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THE SECOND PLEASURE.

The Woman goes to buy houshold-stuf.  The unthankfulness of some of the Wedding-guests, and thankfulness of others.<

Well, young married people, how glad you must needs be, now the Wedding’s over, and all that noise is at an end?  You may now ly and sleep till the day be far spent!  And not only rest your selves quietly; but, to your desires, in the Art of Love, shew one another the exercise and handling of Venus Weapons.

Now you may practise an hundred delicious things to please your appetites, & do as many Hocus Pocus tricks more.  Now you may outdo Aretin, and all her light Companions, in all their several postures.  Now you may rejoice in the sweet remembrance, how sumptuous that you were, in Apparel, meat and drink, and all other ornaments that my Lady Bride, and Madam Spend-all, first invented and brought in practice.  Now you may tickle your fancies with the pleasures that were used there, by dansing, maskerading, Fire-works, playing upon Instruments, singing, leaping, and all other sort of gambals, that youth being back’d with Bacchus strength uses either for mirth or wantonness.

[Illustration:  Folio 30. Published by The Navarre Society, London.]

O how merry they were all of ’em!  And how deliciously were all the dishes dress’d and garnisht!  What a credit this will be for the Cook and Steward!  Indeed there was nothing upon the Table but it was Noble, and the Wine was commended by every one.  They have all eaten gallantly, & drunk deliciously.  Well, this is now a pleasant remembrance.

And you, O young Woman, you are now both Wife and Mistris your self; you are now wrested out of the command of your grinning and snarling narrow-soul’d Tutors (those hellish Curmugions) now you may freely, without controul, do all what you have a mind to; and receive therewith the friendly imbracings, and kind salutes of your best beloved.  Verily this must needs be a surpassing mirth.

And you, O new made husband, how tumble you now in wantonness! how willingly doth liberal Venus her self, open her fairest Orchard for you!  Oh you have a pleasure, that those which never tried, can in the least comprehend.

Well, make good use of your time, and take the full scope of your desires, in the pleasant clasping and caressing of those tender limbs; for after some few daies, it may be hungry care will come and open the Curtains of your bed; and at a distance shew you what reckonings you are to expect from the Jeweller, Gold-smith, Silk-man, Linnen-Draper, Vinter, Cook and others.

But on the t’other side again, you shall have the pleasure to hear your young Wife every moment sweetly discoursing that she must go with her Sister and her Aunt to buy houshold-stuf, Down-beds, dainty Plush and quilted Coverlets, with costly Hangings must be bought:  And then she will read to you, her new made Husband, such a stately Register, that both your joy of heart, and jingling purse shall have a fellouw-feeling of it.