The poor Mans Councellor.
OR
The Marryed Mans Guide.
God have blest thee with a careful wife,
[?]ke my directions how to lead thy life,
[?]o riches thou do't want yet thou shalt find,
Far greater wealth in a contented mind;
Thy honest labour shall thy charge maintain,
Being truly got, not by unlawful gain.
To the Tune of, The poor mans Comfort.
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COme friend if thy leisure permit thee to stay,
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I'le teach the some precepts the same to obey,
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Now thou hast betaken thy self to a wife,
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How thou may'st live happy all days of thy life;
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Then take my directions though thou art but poor,
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I'le learn thee to keep out the wolf from the door.
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Tis not all mens fortune great Riches to have,
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And they that have little have most need to save,
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For Riches have wings and away they will flye,
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And leave them forsaken that once was so high,
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A little is better with peace and content,
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Then wealth in a bundance in misery spent.
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The wealth of the world doth too much bewitch,
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And they are too blame that make haste to be rich,
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For goods ill-gotten like Snow-balls will waste,
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And he that was rich shall be poor at the last;
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Therefore be content with a lowly degree,
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And good will provide for thy Children and thee.
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If thou haste a wife that is loving and kind,
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Great comfort in her at all times thou wilt find,
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What ever betide thee she will bear a share,
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And help to advise thee in woe and wel-fare,
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Then strive not her patience all to provoke,
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But freely submit to draw both in one yoak.
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A wife that is froward I do not commend,
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What thou dost take pains for she'l lavishly spend,
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And do what thou can'st for to humour her still,
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She'l hold thee in scorn if she want of her will,
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Make much of thy wife that is loving and chaste,
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For she will be saving and fearful to waste.
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Each morning when thou dost thy labour begin,
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Have God in thy mind 'twill keep thee from sin,
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A penny hard earned since it is thy lot,
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Will do thee more good then a pound that's ill got,
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Then labour to thrive by the sweat of thy brows,
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For that's the best way all honest men knows.
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If God give a blessing that Children you have,
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The more you must labour in time for to save,
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And do not you murmer and count them a charge,
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The better you'l thrive and your stock will inlarge,
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Twill be a great comfort thy Children to see,
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If that they obedient and dutiful be.
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Let no man intice thee thy money to waste,
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Be careful to spare and lay up what thou haste,
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Whoever shall ask thee, he is not thy friend,
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To go to the Ale-house thy money to spend,
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Avoide such bad courses as bring them to want,
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And thou shalt have plenty when others have scant.
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Lew'd houses and Gameing be sure that thou shun,
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There's many frequent them and so are undone,
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By such bad companions a man that's misled
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May quickly be brought to a morsel of bread,
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A cup of good liquor at home with they wife,
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Will cheat up your hearts and prevent further strife.
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Be courteous and kind to thy Neighbours about
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And then they will love thee thou need'st not to doubt
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Avoid all contention with strife and debate,
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For that will procure thee all honest mens hate,
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Be civil to all men as they are to thee,
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Then kindly respected thou shurely shalt be.
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If times do prove hard and money be scant,
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Then labour for little before thou dost want,
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And thankfully take whatsoever God sends,
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As times do grow better it will make amends,
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A dinner of herbs with content serves as well,
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As all the rich dainties in which far doth excell.
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When thou for thy labour some moeny hast got,
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Besure do not spend it in tossing the put,
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Make haste to thy wife and thy children small,
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And that will supply when they for bread do call,
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'Twould be a great grief to the whilst thou dost live
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To hear thy babes cry and have nothing to give.
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What ever affliction befall thee or thine,
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Yet do not thou murmer or seem to repine,
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For God that hath given thee means to subsist
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Can take it away whensoever he list,
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Therefore be contented what ever betide,
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Submit with all patience and God will provide.
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Take care to rember what here I have told,
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And value it dearer then silver or Gold,
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When thou art inclined to wander astray,
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Perhaps it may bring thee into the right way,
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And by thy example all others may be,
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'Tis good to be careful and live honestly.
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