And this all
to the glory of your relations, and joy of your dearly Beloved.

* * * * *

[Illustration: Folio 102. _Published by the Navarre Society, London._]

THE SIXTH PLEASURE.

_Care is taking for the Child and Child-bed linnen; and to provide a
Midwife and Nurse._

In good truth it is very pleasant to see how the good womans Apron
from day to day, how longer the more it rises; now all the World may
plainly see you have behaved your self like a man, and every one
acknowledge that you are both good for the sport. Verily this is a
great pleasure! And it increases abundantly, when your wife comes to
be so near her reckoning, that she feels her self quick, and begins to
provide and take care for the Childs and Child-bed linnen. Then you
need not fear the turning of the tide, or that a mischance will
happen; wherewith all people, seeing no other issue, laugh and scoff
unmeasurably; and think that the Midwife hath been greased in the fist
(as it oftentimes happens) because she should say, that it was a full
created child, and no collection of ill humors, or a wind-egg.

And the greatest joy is, that you have now so hoisted your top-sail,
that your wife cannot any more call you a _Dry-boots_, or a _John
Cannot_; which were for you such disrespectfull names, and yet for
quietness sake you were forced to smother them in your breast, because
you could have no witnesse for your vindication.

You are now so far exalted, that you will very speedily be saluted
with the name of _Dad_ & _Pappa_; which is as pleasing and acceptable
for you now, as the name of _Bridegroom_ was before.

O how happy you are! & what pleasures doth the married estate provide
for you! how glad must your wife be now! how strictly she reckons the
months, nay the very weeks and days! O what an unexpressible love hath
she for you now! and with what imbraces and kisses she entertains you,
because you have furnish'd her shop so well! Now you may perceive that
the procreating of children, makes the band of wedlock much stronger,
and increaseth the affections.

Now were it well time, that by death either of the good woman or the
Child, that you did, by a will, seek the mortification of the
disadvantagious Contract of marriage; and by that means get all there
is to your self, in place of going back to her friends and relations;
But, alas, she hath so much in her head at present, that there is no
speaking to her ab