Classic Poem

" A RE women ffaire? " I! wonderous ffaire to see too.
" are women sweete? " yea, passing [sweete] they be too;
most ffaire & sweete to them tha t only loue them;
chast & discreet to all saue those tha t proue them.

" Are women wise? " not wise; but they be wittye.
" are women wittye? " yea, the more the pittye;
they are soe wittye, & in witt soe whylye,
tha t be you neare soe wise, they will beguile ye.

" are women ffooles? " not ffooles, but ffondlings many.
" can women ffound be ffathfull vnto any? "
when snow-white swans doe turne to colour sable,
then women ffond will both be ffirme & stable.

" Are women S ain ts? " no saints, nor yett no diuells.
" are women good? " not good, but needfull euills;
soe Angell-like, tha t diuells I doe not doubt them;
soe needffull euills, tha t ffew can liue w i th-out them.

" Are women proud? " I! passing proud, & praise them.
" are women kind? " I! wonderous kind, & please them,
or soe imperyous, no man can endure them,
or soe kind-harted, any may p ro cure them.