Classic Poem

If duty, wife, lead thee to deem
That trade most fit I hold most dear,
First, God regard, next me esteem,
Our children then respect thou near.

Our house both sweet and cleanly see,
Order our fare, thy maids keep short;
Thy mirth with mean well mixed be;
Thy courteous parts in chaste wise sort.

In sober weed thee cleanly dress;
When joys me raise, thy cares down cast;
When griefs me seize, thy solace cease;
Whoso me friend, friend them as fast.

In peace give place, whatso I say;
Apart complain, if cause thou find;
Let liberal lips no trust bewray,
Nor jealous humour pain thy mind.

If I thee wrong, thy griefs unfold;
If thou me vex, thine error graunt;
To seek strange toils be not too bold;
The strifeless bed no jars may haunt.

Small sleep and early prayer intend;
The idle life, as poison, hate;
No credit light nor much speech spend;
In open place no cause debate.

No thwarts, no frowns, no grudge, no strife;
Eschew the bad, embrace the best;
To troth of word join honest life,
And in my bosom build thy nest.