The poor Mans Counsellor,
OR,
The marryed mans Guide.
If God have blest thee with a careful wife
Take my directions how to lead thy life,
Tho Riches thou dost 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.
Tune of, The Poor Man's Comfort,
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COme friend if thy leisure permit thee to stay,
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Ile teach thee some precepts the same to obey,
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Now thou hast betaken thyself to a Wife
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How thou maist live happy all daies of thy life,
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Then take my directions tho thou art but poor
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He learn thee to keep 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 fly
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And leave them forsaken that once were so high,
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A little is better with peace and content
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[Th]en wealth in abundance in misery spent.
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The wealth of the world doth too many bewitch
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And they are too blame that make hast to be rich
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For goods ill gotten like snow-balls will wast
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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 God will provide in due time you shall see.
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If thou hast 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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Whatever betide thee she will bear a share
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And help to advize thee in woe or welfare,
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Then strive not her patience at all to provoke
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But freely submit to draw both in a 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 canst for to humor 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 chast
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For she will be saving and fearful to wast.
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Each morning when thou dost thy labor 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 than a pound thats ill got,
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Then labour to thrive by the sweat of thy brows
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For thats 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 murmure & count them a charge
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The better you'l thrive, & our 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 wast
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Be careful to spare and lay up what thou hast
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Whoever shall ask thee, he is not thy friend
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To go to the Alehouse thy money to spend,
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Avoid such bad courses as bring men to want
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And thou shalt have plenty when others have scant.
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Lewd houses and Gaming be sure that you shun
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Ther'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 thy wife
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Will chear up your hearts, & 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 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 surely shalt be,
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If times do prove hard and Money be scant,
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Then labour for little before you do 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 which far doth excel.
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When thou for thy labour some Money hast got,
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Be sure do not spend it in tossing the pot,
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Make haste to thy wife and 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 thee whilst thou dost live
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To hear thy Babes cry and have nothing to give.
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Whatever affliction befall thee or thine,
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Yet do not thou murmur or seem to repine,
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For God that hath given thee mean to subsist
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Can take it away whensoever he list,
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Therefore be contented whatever betide,
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Submit with all patience and God will provide.
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Take care to remember 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 see,
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'Tis good to be careful and live honestly.
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