1 Euery Dame affects good fame, what ere her doings be :
But true prayse is Vertues Bayes, which none may werae but she.
Borrow'd guise fits not the wise, a simple look is best :
Natiue grace becomes a face, though ne'er so rudely drest.
Now such new-found toyes are sold these women to disguise,
That before the yeare growes old the newest fashion dyes.
2 Dames of yore contended more in goodnesse to exceede,
Then in pride to be enui'd for that which least they neede :
Little Lawne then seru'd the Pawne, if Pawne at all there were;
Home-spun thread, and houshold bread then held out all the yeare :
But th'attyres of women now weare out both house and land,
That the wiues in silkes may flow at ebbe the Good-men stand.
3 Once agen Astrea then from heau'n to earth descend,
And vouchsafe in their behalfe these errours to amend :
Aid from heau'n n.use make all eeu'n, things are so out of frame;
For let man striue all he can, hee needes must please his Dame.
Happy man content that giues, and what hee giues enioyes ;
Happy Dame content that liues, and breakes no sleepe for toyes.
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www.harald-lillmeyer.kulturserver.de