Burrus defends himself by appealing to the homophobia and misogyny of his condemners
I think no man has prospered since his wedding
But by her lineage and dowry.
Yet foremost in a lady’s mind,
Her present suffering: It follows then
The requisition of condolement
Falls on us constant -
Therefore women are no more to empire
Than little rural people come from their villages
To demand restitution - it being
Our duty always to console them,
Yet never their’s to fight. It is certain
An eagerness pervades the gender,
Yet even still, it is a greater sickness
Which makes a man immune to women
And robs him of the instinct, where any man
Of great will and internal needing
Who makes those assays and forfeitures
Which Seneca before me well described
May rise up and be powerful.
By all measures, I have made them, and
If ever there be cause, I will again. Aye,
If I do lust, ’tis for advantages.
As for the doll: It does disturb us all.