XXIV. The noble Pittacus, so famous for his Valour, and as much renowned for his Wisdom and Justice, feasted upon a time certain of his Friends, who were strangers; his Wife coming in at the midst of Dinner, being angry at something else, overthrew the Table, and tumbled down all the Provision under foot; now when his Guests were wonderfully dismayed, & abashed there∣at; Pittacus undisturbed at the matter, turned to them & said; There is not one of us all but he hath his Cross, and one thing or other wherewith to exercise his patience, and for my own part this is the only thing that checketh my felicity, for were it not for this shrew my Wife, I were the happiest man in the world; So that of me, these verses may be verified;
This Man, who while he walks the Street, Or publick place is happy thought, No sooner sets in House his Feet, But wo is him, and not for nought, His Wife him rules, and that's a spight, She scolds, she fights from noon to night.
Here likewise what Mr. Francis Quarles says of this matter, describing a loving Husband and Wife.
They were so one, that none could justly say, Which of them rul'd, or whether did obey;