Elizabeth Fools warning being a true and most perfect relation of all that has happened to her since her marriage. Being a caveat for all young women to marry with old men. / By Elizabeth With of Woodbridge. 1659 Approx. 15 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 9 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2011-12 (EEBO-TCP Phase 2). A96737 Wing W3139 Thomason E2122_1 ESTC R210157 99868982 99868982 170577

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 Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A96737) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 170577) Images scanned from microfilm: (Thomason Tracts ; 242:E2122[1]) Elizabeth Fools warning being a true and most perfect relation of all that has happened to her since her marriage. Being a caveat for all young women to marry with old men. / By Elizabeth With of Woodbridge. [4], 12 p. : ill. Printed for Francis Coles in the Old-Baily, London : 1659. In verse. Text in black letter. Annotation on Thomason copy: "July July 1st". Reproduction of the original in the British Library.

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 eng Marriage -- Humor -- Early works to 1800. 2020-09-21 Content of 'availability' element changed when EEBO Phase 2 texts came into the public domain 2010-08 Assigned for keying and markup 2010-09 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2010-10 Sampled and proofread 2010-10 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2011-06 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

ELIZABETH FOOLS WARNING, Being a true and moſt perfect relation of all that has happened to her ſince her marriage.

Being a Caveat for all young women to marry with old men.

Experientia docet.

By Elizabeth With of Woodbridge.

London, Printed for Francis Coles in the Old-Baily. 1659.

woman with a nosegay

How my old Naboth rejoyceth over his Conqueſt. MY old wife hath hang'd her ſelf, as you may underſtand, Now I have got a young wife, ile bring her to my hand. By my old wife, 'tis true, a houſe I did inherit, With my young wiſe I had nothing but a deviliſh ſpirit. Her ile curb, and keep under, and lock her out of door, Take away her meat and drink, and never love her more. It was my Siſters counſel, that I ſhould uſe her ſo, Though ſhe her ſelf doth Lord it, and what ſhe liſts will do. My ſiſter is a proud dame, and hath ſtore of riches, And while her huſband liv'd ſhe alwayes wore the britches. My daughter is a Goldſmiths wife, and lives on Tower Hill, Her huſband is a loving man, and lets her have her will. My wife ſhall not ſo fool me, her cloaths ſhe ſhall not weare, Becauſe ſhe brought me nothing, O take them daughter Dear.
Her Anſwer. HUſband, for portion, 'tis true, I brought you none, I could have been without you, had you let me alone. You cry'd me in the Market, fie for ſhame, wherefore? Yet ſure I am it was not my cloaths for to reſtore. You know full well my ſilk gown I never wore two houres, And though your daughter wears it, ſhe's gay but with my flowers. Have I fine cloaths, I am content, or it I have none I hope all will be for the beſt. though my cloaths be gone. Whether I have ſomething, or nothing to inherit, Yet to a low condition I can frame my Spirit. It's not wealth or riches I ſo much require, But Grace, Vertue, Goodneſſe above all I deſire: Let husband, ſiſter, daughter all againſt me conſpire, God turn their hearts, and kéep them from hells tormenting fire.
Elizabeth Fools Warning. ALl you young women that live here in health Marry not with old men, hoping to get wealth. For riches have wings, and flie like the wind, I married for riches, but none could I find. Were I now to marry, learn would I more wit, For now I am forced my living to get. I married in youth, a man ſtruck in age, Who vowed fond love, but fell into rage: Inſtead of a kiſſe, I oft got a Ban, And many a curſ'd blow from my old man: Oh, fooliſh, ſimple, Eve, hadſt thou béen wiſe, Thou mights have liv'd on earthly Paradiſe; But now thou mayeſt repent, alas, too late, Yet be contented with this thy mean eſtate. When I in Woodbridge liv'd a maid, All my good fortunes were betraid, By an ancient widower living nigh, Who caſt on me a deceitful eye; He ſaid, if I would be his wife, That I should live a happy life; My Dame her councel did me give, And ſaid how bravely I might live; And if now young, I let my Fortune flip, I never should at ſuch a brave match tip: For then he told me flat and plain, That neatly he would me maintain. His promiſes then did pleaſe me well, I loved to go fine I muſt you tell, Oh! I was fowly cheated by this old ſlim, And on a Palmſunday was married to him Unknown unto my kindred all On ſlippery yce I then did fall. I had not béen married one moneth unto him But in the Seas of ſorrow I daily did ſwim; That better have lived I might in a Iayle, He and his children did at me ſo rail: Both he and his Siſter at me did ſcoffe, My Peacocks feathers they ſoon pluckt off: Inſtead of ſmiles he gave me a frown In his locking up my beſt ſilk gown, Which with my petty-coats ſo neatly wrought Into his Siſters Cheſt after he brought; Which She lockt up upon that ſcore That I ſhould never have them more. How? patient Griſill what doſt thou now ſay? Art thou contented with thy Gown of gray? How canſt thou chuſe but mourn and wéep, Whilſt this proud Peacock doth thy Feathers keep? Fall down on thy knées to thy ſiſter unkind, Perhaps that may pleaſe her ambitious mind. Thy husband will rejoyce when he doth know That thereby she hath humbled thee ſo low. What ſhall I bend unto that Foe? Who is the cauſe of all my woe; That by the frs of her falſe lip Is the chief cauſe if backward I ſlip. When firſt theſe waſps at me did flie Then I would ſit me down and cry: And many dayes I ſpent my tears in vain, At length I left this crying ſtrain: And when old Naboth plaid his part, I did get patient Griſills heart. The firſt year a ſon by him I had Which made the old mans heart full ſad; He wrung his hands and wiſhed his fleſh might rot If ever another childe he got. But within two years after By him I did conceive a daughter, And when he ſaw I did increaſe his flock, Vpon his chamber door he hung a lock For fear it ſhould conſume his malting ſtock; I aſkt him then why he was ſo unkinde, His anſwer was he would leave no beggars behinde; I wiſh him of that minde, that I no more may have Till his old proper perſon be laid deep in the grave: When I to him (by marriage) was bound, By me he had a piece of fruitful ground. He has my youthful building very much defac'd And many years hath laid my ground in waſte. I pray then old man think of it not ill If another ſhould thy Summer-land Till: But truly I deſire no other man But my own dear husband if I can. Paul doth exhort the woman to give her huſband no offence, And eke the husband to give his wife due benevolence. But woe to them I ſay, by whom offences come, 'Twere better for them they had never béen born unleſſe it had been done.
How Elizabeth Foole and her husband parted by means of her Siſter in Law. I Lived with my old man full nigh ten year, But at laſt (upon condition) I parted from my dear. He and his ſiſter (yearly) were content To allow me forty ſhillings to pay my rent. I had but ſix pence in my purſe which was to buy me bread: And then I went to be a nurſe, my body for to féed. Vnto a poor woman, nurſe, was I, as you may underſtand: And always to her work was nigh, and ready at her command. Then did I go to houſe-keeping which is the beſt of all: Three weeks I lay upon a mat turn'd up againſt a wall. His Siſter lent me her flock bed, my patience for to prove: But I return'd it her again, flox choak her for her love. Sometimes I did get ſowing work, and ſometimes I got none: Had not my ſon Thomas ſupply'd my wants full hungry had I gone. Now when a whole year was almoſt ſpent, I aſk't my money to pay my rent: But he ſaid one penny be would not give For to maintain me whil'ſt I do live. Yet here is a bone for the old man to knaw, If he will it not me give, ile have it by Law. All you that be diſpoſed to abuſe me with your tongue, I pray firſt conſider whether I have done the wrong; And look home to your own hearts, and there perhaps you may ſee Your minds incline to wandring thoughts as much as others be. Farewel.
A true relation compoſed by her, after their parting, of all her ſufferings by him. WHen as I ſet alone, and harm to none did mean, I thought upon my ſorrows all, On them I made this theame. Dear husband pity me, do not my ſuit diſdain, But grant me ſome relief and mine own cloaths again. It is ten years ago ſince firſt I loved thee, But thy love's fled away by the falſe fealouſie. When we firſt married were as other Couples be, Within one ſix weeks time thou toldſt thy minde to me: Then of a Cherry got from off thy Cherry-tree, Thou ferchſt a pail of water then and pour'd it all on me; Then I ſate dreeping there, almoſt wet to the skin: This was my old man's love to make me a wonderlin. When he rail'd here and there. then the wicked bent their bowe; Thou haſt made my head to ake with many a bitter blowe. Thus you began your pranks, and ſo did uſe your ſpight, You ſold one houſe away, to wrong me of my right. Then you ſold your houſhold-ſtuff, and theſe were your bad tricks, Now your heart is grown ſo tough you have turn'd me to my ſhifts. You took away my bread, and locked up my drink; Was not this a wofull croſs, let all my neighbours think? You took away my bed, which cauſed me to cry; Yet all the Town ſhall plainly ſée, ile bear it patiently. Then I lay on the mat many a cold Winters night; And yet I am in health though you did uſe your ſpight. You took my cloaths from me, for them I make great moane, There's all I gain'd by thée, now all my gain is gone: Then did you let your houſe away to drive me out of door. I was fain to hire one roome, you have made me now ſo poor. Thus you uſed all the meanes to make me a diſdein, For full ſeven yeares of this ten you did my bed refreine. Though I no cauſe you gave, nor nothing you could finde, It was to try my conſtancy you bore this knaviſh minde. Then did you to Berry ride, your bad cauſe to maintain; Like an old fool you went, ſo you came home againe. Thus you ride here and there with your envious face. Now were it in your power, you would me quite diſgrace. Though ſome words I did ſpeak, ſuch déeds I nere did none: You with your writings large. did make a knaviſh moan. Oh have not ſuch a minde, nor be not in a rage: Do not ſeek here to bind the ſtaffe of your old age. Though your dart pierce my heart, though your déeds me provoke: I have a heart fit for your dart, and prepared for your ſtroke. And though you leave me hear, and nothing to inherit: It is not all your cruelty ſhall ever curb my ſpirit. Let railing Shimeon curſe, let Naboth ſtrike his ſtroke; Now Devil do thy worſt, I have an heart of Oak. But if thou loving be, ile be the ſame to thee; Come kiſſe thine own Betty and then lets both agrée. It I like Tamar ſhould do that which is not good; I may thank my old Judas that makes me live ſo long in widowhood. Judith judg'd Tamar to be burnt for ſin, When he himſelf was the main cauſe therein.
Elizabeth Fools ſorrowful journey. WHen I did firſt to London go, By hand was fill'd with care and woe. I hired a horſe, I do it not deny, For when the ſeas were dangerous, I would not go in a hoy. But had I thought my journy would have béen ſo croſſe, I would have gone on foot, & not rid on a horſe. I pray good people do not believe, what ſome falſely do ſay, That I am with the horſes Maſter rid quite away. To run away with a married man, is a thing which I much ſcorn; But I was willing to ride of his horſe to have my charges born. Now in this City I abide, and he is gone over the main: I wiſh good fortune him beſide, till he come home again. Vpon the road as I did ride, this councel I did him give: When he returned home again, with his own wife to live. I never adviſed him in all my life to live with me from his own wife, Although I love to laugh, jeſt, and be merry, Yet of ſuch kinde of ſnares I will be wary. Many perſons are apt to ſpie the mote that's in anothers eye: But when the beam is in their own their evil déeds ſhall not be known Now may your neighbours judge and ſay, That you made one wife hang her ſelf, and the other goe away. I care not for friend nor kin, if I ſée they ſlight me: 'Tis not all their angry looks which ſhall here afright me. For if God doth lend me health I can live without their wealth. Let the toad and the ſpider ſpit poyſon their fill, Yet the ſnake and the Adder ſhall nere have their will.
FINIS.