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.
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