These, are the great’st _Afflictions_, most men have, Ev’n from their _Nursing-cradle_, to their _Grave_: Yet, both so needfull are, I cannot see, How either of them, may well spared bee. The _Rod_ is that, which, most our _Child-hood_ feares; And, seemes the great’st _Affliction_ that it beares: That, which to _Man-hood_, is a plague, as common (And, more unsufferable) is a _Woman_. Yet, blush not _Ladies_; neither frowne, I pray, That, thus of _Women_, I presume to say; Nor, number mee, as yet, among your _foes_; For, I am more your _friend_, then you suppose: Nor smile ye _Men_, as if, from hence, ye had An Argument, that _Woman-kinde_ were bad. The _Birch_, is blamelesse (yea, by nature, sweet, And gentle) till, with stubborne Boyes, it meet: But, then, it smarts. So, _Women_, will be kinde, Vntill, with froward _Husbands_, they are joyn’d: And, then indeed (perhaps) like Birchen boughes, (Which, else, had beene a trimming, to their House) They, sometimes prove, sharpe _whips_, and _Rods_, to them, That _Wisdome_, and _Instruction_ doe contemne. A _Woman_, was not given for _Correction_; But, rather for a furtherance to _Perfection_: A precious _Balme of love_, to cure Mans griefe; And, of his Pleasures, to become the chiefe. If, therefore, she occasion any smart, The blame, he merits, wholly, or in part: For, like sweet _Honey_, she, good _Stomackes_, pleases; But, paines the _Body_, subject to _Diseases_. _=Death’s= one =long-Sleepe=; and, =Life’s= no more, But one =short-Watch=, an houre before._ [Illustration: VITA MORTALIVM VIGILIA. ILLVSTR. XXXII. _Book. 2_]