A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong [men] retain riches.
Ver. 16. A gracious woman retaineth honour.] Such a one as is set forth in Lemuel's lesson, Pro 31:10-31 such as was Sarah, Deborah, Abigail, Esther, Queen Elizabeth, of whom a great French princess gave this eulogium, that she was gloriosissima, et omnium quae unquam sceptrum gesserunt felicissima femina, the bravest and happiest woman that ever swayed sceptre. a Piety, sobriety, purity, charity, and chastity - maugre the venomous tongues of all hell born slanderers, such as Sanders, Rhiston, and other Romish railers, and dead dogs that barked against her b - were her inseparable companions; never suffering any lady to approach her sacred presence of whose stain she had but the least suspicion.
And strong men retain riches.] By their industry and good husbandry: that they may maintain their wives' honour, and bear up their port according to their place. Others render it, Improbi apprehendunt divitias. Wicked men catch at wealth, sc., in the choice of their wives. And indeed among suitors, both in love and in law, money is a common meddler, and commonly drives the bargain and business to an upshot.
“ Protlnus ad censum: de moribus ultima fiat
Quaestio. ” - Juvenal.
“Good enough, if goods enough.”
a Thuan. Hist., lib. cxxiv.
b Sanderus Lupam Anglicanam appellat. Rhistonus Nostram Leoenam, &c. Speed, 1236.