Page:The Arraignment of Lewd, Idle, Froward, and Unconstant Women (1622).djvu/50

 I was commanded to buy the beſt meate; and from the tongue come many good and profitable ſpeeches. Then the King ſent him againe, and bad him buy the worſt and vnprofitableſt meates and he likewiſe bought nothing but tongues. The King againe asked him the reaſon: from nothing (ſayd hee) commeth worſe venome then from the tongue, and ſuch tongues moſt women haue.

Romane hiſtories make mention of one of the chiefe Gouernours of Rome, that had a ſonne, whoſe name was Pairias, whoſe father tooke him with him to the Counſel-houſe, that thereby he might learne wiſedome; wiſhing him withall to keepe their ſecrets. His mother was diuers times asking of the Boy what they did at the Counſel-houſe, and what the cauſe was of their often meeting. On a time young Papirus fearing to diſpleaſe his Father, and hoping to ſatisfie his mother, told her this: Mother (ſayd he) there is hard hold amongſt them about making of a Law, that euery man ſhall haue two Wiues, or euery woman two husbands; and ſo farre as I can perceiue, it is likely to be concluded vpon, that every man ſhall have two wiues.

The next day when he and his father were gone to the Counſell-houſe, ſhe beſtirred her ſelfe, and got moſt of the chiefe women of the Cittie together, and told then what a law was like to be made, if it were not preuented: and ſo to the Counſell-houſe they went a great flocke of them. But when they came in, the Gouernours were all amazed, and asked the cauſe of their comming. And one of the women hauing leaue to ſpeake, ſayd thus: Whereas you are about to make a law, that euery man shall haue two wiues, conſider with your ſelues what vnquietneſſe