Tis not otherwise:
OR:
The praise of a married life.
To the tune of, I'le never love thee more.
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A Young man lately did complaine
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because that he was wed:
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And counsel'd others to abstaine
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from Hymeneal bed:
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Had years but given him man-like thoughts,
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he'ed not bin so unwise,
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For wives increase mans happines,
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then T'is not otherwise .
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What joy is there upon the earth
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but Mariage makes it more,
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It is to man a second birth.
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and openeth the doore
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To happines, and such delight
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that none but they comprize:
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They pleasures have both day and night,
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then t'is not otherwise .
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When I was single I did stray
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in heart, in words, and life,
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But I have found a better way
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I thanke my loving wife:
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I now live free from all suspect,
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and many wicked lyes,
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The good I wisht, hath tooke effect,
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then t'is not otherwise.
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Much company I us'd to keepe,
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before I had a wife.
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The memory doth make me weepe,
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for t'was a wicked life:
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Such comfort now at home I finde,
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from Mariage to arise,
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I wish all men were in my minde,
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then t'is not otherwise.
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Unthrifty games I now have left
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as Tables, Cards and Dice,
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That oft hath me of wealth bereft,
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I curse no Ace, nor Sice:
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I do not now the Cards bid burne,
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that made my anger rise,
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A wife hath caused me to turne
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then t'is not otherwise
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So civill I am growne of late
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since that I made my choice,
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I hate each swearing swaggering mate,
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which makes me to rejoyce:
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The company I now do keepe,
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are honest men and wise,
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That not with drinke, but sence do sleepe,
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then t'is not otherwise.
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No Constable nor watch feare I,
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that cryeth Who goes there?
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I doe not reele, but soberly
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can passe them void of care:
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I use no caudels in the morne,
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I drinke not out mine eyes,
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My wife hath made me these to scorne,
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then t'is not otherwise.
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This diet makes me to forget
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the head-ach that some have,
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Which makes them for all things unfit,
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(to drinke I am no slave.)
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Those men their vertue hath out-worne,
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that drinke doth so disguise,
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My wife hath made me this to scorne,
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then t'is not otherwise.
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The second part. To the same tune.
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A Gainst I from my labour come,
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my wife provides me meat:
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When I was single none at home,
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found I, or what to eate.
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At sight of me she layes the cloath,
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and then for meat she hies,
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Which makes me to forget all sloath,
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then t'is not otherwise.
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If I seeme discontent with ought,
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she kindly prayes me tell,
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If that it may be beg'd or bought,
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(or where it is to sell:)
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That would me please, & merry make:
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the teares stand in her eyes
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Till I my discontent forsake:
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then t'is not otherwise.
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It is a comfort for to see,
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good women meeke and mild,
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That to her come in charity,
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when that she is with child:
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They comfort her if she do sound,
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one for strong water hies,
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And so their husbands healths drinke round,
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then t'is not otherwise.
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When that she doth in child-bed lye.
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the neighbours in their love,
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Will with her sit, and pleasantly
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to mirth they doe her move:
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By christning of my little lad
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I did in credit rise:
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All this by my good wife I had,
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then t'is not otherwise.
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For gossiping they send in meat,
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would well serve forty men.
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As good as any man can eate,
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for mutton, pig, or hen;
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They eate not halfe but leave it me,
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there profit doth arise:
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This cometh by a wife you see,
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then t'is not otherwise.
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One gives a peece, and one a spoone
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unto my pretty childe,
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And wish that ere tomorrow noone,
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their cradles to be fil'd
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With such a pretty child as this:
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joy there to me doth rise,
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Had I no wife all this I misse,
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then t'is not otherwise.
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The babe doth grow, and quickly speake,
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this doth increase my joy,
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To heare it tattle, laugh, and squeake,
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I smile and hug the boy:
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I with it play with great delight,
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and hush it when it cryes,
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And ever with it in my sight,
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then t'is not otherwise.
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All Batchelors I wish you wed,
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if merry you would live,
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A single man is oft misled,
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and seldome doth he thrive:
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I liv'd before, but better now,
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my joy and wealth arise,
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To live well I have showne you how,
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then t'is not otherwise.
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