Page:The Arraignment of Lewd, Idle, Froward, and Unconstant Women (1622).djvu/39

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

(31)

but rancke fleſh. The hearbe Molio carrieth a flowre as white as ſnow, but a roote as blacke as inke.

Although women are beautifull, ſhewing pitty, yet their hearts are blacke, ſwelling with miſchiefe, not much vnlike vnto old trees, whoſe outward leaues are faire and greene, and yet the body rotten: if thou haunt their houſes, thou wilt be enamoured; and if thou doe but hearken to theſe Syrens, thou wilt be inchanted, for they will allure thee with amorous glances of luſt, and yet kill thee with bitter lookes of hate: they haue dimples in their cheekes to deceiue thee, and wrinckles in their browes to betray thee: they haue eyes to intice, ſmiles to flatter, imbracements to prouoke, beckes to recall, lips to enchant, kiſſes to enflame, and teares to excuſe themſelues.

If God had not made them onely to be a plague to man, he would never haue called them neceſſary euils, and what are they better? for what doe they either get or gaine, ſaue or keepe? nay, they doe rather ſpend and confirme all that which a man painfully getteth: a man muſt be at all the coſt, and yet liue by the loſſe.

It is very eaſie for him which neuer experienced himſelfe in that vaine pleaſure, or repenting pleaſure, chooſe you whether, I meane the accompanying of lewd women: but ſuch as are exerciſed and experimented in that kinde of drudgery, they I ſay haue a continuall deſire, and temptation is ready at hand; therefore take heede at the firſt, ſuffer not thy ſelfe to be led away into luſtfull folly: for it is more eaſie for a young man or maid to forbeare carnall act, then it is for a widdow, and yet more eaſie for a widdow, then for her that is married, and hath her huſband wanting; then take heede at the firſt, for there is no-

thing