University of Virginia Library

To my Rival presenting my Mistris Gold, upon her Journey.

How now (my Heart of Gold) what mean these Fleeces?
Hast broke thy heart, and given it her in pieces?
Wouldst thou be in the List of fame enroll'd,
To court thy Love, like Jove, in showres of Gold?
This is State-policy, they win the Towers
That shoot Gold Bullets at the Governours.
Thou hadst good reason too, to use this sort
Of Golden battery to so strong a Fort;
Believe me this was a well cover'd bait,
You hope she will in Loves Exchange repay't.
I hope so too, (Sir) it was sawcy sport,
Should you not get Her Portion mortgag'd for't.
May be You were afraid to lose it, and
Made an Insurance-Office of her hand.
Or did the charmful sparkles of her eye
Daunt Your faint heart into a delivery?
Go charge the Country then, for it was done,
I am Your Witness, between Sun and Sun.
You, that Your Gold thus to a Virgin yield,
Doubtless a bush had rob'd You in the Field.
How if some Thief should steal way her Heart,
And of Her Portion take thy Gold in part.
This were a double misery, for then You
Lose both Your Ship, and Your Rich Cargo too
May be You think You have good Anchor hold,
And, in her Pockets bottom trust Your Gold.
Maidens are mutable, be wise, beware
The Wind, and Waves no more unconstant are.
But you have ballanc'd her with Gold, lest she,
Or You, should suffer by her levity.
But You abus'd Your self, and Her, much more,
To give her mony, give it to a Whore.
This I must say for her, she does not carry
The needy Garb of one that's mercenary.
I wonder she would take't? But 'tis an old
Proverb, that none but mad folks refuse Gold.
But, all the World, (should you now be deserted)
Would say, A fool and's mony is soon parted.