would have a husband with the best conditions, and endowed with the best qualifications; nay they would have impossibilities: but I am afraid they will make good the old Proverb, that says,
If you will not when you may,
When you would you shall have nay.
Therefore take my advice, if a young man comes to you of a civil carriage, and you think you can love him, be not scornful to him, but give him a civil entertainment, according to his behaviour: but be sure to hold your legs together, till the authority is signed, when you may open them as wide as you can.
And as to young men, my advice is, they be wary in their choice, since there is as much danger in chusing of a wife as a husband: wherefore, all young men, take my advice: chuse not one with a long nose, a scolding brow, and thin lips, for in such there is great danger: he who is tied to a scold is tied to sorrow; chuse not one who is counted a slut, if she be a slut, she is idle also, and these two companions will bring thee to poverty; nay, besides this, the old saying is, A slut will poison the gout, and if you can't eat with her, you won't lie with her, and you must have a bedfellow somewhere.
But this is the best way of chusing a wife: Take one for love, not for riches which fly away; for true love never varies; and where that is, the blessing of God is. If you desire to live a long life, be not overfond of riches, but chuse a civil handsome maid, who is not given to pride: such a maid may make a fine wife. But she that brings a handsome fortune, will be always throwing it in your teeth, which often occasions great disturbances; therefore let this suffice for those who desire to get good wives; and take notice of what I have already said, and you may fare the better.
