73.

Serue God is the furst, True loue is not wurst. 1 A dailie good lesson, of huswife in deede, is God to remember, the better to speede. 2 An other good lesson, of huswiferie thought, is huswife with husband to liue as she ought. Wife comely no griefe, Man out, huswife chiefe. 3 Though trickly to see to, be gallant to wiue, yet comely and wise is the huswife to thriue. 4 When husband is absent, let huswife be chiefe, and looke to their labour that eateth hir biefe. Both out not allow, Keepe house huswife thow. 5 Where husband and huswife be both out of place, there seruants doo loiter, and reason their cace.[E430] 6 The huswife so named (of keeping the house,) must tend on hir profit, as cat on the mouse. Seeke home for rest, For home is best. 7 As huswiues keepe home, and be stirrers about, so speedeth their winnings, the yeere thorow out. 8 Though home be but homely, yet huswife is taught, that home hath no fellow to such as haue aught.[E431] ¶ Vse all with skill, Aske what ye will. 9 Good vsage with knowledge, and quiet withall, make huswife to shine, as the sunne on the wall. 10 What husband refuseth all comely to haue, that hath a good huswife, all willing to saue. Be readie at neede, All thine to feede. 11 The case of good huswiues, thus daily doth stand, what euer shall chance, to be readie at hand. 12 This care hath a huswife all daie in hir hed, that all thing in season be huswifelie fed. By practise go muse, How houshold to vse. 13 Dame practise is she that to huswife doth tell, which way for to gouerne hir familie[E432] well. 14 Vse labourers gently, keepe this as a lawe, make childe to be ciuill, keepe seruant in awe. Who careles doe liue, Occasion doe giue. 15 Haue euerie where a respect to thy waies, that none of thy life any slander may raies. 16 What many doo knowe, though a time it be hid, at length will abrode, when a mischiefe shall bid. No neighbour reprooue, Doe so to haue looue. 17 The loue of thy neighbour shall stand thee in steede, the poorer, the gladder, to helpe at a neede. 18 Vse friendly thy neighbour, else trust him in this, as he hath thy friendship, so trust vnto his. ¶ Strike nothing vnknowne, Take heede to thine owne. 19 Reuenge not thy wrath vpon any mans beast, least thine by like malice be bid to like feast. 20 What husband prouideth with monie his drudge, the huswife must looke to, which waie it doth trudge.