Vertues common-wealth

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1878 edition. Excerpt: ...7 ' wa'tc to deceiue young wits with traines of loue, lime likes and et out tnc'r gay bodies to fight, as pleasing obiects fcUle 6rc soone to intrap the foule, that tender youth may make annaoul. tomie of miferie by their owne woes. A beautifull strumpet is an Adamant that drawes, a Panther that allures, and of the nature of quicke-silucr: for as this mettall doth mingle it felfe with gold wherefoeuer they mecte; fo they refpect nothing in a man but money, and on that fet their loue, and prize wealth before any intcrnall Vertue. For as they arc a painted continent of fiatterie, the Image of inconstancie, and the cabanet of euill: fo the habitation of fuch fcorpions, is likened to hell, Nodes at que dies fhitit atri Ianua ditis, night and day the gates stand open to receiue all commers, and by their fweete words and loofe maners, drawe foules to Gehenna. Thefe iette with heads alost, hung with rich abilliments, costly Icwels, and braue attire, when fetters for their feet, and manacles for their hands, were more feemlier for fuch fliameleffc Curtizans. Thefe arc as baites to take men, as hookes do fifhes, and as Hicna, flattereth when flic meaneth to kill, and the Crocodile weepe when Hie pretends murder: fo do they imbrace their loucr with a dagger in his bofome, and feede him with fweete words, wanton toyes, till they bring him into fooles paradize: but when the storms of aduerfitic begin to flow, their loue doth ebbe: and and whe my yong nouife his purfe is dried vp, the great fhew of loue doth abate: And therfore thefe mermaids may be fitly compared to glorious flowers, that haue stinking fmels, puft vp with pompe & lightnesse, and c5taine nothing within but deceit and treachery: in sight louely & sauerous: but in tast most...