Poor man's counsel, or, The married man's guide/The Poor Man's Counsel: Or, the Married Man's Guide

The poor Man's Counſel: Or, the
Married Man's Guide.

COme friend if thy leaſure permits thee to ſtay,
I'll teach thee ſome precepts the ſame to obey,
Now thou haſt betaken thyſelf to a wife,
How thou may'ſt live happy all the days of thy life.
Then take my directions altho' thou art poor,
It will learn thee to keep the wolf from the door.

It's not all men's fortune great riches to have,
But they that have little have moſt need to ſave;
For riches have wings and away they will fly,
and leave them forſaken that once were ſo high,
A little is better with peace and content,
Than wealth and abundance in miſery ſpent.

The wealth of this world doth many bewitch,
And they're all to blame who make haſte to be rich,
For riches ill got like ſnow-balls do waſte;
And he that is rich will be poor at the laſt,
Therefore be content with a lowly degree,
And God will provide in due time you will ſee.

If thou haſt a wife that is loving and kind,
Great comfort at all times in her thou ſhalt find,
Whatever betide thee ſhe will bear a ſhare,
And help to adviſe thee in woe or welfare.
Then ſtrive not her patience at all to provoke,
But freely ⟨ſubmit⟩ to draw both in one yoke.

⟨A⟩ wife that is froward I do not commend,
What thou doſt take of pains ſhe'll laviſhly ſpend,
And do what thou can'ſt to humour her ſtill,
She'll hold you in ſcorn if ſhe wants of her will,
Make much of that wife that is loving and chaſte,
And ſhe will be ſaving and fearful to waſte.

Each morning when thou doſt thy labour begin,
Have God in thy mind, it will keep thee from ſin,
A penny hard earned, ſince it is thy lot,
Will do thee more good than a pound that's ill got,
Then labour to thrive by the ſweet of thy brow,
For that's the beſt way all honeſt men know.

If God give a bleſſing that children you have,
The more you muſt labour for them to ⟨ſave⟩,
And do not murmur and count them a charge:
The better you'll thrive and your ſtock will enlarge,
It will be great comfort thy children to ſee,
If that they obedient and dutiful be.

Let no man entice thee thy money to waſte,
Be careful to ſpend, and lay up what thou haſt,
Whoever ſhall aſk thee he is not thy friend,
To go to the ale-houſe thy money to ſpend;
Avoid ſuch bad courſes which bring thee to want,
And thou ſhalt have plenty when others have ſcant.

Lewd houſes and gaming be ſure that you ſhun,
There's many frequents them and ſo are undone,
By ſuch bad companions if a man is miſled,
May quickly be brought to a morſel of bread,
A cup of good liquor at home with your wife,
It will cheer up your heart and prevent further ſtrife.

Be courteous and kind to neighbours about,
And then they will love thee thou need not doubt,
Avoid all contention with ſtrife and debate,
For that will produce thee an honeſt man's hate,
Be civil to all men as they are to thee,
Then kindly reſpected thou ſhalt ſurely be.

If times do grow hard and money be ſcant,
Then labour for little before that you want,
And thankfully take whatever God ſends,
As times do grow better it will make amends,
A dinner of herbs with content ſerves as well,
As all the rich dainties which far does excel.

When thou for thy labour ſome money has got,
Be ſure do not ſpend it in toſſing the pot,
Make haſte to thy wife and children ſmall,
And that will ſupply them when for bread they call.
’Twould be a great grief to thee whilſt thou doſt live,
To hear the babes cry and have nothing to give.

Whatever affliction befal thee or thine,
Then do thou not murmur or ſeem to repine,
For God who hath given thee means to ſubſiſt,
Can take it away whenſoever he liſt.
Wherefore be contented whatever betide,
Submit with all patience and God will provide.

Take care to remember what here I have told,
And value it better than ſilver or gold,
When you are inclined to wander and ſtray,
Perhaps this may bring you into the right way.
And by your example all others may ſee,
It is good to be careful and live honeſtly.