Specimens of English literature from the 'Ploughmans crede' to the ...

330 XXVII. JOHN LYLY.burne obstinately to rebel against thee, or so wilful to perseuerin his wickednesse, Mat neither for feare of punishment,50 neither for hope of reward, he is any way to be reclaymed,then seeke out some mariage fit for his degree, which is thesurest bond of youth, and the strongest chayne to fetteraffections Mat can be found. Yet let his wife be such a oneas isneither much more noble in birth or far more richer inrs goods, but according to the wise saying : choose one eueryway, as necre as may be, equal in both: for they that dodesire great dowryes do rather mary themselues to the wealththen to their wife. But to returne to the matter, it is mostrequisite that fathers, both by their discreete counsayle, andx» also their honest conuersation, be an example of imitationto their children, Mat they seing in their parents, as it werein a glasse, the perfection of manners, they may be encouragedby their vpright lining to practise the like pietie. Forif a father rebuke his child of swearing, and he himselfe35 a blasphemor, doth he not see that in detecting his sonsvice, hee also noteth his owne ? If the father counsaile :heSonne to refrayne \^'ine as most vnwholsome, and drinkehimselfe immoderately, doth hee not as well reproue hisowne folly, as rebuke his sonnes } Age alway ought to10 be a myrrour for youth, for where olde age is impudent,there certeinly youth must needes be shamelesse ; where theaged haue no respect of their honorable and gray haires,there the young gallants haue litde regard of their honestbehauiour : and in one worde to conclude al, wher age isrs past grauity, ther youth is past grace. The sum of al wherwiihI would haue my Ephocbus endued, and how I wouldhaue him instructed, shal briefly appeare in this following.First, that he be of nonest parents, nursed of his mother,brought vp in such a place as is incorrupt, both for the ayre20 and manners, with such a person as is vndefiled, of great