Page:The Arraignment of Lewd, Idle, Froward, and Unconstant Women (1622).djvu/27

 wits, how they may cunningly ſoothe women; and with Logicke how to reaſon with them, and with Eloquence to perſwade them: they are alwayes tempering their wits as Fidlers doe their ſtrings, who wreſt them ſo high, that many times they ſtretch them beyond time, tune, and reaſon.

Againe, there are many that weary themſelues with dallying, playing, and ſporting with women, and yet they are neuer ſatisfied with the vnſatiable deſire of them: if with a Song thou wouldeſt be brought aſleepe, or with a Dance be led to delight, then a faire woman is fit for thy dyet; if thy Head be in her Lappe, ſhe will make thee beleeue that chou art hard by Gods Seat, when indeede thou art iuſt at Hell Gate.

Theodora, a monſtrous Strumpet, on a time made her bragges to Socrates, of the great haunt of luſtie Gallants which came to her houſe: and furthermore, ſhee told him, that ſhee could get away more of his Schollers from him, then he could of hers from her. No maruell (quoth Socrates) for thy wayes ſeeme pleaſant and eaſie, and that is the way youth loues to walke in; but the way that leadeth to a vertuous life, ſeemeth full of brambles and bryars.

And to match with this, there is an Hiſtorie that makes mention of three notable Curtizans, whoſe names were Lauia, Flora, and Layes: Lauia and Layes were homo, common to all men; they would play at ſmall game, rather then ſit out: theſe 3. ſtrumpets, during their life time, were the beautifulleſt & richeſt of that trade in the world, & had 3. ſeueral gifts, whereby they allured their Louers to ſeek their fauors. The Engine wherewith Lauia entrapped her Louers,