Page:A Treatise concerning the Use and Abuse of the Marriage Bed.djvu/247

[ 233 ] him find a better Name for it, if he can, and tell me, what I shall call it, that is suitable ta the Thing it self. If it is not lewd and scandalous, nay, open declared Lewdness, what else must it be? what else can it be? I remember the Excuse a certain antient Lady gave for such a Marriage, had more Craft in it, tho' perhaps more Truth too, considering it Allegorically, than most of the lame Extenuations I generally meet with.

Madam, says a neighbouring Gentlewoman, her Relation, to her, I hear your Ladyship is resolved to marry; I cannot say I believed it, for indeed I did not.

, Cousin, says the Lady, for such the was, why should you not believe it?

, Madam, says she, because for your own sake. I would not have it be true.

, Cousin, says the Lady, why would you not have it be true?

O, Madam, says the Cousin, you live so purely; to be so easy, so happy, so free, as you are, methinks you cannot think of coming into Fetters again.

, Cousin, says the Lady, I am not so easy as you think I am.

Madam, says the Cousin, what can be more happy? why, you have nothing to trouble you, and no Body to controul you.

, Cousin, says the Lady, no more I won't, if I marry; for I am resolved to take a young Man, that has his Dependence upon me, and I am sure to preserve my Authority with him.

O, Madam, says the Cousin, pray you don't find your self mistaken.