Love's Dialect :: :: University of Virginia Library

Flye, flye my nimble Genius round about
The peopled world, find me this Riddle out,
There is much doubt int, to the City flye
Amongst the Femall Beauties, where each eye
Begets a gazing admiration; there
Chuse me a young Wench that doth know shees faire,
Who in Thought, Word, and Deed is chast, and yet
Hath beene thrice tempted by Wealth, Worth and Wit.
In the same City doe the best you can
By narrow search, to spye me out a Man
Wedded to Femall follies, yet shall be
The Cities Lord Major for his Gravity.
Repaire to Court, you shall a Lady see
Deck'd like Aurora in choice Bravery,
Winne her from those delights, see if you can
Perswade her Ladiship turne Puritan.
Perchance shee hath a husband, one that is
Of youthfull mettall, can Dance, Sing, and Kisse,
Court amorous Ladies, is compleatly faire,
That owes to Art for a large crispy haire.
Produce him (too) he with the rest may passe
If he did nere behold a Looking-Glasse,
Take Cart and to the Country goe with speede,
Where Clownes, Cowes, Calfes, Sheepe, and fat Oxen feede,

Perswade some great Corne-master, that hath bin
A Grand Offender in the thriving Sin
Of Transportation; onely to refraine
That thrifty course, and give his Country Graine,
Bid his Old wife forsake her Country tongue,
And trade in Complement, tell her shees young;
If you can make her leave her Country Iigge,
Shave off her Haire and weare a Periwigge,
Bring her, and all the rest, I dare say than
I have as Rare a Bird, as your blacke Swan.