Act well the lover; let thy speech abound In dying words, that represent thy wound. Distrust not her belief; she will be mov'd; All women think they merit to be lov'd.

Sometimes a man begins to love in jest, And, after, feels the torments he profess'd. For your own sakes be pitiful, ye fair; For a feign'd passion may a true prepare. By flatteries we prevail on womankind,700 As hollow banks by streams are undermin'd.

Tell her, her face is fair, her eyes are sweet;

Her taper fingers praise, and little feet. Such praises ev'n the chaste are pleas'd to hear;

Both maids and matrons hold their beauty dear.

Once naked Pallas with Jove's queen appear'd;

And still they grieve that Venus was pre

ferr'd.

Praise the proud peacock, and he spreads his train;

Be silent, and he pulls it in again.
Pleas'd is the courser in his rapid race; 710
Applaud his running, and he mends his pace.
But largely promise, and devoutly swear;
And, if need be, call ev'ry god to hear.
Jove sits above, forgiving with a smile
The perjuries that easy maids beguile.
He swore to Juno by the Stygian lake;
Forsworn, he dares not an example make,
Or punish falsehood, for his own dear sake.
'Tis for our int'rest that the gods should
be;

720

Let us believe 'em: I believe they see,
And both reward and punish equally -
Not that they live above, like lazy drones,
Or kings below, supine upon their thrones.
Lead then your lives as present in their
sight;

Be just in dealings, and defend the right;
By fraud betray not, nor oppress by might.
But 't is a venial sin to cheat the fair;

Nor Nile did floods, nor heav'n did rain supply.

A foreigner at length inform'd the king That slaughter'd guests would kindly moisture bring.

The king replied: "On thee the lot shall fall;

Be thou, my guest, the sacrifice for all."
Thus Phalaris Perillus taught to low,
And made him season first the brazen cow.
A rightful doom, the laws of nature cry;
'Tis the artificers of death should die.
Thus justly women suffer by deceit;
Their practice authorizes us to cheat.
Beg her, with tears, thy warm desires to
grant;

740

For tears will pierce a heart of adamant. If tears will not be squeez'd, then rub your

And now 't is nature, what before was art. She strives by force her lover to detain, And wishes to be ravish'd once again. This is the sex: they will not first begin, But, when compell'd, are pleas'd to suffer

sin.

Is there, who thinks that women first should woo?

Lay by thy self-conceit, thou foolish beau Begin, and save their modesty the shame; 'Tis well for thee, if they receive thy flame.

'Tis decent for a man to speak his mind; They but expect th' occasion to be kind. 8t Ask, that thou mayst enjoy; she waits for this;

And on thy first advance depends thy bliss. Ev'n Jove himself was forc'd to sue for love;

None of the nymphs did first solicit Jove. But if you find your pray'rs encrease her pride,

Strike sail awhile, and wait another tide. They fly when we pursue; but make delay, And, when they see you slacken, they will

stay.

Sometimes it profits to conceal your end; Name not yourself her lover, but her friend.

How many skittish girls have thus been caught?

He prov'd a lover, who a friend was thought.

Sailors by sun and wind are swarthy

made;

A tann'd complexion best becomes their trade.

'Tis a disgrace to plowmen to be fair; Bluff cheeks they have, and weather-beaten hair.

Th' ambitious youth who seeks an olive

850

Nor Pylades Hermione embrac'd;
Ev'n Phædra to Perithous still was chaste.
But hope not thou, in this vile age, to find
Those rare examples of a faithful mind:
The sea shall sooner with sweet honey flow,
Or from the furzes pears and apples grow.
We sin with gust, we love by fraud to
gain;

And find a pleasure in our fellows' pain.
From rival foes you may the fair defend;
But, would you ward the blow, beware your
friend:

Beware your brother, and your next of kin;

860

Six feet for ev'ry verse the Muse design'd;

But Cupid, laughing, when he saw my mind,

From ev'ry second verse a foot purloin'd. "Who gave thee, boy, this arbitrary

sway,

On subjects, not thy own, commands to lay,

Who Phoebus only and his laws obey? 'Tis more absurd, than if the Queen of Love

Should in Minerva's arms to battle move; Or manly Pallas from that queen should

take

II

To his mistress, whose husband is invited to a feast with them. The poet instructs her how to behave herself in his company.

YOUR husband will be with us at the treat;
May that be the last supper he shall eat.
And am poor I a guest invited there,
Only to see, while he may touch the fair?
To see you kiss and hug your nauseous
lord,

While his lewd hand descends below the board?

Now wonder not that Hippodamia's charms, At such a sight, the Centaurs urg'd to

I am not half a horse, (I would I were,) Yet hardly can from you my hands forbear.

Take, then, my counsel; which, observ'd, may be

Of some importance both to you and me. Be sure to come before your man be there: There's nothing can be done; but come howe'er.

Sit next him, (that belongs to decency,) But tread upon my foot in passing by. Read in my looks what silently they speak, And slyly, with your eyes, your answer

make.

20

My lifted eyebrow shall declare my pain; My right hand to his fellow shall complain, And on the back a letter shall design,

Besides a note that shall be writ in wine.
Whene'er you think upon our last embrace,
With your forefinger gently touch your face.
If any word of mine offend my dear,
Pull, with your hand, the velvet of your

ear.

If you are pleas'd with what I do or say, Handle your rings, or with your fingers play.

As suppliants use at altars, hold the board, Whene'er you wish the devil may take your lord.

When he fills for you, never touch the cup, But bid th' officious cuckold drink it up. The waiter on those services employ: Drink you, and I will snatch it from the boy;

Watching the part where your sweet mouth has been,

And thence, with eager lips, will suck it in.
If he, with clownish manners, thinks it fit
To taste, and offers you the nasty bit,
Reject his greasy kindness, and restore
Th' unsav'ry morsel he had chew'd before.
Nor let his arms embrace your neck, nor