You that intend the honourable life, And vvould vvith ioy liue happy in the same, Must note eight duties doe concerne a wife, To vvhich vvith all endeuour she must frame: And so in peace possesse her husbands loue, And all distast from both their hearts remooue. The first is that she haue domestique cares, Of priuate businesse for the house vvithin, Leauing her husband vnto his affaires, Of things abroad that out of doores haue bin: By him performed as his charge to doe, Not busie-body like inclin'd thereto. Nor intermedling as a number will, Of foolish gossips, such as doe neglect, The things which doe concerne them, and too ill, Presume in matters vnto no effect: Beyond their element, when they should looke, To what is done in Kitchin by the Cooke. Or vnto childrens vertuous education, Or to their maides that they good huswiues be, And carefully containe a decent fashion, That nothing passe the lymmits of degree: Knowing her husbands businesse from her own, And diligent doe that, let his alone. The second dutie of the wife is this, (Which shee in minde ought very carefull beare) To entertaine in house such friends of his, As she doth know haue husbands welcome there: Not her acquaintance without his consent, For that way Iealousie breeds discontent. An honest woman will the scandall shun, Of that report is made of wantonnesse, And feare her credit will to ruine run, When euill speakers doe her shame expresse: And therefore from this rule a practise drawes, That the effect may cease, remoue the cause. Th'ird dutie is, that of no proude pretence, She moue her husband to consume his meanes, With vrging him to needlesse vaine expence, Which toward the Counter, or to Ludgate leanes: For many ydle huswiues (London knowes) Haue by their pride bin husbands ouerthrowes, A modest woman will in compasse keepe, And decently vnto her calling goe, Not diuing in the frugall purse too deepe, By making to the world a pecocke showe: Though they seeme fooles, so yeelde vnto their wiues, Some poore men doe it to haue quiet liues. Fourth dutie is, to loue her owne house best, And be no gadding gossippe vp and downe, To heare and carry tales amongst the rest, That are the newes reporters of the towne: A modest vvomans home is her delight, Of businesse there, to haue the ouersight. At publike playes she neuer will be knowne, And to be tauerne guest she euer hates, Shee scornes to be a streete-wife (Idle one,) Or field vvife ranging vvith her vvalking mates: She knows how wise men censure of such dames, And how with blottes they blemish their good names.