The wordes of king Lamuel, and the lesson that his mother taught him.

What my sonne? what the sonne of my body? and what O my deare beloued sonne?

Geue not ouer thy strength & wayes vnto women, which are the destruction euen of kynges.

O Lamuel, it is not for kynges, it is not I say for kynges to drynke wine, nor princes strong drynke.

Lest they by drnkyng forget the lawe, and peruert the iudgement of all poore mens children.

Geue strong drynke vnto such as are redy to perishe, and wine vnto those that mourne:

That they may drynke it, and forget their miserie and aduersitie.

Be thou an aduocate for the dumbe, to speake in the cause of all such as be succourlesse in this transitorie worlde.

Open thy mouth, defende the thyng that is lawfull and ryght, and the cause of the poore and helpelesse.

Who so fyndeth an honest faythfull woman, she is much more worth then pearles.

The heart of her husbande may safely trust in her, so that he shall fall into no pouertie.

She wyll do hym good, and not euill, all the dayes of her lyfe.

She occupieth wooll and flaxe, and laboureth gladly with her handes.

She is like a marchauntes ship, that bryngeth her vittayles from a farre.

She is vp in the nyght season, to prouide meate for her housholde, and foode for her maydens.

She considereth lande, and byeth it: and with the fruite of her handes she planteth a vineyarde.

She girdeth her loynes with strength, and fortifieth her armes.

And yf she perceaue that her huswiferie doth good, her candell goeth not out by nyght.

She layeth her fingers to the spindle, & her hande taketh holde of the distaffe.

She openeth her hande to the poore, yea she stretcheth foorth her handes to such as haue neede.

She feareth not that the colde of wynter shall hurt her housholde, for all her housholde folkes are clothed with scarlet.

She maketh her selfe faire ornametes, her clothyng is white silke and purple.

Her husbande is much set by in the gates, when he sitteth among the rulers of the lande.

She maketh cloth of silke, and selleth it: and deliuereth girdles vnto the marchaunt.

Strength and honour is her clothing, and in the latter day she shall reioyce.

She openeth her mouth with wisdome, and in her tongue is the lawe of grace.

She loketh well to the wayes of her housholde: and eateth not her bread with idlenesse.

Her children arise vp & call her blessed: and her husbande shall make much of her.

Many daughters there be that gather riches together: but thou goest aboue them all.

As for fauour it is deceiptfull, & beautie is a vayne thyng: but a woman that feareth the Lorde, shalbe praysed.

Geue her of the fruite of her handes: and let her owne workes prayse her in the gates.