The Ten Pleasures of Marriage: and the Second Part, The Confession of the New Married CoupleMarsh, A.
General
The Ten Pleasures of Marriage: and the Second Part, The Confession of the New Married Couple
Marsh, A.
Marriage
But if the Woman marks that this helps not, and that all things remain
in the old posture, then she begins to mump and maunder at her
husband; vaunting much of her own fitness, and not a little suspecting
her husbands; oftentimes calling him a Fumbler, a dry-boots, and a
good man Do-little, &c.
This makes him look as if he had beshit him self. And though he never
so much indeavours to vindicate himself; and also to perswade her from
the reasons and examples given by several learned Doctors; Culpepper;
the Queens Midwife; and some others of his friends and acquaintance
that he demonstrates unto her; it is all but wind. She still
complains, I must have a Child, or else I shall run distracted.
And this manner of frantickness hath so vehemently struck into her
brains, that the very house seems to burn over her head: Insomuch that
she's no sooner risen from her bed or from the Table, but immediately
she goeth a gadding amongst the neighbours; and takes other peoples
children in her arms, kissing and slabbring of them so unmeasurably,
as if she would almost devour them with love; nay she useth more
simple and childish actions with them, then ever own mothers have
done. By which means the children have many times as great an
affection for their neighbour, as they have for their own Father and
Mother.
This gadding out of dores doth undoubtedly a little trouble her
husband: But when he begins to consider, that his wife by this means
knows how to handle, and make much of children; and then again, that
she thus beforehand learns it for nothing; it must of necessity be no
less then a great pleasure for him. And so much the more, whilest she
is pratling with her neighbour, and playing with her child; he is
freed from the curse of hearing her sighs and complaints to have a
child. For she's no sooner within the dores, but she talks of her
neighbours child, and wishes with the loss of all that shes worth in
the World that she had such a one too; which continues alwaies so
long, that finally she bursts out into the like former frenzy against
her husband: see there I must have a child also, or else I shall run
distracted.
But what remedy? which way he turns or winds himself, he finds no
means or way how to pacifie his wife. And therefore thinks it best
himself to take th'advice of Doctor, and most especially with that
French Doctor, who is so renowned for his skill of making many men and
women that before were barren and unfruitfull to conceive children:
Insomuch that they do now every year precisely bear a young son, or a
daughter, yea somtimes two at a time. It is thereby also very
necessary that the good woman her self consult with some experienced
Midwives, and old Doctresses; to the end, that those distempers which
are the occasion of barrenness, might be the better removed and taken
away.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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