not expect to find Persons describ’d as they really are, but rather
according to what they are thought to be like.

This Censure may be thought hard; but yet it leaves Room for some
Exceptions: And that I may do Justice to Merit, where it is really
due, I shall here set down one of those Characters, which seem’d to me
to be exquisite in its Kind. And this I shall the rather do, because
the Book it self is not in every body’s Hands. The Image is taken from
low Life; ’tis a beautiful Description of Nature in its greatest
Simplicity, and ’tis the more beautiful because ’tis natural.

A fayre and happy MILKE MAID.

Is a Country Wench, that is so farre from making herselfe
beautifull by Art, that one Looke of hers is able to put all
_Face-Physicke_ out of Countenance. Shee knowes a fayre Looke is but
a dumbe Orator to commend Vertue, therefore mindes it not. All her
Excellencies stand in her so silently, as if they had stolne upon her
without her Knowledge. The Lining of her Apparell (which is her selfe)
is farre better than Outsides of Tissew: for tho’ shee be not arraied
in the Spoyle of the Silke Worme, shee is deckt in Innocency, a far
better Wearing. Shee doth not, with lying long a Bed, spoile both her
Complexion and Conditions; Nature hath taught her, _too immoderate
Sleepe is rust to the Soul_: She rises therefore with _Chaunticleare_
her Dames Cocke, and at Night makes the Lambe her _Corfew_. In milking
a Cow, and straining the Teates through her Fingers, it seemes that so
sweet a Milke-Presse makes the Milke the whiter, or sweeter; for never
came Almond Glove or Aromatique Oyntment on her Palme to taint it. The
golden Eares of Corn fall and kisse her Feete when shee reapes them,
as if they wisht to be bound and led Prisoners by the same Hand that