T H E
F I R S T   B O O K E
of Songes or Ayres

R O B E R T   I O N E S

1600

14. If fathers knew.

                      1 
       If fathers knew but how to leaue
       Their children wit as they do wealth,
       And could constraine them to receiue
       That physicke which brings perfect health,
             The world would not admiring stand,
             A womans face and womans hand.

                      2 
       Women confesse they must obey,
       We men will needes be seruants still:
       We kisse their hands and what they say,
       We must commend bee't neuer so ill.
             Thus we like fooles admiring stand,
             Her pretty foote and pretty hand.

                      3 
       We blame their pride which we increase,
       By making mountaines of a mouse:
       We praise because we know we please,
       Poore women are too credulous.
             To thinke that we admiring stand,
             Or foote, or face, or foolish hand.