Book XII, Chapter 73

NOw at Constantinople (once Byzantium) in old Thrace,
Had Mandeuil to Stafford wrote should be his Wintring Place:
Next Summer would hee bee at Rome: That Stafford should direct
For either Place his Letters, which he, longing, did expect,
So S[…]efford had to Elenor the same informed, who,
And Dorcas, euermore their Loues did argue fro and too.
They may, quoth Dorcas, make more nice, but few or none, I troe,
That labour not of our disease: and why, I pray you, noe?
To be with God, what good more good? For it we all should aske.
But for by death it must be done, but few affect the Taske.
Virginitie, though praised, is alike perform'd, for why?
As much the Flesh is fraile therein, as in the feare to dye.
What, was it sayd to all, but vs, Increase and Multiply?
No Clarke will so expound that Text, God shield they should, say I.
All yeeld, that Marrage is no sinne, if chastly then we liue,
And Man and wife their Bodies each to other wholly giue:
If so, as so is granted, what needs curious strugling then?
Since God and Nature formed Men for vs, and vs for Men.
Ill match those dallying Girles, pray I, that intertaine by Arte
All Louers, giuing Hopes to all, of all to make their Marte,
And, hauing blaunched many so, in single Life take pride:
When not a Strumpet Men so much abhorre, and more deride.
Aswell as too remisse in choyce, we may be too precise,
And lose, as Aesops swimming Dogge, a Substance for Surmise.
But if we marke, in matching, this (which perfecteth Content)
That in the Man of Vertues be and Loue a Couplement,
For either Fortune worke we that we neuer shall repent.
We coyly may consume our Youth, till times may alter so
Or forme, friends, wealth, or fame, that we out of Request may groe.
But lose that list their Prime, since now I haue that may delight,
He shall participate my best, that must my baddet Plight.
For true it is, as Vessels of first Liquors euer taste,
Loue, seasned so with Sweets of Youth, the same doth euer last.
Nay should my Stafford (God forbid) lesse kinde than think I proue,
I neretheles would still be his, in chaste and cheerefull Loue.
No men, troe I (the rascall Sort except) but women may,
In Patience, temporizing well, informe, and, erring, stay.
And reason (were there Scripture none, so bidding) we forbare
In men their Moodes, because of vs they wholly take the care.
Admit we bring them Portions great, and beautie sought of Many,
Alas, what bring we one, that might not els haue hap't to any?
For (let me speake it to no Blab) it is a Question, whether
That longer think it we, or Men, vntill we come together.

Well Wanton, well, quoth Elenor, if Men should heare your chat,
This last I meane, at least they would conclude for vs in that:
Concerning which, vpon my Tongue shall mine Opinion dye,
Though should I say to it, and all, Amen, I sooth'd no Lye.
Saint Stafford thine, Saint Mandeuil for me, God for vs all,
I haue bin, a[…], and will be still resolu'd, what ere befall.

In saying which came Stafford in, and wils them to dispatch
To Ship-boord: (for before had they determin'd of that Match.)
Alreadie had he shipt their Stuffe, lack't only they a boord:
Which Opportunitie did now that time and place affoord.
How they escap't, or how disguisde, what skils it? scap't they are,
All three imbark't for Italie, and had the winde so faire,
That almost thither had they reach't, before they missed weare.
For them great search, and sorrow much was made, but all in vaine,
None knew or whē they went, or whence, or where they did remaine.

Here see you, what can mightie Loue in either Sexe effect:
Here see you also friends for friends nor weale nor woe respect:
Here see you one that fear'd to speake, is followed farre to speede:
Here see you that a Woman dares, if she conceits the Deede:
Here see you one in loue, not moop't at home, but mapping Lands:
Here see you how gainst all things els, for Ladies Vertue stands:
Here also heare what they, ariu'd in Italie, did see:
And first at Rome, when first shall this of Else-what spoken bee.