The poor Man's Counsellor, OR, The married man's Guide.  

If God have blest thee with a careful wife  
Take my directions how to lead thy life,  
Tho Riches thou dost want yet thou shalt find  
Far greater wealth in a contented mind,  
Thy honest labour shall thy charge maintain,  
Being truly got, not by unlawful gain.   
Tune of, The Poor Man's Comfort,  
 
 
 

COme friend if thy leisure permit thee to stay,  
I'll teach thee some precepts the same to obey,  
Now thou hast betaken thyself to a Wife  
How thou mayst live happy all days of thy life,  
Then take my directions though thou art but poor  
I'll learn thee to keep the wolf from the door.   

'tis not all men's fortune great Riches to have  
And they that have little have most need to save,  
For Riches have wings and away they will fly  
And leave them forsaken that once were so high,  
A little is better with peace and content  
Then wealth in abundance in misery spent.   

The wealth of the world doth too many bewitch  
And they are too blame that make haste to be rich  
For goods ill gotten like snowballs will waste  
And he that was rich shall be poor at the last.  
Therefore be content with a lowly degree  
And God will provide in due time you shall see.   

If thou hast a wife that is loving and kind  
Great comfort in her at all times thou wilt find  
Whatever betid thee she will bear a share  
And help to advise thee in woe or welfare,  
Then strive not her patience at all to provoke  
But freely submit to draw both in a yoke.   
 

A wife that is froward I do not commend  
What thou dost take pains for she'll lavishly spend  
And do what thou canst for to humour her still  
She'll hold thee in scorn if she want of her will,  
Make much of thy wife that is loving and chaste  
For she will be saving and fearful to waste.   

Each morning when thou dost thy labour begin  
Have God in thy mind 'twill keep thee from sin  
A penny hard earned, since it is thy lot  
Will do thee more good than a pound that's ill got,  
Then labour to thrive by the sweat of thy brows  
For thats the best way all honest men knows.   

If God give a blessing that Children you have  
The more you must labour in time for to save  
And do not you murmur & count them a charge  
The better you'll thrive, & your stock will enlarge  
'twil be a great comfort thy children to see  
If that they obedient and dutiful be.   

Let no man entice thee thy money to waist  
Be careful to spare and lay up what thou hast  
Whoever shall ask thee, he is not thy friend  
To go to the Alehouse thy money to spend,  
Avoid such bad courses as bring men to want  
And thou shalt have plenty when others have scant.   

Lewd houses and Gaming be sure that you eat  
there's many frequent them and so are undone  
By such bad companions a man that's misled  
May quickly be brought to a morsel of bread  
A cup of good liquor at home with thy wife  
Will cheer up your hearts, & prevent farther strife.   

Be courteous and kind to thy neighbour's abo●…  
And then they will love thee thou need not t● 〈◊〉  
Avoid all contention with strife and debate  
For that will procure thee all honest men's h●●●  
Be civil to all men as they are to thee  
Then kindly respected thou surely shalt be,   

If times do prove hard and Money be scant,  
Then labour for little before you do want,  
And thankfully take whatsoever God sends  
As times do grow better it will make amends  
A dinner of Herbs with content serves as w●●●  
As all the rich dainties which far doth excel.   

When thou for thy labour some Money hast g●●  
Be sure do not spend it in tossing the pot,  
Make haste to thy wife and children small,  
And that will supply when they for bread do c●●●  
'Twould be a great grief to thee whilst thou d●… 〈◊〉  
To hear thy Babes cry and have nothing to 〈◊〉   

Whatever affliction befall thee or thine,  
Yet do not thou murmur or seem to repine,  
For God that hath given thee mean to subsist  
Can take it away whensoever he list,  
Therefore be contented whatever betid,  
Submit with all patience and God will provi●●   

Take care to remember what here I have told  
And value it dearer than silver or gold,  
When thou art inclined to wander astray  
Perhaps it may bring thee into the right way  
And by thy example all others may see,  
'Tis good to be careful and live honestly.