This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

23

The doctor advised the husband to go into the country, and stay with his uncle for a fortnight, and then return home: but he ordered it so, that the last day's journey might be an easy one; and the wife had notice of his coming she dressed herself in all the gaiety she could devise; and had a good supper of light digestion, ready to put on the table at his arrival; exposing to his view her fine ivory neck and lily bosom bare. And three hours after supper she counselled him to bed, where to take his rest awhile. Then being both awake, he laid his hand upon the mount of Venus, and talked to her all the soft things which love could dictate to him and when he by such amorous discourses, had wrought his spirits up to the highest pitch, then to fall on, and feast himself with love's delightful daintes. In short, the doctor's counsel was observed as a nicety, and the success answered their expectations; and not themselves alone, that others too have found its efficacious effects.

Now tell me all ye enemies to Marriage, what pleasure can a man imagine is greater than for a man thus to give his