her Children. Matthew 11. 19 Women are very powerful, that can Make men forsake the Elysium of their youth, And so to stupefy a knowing man, That he forsakes the way of life and truth; 'tis a sad thing, when God doth give us means For to live chaste, that we should cherish queans Behold, all that use Proverbs shall use this proverb against thee, saying, As is the mother so is her daughter. Ezek. 16. 44. 'Tis wanton Women that impair the store Of men that had large talents not long since, But now obscenity has made them poor, As doth appear by sad experience: Is't not a shame that we should God implore, To lend us means to give unto a whore? But he that committeth adultery with a woman, is void of understanding: he that doth it, destroyeth his own Soul. Pro. 6. 32. 'Tis Wine that makes bad men for to refrain, And follow that which is apparent ill, Taking felicity in what is vain, Maugre all precepts pressed to cross his will: Surely in Wine there is a kind of charm, That that which doth me good, should do me harm. And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not. Mark 15. 23. 'Tis wanton Women frequently seduces Men for to live extravagant and rude, Making them run to riot and profuses, They have such fine acquaint ways for to delude; For having spent your portion, they cry then, Faith Sir good morrow, we are for other men. For wicked Athaliah and her children broke up the house of God: and all the things that were dedicated for the house of the Lord, did they bestow upon Baalim. 2 Chron. 24 7. It is the love of Wine that makes men keep Both from his wife and children night and day; His wife perceiving of it, falls to weep, And her poor Lambs they fall as fast to play; Their father proves an Alchemist most fine, And turns his children's bread to draughts of wine. Keep not company with drunkards, nor with gluttons: For the drunkard and the glutton shallbe poor, and the sleeper shall be clothed with rags. Pro. 23. 20. 21. Immodest Women set themselves to sale, Wearing their necks and bosoms constant bare, And 'cause with some or other they'll prevail, They paint their faces crispe and curl their hair, And for the lucre of some half a Crown, They'll take you up, before you're hardly down. Then the Scribes and the Pharises brought unto him a woman taken in adultery, and set her in the midst: And said unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. John 8. 3. 4. 'Tis Wine that makes uncivil men forget; And keep all companies they meet withal, And doth the boys of Bacchus so respect, That he forgets who 'tis that doth him call: First his burned wine, and then his wine that's rawer, And whosoe'er calls him, he calls the Drawer. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, for thy love is better than wine: we will remember thy love more than wine, the righteous do love thee. Cant. 1. ●. 3. 'Tis wanton women, as you have understood, That would suppress all virtuous thoughts within ye, And at the first will make a show of good, That at the last they may the better win ye: Whilst your coin lasts they'll show a handsome leg, But when that's gone, they'll show you how to beg. Such is the way also of an adulterous woman she eateth and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have not committed iniquity. Pro. 30. 20. 'Tis the excess of Wine that makes men waste, And care so little for their precious time, Still harbouring vicious thoughts that are unchaste, And round enveloped with filth and slime: A Man is never fit for acts Divine, That fits himself to quaff up bowls of wine. But they have erred because of wine, and are out of the way by strong drink. Jsa. 28. 7. 'Tis envious women whose invective tongues Makes slander still their common receptacle, And in their bosoms wears another's wrongs; Their minds and dispositions are so sickle: I had rather by a Sword receive a wrong, Then to be bitten by a woman's tongue. Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou continue yet in thy uprightness I blaspheme God, and die: But he said unto her, thou speakest like a foolish woman: what? shall we receive good at the hands of God, and not receive evil, Job 2. 9 10. 'Tis Wine makes men so careless and remiss In many duties that concerns their good, And quite cast off their dear-bought happiness, At no less value than their Maker's Blood: And therefore we may very well conclude, No sin but one out vies ingratitude. Yet the chief Butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him. Gen. 40. 23. It is the Love of Harlots often makes A Man to venture both his limbs and life, And 'tis for them alone that he forsakes, And many times rejects his virtuous wife: Forbidden Fruit a Man may daily meet, As he doth Death, yet neither may be sweet. And the woman said unto the Serpens, we eats of the fruit of the trees of the Garden. Gen. 3. 2. 'Tis Wine that causes redness in the Eyes, And couches mischief closely in the mind, Making a Man heroic acts despise, And wove from good to ill with every wind, No thought that's permanent can long remain In a besotted and unstable Brain. Though I fed them to the full yet they committed Adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in Harlots houses. Jer. 5. 7. It is impetious Women that devise New-fangled fashions every day to wear, And deck their gowns with rich embroideries▪ When poor weak talonts challenges a share: But doubtless 'tis no wonder for to see A haughty woman linked to levity. For I will gather all Nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the City shall be taken, and the houses spoilt, & the women defiled, and half of the City shall go into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the City. Zech. 14. 2. And 'tis as true that wine hath quite undone And dissipated many of their wealth, Because like Mercuries they loved to run To that which constantly impairs the health: What can a Man that loves his charge do worse, Then fill his Cups, and empty still his Purse? For it is sufficient for us that we have spent the time of our life past, in the Lusts of the Gentiles, walking in wantonness lusts, drunkenness, gluttony, drink. 1 Peter 4. 3. By women many mighty ones have been Wrapped in a sheet of Lead and direful dust, Because he used celerity in sin, And traversed ways unseemly and unjust: By following Harlots no man can do well; Because she leads point-blank to death and hell. For of this sort are they that creep into houses, and lead captive simple women, laden with sins, and led with divers lusts. 2 Tim. 3. 6. Wine hath another property beside, It doth extenuate our Love to God, And builds the fabric of our faith so wide, That nothing which is good can we applaud: They that do use it very seldom thrives, But gets a swift exordium for their Lives. So that when he heareth the words of this curse, he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, although I walk according to the stubbornness of mine own heart, thus adding drunkenness to thirst. Deut. 29. 19 'Tis envious Women, in a troubled State, That do incense their Husbands to rebel. Which makes their Children so unfortunate, And all their Actions for to thrive so well: By their advice they presently take fire. At any motion that will mount 'em higher. There shall be no Whore of the Daughters of Israel, neither shall there be a Whore-keeper of the sons of Israel. Deut. 23. 17. By Wine the prudent'st men that lives on earth, One time or other hath been much deceived, And given their sensual wombs untimely birth, Man's great antagonists so quaintly weaved: Then having faults within, and foes without us, I presuppose 'tis time to look about us. And the drinking was by an order, none might compel: for so the King had appointed unto all the Officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure. Ester 1. 8. By women mighty Monarches hath been slain, And left their large & vast commands behind 'em, And softly stole away to bliss or pain, For all their friends so closely had enshrined 'em; 'Tis a sad thing me thinks, we should embrace And hug our ruin for a handsome Face. And Abimelech came unto the tower and fought against it, and went hard unto the door of the tower to set it on fire: But a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimeleches head, & broke his brainpan. Judges 9 52. 53. 'Tis wine that makes the modest now and then Forget the sympathy they have with good, And steer their actions like uncivil men, By secret distillations of the Blood: A cup or two revives the pensive Heart, But many more, doth aggravate the smart. Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake, and thine often infirmities▪ 1 Tim. 5. 23. A Courtesan, of all the Creatures living, Is very free of what she counts her own, 'Cause for the most part she is still a giving, Yet hardly gets a thanks from any one: And that which animates and makes her free, Is her deboyst and base scurrility. And I find more bitter than Death the wom●● whose heart is as nets and snares, and her hands as bands: he that is good before God, shall be delivered from her, but the Sinner shall be taken by her, Eccles. 7. 28. They that sit long at wine the wine will tame 'em, Although they imprecate, curse, swear and dam, And though a little while it doth inflame 'em, At last they ' le be as patiented as a Lamb: 'Tis not carousing healths that will procure Man's health in sickness, not for half an hour. But the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and as a strong man that after his wine cries out. Psa. 78. 65. Briefly, 'tis Wine and Women hath undone This Kingdom that's distracted, rend, and torn, And made the lees of the Lords Wrath to run, Till Prince and People had just cause to mourn; And had not Clemency his Sceptre swayed, No doubt ere this we had been all betrayed. Wherefore, be you not unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is, and be not drunken with wine, wherein is excess. Eph. 5. 17. 18. Then since we know the cause 'tis very meet We do reform and rectify our ways, For though Jehovah walks with leaden feet, He doth expect we should not stand and gaze: He that sits idle in the Market place. Hath little mind to work, or little grace. THE AUTHOR'S Apology to the worthy Patronizer, and courteous Accepter of his summary and small Poem, Entitled Wine and Women. 'tis Charity to lend a Crutch sometimes To verses that are lame, and feeble Lines. And here couches my encouragement. YOur candid wits cast censures in this mould, The man would write far better and he could; And whee reality they cannot find, As a sufficient Proxy take the mind: Therefore I hope you will accept my mite, Although it pove two or three grains too light. In this confidence rests your assured Servant, Ed. Ford. FINIS.