To be short, let it be what sort of person it will, they no sooner touch the shell of this Marriage-nut, but before they can come to tast the kernel they look for; they feel nothing else then thorns and briars of sorrow and misery.  If there be any one that thinks he is gotten a footstep further then another, in the favour of his Mistriss, and that in time he questions not th’ obtaining his desired happiness; immediately, that imagined joy, is crush’d with an insuing despair; being presently molested with a fear, that Father, Mother, Uncle, or Tutor will not like his person, or that he has not means enough; or else either they, or the Gentlewoman, will make choice of another in his place.  Or, if he sees another have access to the Lady as well as himself, at the same moment he’s possessed with jealousie, and falls a pondering how he shall make this Rival odious in the eys of her.  And if the other get any advantage of him; then he challenges him to fight; hazarding in that manner his precious life, for the getting of her, who when he had her, would perhaps, occasion him a thousand torments of death and misery.  Pray observe what pleasures this introduction imparts unto us; alas, what may we then expect from the marriage it self?

Really, those that will take this into due consideration, who would not but curse the Gentlewoman that draws him into such a raging madness? yet Lovers go forward, and please your selves with this imagined happiness; but know, that if according to your hope, you obtain her for a Bride, that at the least you must expect a sence and feeling of the Ten insuing Pleasures.

* * * * *

[Illustration:  Folio 10. Published by the Navarre Society, London.]

THE FIRST PLEASURE.

The Consent is given, the Match concluded, and the Wedding kept.

Now, O Lover, till this time you have been indeavouring, slaving, turmoiling, sighing, groaning, hoping and begging to get from those slow and tardy lips, that long-wish’d for word of Consent; you have also sent many messengers to your Mistriss, to her Parents and Tutors, who were as able to express themselves as the best Orators, but could obtain nothing; yet at last that long desired Word, is once descended by the Draw-bridge of her lips, like a rich cordial upon your languishing heart.  You have vanquish’d all your Rivals.  Oh who can imagine your joy!  What you think, or what you do, still your thoughts glance upon your happiness! your Mistriss now will be willing; denials are laid aside:  only ther’s a little shame and fear, which canot of a sudden be so totally forgotten, because the marriage is not yet concluded.  Well, O Lover, who could desire a greater happiness then you now possess!  For what you will, she will also:  and what she desires, is all your pleasure.  You may now tumble in a bed of Lillies and Roses; for all sour looks, are turn’d to sweet smiles, and she that used to thrust you from her, pulls you now every foot to her.  Yea, those snow-white breasts, which before you durst scarce touch with your little finger; you may now, without asking leave, grasp by whole handfuls.  Certainly, they that at full view, consider all this rightly; who can doubt but that you are the happiest man in the World?  O unspeakable pleasure!