A married state affords but little ease:
The best of husbands are so hard to please
This in wifes Carefull faces you may spell,
Tho they desemble their misfortunes well
A virgin state is crown'd with much content,
It's allways happy as it's inocent
No Blustering husbands to create your fears,
No pangs of child birth to extort your tears,
No children's crys for to offend your ears,
Few worldly crosses to distract your prayers
Thus are you freed from all the cares that do
Attend on matrymony and a husband too.
Therefore, madam, be advised by me:
This is a religious reference to Jesus carrying the cross, and has become embedded in the English language. Having a ‘cross to bear’ (John 11:17)means having a lifelong problem which one just has to live with.
A Married State