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And strifes and murders to avoid,

Whereto they well might be decoyed,

Ever have women, foul or fair,

Whether the name of maid they bear,

Or wife, done all within their power

To win back freedom as their dower;

Though at great hazards they maintain

Their rights, and evils thick as rain

Have happed both now and formerly.

Ten, nay, a hundred easily,

Could I of instances set forth;

But let them pass as nowise worth

My pains to tell or yours to hear,

You’d weary ere the end came near.

If any man beheld a dame,

In primal days, who lit a flame

Within his heart, he thought no wrong

To seize her, until one more strong

Should rob him of her, or he changed

His mind and somewhat further ranged.

But hence arose contention great,

And homes were oft left desolate;

And so by wise men were laid down

The laws as those of marriage known.

If you possess both will and wit

To heark what Roman Horace writ,

Give me your ear while I set forth

The wisdom of that man of worth;

A woman, free of shame, may quote

Whate’er so great an author wrote: