The eighteenth song. Of women

Iwonder why by foul-mouth'd men
Women so slander'd be,
Since it so easily doth appear
Th' are better far then we.

Why are the Graces every one
Pictur'd as women be,
If not to shew that they in Grace
Do more excell then we?

Why are the liberal Sciences
Pictur'd as women be
But t' show (if they would study them)
They'd more excell then we.

And yet the Senses every one,
As men should pictur'd be;
To make it known that women are
Less sensual then we.

Why are the virtues every one
Pictur'd as women be;
If not to shew that they in them,
Do more excell then we?

Since women are so full of worth,
Let them all praised be;
For commendations they deserve
In ampler wise then we.