Page:The Arraignment of Lewd, Idle, Froward, and Unconstant Women (1622).djvu/63

 of many women, that the feathers are more woorth then the bird; therefore it behooueth euery woman to behaue her ſelfe ſo ſoberly and chaſtly in countenance and ſpeech, that no man may bee ſo bold as to aſſaile her: for commonly Caſtles, if they come once to parley, are at point to yeeld; therefore if woman by chance bee ſet vpon, let her make this anſwere, When I was a Maide, I was at the diſpoſition of my Parents, but now I am married, I am at the pleaſure of my husband, therefore you were beſt ſpeake to him, and to know his minde, what I ſhall doe; and if her husband bee out of the way, let her alwayes behaue her ſelfe as he were preſent.

Alſo a woman may conſider, if her husband bee cholericke and haſtie; ſhee muſt ouercome him with milde ſpceches, and if he chide ſhe muſt hold her peace: for the anſwere of a wiſe women is ſilence, and ſhee muſt ſtay to vtter her minde till hee bee appeaſed of his furie, and at quiet: for if women many times would holde their tongues, they might be at quiet. There was a very angry couple married together, and a friend being with them at ſupper, asked them how they could agree together, being both ſo froward and teſtie: the good man made him this anſwere, When I am angry, my wife beareth with me and when ſhe is angry, I beare with her: for with what heart can a man ſo much as touch a haire of his wiues head? (I meane rigorouſly) for the husband ought to rebuke her with kinde words ſecretly, and ſeeke to reforme her by good counſell: hee ought to lay before her the ſhame of ill doing, and the praiſe of well doing, if this will not ſerue, yet he ought rather patiently to forbeare her, then rigorouſly to beate her, for ſhee is fleſh of his fleſh