T H E
F I R S T   B O O K E
of Songes or Ayres

R O B E R T   I O N E S

1600

11. Women what are they ?

                 1 
       Women what are they ? changing weather-cocks,
       That smallest puffes of lust haue power to turne,
       Women what are they ? vertues stumbling blockes,
       Whereat weake fooles doe fall, the wiser spurne,
             We men what are wee ? fooles and idle boies,
             To spend our time in sporting with such toies.

                 2 
       Women what are they ? trees whose outward rinde
       Makes shew for faire when inward hart is hallow:
       Women what are they ? beasts of Hićnaes kinde,
       That speak those fairst, whom most they mean to swallow:
             We men what are wee ? fooles and idle boies,
             To spend our time in sporting with such toies.

                 3 
       Women what are they ? rocks vpon the coast,
       Where on we suffer shipwracke at our landings:
       Women what are they ? patient creatures most,
       That rather yeld them striue gainst ought withstanding.
             We men what are wee ? fooles and idle boies,
             To spend our time in sporting with such toies.