What may the reason be, so many wed, And misse the blessings of a _joyfull-Bed_, But those ungodly, and improper ends, For which, this Age most _Marriages_ intends? Some, love _plumpe flesh_; and, those as kinde will be To any gamesome _Wanton_, as to thee. Some, doate on _Honours_; and, all such will prize Thy _Person_, meerely, for thy _Dignities_. Some, fancy _Pleasures_; and, such _Flirts_ as they, With ev’ry _Hobby-horse_, will runne away. Some (like this _Couple_ in our _Emblem_, here) Wooe hard for _Wealth_; and, very kind appeare, Till they have wonne their prize: but, then they show On what their best _Affections_ they bestow. This _Wealth_, is that sweet _Beautie_, which preferres So many to their _Executioners_. This, is that rare _Perfection_, for whose sake, The _Politician_, doth his _Marriage_, make. Yea, most of those whom you shall married find, Were cousned, (or did cousen) in this kind; And, for some _by-spects_, they came together, Much more, than for the sakes, of one another. If this concernes thee, now, in any sense; For thy instruction, take this warning hence: If thou hast err’d already, then, lament Thy passed crime, and, beare thy punishment. If thou, as yet, but tempted art to erre; Then, let this _Emblem_ be thy _Counsellor_: For, I have said my mind; which, if thou slight, Goe, and repent it, on thy _wedding night_. _Give =Credit=; but, first, well beware, Before thou =trust= them, =who they are=._ [Illustration: FIDE SED CVI VIDE ILLVSTR. XXII. _Book. 2_]