The Song of King Lemuel (Prou 31.10)

WHo findes a Woman good and wise,
A gemme more worth then Pearls hath got;
Her Husbands heart on her relies:
To liue by spoyle he needeth not.
His comfort all his life is she.
No wrong she willingly will doe:
For Wooll and Flax her searches be:
And cheerefull hands she puts thereto.

The Merchant-ship resembling right,
Her food she from a farre doth fet.
E're day she wakes, that giue she might
Her maids their taske, her houshold meat.
A field she viewes, and that she buyes;
Her hand doth plant a vineyard there,
Her loynes with courage vp she tyes;
Her Armes with vigor strengthned are.

If in her worke she profit feele,
By night her Candle goes not out:
She puts her finger to the wheele,
Her hand the spindle twirles about.
To such as poore and needy are,
Her hand (yea, both hands) reacheth she:
The Winter none of hers doth feare,
For, double cloath d her houshold be.

She Mantles maketh, wrought by hand.
And silke and purple clothing gets:
Among the Rulers of the Land
(Knowne in the Gate) her Husband sits.
For sale, fine Linnen weaueth she,
And girdles to the Marchant sends:
Renowne and strength her clothings be,
And ioy her later time, attends.

She speakes discreetly when she talkes;
The law of Grace her tongue hath learn'd:
She heeds the way her houshold walkes,
And feedeth not on bread vn-eatn'd.
Her Children rise, and blest her call:
Her Husband thus applaudeth her;
Oh! thou hast farre surpast them all,
Though many Daughters thriuing are.

Deceitfull Fauour quickly weares,
And Beauty suddenly decayes:
But, if the LORD she truly feares
That Woman well deserueth praise.
The fruit her handy worke obtaines,
Without repining grant her that;
And yeeld her what her labour gaines,
To doe her honour in the Gate,