choreas_; these men are too distrustful and much to
blame, to use such speeches, [5937]_Parcite paucorum diffundere, crimen in
omnes_. "They must not condemn all for some." As there be many bad, there
be some good wives; as some be vicious, some be virtuous. Read what Solomon
hath said in their praises, Prov. xiii. and Siracides, cap. 26 et 30,
"Blessed is the man that hath a virtuous wife, for the number of his days
shall be double. A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband, and she shall
fulfil the years of his life in peace. A good wife is a good portion" (and
xxxvi. 24), "an help, a pillar of rest," _columina quietis_, [5938] _Qui
capit uxorem, fratrem capit atque sororem_. And 30, "He that hath no wife
wandereth to and fro mourning." _Minuuntur atrae conjuge curae_, women are
the sole, only joy, and comfort of a man's life, born _ad usum et lusum
hominum, firmamenta familiae_,

[5939] "Delitiae humani generis, solatia vitae.
Blanditiae noctis, placidissima cura diei,
Vota virum, juvenum spes," &c.

[5940]"A wife is a young man's mistress, a middle age's companion, an old
man's nurse:" _Particeps laetorum et tristium_, a prop, a help, &c.

[5941] "Optima viri possessio est uxor benevola,
Mitigans iram et avertens animam ejus a tristitia."

"Man's best possession is a loving wife,
She tempers anger and diverts all strife."

There is no joy, no comfort, no sweetness, no pleasure in the world like to
that of a good wife,

[5942] "Quam cum chara domi conjux, fidusque maritus
Unanimes degunt"------

saith our Latin Homer, she is still the same in sickness and in health, his
eye, his hand, his bosom friend, his partner at all times, his other self,
not to be separated by any calamity, but ready to share all sorrow,
discontent, and as the Indian women do, live and die with him, nay more, to
die presently for him. Admetus, king of Thessaly, when he lay upon his
death-bed, was told by Apollo's Oracle, that if he could get anybody to die
for him, he should live longer yet, but when all refused, his parents,
_etsi decrepiti_, friends and followers forsook him, Alcestus, his wife,
though young, most willingly undertook it; what more can be desired or
expected? And although on the other side there be an infinite number of bad
husbands (I should rail downright against some of them), able to discourage
any women; yet there be some good ones again, and those most observant of
mar