27. The way to Wooe.
1
He that would love, and gladly win
Th' objected scope of his affections;
Then let him not conceive 'tis sin
T'attempt the mark by my directions.
2
The God of love (you know) is blind,
Therefore cannot impartial be;
The ey's the window of the mind:
And who can prize right if not see?
3
Since then love's partial, and admits
No solid censure in the theme;
Lovers (like Apes) must shape their wits
To turn the blewest milk to cream.
4
Nor must they want those noble skills
Of Sophistry, whereby to winde
Their waxen words to match the wills,
Not of their own, but Ladies mind.
5
If ne're so fond thy mistress be,
Still be thou sure t'administer:
Though she is pleas'd with foolery,
Say thou it's wisdom, and assist her.
6
If she is proud, then praise her beauty,
And say thou fanciest her attire;
Confess a world of needless duty;
The laws of Love support a lyar.
7
Let all the thundring Eccho's slip
(Though she's the off-spring of disgrace)
Through th' easie crannies of thy lip,
Her feign'd formosity to blaze.
8
If she is wealthy, then adore
Her now and then with gifts of cost;
For if she finds thy present poor,
She'l slight thee, and thy labour's lost:
9
And who so foolish to deny
To set such costly baits as may
Take fishes, whose validity
Will o're and o're his cost repay?
10
Great Jove must not presume to see
Danae's beauty, nor unfold
Her lap, till in her bosom he
Hurls down a shower of gold.
11
If she be fair, then use to kiss
Her lips (those gates of Paradise;)
Embrace her oft, remembring this,
Venus delights in veneries.
12
When e're she's pleas'd to smile, although
Its at conceit, yet represent her;
And when she talks, do thou talk too:
Be thou to her as th' shade to th' center.
13
Of stubbornness thou must be clear.
That thou mayst flee at her request:
Stand not at tearms, although it were
T'atchieve some plot thou dost detest.
14
Only resist her still in this,
When she perswades thee not to love;
And look thou do it with a kiss,
Affirming thou wilt never move,
15
Think nothing scorn that she desires;
For Hercules (have you not heard
The tale?) so glow'd in Cupids fires,
That for his Dear he'd spin and card.
16
If then the God of vigor (who
Dislimb'd the Arcadian Boar,
And slew the Snakes of Juno too
That were design'd his sides to goar;)
17
Stoopt so submissively, and bent
Himself so vile a slave to be:
Stoop thou also, and be content;
For if thou lov'st it suits wlth thee.
18
Just as the Steel doth turn unto
The face of the magnetick power;
Even in your actions so must you
Incline unto your Paramour.
19
If rhyming fancies rule her brains,
Accustom thou thy self to sing
Nasonian and soft Phrygian strains,
Well mounted on the Cyprian wing.
20
Make this thy labour, and aspire
For stuff that may augment the flame;
And soon you'l set that breast on fire
Whereto your love-sick arrows aime.
21
The foes of Love are stubborn words,
Sad lowring eyes, and lips that pout:
These cut more sharp then sharpest swords,
And put your Ladies unto rout.
