The wits academy, or, The muses delight consisting of merry dialogues upon various occasions composed of mirth, wit, and eloquence, for a help to discourse to such as have had but small converse with the critical sort of people, which live in this censorious age : as also, divers sorts of letters upon several occasions both merry and jocose, helpful for the inexpert to imitate, and pleasant to those of better judgement, at their own leisure to peruse : with a perfect collection of all the newest and best songs, and catches, that are, and have been lately in request at court, and both the theatres.

WIT● ACCADEMY .

THE Wits Academy : OR , THE MUSES DELIGHT .

Consisting of merry Dialogues upon various occasions composed of Mirth , Wit , and Eloquence , for a help to discourse to such as have had but small converse with the critical sort of people , which live in this censorious Age.

AS ALSO , Divers sorts of Letters upon 〈◊〉 occasions both merry and Jocose , helpful for the inexpert to imitate , and pleasant to those of better Judgement , at their own 〈◊〉 to peruse .

WITH A perfect Collection of all the newest and best Songs , and Catches , that are , and have been lately in request at Court , and both the Theatres .

LONDON Printed , and are to be sold by most Booksellers in London and Westminster . 1●77 .

Licensed ,

April 10. 1676. Roger Le' Estrange .

THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY TO THE READER . Courteous Reader ,

WHen first you cast an Eye upon the Title Page of this small Volume be not too soon censorious in giving judgement to condemnation : for daily errours we do see committed , by those that rashly give their ill opinion of the outward shape , suggesting what they do not understand ; for Fronti nulla Fides , is as true , as that we may observe amongst the Spanish Gentry , who line their garments with the richest Silk , when as the out-side is but mean and course . The Title of this Book I must confess is little different from that piece of weather-beaten Antiquity , vulgarly known by that once famous Name of , The Academy of Complements ; But turn aside the Frontispiece and read , beginning with the Dialogues , and so proceed till you have view'd all over , and the reason of your mistake will soon be unmasqu'd , for though Sub sole nihil novum est , yet this you will find to be far different from any other tract which has preceded of this Nature ; exemplary works are for the most part very laudable , especially when we make an imitation on those which have been Famous , Learned , and Nobly extracted , &c. Yet in undertakings of this Nature , imitation is only deem'd to be the barren products of a thred-bare Fancy , and that which a Man can't properly call his own . As for the Dialogues and the Letters which are contained herein , I challenge as my own , scarce worth the owning ; yet for divertisement ( as it was with me when I writ them ) I hope they 'l please you , being either profitable or pleasant to each capacity . As for the Songs I lay not claim to all of them , for they are a Collection composed by the most pregnant and refined Wits of this Age ; all which bound up together , I humbly present the Reader with , whose kind acceptance will be understood by his gratifying liberally the Book seller , and giving the unknown Authour a good report , who am yours ,

Dum aurâ aethereâ vescor , W. P.

MERRY DIALOGUES UPON VARIOUS OCCASIONS : Composed of Mirth , Wit , and Eloquence , for a help to Discourse , to such as have had but small Converse with the Critical Sort of People which live in this Censorious Age.

DIALOGUE 1. A loving Discourse betwixt Samuel and Sarah . Sam.

LOve is the cause I have so often made my addresses to you Madam , therefore let me beseech you not to disdain my present Suit .

Sarah ,

You tell me much of Love , but that 's a thing I never yet could understand .

Sam.

The more is my grief , for if you knew it but half so well as I do , I am sure that you would incline your heart to pity my afflictions .

Sarah ,

Why then it seems it is an affliction to be in Love , I am therefore glad I never yet knew what it was .

Sam.

Yes Madam , 't is a sorrow and a great affliction to be in Love , and not to be beloved again .

Sarah ,

How 's that Sir ?

Sam.

Ah Madam , too well I know it , and t wil ell it you if you will give me leave .

Sarah ,

Pray Sir , let me hear it .

Sam.

The sad example which I now shall instance is my own self : I love you Madam , and have often told you so , but you have ever seem'd to slight my kind proffers of Love , to my great torment .

Sarah ,

I know not what you mean : wherein have I ever slighted you , pray tell me Sir .

Sam.

I will Madam : you know I have at several times told you that I loved you , and so well , as to marry you and make you my Wife .

Sarah ,

And call you that love to marry you , and be your Wise , pray how do you make that appear to be love ?

Sam.

Yes , that is love to me , and the greatest love that tongue can e're express , if that you once would say , that you loved me well enough to be my Wife .

Sarah ,

Why then , I find I do not yet know what love is , for I never could find in my heart to marry you ; but pray tell me how you came to love me , and it may be after I hear how you began to love first , that I may learn to follow your example .

Sam.

Madam , I know your pretended iggorance is but to mock your poor disconsolate Lover , one that adores you above all the World befides ; but however , since you say that you will follow my example , in loving me as I love you , I must tell you , Madam , that the first time I ever saw your face , Cupid at that instant of time borrowed Arrows from your bright Eyes , and bending of his Bow , he shot me to the heart , that straight I fell in love with you , and ever since that I received this wound , my love-sick pains grew greater and greater , because you would not grant me love again .

Sarah ,

Methinks you talk most strangely : you tell me of Cupid , pray what is he , and why does he keep a Bow ?

Sam.

Cupid , Madam , is the little god of Love , a Boy he is , whom the Poets relate to be blind ; he has a Bow his Mother Venus gave him , and he borrows Arrows from young Ladies Eyes , and when he pleases to sport himself , he bends his Bow and shoots where he pleases , and where ever it hits , that person is so sorely wounded , that he can never rest night nor day , unless the Lady from whose Eyes the Arrows came , will grant him love again ; which is my condition , and if you deny me love I shall be of all men most miserable .

Sarah ,

But why do you speak to me Sir to cure you now you say you are wounded ? you must apply your self to that Lady from whence the Arrows came , as for my part I am sure that I have no Arrows in me , nor I would not that there should be any there , for all the world ; that were the way to kill me if I had Arrows in my Eyes : but if there be Ladies that have any such things that wound young men , and can also cure them , you had best to cease your discourse with me and seek till you find them out ; as for my part ( as I told you before ) I declare that I keep no Arrows to hurt any one , neither ( according to your own words ) can I cure any that are so wounded .

Sam.

Ah Madam , though we have hitherto discoursed after the Romantick Way and Mode , yet you well enough know my meaning ; therefore , not to talk any longer at this distance , I must ( with your pardon ) tell you plainly that I love you Madam , and none but you alone ; therefore pity my condition .

Sarah ,

Since you have discovered your self to be 1 Lover , and for my sake , and not only now on a sudden , but a pretty while since , if I may believe you ; but young men are so false , that I know not what to say to you .

Sam.

You have tryed my constancy , for it is some years since ( you know ) I first offer'd the tenders of my love to you ; and though you answer'd me still with flat denial , yet you see that I had not so slightly grounded my passion , as that your frowns as yet could make me have an ill opinion of your love .

Sarah ,

Well , since you are resolved to proceed , and will take no denial , know then that I must try you further still ; therefore prepare your self to answer me .

Sam.

Speak boldly , Madam , and let your demands be ne're so difficult to perform , if they are in mans power to accomplish , you shall be obeyed , and Madam , gladly too , should you command me this very minute to be my own bloody Executioner .

Sarah ,

No Sir , I wish you long may live and happy , but if you ere intend to be my Bridegroom you must —

Sam.

What must I do , Madam ? speak without fear , your will shall be my pleasure .

Sarah ,

No , I am asham'd to tell you , but yet I can't forbear , but I must tell you , you must —

Sam.

Dear Madam , speak and blush not .

Sarah ,

Why this it is , you must come now and kiss me , and by that kiss swear , that within the space of six days you will marry me .

Sam.

Auspicious Heaven , and all ye Powers above , to you on bended knees I first return my thankful Prayers ! and next dear Madam , with humble gratitude , I at your feet do prostrate fall , where silence gladly shall shew I do consent ; for words cannot express my present joy .

Sarah ,

Rise , worthy Sir , you have deserved my love , nor could I longer keep you in despair ; from hence call me your own .

Sam.

My dearest onely Joy , you have now for ever blest me , this kiss shall usher in a thousand more ; give me your hand I le wait upon you home .

Where speedily without the least delay , We will appoint our Joyful Wedding day :

DIALOGUE II. A Discourse betwixt Corydon and Celia . Corydon ,

WHy dearest Celia should you prove so cruel to him that loves you more than life or any other thing that bears a name ? a world of fighs and groans have fill'd the skyes with the Ecchoes of My Celia , Fair and Cruel Caelia ; but no redress as yet I have found : then dain my pretty Paramour at length to smile upon distracted Corydon .

Celia ,

What means the Shepherd thus to trouble me , what Cruelties are these you speak of , for my part I know not of any unkindness that I ever shew'd to you ? What is 't you would have , tell me wherein that Caelia has been offensive to you , and without doubt a speedy recompence will be made you ?

Corydon ,

Oh would that Corydon could find it so as Celia has told him , soon my dearest Celia should know the cause of all my Miseries and Woes : You need not ask me Celia why I call you Cruel , my looks will tell you though my tongue be silent .

Celia ,

Indeed Corydon you do mistake my skill , for I am no good Physiognomist , neither did I ever pretend to it ; therefore if you would that I be made sensible of your grief , you must tell it me downright , and then if it lies in my power to give you ease , and I deny it , you then will have just cause to call me cruel and not before : For no Doctor or Surgeon can tell how to apply any remedy to a Sick Patient , before he knows from whence his distemper springs .

Corydon ,

You cannot be so ignorant as you pretend you are , I cannot think but that you know my grief ; 't is Love , my Dearest Celia , 't is Love .

Celia ,

How Coryden , did you say Love , or did I mistake that word ; speak it again ?

Corydon ,

Yes so I will , my Celia , for 't is Love and the Love of you alone , that I , that I poor Shepherd langaith after thus .

Celia ,

And is it so ? Do you Love me so well Corydon , that it makes you sick ? Poor man why do you Love me so much then , cannot you forbear ?

Corydon ,

Yes I can forbear to live but not to love . Death will be a Welcome Guest to my discontented mind .

Celia ,

Oh Corydon , why do you talk of death , the very name of death affrightens me ; prithee tell me Corydon , does love and death keep company together ?

Corydon ,

No Celia , Life and Love are companions together , and death associates himself with disdain : Do you not know I love you Celia ?

Celia ,

Why what if you do love me , what then ? I won't kill you . I hope every body loves me , I am sure my Father and Mother does , and what must I kill them too ? God forbid .

Corydon ,

Ah Celia thy pretty innocence does make me smile , I had thought thou hadst been more crafty , and by consequence more cruel , till now I hear thy answers ; but tell me Celia doest thou love me , my sweetest ?

Celia ,

Yes indeed do I Corydon , and have done , ever since you and I played together in our Church-Yard .

Corydon ,

That 's my good Girle , come and kiss me Celia .

Celia ,

Well , are you satisfied now , I hope you will not say I am cruel now , will ye Corydon ?

Corydon ,

No , no , my pretty Love ; thou art kind to me now ; come and let me kiss thee again .

Celia ,

No indeed but you must not .

Corydon ,

Why didst not thou like the last kiss I gave thee Celia ?

Celia ,

Yes , I lik'd it well enough Corydon ; but my Mother always charged me that I should not suffer any man to kiss me .

Corydon ,

Did thy Mother never talke of me , Celia ?

Celia ,

Yes , very often Corydon ; and I told her how you talk'd of love to me a great while ago , but I knew not what you meant by it , nor don 't yet ; but my Mother charged me not to come into your company , nor suffer you so much as to touch me ; and told me that I must not hear you when you talk of Love , for I must love no body but my Father and Mother .

Corydon ,

Why surely she did not tell thee so , did she Celia ?

Celia ,

Yes indeed she did , Corydon , and a great deal more than that ; but I shall not name it .

Corydon ,

Yes prithee do Celia , let me hear what 't was she said to thee ?

Celia ,

No , indeed you shall not , 't was something she bid me not to let you do , but what it was I will not name for all the world .

Corydon ,

No more thou shalt not Celia , for I guess it already , and that 's enough for me .

Celia ,

Well if you do , you do , I don't much care ; but I vow you make me blush .

Corydon ,

Blush not my Celia , for I will not name it ; come sit thee down my Celia upon this green bank , and now we have an opportunity , let us make use of it in discoursing of matters of Love .

Celia ,

I know not what you mean Corydon , but I will sit down a little while with you , for I cannot stay ; my Mother charged me not to stay too long .

Corydon ,

Why thy Mother does not know that I am with thee .

Celia ,

No indeed I think not , for if she did , it would be a wee day with me ; for she cannot abide you , because you talk of Love to me .

Corydon ,

Well but I hope thou wilt love me ne're theless for that , wilt thou Celia ? I am sure I love thee well .

Celia ,

No indeed I love you well enough , and methinks better now then ever I did before .

Corydon ,

I thank thee , Celia , but I have other questions to ask thee concerning love .

Celia ,

What are they Corydon , prithee be not too tedious , for I cannot tarry too long ; you know my Mother will chide me .

Corydon ,

Thou sayest thou lovest me Celia , but how well ?

Celia ,

Why a great deal , is not that enough ?

Corydon ,

Well but do'st thou love me well enough to be my Wife and to be married to me ?

Celia ,

Why how must I be married to you Corydon ?

Corydon ,

Why we must go to Church together , and the Minister after some Prayers said joynes our hands together , and then we are Man and Wife : why did'st thou never see any married yet ?

Celia ,

No not I , never in all my life ; but what must we do after marriage Corydon , prithee tell me .

Corydon ,

Why that very night we must go to bed together and lie together so long as we live .

Gelia ,

Oh strange , why then I must not marry with you , for that was the only thing that my Mother charged me to have a care of ; and not to lye with you , nor any other man in the whole World , and I dare not do it if you would give me six pence ; No , no , I must have a care of that , for I know what I know .

Corydon ,

Why what doest thou mean my Love ? when we are married I will get thee brave Boys and Girles of thy own , Child what do'st thou think of that ?

Celia ,

Oh fie , oh fie , now you have named it all that my Mother has forewarned me against ; how dare you name such words , sure God wo'nt bless you Corydon . My Mother told me that God would not bless me if I did but think of such things , much less dare to act them .

Corydon ,

That is to say before Marriage Celia you ought not to act such things , but marriage makes it lawful with your own husband , and not onely lawful but honourable it is to be a Mother of Children .

Celia ,

Say you so , Corydon ; but my Mother will never yield to this , I am sure on 't .

Corydon ,

Well but thy Mother will have nothing to do with thee ; after we are married thou art at thy husbands disposing then , no bodies else .

Celia ,

Well I 'le go home and tell my Mother what you say , and see whether she will give her consent that I should do all these things with you as you have named or no.

Corydon ,

No , no , my sweetest Celia , by no means , do not acquaint her with it yet .

Celia ,

Why so ?

Corydon ,

Because you know that she does not affect me so well as I do you , and therefore you and I must never marry nor ever meet again , if you tell her of any thing that I have said to you .

Celia ,

Why what would you have me do then Corydon ?

Corydon ,

Why do'st thou love me well enough to be my Wise ?

Celia ,

Yes truely Corydon , you have almost perswaded me too 't , if my Mother was but willing .

Corydon ,

Why then I 'le tell thee , Celia , we will marry first , and I 'le warrant thee we will please her well enough afterward .

Celia ,

Think you so Corydon ; Well but must I have Boys and Girles too , what will she say to that ?

Corydon ,

Why what should she say my Dear , she will rejoyce to see thee have Children , which when they come to bigness will ask her blessing .

Celia ,

Well , but I shall be asham'd to have Children ; I vow I shall Corydon .

Corydon ,

Prithee don't talk so childishly , my Dear , 't will be an honour to thee to have children .

Celia ,

Well , but how shall I do to get to bed to thee , I 'le swear I shall not have the face to go to bed to a man .

Corydon ,

Well , well , we will do well enough for that , meet me here too morrow morning , Celia , and we will go and be married ; till then farewel .

Celia ,

Nay but stay Corydon , I can afford to stay a little while longer now , to talk about having of children and going to bed after we are married .

Corydon ,

Can'st thou indeed , poor Rogue , well I love thy innocence , and too morrow at night , thou shalt be satisfied in every thing that thou doest desire to know , and with this sweet kiss at present , I take my leave , not willing to detain thee too long too day , for fear thy Mothers Jealousie should arise , and guess the truth of what we have design'd , and so frustrate all our hopes and expectations , by keeping thee a close Prisoner in her house , and not suffer thee to stir abroad any whither , not let me come to see thee : therefore dearest Celia be careful , and say not a word to her of what we have been talking of ; for if you do , I am sure our loves for ever will be ruined .

Celia ,

I 'le warrant thee Corydon she shall never know the least through me , I can keep my own Counsel well enough ; and that she shall find to her anger and vexation .

Corydon ,

'T is a good Girle , well , fare thee well once again ; My Dearest , Remember what you have to do too morrow .

Celia ,

Adieu dear Corydon , farewell my loving Shepherd . Yes surely , I shall not forget the time and place of meeting , my Eyes no rest shall take this night ; my mind will be employed another way : the thoughts of what I have to do too morrow will busie me enough 'twixt this and then .

A Virgin pure I 'le to the Temple go , And there the Marriage Rites of Hymen know .

DIALOGUE III. A Discourse betwixt two Gentlemen as they were riding on the Road together . Tiberius ,

GOod morrow to you Sir .

Rowlandus ,

A good morning to you Sir .

Tiberius ,

How far do you ride in this Road Sir ?

Rowland ,

As far as I can Sir too day .

Tiberius ,

That 's as much as to say as far as your Horse will carry you too day ; for possibly you may be capable of riding farther in a day than he is able to perform .

Rowland ,

You say right , Sir , but I love my Horse too well to wrong him by over-riding him .

Tiberius ,

You are the better Master Sir .

Rowland ,

Yes , and by consequence he the better Horse Sir .

Tiberius ,

All this I must confess , Sir ; but pray now let me know how far you ride , Sir , this way ; for I shall be more than a little glad of your good company , if you will be pleased to accept of mine ?

Rowland ,

Sir , Your company will be an honour to me , therefore you need not make any intreaties , for I shall be very forward to conjoyn my self with so good society as I sind you are ; and to answer your question , I shall tell you , Sir , that I intend to reach as far Dunstable too night , and there to lye , being in my Road to West-Chester , whither I am bound .

Tiberius ,

In a happy hour I have set forward on my Journey , for I am travelling within ten miles of Chester ; therefore I hope I shall enjoy your company so far .

Rowland ,

With all my heart , Sir .

Tiberius ,

Your Horse goes very well Sir , pray what price ?

Rowland ,

My Horse is a Mare , Sir , and I think she goes well enough , I am sure she pleases me .

Tiberius ,

No doubt of it Sir , there is no reason why I should mislike her if she pleases you ; but how do you like mine Sir ?

Rowland ,

Why Sir , for fear I should make the same mistake as you have done , I must tell you that be it Horse or Mare , or what ever the Beast is , I cannot tell but it goes very well .

Tiberius ,

It is ( to speak after the Jocose manner , as you have done ) a double hol'd Gelding , a Mare Sir ; as we say in English , of the same Sex as yours is , but I think not altogether so stately .

Rowland ,

Well , we 'll make no comparisons Sir , but I believe they both may be very good : but where do you intend to Inn , for this night ?

Tiberius ,

Why Sir , I would willingly be directed by you ; but I 'le tell you where I us'd to lie .

Rowland ,

Pray , where 's that Sir .

Tiberius ,

At the Sign of the two Travellers , it is a very good Inn , and there we shall have good entertainment for our Horses and our selves ; I name the convenience for the Horse first , for if they fare well I don't question but we shall do well enough .

Rowland ,

You say true Sir , for they cannot speak for themselves , but we can , and I 'le warrant you we will want for nothing , no more shall not the Horses ; ' or I 'le take care of that .

Tiberius ,

You say right Sir , the Mares shall want for nothing , for our first care shall be for them , and then Sir I shall be at your service .

Rowland ,

Sir , I am at your service ; but pray what a kind of Hostess have we ?

Tiberius ,

Nay Sir you say right , for we have a very kind Hostess .

Rowland ,

How do you mean , Sir ?

Tiberius ,

I mean honestly : a very good woman to our Landlady , and ifaith she rules the roast .

Rowland ,

I am glad to hear it Sir , for we intend I hope ( at least I do ) to have some Roast , but pray have we never an Host or Landlord there ?

Tiberius ,

Yes , yes ; we have a Landlord , a very good man , that is to say , a very merry Landlord , you shall see when we come there ; but as I tell you , the Hostess his Wife , id est , our Landlady , rules the roast .

Rowland ,

And so I would have her Sir : for it properly belongs to that sex to see after the Roast .

Tiberius ,

Well Sir , and so I say too , but no more of this till we come there .

Rowland ,

Agreed Sir , but I think we don't want much of it now .

Tiberius .

Sir you say true , but shall I be honoured so far as to be a Supper-man with you as well as a Fellow-traveller ?

Rowland ,

I hope that question is not to ask now , your invitation was so fair , that I should be a Churl , and a great one , if I should deny you what so readily you have proposed .

Tiberius ,

Why then Sir let 's take up our quarters together , but not too fast , now we are nigh our Inn ; but let 's ride softly , that our Horses , alias , Mares , may not be too hot when we come into our Inne .

Rowland ,

Here Hostler .

Hostler ,

Who calls ?

Tiberius ,

Here take our Horses .

Rowland ,

And rub them down clean , and come to us by and by , and you shall be informed what Corn we intend to give them .

Tiberius ,

Will you be pleased to walk into the Kitchin , and see what 's there you like for Supper ?

Rowland ,

Yes Sir , I 'le follow you , it seems you are acquainted with my Landlady ; therefore pray walk first and renew your acquaintance with her .

Tiberius ,

Your servant Sir , I 'le obey your commands .

Landlady your humble Servant , how have you done this many a day .

Hostess .

Why let me see , who 's this Master Tiberius ?

Tiberius ,

The very same .

Hostess ,

Lord is there such a man alive ?

Tiberius ,

Yes I am alive still Landlady ; and this Gentleman and I do intend to be your Guests too night .

Hostess ,

Come old Boys , I 'le give each of you a kiss if you 'l meet me half way , and bid you wellcome : So , now you are wellcome Gentlemen .

Rowland ,

Well , honest Landlady , what shall we have for Supper ?

Hostess ,

Troth e'ne what you please Gentlemen .

Tiberius ,

Well but what have you got in the House Landlady ?

Hostess ,

Why you may have a couple of Capons , or a couple of Pullets , or a dozen of Pidgeons , with two or three dozen of Larks ; you know Sir that we live in the onely Lark Country in England : but if you be not pleased with hollow birds , you may have a Shoulder of Mutton , Or a Loyn of Veal , or any boil'd Meat , if you please .

Tiberius ,

Well Landlady you have nam'd varieties enough , come you know my old Custome , give me a pint of your best Sack , and whil'st we are drinking that , we shall have time to consider which of these dishes of Meat to pitch upon .

Hostess ,

You shall have it Sir .

Rowland ,

We have a good Jovial Landlady here I perceive Sir ?

Tiberius ,

Yes Sir , she will talke merrily , but I really believe it is onely to please her guests ; for I am very confident that she is honest .

Rowland ,

No doubt of it Sir , for you know we commonly find that the greatest talkers are the least doers .

Hostess ,

Gentlemen I 'le make bold to begin , and present my service to you both , and you are both wellcome .

Both ,

Thank you Landlady .

Hostess ,

Mr. Tiberius I 'le present it to you first , because you are my old acquaintance .

Tiberius ,

Thank you Landlady .

Sir my humble service to you , and I thank you for your good company .

Rowland ,

Your servant Sir , I am glad of so good a companion as your self ; come Landlaiy the t'other glass to you , and then wee 'l think what to have for Supper .

Hostess ,

With all my heart Sir : But Mr. Tiberius , where have you been this many a day ?

Tiberius ,

Why about the World Landlady , sometimes in one place , and sometimes in another . You see I am alive still .

Rowland ,

Well Sir , now what shall we have for Supper ?

Tiberius ,

Pray Sir do you speak .

Rowland ,

Why I think a shoulder of Mutton , and two or three dozen of my Landladies Larks , since she praises them so much .

Tiberius ,

Agreed , withal my Heart .

Landlady , pray take care that they be made ready presently .

Hostess ,

They shall Sir , will you be pleased to walk up into your Chamber .

Tiberius ,

Yes Landlady , we will walk up ; but though we sup together , yet we must have two Chambers to lie in .

Hostess ,

You shall Sir . What will you be pleased to drink Gentlemen ?

Rowland ,

Why let 's taste of your Ale and Beer , Landlady , will you ?

Hostess ,

Yes you shall Sir . — Exit Hostess .

Tiberius ,

Well , but pray Fellow traveller , give me your absolute Opinion of our Landlady ?

Rowland ,

Why Sir , as I told you before , she may be honest ; for what I know by her , I am sure she is ; but for your own part I believe that you know something by her , by your redoubling the question of what I thought of her ; besides that is not all the ground I have for suspicion , for I have observ'd some amorous wanton glances cast towards you now and then , when we were in the Kitchin , and also since we came up into the Chamber : but what the meaning of it should be is best known to your self .

Tiberius ,

Fie Sir , Fie , sure you mistake your self ; she did not look and smile on me , did she ?

Rowland ,

Nay I am sure I am not mistaken , for she did smile and cast a wanton eye on you too .

Tiberius ,

Well well Sir , how do you like her , did she not kiss well ?

Rowland ,

In troth Sir I cannot tell , I took so little notice of it , 't was onely for fashions sake , that I kiss'd her ; not out of any desire I had to it , but to fulfil the ancient custom .

Hostler ,

What corn will you be pleased to give your Horses , Sirs ?

Rowland ,

Why give mine half a peck of Oats too night , and the like quantity in the morning .

Tiberius ,

And let mine have the same .

Hostler ,

They shall Sir .

Rowland ,

Here Hostler , take the pot and drink .

Hostler ,

Thank you Master .

Tiberius ,

Be sure let them have their due .

Hostler ,

I 'le warrant you Sir .

Hostless ,

Gentlemen your Supper is ready , will you have it brought up yet ?

Rowland ,

Yes , Yes , by all means Landlady , bring it up ; for we think long till we be at it : I am sure I do .

Hostess ,

You shall have it immediately Sir ; will you be pleased to seat your selves ?

So here 't is come now .

Tiberius ,

Come Landlady sit you down pray , where 's my Landlord your Husband ?

Hostess ,

Alas poor Cuckold , where should he be , he is abroad about his business .

Rowland ,

How 's that Landlady , you do but jest sure ?

Tiberius ,

No , no , she uses to talk after this rate , I know ; but I believe my Landlord is no Cuckold for all that .

Hostess ,

Well , come Gentlemen fall too , I have said grace for you .

Tiberius ,

Well said Landlady , I perceive you are merry ; but we will every one say grace for himself .

Rowland ,

So , Now Landlady be pleased to help your self , and we will cut afterwards .

Tiberius ,

Well Landlady , I know your temper ; you connot eat well without a bottle or two of Claret .

Hostess .

Well , then if you know my humour , I hope you will let me have it ; for I shall live the longer , and I know you would not have me die yet , for you 'l never meet with such another Landlady .

Rowland ,

Yes , yes , Landlady , if that a bottle or two of Wine will prolong your days , you shall have that Cordial to be sure ; and I am also in your opinion , that a good Supper cannot be made without a bottle or two of Wine .

Here Boy bring us up a bottle of Claret .

Boy ,

By and by , you shall have it Sir .

Tiberius ,

Come Landlady , have we never a merry Jest at Supper ?

Hostess ,

Are you married Sir ?

Tiberius ,

Yes , that I am Landlady .

Hostess ,

Why , then you are a Cuckold .

Rowland ,

How do you know that Landlady ?

Hostess ,

Why , it follows by confequence , that all men that are married , must of necessity be Cuckolds , because my Husband 's one .

Tiberius ,

Suppose your Husband be one , must all men therefore be Cuckolds , because he is so ? surely all the Women in the World are not Whores .

Hostess ,

Oh Fie , Mr. Tiberius , I had thought you could not have spoke such a word , I vow I could find in my heart to be angry with you ; what must all those women that make their husbands Cuckolds , be called Whores , no sure I hope not ?

Rowland ,

Nay , but Landlady , setting all aside , how do you call those Women as make their Husbands Cuckalds ? if they are not Whores , I am much mistaken .

Hostess ,

Lord Sir , I had thought that you had lived long enough in the World to know better things : Suppose I or some other Woman , should be willing to satisfie your desires , in that way , rather then disoblige you , methinks you would not call me or the or whoever it be , Whore , for condescending to your will .

Tiberius ,

Why , what would you have her accounted then Landlady ?

Hostess ,

You may say she is a kind Woman , or so : a good natur'd Woman , or so : but the name of whore is so odious , that it deserves not to be given for it , except the party so called be a common strumpet and mercenary , prostrating her self to any sort of fellow , for half a Crown or under ; she indeed deserves the Name of Whore , and no other Woman whatsoever .

Rowland ,

Well Landlady , it shall be as you say ; come one glass of Claret to you , and all shall be well I hope .

Hostess ,

Sir , I 'le pledge , and now I hope you understand the difference betwixt a Whore and a kind Woman .

Tiberius ,

Well well , Landlady , we are satisfied , and too morrow morning before we go , you shall be satisfied too .

Hostess ,

I question it not , Gentlemen , good night Sir ; Mr. Tiberius , if you please , you shall lie in another chamber , and this Gentleman shall lie here .

Rowland ,

With all my heart Landlady . Sir good night to you ; pray use my Landlady kindly .

DIALOGUE IIII. A Merry discourse betwixt Harry and Doll , in Country Phraises . Harry ,

HOnest Doll , well met in troth , whither art thou going , this morning so early ?

Dol ,

Why , what is that to you , Good man Coxcomb , I hope I am not to make you acquainted with my Master and Dames besiness ; that would be a pretty Jest indeed , if I should do so ; but I think the fool has more wit in truth : pray do you mind your business , and I will take care of what I have to do , and so farewell .

Harry ,

Nay stay a little sweet Dorothy , stay , do not be so angry , that 's my good Girle , what hast thou piss'd on a Nettle this morning , that thou art so tachy ? come , come , Doll , prithee be gentle ( for I vow to God ) I ask thee for no harm .

Dol ,

No harm , sauce-box , what is 't you aske me for then ?

Harry ,

Nay , sweet Dorothy be patient , and I 'le tell thee .

Dol ,

Well , come let me hear it .

Harry ,

Why , it was not to enquire after any of thy Master or Dames business , that I stoped thee , but because I have a little business of my own to tell thee of , if thou wilt hear me with patience .

Dol ,

I wonder what I have to do with your business , I 'le bear none of your business , by the Mass not I , therefore pray let me go .

Harry ,

Nay , stay a little Doll , you must hear me , I 'le swear I shall cry if you are thus unkind to me , therefore prithee stay and hear me .

Dol.

How do you say , shall you cry ?

Harry ,

Yes that I shall , and die too , if you be not more kinder to me .

Dol.

Well , come fool , rather than you shall cry , and die too , I will stay and hear what 't is you have to say to me , if that you 'll promise me not to be too long about it .

Harry ,

No indeed Doll , I will not keep thee too long , I will be as brief as may be .

Dol ,

Come then begin , why don't you begin , I say ?

Harry ,

Nay , but heark ye Doll , I do not take this to be a very convenient place , being in a common Foot-path , and in the open Field .

Dol.

Why , whither now I trow ?

Harry ,

Why , I 'le tell thee Doll , on t'other side of yonder Field you know is a little River , and by the River side is a most pleasant Grove , where we may fit and talk of our business , and no body never see us , nor disturb us .

Dol ,

You tell me of business and business , but I know not what your business is .

Harry ,

Come along dear Dolly , come along , and I will tell thee presently , to thy satisfaction and content .

Dol ,

Well , I could find in my heart to go along with you , but it must be upon these conditions .

Harry ,

What conditions , what dost thou mean sweet-heart ?

Dol ,

Hey day , pray how came I to be your sweet-heart ? to my best knowledge I never saw you but once before , and then I am sure you never talk'd of Love to me .

Harry ,

T is no matter for that dear Dolly , the more 's to come ; but prithee , first let me hear what the conditions must be that I am to subscribe to , for indeed Doll , I begin to be a little in hast .

Dol ,

Pray stay , I am not so hasty , however 〈…〉 you my Conditions .

Harry ,

Pray , sweet Dolly , let me hear 'em then quickly .

Dol ,

Yes , you shall ; and these they are .

First , you shall swear , that you won't tell my Master nor Dame , nor none of my fellow Servants , nor any body else that knows me .

Harry ,

What , must I not tell them Doll ?

Dol ,

Why , I say you shall not tell any of them that I go to talk with you privately ; and then secondly ;

Harry ,

Oh dear , secondly , why what 's next Doll ; the first I 'le swear too willingly , but is there any more ?

Dol ,

Yes , Yes ; secondly I say , you shall not offer any rudeness to me , when we are alone , you shall not —

Harry ,

What , dost thou mean Doll ? thou know'st I am not rude but gentle ; but prithee what do'st thou call rudeness ?

Dol ,

Nay , if you interrupt me thus , we shall never have done , I say , —

Harry ,

What , what , dear Dolly , what dost thou say , speak out Wench ?

Dol ,

But you will not give me leave to speak , I think ; why , I say , you shall not offer any uncivility to me .

Harry ,

What 's that Dolly , that 's a hard word , I 'le protest it is a very hard word .

Dol ,

That is to say , you shall not offer to do any thing to me but kiss me when we come there , and that not above twice or thrice .

Harry ,

Oh law Doll , thou talk'st strangely , why what would'st thou have me do more , I intend to do nothing else , onely to kiss and talk of business .

Dol.

Come , come , for all you pretend so much ignorance , I dare not trust you , unless you swear .

Harry ,

What wouldst thou have me swear to Dolly ?

Dol.

Why , If I must tell you plainly , I must ; You shall swear that you will not put your hands under my Coats .

Harry ,

Why , what should I put them there for Doll , hey ?

Dol.

Nay , 't is no matter for that ; will you swear , will you swear Harry ?

Harry ,

Yes , I can swear Doll .

Dol.

Ay , ay , I don't question that , but will you ?

Harry ,

Yes , I will swear Doll , but what must the Oath be ?

Dol.

Why , the Oath shall be this , you shall swear by your —

Harry ,

By my what Doll ?

Dol.

Why , you shall swear , by your honesty , and by your Maiden-head , that you will not abuse me .

Harry ,

How can I abuse one that I love so well : No , no , that cannot be .

Dol.

Well , but however you shall swear as I have told you .

Harry ,

Yes , yes , I will swear boldly Dolly , by my everlasting honesty ; but what 's the t'other word that I must swear by Doll ?

Dol.

Why , by your Maiden-head , I told you .

Harry ,

Prithee what 's that Doll ?

Dol.

Nay , if you know not , I shall not tell you .

Harry ,

Why , then I 'le swear on at a venture ?

Dol.

Do so then if you will .

Harry ,

Why , then by my pure honesty , and by my Maiden-head , which I know not of , I will not Misuse thee .

Dol.

Well , come then , I don't much care if I go along with you .

Harry ,

Come on sweet Dolly , prithee give me thy fist , and we will walk lovingly together .

Then away they did walk , To the fine shady Grove , Where no body could them espy . There Harry did tell her The pleasures of love , And I 'le tell them to you by and by . Though he was a Clown , Yet he well understood That Women de love to Embrace . He gave Doll a green gown , In the midst of the Wood , 'T was a pretty convenient place . But listen a while , And you 'l bear their discourse , How Harry proceeds in his wooing , He made Doll to smile . Who seeded no force , Though Harry begun to be doing . Dol.

Well , now we are come to the place , I suppose , which you told me of ?

Harry ,

Yes , so we are Dolly , and now in this pretty shady place , under this tree , we will sit down and discourse about the business .

Dol.

Yes , prithee do , le ts hear this business , that has been so long a bringing out .

Harry ,

Why , then this it is Dolly , I must tell you that I love you , and not a little , but a great deal Dolly , I vow I do .

Dol.

Well , and what then Harry ?

Harry ,

Why , then let 's kiss a little , nay , again and again too .

Dol.

Nay , but hold Harry , you remember your Oath you swore , before I consented to come hicher with you ; which was , that you should he civil and not kiss me above once or twice , or three times at farthest .

Harry ,

I 'll swear Dolly , I had almost forgot that , but if I have exceeded a little beyond my bounds , you won't be angry I hope , will you Doll ?

Dol.

Nay , I don't know what you mean , methinks you tempt me strangely .

Harry ,

I 'll warrant Girle I 'll do thee no harm , don't fear it ; come , t'other kiss and then —

Dol.

And what then Harry ? Well but you said you loved me , but how much , or how little , or for what , I cannot yet till .

Harry ,

Oh , oh , I 'll tell thee that presently .

Dol.

Nay , but I must know just now ?

Harry ,

Why , I love thee abundantly Dolly , even so much that I could find in my heart to —

Dol.

To do what Harry ?

Harry ,

Why , to kiss thee again , and to hug thee lovingly .

Dol.

Is that all ? but don 't you intend to marry me too Harry .

Harry ,

Marry thee ▪ Yes , yes child , I 'll marry thee by and by , even just now .

Dol.

Yes , I do so , therefore let me have no excuses , but make me your wife forthwith .

Harry ,

Then it seems you are in as much hast now as I was before ? Well , satisfie thy self Doll , for I will make thee my wife , and will prove an honest careful husband to thee , what can'st thou desire more ?

Dol.

Nay , if you prove as good as your word , I shall not need to defire any more ; but when will you appoint the time , that I may make some small preparation ?

Harry ,

I leave that to thee Doll : but be private in it and conceal what is past , for people you know will make the worst of any thing they hear .

Dol.

As for my secresie , you need not doubt it , for the making of this our meeting known , would reflect upon me as much as an your self , and rather more .

Harry .

Thou sayest true Dol ; therefore prithee let 's make an end at present , and do thou name the day when we shall meet again , and I will Marry thee without delay , hoping that thou wilt prove an honest , kind , and vertuous Wise to me .

Dol.

I will so , and for ever be obedient to thy Commands ; and since you leave it to me to appoint the time , I think just this day week , at the same hour we met too day , will be a very good time if you think it so .

Harry ,

I do agree to it , and I will be sure to meet thee that morning in this same place where now we are , and from hence we will go to the Church and be married privately , and then return to our services again , where we will stay till our years are up , and then I eare not if all the world do know that we are Man and Wife .

Dol.

A match my dearest Love , this kiss shall part our bodies for this time ; yet surely know , that though I am gone , thou bearest away my heart ; my body to my heart shall shortly go .

Harry . Sweet Dolly fare thee well till next we meet , Ten thousand kisses , kisses that are sweet I 'le give thee here at parting ; do but guess The number till I make them numberless . Rejoyce my Dolly , for our Wedding day Will quickly come , Love's time makes no delay . Prepare thy self , and every thing provide Against that day to meet me , not with pride , But blest humility , and loving Charms , Such as become a faithful Bridegrooms Arms : Fear nothing Dolly , for I will requite All these past favours on our Wedding night .

DIALOGUE V. A merry Discourse betwixt two Poets , meeting with one another accidentally in the Street . Will.

BRother Tom , well met ; how goes the affairs of the world now a-days ?

Tom.

In troth Will very dull , mighty dull ; I 'le swear , methinks , all the world is dull but we ; and Faith we shall be dull too , except we can get more money ; I speak for my own part , I know not how your Pockets stand affected , I am sure mine find a mighty Vacuum of late .

Will.

Prithee now don't say so , I know you cannot want money except you are covetous , and so want by consequence , according to that old Adage , which tells us , that semper avarus eget .

Tom.

Prithee Will don't speak Latine , for I cannot understand a word so long as Aegrotat Crumena ; besides , I have drank never a drop of Sack , nor no other Wine ; therefore how canst thou expect that I can speak or understand a word of Latine .

Will.

Come , come , Brother Tom , we live by our Wits , we must not want money , for my part I have money enough ; Come , come along with me , I 'le revive thy spirits with some of the Heliconian Liquor , and you know Faecundi Calices Tom will inspire our Brains , and make our Muses sing such delightful strains , that shall charm the Usurers Gold to fly into our Pockets , and ne're repine for being bountiful .

Tom.

On my word Will . you are very bri●k , but what Tavern shall we go to ; methinks I cannot turn my head on neither side , but my Nose smells Sack ever since you talkt of going to the Tavern , for I 'le swear I have a very empty Cavern ; therefore prithee Will . name the place quickly , and we will discourse of all ●hings there as we shall think fit .

Will.

Prithee Tom go whither thou wilt , for my part it is all one to me ; but I think we had as good go to the Devil , because we are just by it .

Tom.

No Will , I don't care for going to the Devil now , for there I shall meet with a small Dun ; it is no great matter , I owe five or six Pounds , or thereabouts .

Will.

Well then avoid Satan , we 'll come not near thee ; but name some other place Tom.

Tom.

Why , there is a glass of as good Wine at the Rose , and there whatsoever we say shall be under the Rose ; and that 's as nigh as the other : besides the head Drawer is my very good friend , he never lets me pay a Farthing for Tobacco .

Will.

Prithee don't talk of such pittiful things as paying for Tobacco ; if he will draw us a Bottle of good Wine , that shall be all we expect from him . Tom , we must keep such fellows as Drawers are at a distance , lest they grow saucy .

Tom.

But I am forced to make them my Familiars , sometimes against my will , but it 's no matter for that , come let 's go .

Will. Come along Tom , I 'll lead the way . A Drawer comes to them at the Rose . Drawer .

You are welcome Gentlemen , will you be pleas'd to walk up stairs .

Tom.

Yes , honest Drawer , we will follow you up stairs as fast as we can .

Drawer .

What Wine will you be pleas'd to drink Gentlemen ?

Will.

Heark you , be you the Head - Drawer ?

Drawer .

Yes , Sir .

Tom.

Yes , yes , this honest Drawer knows me well enough .

Will.

Well honest Drawer , since he calls thee so , prithee bring us up a Bottle of the best Canary in the Cellar ; be sure let it be good , and thou shalt lose nothing for thy civility .

Drawer .

Your Servant . Sir , I 'll warrant you rare good , Sir .

Tom.

Do you hear , bring up some Tubacco with you also , such as I us'd to smoke when I come here .

Drawer .

You shall have it , Sir .

Tom.

We shall want a third man to help hold a discourse , shall we not ? What do you think of a third man , Will . I know where to send for one ?

Will.

A Por of a third man ; tell me of no third man : I 'll warrant thee , that we 'll find Discourse enough betwixt our selves .

Drawer .

Here 's a Glass of rich Canary , Sir .

Tom.

Give it me : Will . give me thy hand : Come , a good Health to the Muses our Sisters , our old Sire Apollo .

Will.

Well bowl'd Boy . Come , give me a Rummer , I 'll pledge thee .

Drawer .

Does the Wine please you , Gentlemen ?

Tom.

Thou art an honest Lad , 't is very good Wine , and I 'll remember thy Box for it .

Drawer .

Your Servant , Sir .

Exit Drawer . Will.

Come Tom , fill the other Glass and drink to me , I 'll warrant thee this will put thee out of thy dull humour : Come be merry old Soul , Let 's quaff whilst we may : None knows who shall live to be merry next day .

Tom.

Nay , if thou begin'st to be inspir'd already , what shall we be before we go : Come Will . God bless the King .

Will.

Prithee Tom drink off thy Glass : What thou dost not begin to start already ? Come suck him off , and I 'll pledge thee a brimmer .

Tom.

So now I hope I have pleas'd you , Will .

Will.

Yes , so thou hast Tom. and I 'll do the like , I 'll warrant Boy .

Tom.

I think we had best to call for the other Bottle before we begin to smoke .

Will.

Do so Tom , do you call , because you know the Drawer .

Tom.

Well , I 'll knock . Here Drawer , B●y .

Drawer .

By and by , I am coming Sir .

Tom.

Prithee draw us a Bottle of the same Wine .

Drawer .

You shall have it Sir .

Will.

Come Tom , now let 's smoke it awhile .

Tom.

Agreed : But stay , let 's do nothing rashly , let 's rake each of us another Glass first . Is this the same Wine , Drawer ?

Drawer .

The very same Sir .

Exit Drawer . Tom.

Come Will , here 's my Mistresses health .

Will.

Drink it off Tom , and pledge mine , and then —

Tom.

Ay , and then , as thou sayest Will . we shall be fit for discourse .

Will.

So , now let it rest awhile , and prithee tell me how thou hast spent thy time of late : Upon what new Subject hast thou exercis'd thy fancy of late .

Tom.

Why , I 'll tell thee Will , but t'other day there comes to my Lodging a brisk and lively Blade , a good Sack-drinker , but a younger Brother , and he like other men now adays ( I won't say thee , and I Will . because he was no Poet ) had more Wit than Money . This Young Gentleman had found out a Female Creature that had more Money than Wit , whom he thought were a very fit Match for him : He told me , that he had often made his Addresses to her , she not giving him a flat denial , he was perswaded , that his own Wit , with the assistance of a smooth Poem in praise of her Perfections ( or Imperfections , all 's one in that Greek you know Will. ) might win her , and work upon her foolish good Nature , so far as to accept his suit .

Will.

And how then Tom ?

Tom.

Nay , I must drink the other Glass before I can proceed any further with my Story .

Will.

Well , drink and be hang'd , you love this Sack , I perceive .

Tom.

Faith Will . 't was well said : Let me drink before I am hang'd , for I love Sack better than hanging by far .

Will.

Well , but go on with the Story .

Tom.

Then I told him Will , that I could fit him to a hair with a Copy of Verses , but I exprcted to have something in hand , and a promise what I should have after I had done . The young Fop heightred with the thoughts of good success , gave me a Guinny in hand , being all the Money he had , I suppose ; and a promise of four more if he married the young Gentlewoman : which I gladly took , and could not in Conscience but give him a glass of Wine out of it .

Will.

Well , and you did give him Sack out of his Guinny , did you not Tom ?

Tom.

Why yes , I tell thee , I did make him drink for his Money ; we had two Bottles of Clarer , and that look'd more gentile than one Bottle of Sack , though I must confess , that I love Sack far better than French-Wine , Will , and so here 's to thee .

Will.

Nay I believe that you love Sack well enough , without swearing to 't ; for you signifie as much by your present drinking . Well , now you have took off your Glass , I hope you will proceed with your Narration concerning the Poems you were to make .

Tom.

Yes , I will so ; but had not we best to drink another Glass apiece first : I vow this is excellent good Sack , Will .

Will.

Yes , yes , the Sack 's good enough ; but prithee be not so greedy of it Tom , but go on with thy Story .

Tom.

Well here 's one Glass to thee Will , and then —

Will.

And then I think thou 'lt be drunk , Tom , come prithee make haste then , for I am impatient of thy tediousness .

Tom ,

Well , if thou wilt not pledge me Will , I 'll set it by a while , and proceed with my young Gamester , which was after this manner . I bad him come again that day week he gave me the Guinny , and he should have the Poems .

Will.

Why , thou wast not a week sure in composing a Copy of Verses in praise of a Ladies Beauty ?

Tom.

No indeed , I was not Will ; I wonder how thou hapenest to ask such an impertinent Question ?

Will.

How do you make it an impertinent Question ? did you not say , that you bid the Gentleman come that day week , and he should have his Poem ?

Tom.

Yes , I did say so , and do say so still , and say the truth too , Mr. Will , and yet that is no good ground for you to say that I was a week in making them ; I 'll swear if you were not my Brother Poet , I would call thee Fool. Why , dost thou not know that I had a Guinny ?

Will.

Yes , I do remember you told me so , but what then ?

Tom.

What then , why art thou ignorant still ? Dost thou think that the Guinny would not require some time in spending ?

Will.

'T is right Tom , I blame my present dulness of apprehension in not understanding thee at first ; I must confess that I might have imagined that thou couldst not rest , or settled thy self to any thing till the Guinny was consumed and melted away .

Tom.

Yes , as thou sayest Will , I did melt it in a shore time , but not all at one time ; for I would study and compose three or four Lines , then to the Tavern for half a pint of the best Canary , and having drunk up that , I could make a shift to go home and compose two Verses and a half more , and then to the Tavern again . But now I think on 't , this Wine that stands by me , will be flat if it stands any longer , therefore Will , here 's to thee .

Will.

What again ? why sure enough I shall be troubled to get thee home by and by .

Tom.

Yes , it may be so . Here Drawer , Boy .

Drawer .

By and by , Sir , I am coming . Did you call here , Sir ?

Tom.

Yes ; Prithee bring us a Bottle of the same Wine , and bring a Chamber-pot with thee .

Drawer .

You shall have it , Sir .

Tom.

We shall have the other Bottle , shall we not Will ?

Will.

Yes , it seems we must have it ; now you have call'd for 't .

Drawer .

There are Musicians below , Gentle men , who desire to know whether you will permit them to play to you or no ?

Will.

Hang 'em Rogues , we have rothing to do with Fidlers , our Sack will make us more merry than their scraping .

Tom.

Thou sayest right Will , and now I love thee , and here 's ●o thee .

Will.

Come drink Tom , and let me hear what Verses thou madest the young man for his Guinny , I know thou hast a foul Copy of them about thee still , hast not , Tom. ?

Tom.

Why , what if I have or have not , must I needs tell you Will ; or is there any necessity that I should shew them to you , if I have 'em about me ?

Will.

No , no , Tom , I do not Command you to shew me , but I desire that kindness of you ; therefore don't be angry .

Tom.

No , no , Will , angry , I scorn to be angry ; Come here 's to thee .

Will.

Well , but will you shew me the Poem that you made for the Gentleman .

Tom.

No , in troth won't I , but I 'll read it to you , if that will fatisfie you , if not , you must defist to ask me further , for I will not part from them out of my own hands to ne're a man in England ; yet I must confess , that I love you well Will , but you must pardon me for that .

Will.

Why are they such excellent ones that you are afraid that I should take them away , and so make use of them , some other time upon the same occasion ?

Tom.

'T is no matter for that , if you will hear them you shall Will .

Will.

Well , prithee , let 's hear 'em then .

Tom.

Why , you shall ; but here 's to you first , I begin to be dry .

Will.

Well , prithee drink , and read 'em if thou wilt , or say thou wilt not .

Tom.

Yes , I will , and these they are , pray give attention :

Madam , your Beauty , hang me , like an Elf , I need not praise , for that will praise it self : I cannot flatter you , yet must confess , That I could love you well , if you had less . For what I love you for , I know you guess . Will.

How 's that ? How 's that ?

Tom.

Nay , if you interrupt me , I ha' done .

Will.

Proceed .

Tom. I love you , Madam , more than Pig or Pye , And if you love me not , I 'll sit and cry , And curse my cruel fate and destiny , until I waste , and pine away , and dy ; And if my Mother ask the reason why , Then Madam , you must bear the shame , not I , Because you work my woe by cruelty ; But if you are kind and grant my suit , I 'le fly Into your arms with joy , and there I 'le lye , And kiss and hugg to perpetuity , And nothing want that 's underneath the Sky ; Then be not coy , nor softly say , fie , fie ; If that I lie , as close as Pig in Stie . Will.

Oh , wonderful , wonderful Wit ! I never heard the like in all my life ; so many Rhimes of one sort I never heard in my life time .

Tom.

That 's the rarity of it , Will .

Will.

Yes , so I perceive Tom. What did you conclude you Elegant Poem after this manner ?

Tom.

No , there is two Lines more , and that is all ; which are these :

Thus Mistress , hoping you 'll not count me rude , Until anon I see you , I conclude . Will.

Oh , admirable Tom ! I could not have thought that any man alive had had so much wit in him ; Well , go thy way for a Composer of Poems : so excellent a Fancy , I never heard before .

Tom.

No nor no body else , except it came from those that are good Sack Drinkers like my self : Come here 's to thee Will , let 's drink a little touch now .

Will.

I 'll pledge thee Tom , a brimmer : Drawer , bring the t'other Bottle , and tell us what 's to pay ?

Drawer .

You shall have it , Sir .

Tom.

Come Will , prithee tell me what new thing thou hast made of late , speak Will , and briskly , to be dull I hate .

Will. This Sack has witty Charms I do perceive , It fools inspires , I aptly do believe . Tom. Then give us Sack , give us Sack , 'T is pity , we should ever lack . Will. Drink stoutly Tom , thou shalt not want , I find it helps the ignorant . Tom. Come , Drawer , quick , and bring some smoke ; To drink more Wine it will provoke . Will. I value not the Indian Funk , It rather causes to be drunk . Tom. Fie Will , none can be drunk but Sots , That in an Ale-house tope black Pots : Wine only does transform our Souls ; A Block-head's witty with full Bowls . Will. I 'm apt to think , thou tell'st me true , Then prithee Tom , take thou thy due : Thy Guinny Poem wanted Wine , Thy muddy Brains for to refine : Let 's cease to Rhime ex tempore , We 'll drink and laugh and merry be . Tom.

Thou sayest true Will , we had better leave off Rhiming in vain , for why should we waste our stock of Wit upon each other when we have no occasion for it ; we have enough to study our Brains when we have a Gninny Subject to work upon . In troth Will , I begin to be troubled with a short Cough , I don't know what they call it ; Prithee give me another Class of Sack , and try what that will do with me .

Will.

Ay , ay , the t'other Glafs , prithee drink it off , and begin an other to me , that we may make an end , for it begins to be late .

Tom.

Thou sayest true Will , and here 's to thee .

Will.

So now , we 'll call for a Reckoning . Here Drawer , What 's to pay ?

Drawer .

Eight shillings Wine , and six pence Tobacco .

Will.

Here 's nine shillings , take thou the remainder .

Drawer .

Your Servant , Sir , you are welcome Gentlemen .

Tom.

Well fare thee well Will , the next Treat shall be mine .

Will.

Adien honest Tom , let me see thee sometimes . Fare-well .

DIALOGUE VI. A merry Dialogue of Love betwixt an Old Rich Guff and a handsome br●●k Damsel . Old Man .

MY Cocky , My pretty Nancy Cock , how dost thou my Sweeting ? in troth Law ; I am glad to see thee with all my heart . Come , how hast thou done this great while ? what , art thou marri'd yet my Girl ? hast got thee a good Husband yet ?

Maid .

Your Servant Sir , I hope your Worship 's in good health .

Old Man .

Yes , in good truth Girl , I thank my God , I am in good health , and am as lively and lusty , as e're I was in all my life : But prithee tell me Nancy , art a Wife or a Maid ? Tell me truly , don't blush .

Maid .

I am a Maid , an 't please you , Sir .

Old Man .

In goed time , my Sweeting : But I wonder thou hast not got thee a Husband all this while .

Maid .

I hope he is got already , Sir .

Old Man .

Well , well , pretty one , you know my meaning : I tell thee ; I wonder such a pretty sweet-fac'd Rogue has not a Husband yet .

Maid .

Because I can get no Body to have me , Sir ; however I think it is time enough yet , for I am young in years , and may be brought too soon to know the sorrows of a wedded life .

Old Man .

Be not mistaken Sweetest ; there are no pleasures in the world like to those which married people receive when they are joyn'd together by free consent , and where there is no want of an Estate to keep Love warm ; for I must confess that Poverty often makes Love grow cold , and want of Necessaries makes Quarrels arise ; But where there is a sufficiency and plenty of all things , together with a loving and kind Husband , I think that woman is in a happy condition : What thinks't thou of this my Nancy , come answer me now Girl ?

Maid .

Why truly Sir , such Husbands are hard to be found ; but if I knew where to have such a man , I should be willing enough to alter my condition ; for I must confess that I have had a longing mind this half year to be a married wife ; for something , but I know not yet for what , I had so strong a desire .

Old Man .

Alas , poor Rogue ! pretty innocent Girl , The truth on 't is , I do believe that thou art a pure Virgin , and by 'r Lady , my Cocky , I will give thee one Salute .

Maid .

How Sir ?

Old Man .

Nay , my Cocky , be not ashamed ; Nay , prithee don't blush .

Maid .

Pray Sir , what do you mean ? I hope you will not degrade your self so much as to kiss such a one as I : Pray Sir , forbear .

Old Man .

I feck Huffy , thou art a sweet-lip't Rogue , and let me tell thee , that I must do more than kiss thee .

Maid .

I hope you are not in earnest ; you will not as me any harm , will you Sir ?

Old Man .

Hurt thee ? No my Chuck , I do not intend to hurt thee ; I love that sweet face of thine too well to hurt it .

Maid .

Nay then I care not Sir what you do to me , so you don't hurt me ; pray tell me then what you mean to do ?

Old Man .

Why , I intend to love thee .

Maid .

To love me ! and what then Sir ?

Old Man

To kiss thee , and hag thee , and to lie with thee all night .

Maid ,

Marry God forbid that I should lie with a man ; in deed Sir , I dare not do such a thing for all the World ; for my Mother has often told me , that I must not lie with a man , except I had a Husband .

Old Man .

Ha , ha , ha , my pretty thing , no more ; thou shalt not he with any man but thy Husband .

Maid .

Why Sir , you are not my Husband , and yet you talk of lying with me .

Old Man .

Well said , sweet Face : But what do'st think of being my wife ? couldst thou find in thy heart to love me , and prove a vertuous , true , and kind wife to me all days of thy life : Now Cocky speak , for in troth Law , I am in earnest , and do love thee above all other Maids in the whole world .

Maid .

Do you so Sir : But you are old , are you not Sir , pray tell me ?

Old Man .

Why , what if I am , Child .

Maid .

Why then you 'll die before me , Sir , and I shall love you so well when I am married to you , that it will break my heart , if you should die before me .

Old Man .

Pretty heart , say'st thou so : Is that all thou dost object against me ?

Maid .

Is not that enough Sir , what would you have me say more ?

Old Man .

I must confess , dear Heart , that I am older than thee ; but you must know , Cocky , that we all must die , both old and young , but we cannot tell who shall die first ; therefore be not discomforted upon that account , for thou may'st die as soon as Is if not before me .

Maid .

Would you not cry then Sir , if I should die be fore you ?

Old Man .

Yes , Pretty Rogue , I should be sorry for thy death , but those things must be left to the disposal of kind Heaven , which orders all things of that Nature in its own due time and season .

Maid .

Say you so Sir , but you are older than I , and I very much fear —

Old Man .

What dost thou fear , pretty One ? Speak holdly , do not fear to tell me .

Maid .

Why Sir , can't you guess .

Old Man .

Why Yes , fair One , perhaps I may .

Maid .

Pray tell me , what you think then ?

Old Man .

Well , I believe , thou think'st that because I am in years , I may not be capable of those Duties which belong to a new Marriage-bed .

Maid .

Why what are those , Sir ?

Old Man .

Pretty Innocent : well , thou shalt know when we are marry'd , and till then thou must rest contented .

Maid .

Well Sir , I shall be contented : But pray till me , if we must marry , how I shall be maintained , for my Mother will not look after me then .

Old Man .

Preity Fool , take no care for that : I have got more Gold and Silver than thee and I shall ever spend whilst we live , and when we die shall leave enough for our Children after us .

Maid .

What must we have Children too ?

Old Man .

Two ? Yes , three or four , I 'll warrant thee : although I am old in thy eyes , yet I am as youthful and vigorous in those concerns , as a young Man at one and twenty ; the enjoyment of thee will make me forget my Age , and become a Boy again .

Maid .

Nay then , I care not Sir , for I shall love to see you look young .

Old Man .

Come and kiss me then , my Nancy .

Maid .

With all my heart Sir . And now I 'll sing you one Verse of a Song .

Old Man .

Come let 's hear it , Girl .

Song . When a young womdn to an old Dotard is wed , Let her honestly live if she can , 'T is a thousand to one but with Hornes he 'll be sped , Iy some pretty wanton young man . Then his wife with disgrace he ever will shame ; But the wisest young Gallants will fiee her from blame . Maid .

Pray how like you this ?

Old Man .

Very well , very well , Nanny ; Prithee , who taught thee this Song .

Maid .

My Mother Sir , and she said it was a very true one .

Old Man .

No , no , fair One , it is not true ; there is no honest woman will wrong her husbands bed , though she have never so great temptations .

Maid .

I hope you will not be jealous Sir , I 'll promise you I will live as honestly as ever I can ; what would you have me do more ?

Old Man .

No , no , thou say'st Well , Girl , I will not be jealous , and I fancy that I shall please thee so well , that thou wilt have no cause to make me a Cuckold ; and we will live together as merry as Cup and Can.

Maid .

Well , what would you have me say more , Sir , pray speak , and tell me quickly , for I am weary of this Discourse , I had rather be in action .

Old Man .

I commend thee , my Lore , and so had I too ; Well , tell me , then wilt thou have me to be thy Husband ?

Maid .

Yes , if you please , Sir .

Old Man .

Enough , now I have my desire , and thou shalt have thine , I 'll warrant thee ; now I will go and make preparation against too morrow , which shall be our Wedding-day ; and with this kiss , at present I take leave .

All things prepar'd , they marri'd were in haste , The Old Man fails , and Cuckold is at last .

DIALOGUE VII . A Merry Dialogue betwixt a young Gentleman and an old Widdow . Gent.

MAdam , the various Reports that go abroad in the World concerning Matrimony , make me ambitious to try an Experiment upon the same , and having heard so great a Fame of your Ladyships good life and conversation , have presum'd now to tell you , that I am Madam , Your humble Servant .

Wid.

Sir , I can do less then give you thanks for your Civility towards me , but I wonder that you should attaque me with the matter of love . I suppose you understand my present state and condition , how that of late I have buri'd a good Husband ; how therefore can you think that I will admit so soon of a second address : In the first place , you must either think that I had but small kindness for my former Husband , or etherwise you must imagine that I am a fond old doting Fool , apt to be carri'd away with every wind of Doctrine that is preach'd to me by every simple Ideot , that has onely a prospect into my Estate or Fortune , but has no regard to my person . Come , young Gentleman , these things won't take .

Gent.

Madam , I hope I have given you no offence ; if I have , I most humbly beg your pardon .

Widd.

I am no Pope Sir .

Gent.

But Madam you must give me leave to tell you then , that if Love can be called an offence , I must confess that I have offended ; for now and evermore I must tell you that I love you , and none but you in the whole world ; therefore dear Madam , look not scornfully upon me , but grant me my humble request ; which is to give me love for love .

Widd.

Why sure young man you are not in earnest .

Gent.

Yes Madam indeed I am , and so you shall find me .

Widd.

Why what would you have me to do , would you have me match my self to a young Boy ?

Gent.

Madam you 'll find a lusty Boy of me , methinks I begin to write my self man — being now about twenty ; I 'll warrant you Madam a good Bedfellow .

Widd.

How shall I know that ?

Gent.

Try Widdow , try , there 's nothing like it ; faith ne'r fear it , I have that you want , come let 's grow familiar now .

Widd.

Are you in earnest Sir ?

Gent.

Yes by this kiss I am .

Widd.

Nay hold you are rude , fie for shame ; what again ?

Gent.

Again , yes and again and again too .

Widd.

Why sure you won't , young man , you 'll be tired anon ?

Gent.

No , no , Widdow , I shall never be weary of well-doing .

Widd.

Do you call this doing well ?

Gent.

Truly I must confess there is not much action in this ; for it is only an invitation to a farther bliss or happiness , which the Wits of our Age call enjoyment . Ah Widdow Enjoyment , Enjoyment ; that 's all .

Widd.

Prethee what do'st thou mean by Enjoyment , I don't understand ye ?

Gent.

Well well , Widdow , I shall speak in plain English , when you and I are in bed together ; however I am fully perswaded that you know my meaning by Enjoyment , though you have had but little ; for I am sensible that your Husband was a silly feeble Sot , and scarce ever shew'd you what Enjoyment was ; but I Widdow , I 'll clear the case , and shew you what it is immediately , if you please .

Widd.

Why you will not surely , will you ? methinks you are a little too hasty for me ; and yet —

Gent.

And yet I know that cannot well be ; for having once but smelt of the Spit , you will love a good not flatter you , but proceed according to the old Song , which is this :

Song . He that will win a Widdows heart , Must bear up briskly to her : She loves the lad that 's free and smart , And hates the formal woer . She loves the lad that 's free and smart , And bates , &c.

What think you of this Widdow ?

Widd.

Well , well , young man , you may go on , and see what you 'll get by 't .

Gent.

Go on , yes so , I intend , and get you by● .

Widd.

What do you mean by getting me ?

Gent.

Why I mean by the way of Love to make you my Wife Widdow ; what do you think of that Lady ?

Widd.

Why sure you don't think so ; are you and I an equal match ?

Gent.

Match ; ha , ha , ha , yes Widdow I 'll match ye I 'll warrant ye ; come give 's your hand , is 't a bargain or no ?

Widd.

What you are in haste then ?

Gent.

Yes , yes , in great haste Widdow .

Widd.

Very well ; but do you conceive that my age and yours agree .

Gent.

Yes , yes , we and our ages too will agree well enough ; suppose I am twenty and you are forty , what a business is that ? Let me tell you Widdow , that if you joyn with me , our Ages shall be both equal .

Widd.

How can you make out that Sir ?

Gent.

Why thus Widdow , by way of infusion ; for let me tell you that I shall infuse so much young blood into you , that in one weeks time you will become twenty years younger : Do you hear me now Widdow , what think you of this ?

Widd.

Go , go , you are a Wagg .

Gent.

Yes , yes , so I am , and I 'll tumble thee about as long as thou art able to wag .

Widd.

You won't hurt me , will you ?

Gent.

No , no , you don't fear that Widdow .

Widd.

Not much I must confess .

Gent.

Well then speak freely , wilt thou be my spouse or no ?

Widd.

I could find in my heart Sir , but it must be upon certain conditions .

Gent.

Well , well name your conditions ; they are good ones I 'll warrant ye .

Widd.

Why these they are : In the first place , whereas I am possess'd with an Estate valued at Three hundred pounds per annum , you shall not have any thing to do with that Estate , not so much as with the yearly Rent ; but it shall be all at my disposing .

Gent.

Very 〈◊〉 have you any more conditions pray like the first ?

Widd.

Yes I have one more , and this it is : You shall not take into your possession any money of mine , either Gold or Silver ; nor make any enquiry how rich I am ; but be satisfi'd and contented with what you have already .

Gent.

So , what 's this all ?

Widd.

Yes Sir , upon these Terms I do agree and am contented to become your Wife .

Gent.

Are you so ? Thank you for nothing : Fare you well , fare you well Widdow .

Widd.

Why are you gone Sir ?

Gent.

Yes I am going forsooth .

Widd.

Heark you Sir , stay a little , nay pray stay ; come I 'll moderate the business , I know your Disease .

Gent.

Well be quick then .

Widd.

Will all my ready money satisfie you ?

Gent.

No , no , Widdow , if you 'll be my Wife , you must give up Life , Body , Soul , Estate , and all you have into my possession .

Widd.

Well come then if it must be so , it must , I cannot deny you any thing ; for I think long to be made young again .

Gent.

A Match Widdow , now the bargain 's ended ; come we 'll away to the Church , and be marry'd immediately .

He that a Widdow woes must never flatter , But with a sprightly carriage make up at her .

A brief Description Of TRUE LOVE . TRue Love is a precious Treasure , A rich Delight , unvalued pleasure . Mens hearts like a Maze intwining , Two firm minds in one combining : Foe to faithless Vows perfidious , True Love is a Knot religious . Dead to the Sins that flaming rise , Through Beauties soul-seducing eyes . Deaf to Gold-inchanting Witches , Loves for Vertue , not for Riches . Such is True Loves boundless measure , True Love is a precious Treasure . This is Love , and worth commending ; Still beginning , never ending . Like a wily Net ensnaring , Like a Round shuts up all squaring : In and out whose every angle , More and more doth still intangle : Keeps a measure still in moving , And is never light but loving . Twining Arms , exchanging Kisses , Each pertaking others Blisses . Laughing , weeping , still together , Bliss in one , is mirth in either . Never breaking , ever bending : This is Love , and worth commending .

In Praise and Dispraise of LOVE . NOw what is Love I will thee tell , It is the Fountain and the Well , Where Pleasure and Repentance dwell . And it is like a Passing-Bell , That toles all into Heaven or Hell . Now what is Love I will thee show , A thing that creeps where it cannot go : A Prize that passeth to and fro . A thing for me , a thing for mo ; And he that tries shall find it so .

EXAMPLES OF LETTERS AND COMPLEMENTS . OF All sorts , both Jocose and Serious , fitted for business as well as Recreation and Delight .

A Father's Letter to his Son at School in the Countrey . Dear Child .

AS it is my Fatherly care to provide for your future good , in bringing you up to learning : as well as my present endeavours to see that you want nothing in the time of your Minority ; so I expect that you by being dutiful and diligent should make me amends for all my costs and charges . Be sure you mind your Book , and consider , that you alone will receive the benefit : let not too much play steal away your mind from Learning , for you can never receive any good thereby , but harm does often happen by over-heating your self , which will dull your memory , and make you incapable of attaining what your Master shall set before you ; so that you will cheat both your self and me ; your self of time and knowledge , and me of my Money and expectation . When you have a little leisure from your Latin , I would have you practise Writing , which will be a recreation to you ; for to be always upon one exercise doth dull the senses of any one whether Young or Old , and it would be a comfort to me to have a Letter from you now and then to hear of your welfare : be careful how you spend your time , and you shall want for nothing that I can help you to , that may encourage you to be a good boy , and the way to be so , is to live in the fear of God , and to keep his Commandments , then will his Blessings for ever attend you , and you will be a joy and comfort to me and your tender Mother in our old Age : Both our Loves remembred to you and your Mistress , I am

Your loving Father , A. B.

The Son's Answer . Honoured Father ,

AFter my humble Duty presented to you and my Mother , these may let you understand , that through the blessing of God I am in good health , and will to my lives and be dutiful and obedient , to you and my good Mother ; taking your advice and counsel in every thing , knowing that you wish me well both for my present and future happiness : my Master is very kind to me , and careful of my welfare in every respect ; pray be pleas'd to accept of my ill writing at present , and I doubt not but in a short time , I shall mend my hand and write better , though as yet I have had but little time allowed me , to learn to write . My kind Love and service to all my Relations and Friends is all at present that I have to trouble you with who am ,

Your dutiful and most obedient Son till death C. B.

A Citizen returning his Friend kind thanks for his entertainment when he was in the Countrey . Kind Sir ,

THe great and manifold kindnesses which I have often received from you and your Wife do ever call upon me , and put me in mind of making an acknowledgement , as some part of satisfaction ; but most of all those infinite savours which you were pleased to confer upon me when I was last in the Countrey must not , nor can never be forgot whilst I live ; I know not how to make you amends to my own content , in no way but desiring your good company in London at my House , where you may be sure of a welcome from him who is Sir

Your loving Friend and humble Servant , E. G.

The Country Gentleman's Answer to the Citizen . Sir ,

IT is not my business to complement my Friends with fair words and eloquent Speeches , but to tell them in down-right and in plain Language , they are welcome ; and not only to tell them so in words , but to let them find they 're welcome by their entertainment ; which if you found worth your acceptance I wish you had stayed longer , for I 'le assure you Sir , your company was most delightful , and most pleasant to me all the while you were in the Countrey ; Insomuch that I cannot be contented to be long without it ; therefore since you would not tarry with us , I do intend to come very speedily to London , and give you a visit where I do purpose to remain till you are weary of my company and I weary of the City , but how long that may be I cannot tell : in the mean time Sir I present my Service to your self and good Brother Thomas , wishing you all health and happiness , I remain ,

Your truly loving Friend J. S.

A merry Letter to invite a Friend to the Tavern . Honest T●m ,

FAith I have designed this Afternoon to be merry in , and want nothing that can be helping to my delight but your good company : my defire is , that you would meet me at the George Tavern , in White-Fryers about two of the Clock , and I will get together two or three more of our old Companions , and there we will soak our Souls with good Sack and Claret , till our Brains are inspired with that Heavenly Liquor : then will we sing each of us a merry Catch and drink our Mistresses Health ; crying God bless the King , again and again : then toss off a brimmer of Bacchus his blood , which will make us like Mars be couragious and valiant : and cause the fair Venus to fall on her back , though the black limping Cuckold old Vulcan stand by . Never think of the reckoning for I 'le pay the shot , and if I have not Money the Vintner shall trust ; thus expecting your coming I impatiently remain ,

Your true Friend and to●ing Comparion D. J.

The Answer . Honest Soul ,

YOu are always so obliging , and your company is so delightful , that you may assure your self I will not fail to meet so true a Friend ; you know my ●●●●sition is ever inclin'd to Mirth and good 〈◊〉 Sack and brisk Claret will command me at 〈◊〉 , to fight under their Banners so long as I can stand , but if by their charms it happens that I am overcome , one jolly sweet Song sung in a high strain , will awaken each sence and recover me to Life again ; then cursing the Drawer for being so slow , instead of calling for one Bottle we will make him bring up a dozen together , till at length we are fitted for Venus indeed , then high for a Mistrest , a Girl of the Game , that by her rare Art will easily quench those flames in one half hour , which we have been kindling with the Spirits of Bacchus the space of a whole day , all which being done , we will seek our repose by sleeping a while to regain us fresh courage ; and with this resolution I 'le be sure to meet you , who am

Your now too sober Friend , H. B.

A Gentleman to a young Lady whom he courted to marry . Honoured Madam ,

SInce last I had the happiness to see your fair face , Cupid hath wounded my heart with those Arrows which he borrowed from your eyes , and unless you will be pleased to give relief to my miseries and pain , which I thereby do undergo both night and day , alas I shall be of all Men most miserable : my humble suit which now I beg is this , that you would be pleased to make me for ever happy by giving me admittance into your sweet Company , and meet my honest and lawful desires with smiles upon your Brow ; I shall not court you our of complaisance , but tell you Madam honourably and plainly , that with your good liking I intend to make you my Wife , which if you accept of my serious proposition , I shall for ever be bles● , and you Madam I hope will never have cause to repent your choice : thus expecting your kind reply ; I for this time begging your pardon , do humbly take my leave and remain , Madam

The humblest of your Servants , W. G.

The Ladies Answer . Sir ,

I Cannot but bless my self with admiration that so wise a Man as your self , should talk so idly to say , that my Eyes have wounded your Heart : I must needs tell you I think you talk of impossibilities , and that want of rest occasions this distraction of mind ; you pretend to be no complemental Courtier , yet appear to be the greatest that ever I met with by this your Letter you sent me . I must confess according to equality of Fortunes you out-do me , and I am not of Birth so highly descended , therefore you may presume , that a few words from a person of so much Worth as your self may win so silly a Woman as I am , but flatter not your self with that , for I 'le assure you I think as well of my Virginity as the best of them all do , and shall be as loth to part with it except it be upon a good consideration ; therefore if you are real as you pretend concerning Marriage , your suit may be accepted , but if otherwise , you take your aim amiss : this till I know you better I hope may suffice from her who is ,

Your Servant on honourable terms , S. B.

A Countrey Farmer 's Son to one of his Neighbour's Daughters . Dear Betty ,

I Must confess ever since you and I drank together last Warm-love Fair , I have had a great affuction for you , insomuch that I cannot rest at night for those sweet kisses we then had together , when we drank the last half pint of White-wine and Sugar : I then perceived that the company of a Woman-kind , was far better than a Mans ; and truly now I begin to think my self Man sufficient to have a Wife , and if you think so well of me , as I do of you , we will make no long business of it , for to tell you the truth I am a little in hast , having ever since I saw you , had some strange thoughts and fancies , fits of Love I suppose they be , if not , I 'le swear I cannot tell what to call them : Sometimes I dream too , and to be sure it is of you ; therefore I think the best way to give me ease is to marry quickly , and after we have seen one another once more , I think it will be time for the old Folks to meet to consult about the bargain , in the mean time I swear I love you dearly , who am

Your loving Friend R. L.

Betty's Answer . Honest Ralph ,

I Must confess you were very kind to me at our last and I took it so , yet I would not have you think me fond , for a young Maid as I am may go to the Tavern with a Neighbour's Son at a publick Fair , and kiss a little too , and yet not be accounted fond I hope : to tell you truly ever since that time I have found a strange alteration in my body and mind , for when I think of you ( which is very often ) I cannot forbear sighing , insomuch that our folks take notice of me , asking me what 's the matter , but indeed they ask me more then I can answer them ; only now you put me in mind on 't I am verily perswaded that it is Love that people so much talk of ; yes it must be Love I am sure of it : I also dream in the Night , and such strange dreams , that I hall not name till we are married , which if the old Men our Fathers do agree , shall be as soon as you please , till then I am ,

Your loving Wise in conceit , E. L.

A Letter to court a young Widdow , who had lately buried her Husband . Honoured Madam ,

TO say your beauty only moves me to love you , would only be to flatter you , or to say you Wisdom was a second cause , I should belye my sel● though this I needs must tell you Madam , that I know you are both fair and wise , and that beyond an ordinary comparison , both which are excellent ornaments of Nature ; but I look further , Madam ; into your actions and find them carried on and guided by that precious Jewel called Virtue , the beauty of the Soul , an excellency by far transcending all endowments ; and for that Madam I love and honour you . 'T is pitty Madam so much youthful worth should any longer be clouded under mourning Weeds , what though your Husband was a kind and loving Man to you in his Life-time , the memory of him ought not to be a trouble to you after his Death , for he receives the comfort of all his good deeds which he did in his Life as a due recompence of a good Christian ; therefore Madam your sorrows ought to cease , because he rejoyces in another World ; revive your Spirits Madam , and bethink your self that we must live by the quick and not by the dead ; therefore we ought to make the best use of our time , not knowing how soon we may be call'd aside , and it would be a great pitty , that we should die and leave the World behind us without some enjoyment of those delights for which we are created to partake of . My humble suit is Madam that you would be pleased to accept my honest Love , and grant my request , which is , that you would think so well of my person as to smile upon my reasonable demands , which are that you would become my Wife , and throw aside all these melancholy thoughts of your dead Husband , and for my further satisfaction Madam , concerning your affections , I beg that you would send me my sentence either for Life or Death , in the mean time I remain ,

Your desperate Lover , T. W.

The Widows Answer . Sir ,

I Must confess you began to court and complement me very Learnedly , and in my opinion ( if I may be my own Judge ) in the beginning of your Letter , you writ nothing but the truth : for my beauty cannot move any one to love me , neither will my Wit or Ingenuity be attractive to any Man that is endowed with such super-excellent Wisdom , and with so quick an apprehension as your self : yet I have so good an opinion of my self as to think that I have beauty enough to serve any Man's turn , that is less handsome then I am , and wit enough to know when I am flattered , and how to avoid the deluding temptations of the flatterer , and that I count sufficient for any Woman of so ordinary a quality as my self ; as for my Virtues I hope I have my share amongst the rest of my Sex , for which I give God the praise ; neither am I proud , that you think or call me virtuous , however I have thus much knowledge as to understand that virtue is an ornament far excelling all beauty or any other natural parts which are but momentary and like a shadow which now appears , and on a sudden vanishes away . 'T is true my former Husband which is now dead was ●an honest Man , that you , and all the World that knew him must confess , which is a rare principle amongst you Men to be so , as well as so to be accounted : but I knew more then this , he was to me both loving and kind , as well as honest , and so kind that I scarce believe that he has left his fellow behind him , therefore do not think that sorrow sits so slightly on my brow , as to be blown off with two or three fair promises ; Oh no , I cannot so suddenly forget so good a Man , and pitch my mind upon a sec●●● Husband , though I must confess that my youthful Age will not permit me to dany my self a second Husband , but whoever that shall be , that likes me so well as to marry me must stay a while longer , and then without doubt I may be easily entreated if I like the Man , which I know nothing to the contrary but that you may be he . if I find you love me as you say you do , I am Sir

Your Servant in Sorrow , S. T.

A Merchant to his Factor in the West-Indies . Mr. Johnson ,

I Have sent you over some goods for you to dispose of in the Ship called the Woodstrange , Captain Stout Commander ; you will find the particulars and the prizes of them , in the Bill herein enclosed , I hope you will give me no occasion to doubt your care in putting of them off to the best advantage ; however I think it behoves me to advise you , to have a quick eye to find out how the Markets go with you , and if there is not many of those sorts of Commodities arrived at Virginia ( as I hope there is not ) then I do not question but you will sell mine at a good advantage ; therefore pray be diligent and make an enquiry after those concerns : for in your good management of my affairs in those parts depends my whole livelyhood , I would have you traffick them away for Tobacco only , and return my venture back by the same Vessel , this with my prayers for good success is all at present ,

Your loving Friend , W. P. London , November 15. 1675.

The Factor's Answer . Honoured Sir ,

I Have received those Goods which were mentioned in the Note which you inclosed in your last Letter dated the twenty fifth day of November , one thousand six hundred seventy and five , they came safe to my , hands without the least da● 〈◊〉 and I have disposed of them according to my best judgement , I hope you do not question my best care and double diligence in serving you , who repose so much confidence and trust in me . It happen'd to be just as you imagined , and wisht , for there was very few of those sorts of Commodities arrived at our Port at the time you sent yours , therefore I had the opportunity to put them off at a good rate , and with great advantage : according to your desire , I have returned you back by the same Ship five hundred Hogsheads of Tobacco , which I hope will come safe to London , and if they do I know there will no small profit arise to you by them , thus Sir trusting them to the protection of the Almighty , and the Mercy of the Seas , I rest

Yours always ready to serve you faithfully , E. Johnson .

A Letter to disswade a Friend from marrying . Loving Friend ,

I Am informed by a friend of yours and mine also , that you are about to commit Matrimony , I mean to betake your self to House-keeping , and to furnish your house with that monstrous piece of Houshold-stuff called a Wife , which if true , I am wonderfully sorry for you , that for want of better judgement , or at least without more consideration and consultation , you will put your self to that unnecessary charge , truly in my opinion one of those Utensils or Commodities which you please to call them , may very very well supply three or four Families , and you living amongst such good Neighbours it is no question but you might borrow one of some of them , for without doubt when you are marri●● they will make bold with you upon the same account for conveniencies sake ; thus far I think I have spoke to the purpose , now let me advise you a little farther before you undertake this bold attempt and give you some strong reasons to diswade linking your self to such a Serpent that will bite you a thousand ways ; to name them particularly would be a task too great , for me to undertake , that is to say , all of them one by one , but some few of them I will demonstrate to thee as a dear Friend : First , her Tongue will command your Will and your humour , and if there should be any opposition to her desires , then she studies how to plague you by her actions ; first her commands will be for Money , and more then a necessary sum must be had for such uses as you must not know of , and if you make an enquiry , there shall be no peace in the house for a Month together ; Perhaps her lascivious desires may lead her to some merry Meeting , with some of her Neighbouring Gossips , and with them having a while pretty well booz'd , and soak'd their Souls with good brisk Wine , then in steps a Man of the times , a brave Gallant , who seeing your Wife to be young , and something amorous , amongst the rest of this jovial crew he singles her out , and taking her into some more convenient place ; where with a few flattering words he entices her to make you a Cuckold , which he calls being kind to him ; and thus she revengeth her self on you for not submitting your self to her will in every thing : and 't is forty to one but she being full of youthful desire does from that very hour conceive with child by her lusty Gallant , and you forced to Father the Brat of another Man's begetting . But to judge more favourably upon that score , suppose that she amongst that small number of her Sex should prove honest , yet you must be sure to expect from her a certain charge and trouble , but an uncertain profit and contentment : You must be sure to maintain her fine , and in gay Apparel beyond her quality and the strength of your purse ; else will she turn her back-side to you in bed at night , and if she be not given to scold and rail , then will she be sullen and dogged a whole Week together , and will not speak but frown upon you till you grant her request ; Women for the most part being as proud as Lucifer , must be deck'd up with gorgeous Apparel , to be accounted fine and handsome by the rest of their Neighbours , not regarding how mean and sluttish they are cloath'd when they are at home with their Husbands . Then for your House though it be made never so convenient for your use , yet when the Wife comes she pretends to espy a thousand faults in it , and will not let you rest till you have made such alterations as she shall think fit , though it be to the pulling down of the third part of it , and so build it again according to her Form ; and then for your furniture , alas it will appear too mean for her Ambition ; she must have Tables and Chairs , and Bedsteds with Curtains , and all manner of Houshold goods after the new Mode , and if you deny to do it , she will pick your Pocket and buy them her self , or do something else that is worse . Thus as a Friend I thought fit to admonish you , hoping that you will take it friendly from me ; more might be said upon the same subject , but let this suffice from

A Well-wisher of your happiness , S. T.

The Young Man's Answer . Honest Tom ,

IN good earnest I am sorry to hear that thou hast so great an Aversion to Matrimony , and canst give no greater , nor more substantial reasons why thee and I both ought not to marry and live honestly ; In my opinion thou mightest have bestowed thy time a great deal better , then to have wrackt thy brains ( as I imagine ) no less than a whole days time if not more , to frame a debauch'd Argument , against an honest and Virtuous Woman called a Wife , and under pretence of giving me good Advice and Gounsel , thou rather dost admonish me to practise that rude course of Debauchery , adulterating other honest Mens Wives ; but dear Tom have a care of those things , for I cannot think otherways by thy Letter but thou art guilty of that crime which thou so readily perswadest me to commit ; and now to acquaint thee with certain News , I must tell you that I am married , and therefore can the better confute thy too silly suppositions , knowing of a certain that all those fictions which thou hast rais'd against Marriage , are false and of no moment ; Therefore for thy better Instruction , I shall desire thee to give a diligent attention , whilst I soberly vindicate a married Life and contradict thy foolish Objections gradually as thou hast stated them . First , I say her Tongue cannot , neither is it desired that it should command my will , no further then I shall upon all occasions think fit and reason , if it happens at any time that there is a dispute between us about the management of any small concern , and she perhaps thinks her way best to effect it , and I think mine best ; she presently then replyes , prithce Sweet-heart do it how thou pleasest , I only thought good to tell thee my opinion of it ; with these and such like expressions she submits to my will , which I think is far from commanding or usurping authority as you term it , but I rather receive comfort by her Tongue then suffer damage , besides Tom I must tell you that my Wife sings well and pronounces her words with such a becoming Grace , that she never speaks nor sings but she ravishes my Soul : So much for the Tongue , and now concerning Money a little touch , be it known to you Sir , she never wants that , for she has the keeping of all I have , therefore hath no occasion to ask me for any , neither does she go to Taverns with Gossips , for we have Wine in our house , and every honest Neighbour is free to drink of it , and thou Tom shalt be welcome to a glass of brisk Claret , or what Wine thou likest best if thou wilt come and see me , neither am I in the least jealous of being a Cuckold , for I am sure I please her so well my self , that she will have no occasion to try and other Man ; it is enough for old Men , or those that are feeble and sickly to be jealous of their Wives honesty , because they know themselves not able to give them their due benevolence ; I cannot believe that a Woman will make a lusty young Man a Cuckold , if she does in my opinion she deserves to be hang'd . So much for that , and now to sum up all the rest of thy objections which thou hast made against Marriage , in few words I must tell thee , that my Wife and every other honest Woman is contented with her condition in every respect , and will not covet new fangles as thou believest , but is well satisfied with what is decent and comely according to her Husbands quality , and let me acquaint thee Tom with what I have experienced since I have been married , that there is so much comfort , so much delight and pleasure in a Woman when once she is made a lawful Bedfellow that I would not be unmarried again for all the World ; thus hoping thou wilt follow my example , I am

Thine to my power J. B.

An angry Letter sent to his Freind for an affront given at their last meeting . Sir ,

I Know not what reasons moved you to be so uncivil when you were last in my company , I am sure I gave you no occasion to be so rude , nor to abuse me in such scurrilous Language before all the company that was there present ; I expect that you should give me satisfaction by acknowledging your fault , or else shew me the grounds whereon you founded your opprobrious discourse , which if you do I may still continue the same good opinion of you as I have hitherto had , but if otherwise you remain perverse and will make me no satisfaction for what is past , from hence forward I do proclaim my self to be your utter enemy , and shall endeavour to make my self amends the next time that you and I shall meet let the place be where it will , expect no favour from his hands , who is

Yours as you deserve C. B.

The Answer . Sir ,

WHen I opened your Letter it looked so big upon me , that had I not had as good a heart as he that writ it , it would have frightned me into a desperate fit of the Ague ; but considering a little with my self and plucking up my spirits instead of trembling , my blood began to burn , and with as great a fury as your self I took my Pen in hand to let you know that what I said at that time was only in a merry humour to recreate my self , and you sitting next to me it seems happened to be the object of my discourse , some of which I am apt to think was very true , the rest was only Jocose ; but be it true or false , or what it will I am not much concern'd about it ; if this answer will not give you satisfaction , you must expect no other from me ; however I shall not fear to come into your company at that place where I us'd to find you ,

Yours as you please to think R. S.

A Letter to chastise a near Kinsman who is given to Extravagancies . Cousin John ,

THe daily noise which rings about the Country of your extravagancies and great debaucheries , causes me at present to write to you , not in anger but by way of advice ; desiring that you would see your own folly and learn to be wiser before it be too late : I had thought truly that the University had qualified you better then I perceive it has , for instead of growing better as you grow older , you now grow worse since you went to London ; I must confess I have nothing to do with your concerns , only as a Relation and instead of a Father , which indeed you want , to give you good counsel , and to desire you in time to forsake bad company , for they in the end will ruine both Soul and Body ; and truly your Estate will soon decay ; if you hold on spending as you begin , though at present it is large enough ; I wish that Women and Wine be not your Master , which if you avoid I shall not doubt in the least but you will do well enough : How many fine young Gentlemen have I seen that by over-drinking themseives have been brought to ruine and untimely deaths ? For when their brains are intoxicated , and the blood inflam'd with high drinking , then are they fit for all manner of vice ; some in that mad humour run to common Strumpets , where they get the foul Discase , sometimes uncurable ; to their everlasting shame and disgrace : others in that heat of blood engage themselves by oath to kill the next Man they meet , he not giving them the least affront , which brings them deservedly to the publick place of execution to suffer death , the due reward of such crying fins : Therefore dear Cozen let the thought of these things reflect upon your Soul , that you may appear odious and terrible , in your eyes and apprehension , and that God may turn your heart , and let you see the evil of your ways is the prayers of

Your ever-loving Kinsman R. W.

The young Man's Answer . Good Cousin ,

I Received your Letter wherein I hear you find scandalous reports of me in the Countrey , I admire who should be the Messenger that brings this ill news to you ; I find my reputation is very much abused and if you will be so kind to me as to let me know the Authour of it ; I shall make bold to require such satisfaction of him as shall become a Gentleman to demand . I am apt to think that you ground those ill characters you give me upon suspicion ; for certainly no Man nor Woman can be so audacious as to blaze abroad such infamous and undeserved calumnies without the least ground for their so doing ; however I am not the first that has been abused in this Nature . I thank God I know my self clear of those great enormities which are alledged against me and laid to my charge , which is a real satisfaction to my self , though not to you and the rest of my friends ; and if I may be believed before those insinnating Sycophants who value not to stain a Mans Reputation for a meals Meat : I think I am as little given or addicted to keep ill company as any Gentleman in Town , I cannot deny but that I do drink Wine and will do if I can git Money to buy it , and I hope I shall not want so much as will purchase a bottle or two of Wine all my Life-time , but if perchance I do I must then leave it off and not before ; yet thus much I can safely say , that I never drunk so much , that I was thereby deprived of my senses though I know there is too many which are guilty of that crime . But as for a common Whore or Strumpet as you call them , I defie and hate like the Devil ; neither am I a great admiver of any Woman-kind though never so honest , therefore free from those debaucheries you lay to my charge ; However I give you many thanks for your good admonition and desire that you will be satisfied that I am not the Man that report says I am ,

But your loving Kinsman , J. S.

A Letter from a Countrey Shopkeeper to a Grocer in London for Commodities . Sir ,

I Received the last goods you sent me but they were not so good as I expected , whether I must impute it to be your fault in not sending the best , or whether those sort of commodities are not generally so good as they used to be some other years I cannot easily resolve my self ; however I am not willing to harbour an ill opinion of you presently , but am resolved to try you farther , therefore I would desire you to send me down by the next return of our Carrier four hundred weight of the best new Raisins of the Sun , two frails of Malago Raisins , and the same quantity of each sort of Spice as you sent me last , pray let them be all very good else you will quite disoblige me for dealing with you any more ; I have not sent you any Money , but do intend God willing to be in Town my self about a Month hence , and then I will bring Money and clear all concerns between us ; no more at present but that I am

Your loving Friend and honest Chapman D. F.

A Letter from the London Grocer to his Countrey Chapman . Loving Friend ,

I Received your Letter , and according to your desire I have sent you down those Commodities you writ to me for , they are all of the very best and I doubt not but will give you very good content ; as for those which I sent you formerly which you find fault with , I was not to be blam'd for they were the very choicest I had then in my Shop , and I dare boldly say as good as any Man had in London at that time , though I cannot say they were as good as these are which I have sent you now , you need not question but my care shall be to serve you to the best of my power ; as for your Money you need not so much as mention it , for I know your pay to be very good and will trust you as far as you shall desire your self : I would desire you to keep account in your Book what Goods you receive from me , that when we come to reckon there may be no difference betwixt us ; thus wishing you good Markets , I rest

Your friend to serve you to the utmost of my power , R. W.

A Letter from a Citizen to his Friend in the Countrey to send him up an Apprentice . Loving Countrey-man ,

I Being now made a Freeman of London , have taken a House and Shop , and my greatest want at present is a Countrey Lad that would willingly put himself an Apprentice to our Trade , I do not question that if you will be pleased to make a small enquiry amongst some of your Neighbours ; but that you may hear of an honest Boy that will be for my turn , the usual rate which we commonly have is forty pounds and seven years service , ours being a good Trade and not very laborious ; besides for our credits sake we must keep our Servants in no ordinary Apparel as some other small Trades do . I leave it to your discretion to give such a Character of me as you shall think I deserve , and none I think can give a better account of my Life and Conversation then your self , you having known me from my childhood . When you write to me , direct your Letter to be left for me at the Windmill in St. John's street , thus with my Love to your Wife and self I am

Your ever-loving Friend , T. R.

The Countrey-man's kind Answer . Loving Friend ,

I Am glad to hear that you are settled in the world , and according to your desire , I have made a diligent enquiry for a boy to serve you as an Apprentice , and now at last I have heard of one that I hope may be for your turn , he comes of very honest Parentage , and seems to be a sober Lad ; his Father hath brought him up to Learning all his time , insomuch that he is reckoned a very good Scholar of his Age , he is sixteen years old and pretty well grown , but all that they scruple at is about the Money , they like the Trade well enough but are not very willing to give forty pounds with him ; however they are resolved upon that good Character that I have given you , that the Boy shall come up next Week and be a while with you upon Tryal , and afterwards if the Boy like you and the Trade and you approve of him ; I do not much question but they will agree with you upon those terms which you have proposed ; no more at present but wishing you prosperity I am

Yours in all friendly kindnesses , S. D.

A Letter of advice for health . Kind and loving Friend ,

I Am very well satisfied that you are seldom well in health whilst you live in London , and if I may be a competent Judge , I suppose I know the grounds and reasons of your sickness which are twofold , in the first place , I imagine that the City Air is not agreeable to your constitution , and not only with you , but it is disagreeable to thousands more , and especially to those that are not naturaliz'd in it , and bred up there , it choaks them up . Another reason is that because you have but little or no employment , you are forced to be continually in company which draws you to drinking either at the Tavern or the Ale-house by reason whereof you loose your Stomach , that you seldom have an Appetite to cat , which much disorders your body ; therefore let me advise you for your healths sake to betake your self to a Countrey Life , you know you may be welcome to me at all times , who am

A well-wisher to you upon all accounts S. F.

The Gentleman's Answer . Most dear and loving Friend ,

I Must censess that you have always been so generous and obliging to me , that now it remains on my behalf to study some way to gratifie all those unmerited favours which I have received from you and your good Wife , and truly I am apt to think that you like a skilful Doctor have found out the principal causes of all my grievances , and have prescribed a most safe and courteous remedy for my cure , and should I refuse to make use of your kind and free prosser I should be found injurious to my self , and basely ungrateful to so good a Friend ; therefore so soon as I have dispatcht some small concerns here in Town and taken leave of my Friends , you may expect me in the Countrey , let me beg the favour of you to send me up a Horse , for I cannot endure to ride in the Coach ; thus with my hamble service to your self and second self I am

Your most obliged Servant , F. S.

A Letter to his Friend in praise of his Mistress . Honest School-fellow ,

LOng time have I rambled about this vain World , and have visited most of those Nations and Islands to which our Merchants traffick , and the chiefest of my business hath been to find out a Woman that I could like well enough to make her my Wife , to tell you a long Narration of my Travels and of the dangerous Voyages I have undergone , where I have seen grim death come tumbling to me in a monstrous Wave ready to devour me in a moment ; or if I should tell you of a thousand more difficulties which I have escaped 't would fill a Ream of Paper instead of one sheet : therefore omitting all those dolesome Histories for brevities sake ( though had I a convenient time they would be worth repeating ) I shall only proceed to tell you that at length I have obtained a Mistress , one that I intend to marry and make my Wife , and now I will begin to make a description of her beauties : She is a Woman and a fair one too , and so fair she is that all that ever saw her admire her beauty ; her Features in her Face are so excellent , that should the best of Painters strive to draw them out to the life , he would wrong her beauty much ; for all his Art could never form so rare a Creature : her Cheeks with red and white so neatly deckt that you would think the Lilly and the Rose did strive in them which should have the Victory , till at length they both being conquerours conjoyn together , and center there to make one perfect beauty : Her eyes like two refulgent Diamonds are placed above to cast a splendant lustre on her sweet comely face : Her Coral Lips that close her pretty Mouth are of an equal size , neither too thick nor yet too thin ; Her Teeth more White then is the Ivory , like to two Rows of inestimable Pearl stand in a decent order in her Mouth , none striving for preheminence above their fellows . Her Hair which on this Globe of Wisdom grows more White then is the best of Flax by far , and softer then the unwrought Silk that comes from the Bowels of the labouring Silk-worm , like to the smallest threds of Silver hangs two handfulls down below her slender Wast ; Her Neck an Ivory Pillar is on which this Globe doth stand , but whiter is by far , her Arms two branches are , which do proceed forth from the bottom of her Neck for to defend and keep secure that curious piece her Face : Her Breasts like to two little Hills are placed on either side of a most fruitful Valley ; Her Belly round and smooth but not too big , and underneath , oh there dear Jack , oh there the place of pleasure grows ; but hold rude Pen forbear to nominate or once to mention any more of that , for fear great Jove should be my Rival too , and on his Ganymede come hovering down and take away my Jewel of such worth . Now last of all to let you understand this lively Fabrick is not mute nor dumb , she has a Voice that should you hear her sing , ravisht with Admiration you would think the Spheres conjoyned with Heavenly Harmony to lend you Musick to delight mankind : Thus take her altogether I leave you to judge , whether she may not compare with Venus if not excel her , this is the Mistress of my Heart and Soul ; and though I have tarryed long to find her out , yet I cannot choose but think my time well spent having met with this fair Jewel now at last : and now dear Jack to consummate my happiness , I invite you to my Nuptials where you shall take a view of my all charming Bride , and for once bless your self at the sight of Natures most adored Master-piece : Next Munday we have appointed to be our happy Wedding-day that we may begin our joys in the beginning of the Week ; I shall expect your good Company , therefore pray do not fail me , for I shall think my self much honoured in your presence ; thus with my humble service presented to your dear self with the rest of my good Friends that live with you , I begging your pardon for this tedious Epistle , do take my leave and subscribe my self ,

The humblest of your slaves T. R.

His Friend 's merry Answer , praising his foul Mistress by the contraries . Dear Tom ,

I Received your large Epistle wherein I understand that you have been a great Traveller , sine ? I saw you to search after a handsome woman that you could fancy well enough to make her your Spouse , I am heartily glad that you have been so successful at length to meet with such an Angel-like Beauty , which if all be true as you have reported to me she is to be admired above all the Women in the whole world , but however if she should not be altogether so amiable and glorious as you relate her to be , I cannot so much blame you ; for it is but verifying the Proverb which we use here in England , which is , that Old Men and Travellers may Romance by authority , I will not say lie Tom for that is a gross word , and I very well remember that my Master once did whip me severely for giving one of my School-fellows the lie , which will be a memorandum for me as long as I live , for you know that according to another Proverb the burnt Child dreads the fire , so much for that : Now I will also give you a full description of my Mistress which I have pickt up in your absence if you will : I did not go far to seek her , for she had such a monstrous love for me that she began to declare her affections to me first after this manner ; Kind Sir quoth she , though it is not the custom among us English women to make our application to Men for any thing , though we have never so much mind to it , yet I think it is a great wrong to our whole Sex ; for we may stay long enough before you will proffer us any kindness now a days , I am sure I can speak with sorrow upon my own account that I have been marriageble above these twenty years , and never yet was askt that reasonable question by any Man , I know not what should be the reason of it , I am not so much deformed but that I may be beloved ; however what I want in beauty , I am sure I can make good in Estate , for I have Lands and Livings with Baggs of Gold and Silver innumerable ; therefore my suit to you dear Sir is that you would be pleased to take pitty on a distressed Virginity , by making of me your lawful Wife for now I begin to hate a single Life . I hearing of this Voice which did something imitate that of a seriech-Owl , and looking in her ruful face know not at present what answer to return my Gentle-woman , at length Tom considering of those infinite number of Baggs of Gold and Silver , besides a visible Estate in Houses and Land , Isaith , I began to make much on her , and taking her to a Tavern I treated her with a small collation where I could perceive that she would tope stoutly , however to prosecute m● design concerning the baggs Tom , I humour'd her in every thing ? insomuch that I promis'd her Marriage upon these turns ; that she would make a full discovery of all the Baggs , and give 〈◊〉 me in my own keeping , and also that she should give me a clear possession of all her Houses and 〈◊〉 the next Court-day , delivering up all Writings into my cuscady all which she willingly granted , and after the Court was past and I made Possessor of all she had , the next day I married with her privately , giving the World leave to laugh at her deformity whilst I make merry with my pretty young Doxy abroad . But to shew that I am not asham'd of her Tom , I 'le describe her shape and features to you , and afterwards you may compare 〈◊〉 can Spouse with mine if you can : Her pretty Cheeks not round nor red nor white , but long and broad inclining to the yellow : Her rouling Eyes like those of a fine Calf which I have seen of six weeks old but bigger : her Nese in comely wise like to the beak of a lovely Owl beads down unto her Neck , which well 〈…〉 searc●● can per●●● , for her ●●ing So●●ers do support 〈…〉 Breasts like to the well ●●teir'd ●●●gs of 〈…〉 Father's old ●y'd Cow , 〈…〉 at 〈…〉 with a full bagg : H●r 〈…〉 Pe●ly 〈…〉 are — that when I went to bugg her both my Arms 〈…〉 my prets 〈◊〉〈◊〉 And 〈…〉 her Belly ●●m 〈…〉 — for I know you 'l long to have a touch at that : Oh there is pleasure Tom ! such pleasure just as Ixion had when he embraced a Cloud : And now dear Tom , I have acquainted you with all her excellencies , if you long for any part about her , come over and take it freely ; for I will be sure to come to your Wedding , where I shall expect the same freedom ,

Yours in all Love J. D.

A Letter full of Complements . Most worthy Friend ,

I Being so infinitely obliged to you for those innumerable favours which you from time to time have been pleased to confer upon me , in common gratitude can do no less but make an humble acknowledgement in token of my great thankfulness 〈◊〉 ●hose unmerited kindnesses ; having no other way to retaliate them at present but by telling you , that your unworthy Servant will be always ready at your command to obey and serve you to the very utmost of my poor power and ability , my daily prayers shall be that you may be ever prosperous in this World , and that you may receive the due reward of your Charitable Acts and good Hospitality in the World to come ; what else I can say or do which may conduce to your happiness and add to your contentment , I ever shall be ready to act and pray for ; thus desiring that at present you will be pleased to accept of my well-wishes and this small Token which I have sent you , which is a Barrel of Oysters ; I heartily recommend you to the protection of the Almighty , who is the only keeper and preserver of all Men and all things , I take my leave presuming to write my self ,

Yours to serve you by night or day , W. W.

The Sommerset-shire Man's clownish Answer in their own Countrey Language . Zir ,

I Received a piece of Paper from you , which I think Volks call a Letter , but when I pulled it open I am zure I could not tell wone letter in it ; I gave it to wone of our Neighbours ; that is to zay , wone of our Town ; that is to zay , wone that dwells within two or three doors of our door a little thick way ; and he being a better Scholard than my present zelf made hard shift to pick out the words , but the Devil a bit of zense can I vind in it , you talk of obliging and vavours , in my Conscience Zir you be not like me wont jot , nor do I vavour you at all ; you also talk of gratitude and merits : I 'le zwear I do not know what to make of your Lingua , my Neighbour tells me that it is Latin and I wonder that you would write Latin to me , you know I cannot stand under it ; and in truth you shall be no zervant of mine ; I will have no zuch zervants : as for your writing our Volks put it in the Virt , and vor those shells you zent I know not how you call them , I een mended our do or with them , and zo I thank you vor em , when you come again you shall be welcome to your old Friend ,

Dick Downright .

A loving Letter sent to a Gentle-woman . Madam ,

IN what a multitude of sorrows I am involved since you went out of Town no Tongue is able to express , nor Pen to write ; Had you commanded me with open breast to have stood before you whilst you had took my own Sword and had pierced my now bleeding heart , I could then more willingly have suffered a death by your hand , then thus long to undergo a continual torment for want of your good company : Ah Madam ! you know my Heart is with you , how can you be so cruel to make me heartless ? live thus long without you , can you forget those pleasant Evening hours which we together spent beguiling time which gently slid away ; the silent night not daring to disturb our harmless mirth and innocent delight ; whilst on my knees you sate , my loving Arms did circle round and gently grasp your small and tender body , you sometimes would ravish all my sences with a Song , whilst I amazed at your warbling Notes charmed to a silence , and gaz'd upon your powerful sparkling eyes , whose double lustre would pierce a heart more hard and more obdurate then is the Adamant : Then Madam , then stealing of a kiss was not content but rob'd you still of more ; I kist so long that I at length perceiv'd my self to be the looser ; for all that time my heart and soul departed from my breast and vow'd they would possess a nobler Room ; then into your sweet bosom both did fly and begg'd an entertainment which you gave , and seem'd to cherish them with warm desire : I was content , and was glad they had made choice of you to he their Guandian ; provided I might be a visitant to come and see they no disorders bred within your quiet breast . But now alas dear Madam ! you have left me comfortless , I am left to sigh and and breath my passion out unto the open Air without redress ; and cannot comfort find till you return : Then Madam on my knees I beg , return , and give me ease , unless you do intend to be my death by staving longer from me ; thus to the powers above I do commit you , desiring you to pity him who is

Your languishing Lover R. T.

The Gentle-womans kind Answer . My sweet Soul ,

LEt not your passion over-much disturb your rest and quiet : sleep secure and know that I an equal sharer of your grief , do sigh and mourn in private all alone , not daring to disclose my unknowne waes unto the open Air , far fear some blast should whisp 〈◊〉 this my discontent ; I am therefore forc'd to bide my mistries , and for a time conceal my Inward pain 〈◊〉 then undergo the angry s●owns of an unkind Father ; whom I fear would count my loving you a disobedience ; My study is to run a safer course , and by degrees to penetrate the Breast of my indulgent Mother ; telling her the noble love which I bear in my b●som is placed on you , and none but you alone shall make her Daughters Bride , then on my knees I 'le beg of her to mollifie the fury of my too rigurous Father , who hath forgot since be first trod the paths of youthful love : My hopes are still that she will moderate his strict severity and make him yeild to gratifie our loves by his good will and make us ever happy with his blessing ; who knows but these my hopes may take effect ? My Mother loves me with a tender love , and when she sees my resolution fixt to marry you , and with no other Man , I know she 'l never rest till she overcome my Father with entreaties to be kind ; Then will our meeting be again with joy : But if at last my expectations sail and that my Father will not give consent we should enjoy each other , yet be sure I 'le never leave my Dear until cold Death shall seize my body , and from thence divide my Heart and Soul which are not in his power : them I 'le bequeath to thee my dearest Love , for they indeed already are thy own ; I know I have thy loving Heart and Soul within my Breast , where they shall safely dwell : My Father's cruelties shall not molest their happy being , neither will I long detain them at this distance from my Love : For let my aged Parents frown or smile , within this Month I 'le fly into thy Arms and never part till floods of joyful tears have washt away all sorrows from our hearts and hands ; that nought but Death shalt part us , In true constancy

I remain thine alone . S. V.

A Letter from a Gentle-woman to her Husband , who had buried her Child in the Country . Loving Husband ,

I Must now acquaint you with sorrowful and I suppose unexpected news , if tears and sighs of a broken hearted Wife will give me leave to write to you ; which is , that cruel death who favours neither infancy , youth nor old Age , has deprived us of our pretty sweet boy , which was the only joy and comfort of our lives ; and truly grief has almost done its worst with me , for I bewailing of this our great loss am brought so low , that I think I shall scarce recover my self to be able ever more to come again and see thee ; his sickness held him but three days before he died , else I had sent you word ; but now it is too late , for we shall never see him more : I borrowed Money of my Landlady ( where I am ) to bury him in a decent manner , therefore I would desire you to come down as soon as you can and bring Money with you to discharge what here I stand engaged for , no more but that I am

Your sorrowful Wife R. W.

Her Husband 's Answer . Dear Wife ,

I Must consess this unerpected News goes nigher to my heart then if I had lost all that ever I had or am like to have in this World ; that having but one sweet Child we should be deprived of him so on a sudden , however we must be contented with those afflictions that God is pleased to lay upon us , let me desire you to bear it as patiently as you can , and cast not your self down with grief ; for now he is gone , all the sorrow and mourning in the whole World will avail us nothing , nor stand us in no stead , for he is gone to him that first gave him ●●s , and cannot be reached by mortal Man ; therefore prithee be comforted and rest thy self contented , and I will come down as soon as possibly I can , and bring Money with me to discharge what there thou owest , and do intend if thou art able to travel to take thee up to London with me , in the mean time I rest

Thy disconsolate Husband T. W.

A Letter to congratulate a Friend's happy return from his long Journey . Loving Friend ,

A Thousand welcomes to your Native Country , where every heart during that redious time which you were absent felt no little grief , but every one lamented their great loss in missing you our true and faithful Friend : Your presence caus'd an awful reverence , and made the vicious and obnoxious Man to creep and slink away his head in private ; and now again we on the self-same score who are your friends , at this your safe return are blest with joy and gladness : But I above the rest of your well-wishers have double cause to thank auspicious Heaven , who safely has conducted you at length to this our Shore ; where being arrived each creature does congratulate your safe return ; I now can say I have a Friend and Father to give me counsel when I stand in need of it , this Letter does but serve dear Friend to let you know that now I have notice of your happy arrival , I would not only by my Pen bid you welcome home , but by my words and actions in your presence express my joy and humble thankfulness to Heavens Divinity in taking care of so much Loyalty and bringing back our Captain , which having missed and been without so long , we your poor Souldiers languishing betwixt hope and despair did fear you had been lost ; but now you are come , the Bells in a loud harmony shall ring your welcome home all day and night ; the Martial Drums shall beat aloud your Fame ; The Silven Trumpets with shrill Notes shall sound your praise forth with honour and renown , thus shall you ride Triumphant through the streets until you come to your most sumptuous Castle long desolate for want of your abode , where at your approach the deep mouth'd Canon with their thund'ring voice shall bid all hail to you their valorous Master ; thus praying Sir for your continuance with us , I take leave at present and remain

Your much comforted Friend R. D.

The Captain 's thankful Answer sent to his friend exprest with many Complements . My well beloved Friend ,

YOu cannot be more joyful at my safe return , then I am glad to hear that yet you live , and living are in health , that once again we may embrace each other with true Love and Friendship , such as is inseparable , had I been a Woman and unknown to you ; your Rhetorick would have given me a sufficient cause to think and suspect that you had flattered me ; but being a Man and knowing well your former friendship and true affection which you ever did bear to me , unworthy of so great favours ; must needs imagine that your joys are real , and since that blessed Heaven now at length has safely brought me to my Native Country ; the chiefest of my studies shall be to render my self worthy of those praises which you have been pleased to put upon me , and make my presence acceptable to my honest Countrey-men ; and more especially to you my dear Friend whom I long to see ; for friendship at a distance though never so real cannot enjoy it self , with that true happiness and sweet content , as that which mutually conjoyns and meets together ; then let me beg of you to make no delay , but let me have your company at my Castle , where you shall be my guest for one six months ; I also must entreat you not to come alone but let your virtuous Bride accompany you , with your good Son , where you shall be sure to find the same welcome as you give me at this my safe arrival ; And when we are together , I will give you a true and persect account of all my travels , what dangers I have escaped and what recreations I have had ever since I left you and departed from my dear Countrey , thus expecting your coming I at present remain

Your Friend in expectation S. F.

A hasty Letter to his Cousin . Good Cousin ,

I Am informed that you intend to let your house and put off all your stock , and betake your self to a private Lodging ; I much wonder what you mean and intend by so doing , I doubt you go unadvisedly about those concerns ; I know not how the case stands with you : However I imagine that a little good counsel in this matter would have done you no harm but good ; you know it is an old saying , that it is good to look before we leap , and not to run precipitously hand over head , and not regard what you are going about : However if it prove well I shall like it well , and all will be well ; but if it succeed contrary to your expectation , blame not me nor any body else , but your own self . However now you cannot contradict but that according to the Latin Proverb Praemonitus , praemunitus : Forewarn'd , forearm'd ; and that is all that I can say to you at present who am in hast ,

Your loving Cousin , W. V.

The Answer in haste . Good Kinsman ,

IN haste I thank you for your hasty Letter , and though my present business be in hast concerning my hasty removing from my house , yet not quite so hasty as not to consider what I am about to do : I do not much question but that I have had the approbation of as wise Men as your self concerning the management of this business , and they with me do all of them agree that I have enough to live upon , without incumbring my self with a multiplicity of business , and get but little by it ; besides if I should continue House-keeping , I should be ruined , for there is such a gang of flatterers and dissemblers of my kindred , and others that haunt my house , that in a short time they would eat me out of house and home ; therefore I think it is better to betake my self to a private Lodging in hast , then by delays to stay longer where I am and be undone by them ; I am

Yours hastily in hast R. Hastings .

A Letter sent to a Friend condoling his long continued sickness . Dear Friend ,

I Am very sorry and much grieved to hear that you thus long have lain languishing on the bed of sickness ; my heart participates of your dolorous miseries , feeling by way of sympathy the self same torment which you undergo ; but that alas I doubt won't give you ease , though 't is a seeming comfort ( or rather I may say a satisfaction ) to be pittyed by our Friends . Let me admonish you to take the advice of the best Learned and most eminent Physician that you know of ; and be not concerned for parting with your Money , though sickness I know is very chargeable , yet well you know now by sad experience that the perfect enjoyment of your health is far more pleasant and delightful then baggs full heaped with Gold and Silver ; therefore be not sparing of your Coyn , so far as it may be available and conducing to the procuring of your welfare : and that you may recover your former strength shall be the Players of

Your most affectionate Friend in sorrow S. T.

The sick Man's thankful Answer . Dear Friend ,

THe very sight of your most cordial Letter did give somi ease to my distressed miseries , for which you have the kind and hearty thanks of a sick and almost dying Man ; 't is long since I considered that worldly wealth is but dross , neither do I esteem of it as any comfort only to procure those necessaries , which while we live on earth we stand in need●● ; for well I know that when my breath is departed from me , and my blood grown cold , and death hath brought my body to the Grace ; that then the wealth of Croe us will not avail me any thing , nor stand me in any stead : My heart is fixed now upon a better subject ; which is , that after Death my Soul may find rest and comfort in another World whither now I am going , endeavouring to repent of all my past sins , consulting with my Maker concerning my happiness ; for he is the best and only Physician that can give ease to those my sore afflictions : this as a farewel to you I do send , who am

Till death gives ease your friend in torments B. D.

A Letter to perswade a Friend to betake himself to business . Loving Friend ,

WHen I consider the many inconveniencies that are incident to those that live remisly and have no employment , it puts me in mind of your Life and Conversation ; and to deal plainly and honestly with you like a Friend , I am very sorry to see that idleness has taken such possession of your mind that you will betake your self to no business ; but just like a Swine you eat and drink what is set before you , but never endeavour to get Money to buy more : Suppose you have enough barely to live upon in time of your Families health ; that ought not to be all the care that you should take , for it behoves every Master of a Family to provide and lay up something against a rainy day as they say ; that is , against sickness or any other casualty that may happen to you before you die , besides already you have two Children pretty Babes , and it may please God to send you more ; which when they come to bigness and ripeness of Age will expect that you should give them a portion according to their education , which must be Gentily for your own repute and credits sake ; all which will cost you no small sum of Money , and when your Estate comes to be divided amongst three or four it will be but a slender maintenance for them all ; my advice is therefore that you forthwith employ your stock of Money in some honest way which you understand , and that will improve your fortune by careful industry with some small pains , which will be very advantageous for your bodily health ; for always to sit still and do nothing but eat and drink , and sleep ; corrupts the blood and will impair your health . I know you understand the way of malting well , now I should think that it would be a fine recreation to you for to ride up and down the Markets to buy in Corn at the best season of the year , and so keep Men to manage your business at home ; thus might you busie your self and reap the fruits and benefits of your own labour ; besides it would be mighty commendable and credible for you to be accounted a Man of business , and if perhaps this way of dealing does not answer your expectation as to matter of profit ; you may soon lay it aside and betake your self to something else that you fancy will be more advantageous to you ; for there is a thousand ways for a Man that has ready Money to improve it , and gain more by it then at the rate of six per Cent to let it out to Usury ; besides if you got never so little by your employment , yet I would have you follow it , for it will keep you from idleness which is the Mother of shame and beggery ; more might be said of that , but I suppose you understand enough of those things , if you would but practise according to your knowledge ; be sure to give your Children learning , and when they are big enough put them out to Apprentice , for then they may live without your assistance ; where they have gotten a good Trade if they prove good Husbands they may obtain great preferment : this for your Father's sake I advise you , for indeed upon his Death-bed he desired me to give you good Counsel who am

A greater friend to you then yon are to your self F. G.

His Friends Answer in short . Dear Friend ,

I Kindly thank you for your good advice whether I am guilty or not guilty of what you task me with ; Nevertheless I judge charitably of you and your well-wishes , that I think no less but that you write to me out of pure love ; I must confess that hitherto I have not settled my self to any publick business nor have I been concerned much in worldly affairs , being something cautious how I dispose of my Money , but since it is your wise opinion that it will be for my advantage to put my self into some manner of dealing ; I 'le shew my willingness in being obedient to your commands , and next acquit my self of that ignominious and reproachful companion called Idleness , for it in it thing I hate , had I an employment whereby I might busie my self , for I have an active , not a sluggish Soul : as for my Children , Sir , it behoves me to take care of their welfare , and it was always my purpose to bring them up to Learning , and afterwards to put them to good Trades , however I thank you for your friendly admonition , and remain ,

Your obsequious friend to serve H. I.

A Letter from an Elder Brother to the Younger reproving him of Extravagancies . Loving Brother ,

'T Is strange to me to see you run these courses : except a Man was mad , surely he would not make all the hast he could to his own destruction ; you are wise enough to know that those extravagancies will certainly ruine you if you proceed and do not give a timely check to your immoderate and immodest desires , for shame leave off your drunkenness before it be too late , whilst yet you have something left to maintain you like a Man , for when all is gone , you then perhaps may with sorrow sigh and wish you had been wiser and not mispent your time and Money , but you will find no redress nor pity from any body , as for my own part if you will not take up and become a sober Man I will not own you for my Brother , neither will I countenance nor assist you in the least in any thing that you shall take in hand , but if you mend your Life you shall assuredly find me to be

Your Friend and Brother J. K.

The younger Brother's Answer . Good Brother ,

I Am so far from thanking you for your advice that I must needs tell you , that I am wonderful sorry for your ignorance ; I bless God for those natural parts he hath given me , and next I thank my good old Father ( which I bope is now in Heaven ) for bringing me up to Learning , that now I can see above the reach of such illiterate Asses as your self : alas for you ! that which you call drunkenness and extravaganty , I can make appear is the better part of Man ; his very Life and Soul , it is to converse with such Men that are aiery and brisk , those Men are full of Wit , Reason and right understanding : We over two or three Bottles of brisk Wine can compass round the spacious Earth , or when we please can give a reason how to fathom the deep gulph of the Red Sea ; or soar aloft with reason and sound judgement , and take a view of those Heavenly Constellations , taking the circumference of the broad fac'd Sun , and track his pale fac'd Sister in her nightly paths , and give the substantial grounds of her monthly mutability ; taking the exact magnitude of every Star ; and tell you which are fixed Planets , and which are moveable ; calling them all familiarly by their Names : This we such drinkers can perform and more , which should I name , you would think me mad indeed : and but only that you are my elder Brother , I should scarce forbear to call you Fop or Fool who envy at those who practise that which your shallow brains are never able to attain to : but just like a Carriers horse you have but one pace , a softly jogging on in the self same Road , which you have trod in ever since your Infancy : Neither will you be put out of your Road nor pace , but will continue at the old rate in spight of reason and discretion , who are your utter enemies , insomuch that you cannot abide them , but hate them with a perfect hatred ; nor will you suffer them to come within your doors : Oh blind stupidity ! 't is well my Father left thee a good Estate ; else hadst thou been left to live by thy Wits , I am sure thou must have starved the first week after his decease : but he was a wise Man that did foresee those infirmities that hou wa st born to , and so prevented poverty from coming to thy doors ; yet thou with fear of want canst scarcely rest , and without cruse dost thou pinch thy self and thy Family , not having Wit enough to know one half of that Estate which thou hast left thee , nor how to make the best use of it ; that so thou wilt miserably live to thy Lives end , though indeed thou canst not want : prithee Brother let me advise thee to leave thy babling in pretending to give me counsel , and I think the better way will be to come and live with me , or let me come and live with you , and leave but the management of thy Estate to my disposing , I 'le warrant thee we will live like Princes , and never want any thing else that Money can obtain : and this I am sure will be the best for thee to live at content , for now I know you live in fear ; thus wishing that you would take my counsel is all at present from

Your Jovial Brother R. K.

A Letter sent from a London Quaker to one of his Countrey Brethren . Friend George ,

IN the breathings forth of the Spirit I write unto thee , to let thee know that blessed be the God of all power , I and my Family with the rest of our dear Brothers and Sisters of thy acquaintance are in sound and perfect health , and do enjoy our meetings with peace and quietness , free from the disturbance of the enemy ; our Assemblies do encrease exceedingly : Our Friend John has been much with us of late , being wonderfully carried forth in the Ministry to the Conversion of many Infidels ; thou knowest that he is a precious heart , and in the Spirit of meekness doth overcome their perverse Natures : Salute me to our dear Friend thy Wife , poor innocent Soul my Bowels do yearn towards her , and verily I have a great affection for her ; she is a pretty Lamb and I long to visit her , for truly that last kindness which she shewed unto me when she was last in Town , cannot , nay must not be forgot ; prithee dear Friend send her to Town again , and I shall be very free to entertain her who am

Thine in the Lord , A. S.

The Country Quaker's Answer . Dear Abraham ,

I Am rejoyced at these tydings which thou hast sent me in thy sweet Epistle , for it is a great refreshing to my inward parts to hear of the welfare of our Friends and Brethren , with our Holy Sisters ; but more especially I do rejoyce that truth encreaseth so much amongst you , I know our Friend John is very powerful in the Ministry , and verily we want him much amongst us , having not seen him this six months ; insomuch that the Sisterhood about us do bewail his absence thus long : for they thou knowest are often troubled with failings , and want to be strengthened daily with powerful Men ; however I know he cannot come until the Lord doth send him , and then he will not tarry : I question not honest George , thy kindness to my Wife , for she indeed hath signified so much to me and does speak of coming up to London within six days : Salute me to thy Wife and Family and to the rest of our Friends , and that is all at present from

Thy Brother in the Lord , G. D.

A Letter of excuse . Sir ,

I Must beg your pardon that I could not be so good as my word in waiting on you yesterday , for an extraordinary business of great importance sell out just as I was coming to you , and prevented me of the great happiness of seeing you and enjoying your good company ; however I know your good Nature will forgive what I could not perform , and on that I rely ; giving my self an assurance of a smile and not a frown when I see you next , which shall be the very first opportunity I can steal from my urgent affairs , having no greater felicity then to be in your good company , and do take it as a great favour that my unworthy presence is thought acceptable to a person of so great honour and worth as your self , but that is your humility to condescend to my undeserts : But lest I should seem to be too prolix and tedious in making my Apology , I for this time humbly desist and write my self

Your humble Servitor R. C.

The Gentleman's Answer . Kind Sir ,

YOu need not have given your self the trouble to make Apology for your not coming to me according to your promise , for I have had too large an experience of your love and friendship towards me , to believe that any frivolous concerns could have detained you from making good your ward ; neither am I so injudicious but that I know full well that business must not be neglected to visit Friends , nor would I be so injurious to your interest , to disoblige or hinder you from prosecuting your earnest affairs , though I must confess that I take a great delight in your company ; therefore I desire of you to be so kind to me , as to let me enjoy you as often as conveniency will permit and give leave ; I design next Wednesday if health continue to go down to my Countrey-house and hunt a Buck ; and if you have leisure from your own occasions , pray favour we with your pleasant Society , your welcome I hope you will not question from

Your loving Friend T. R.

A Letter sent to a Gentleman in way of Petition . Honoured Sir ,

AMongst the rest of your charitable Acts and deeds , I humbly beg that you would be pleased to grant me one small boon , and for ever make me happy , and obliged to pray for you ; which is , that you would accept of me your unworthy Servant so well , that I may succeed my Father in that Office , which whilst he was living did enjoy , who is now dead and buried ; and I question not but that I shall officiate and behave my self so well , that you shall not hereafter repent you , that you did countenance and shew me any kindness in this matter , but with all humility I shall carry my self obliging towards you and the rest of those worthy Gentlemen that are therein concerned . I know Sir that it lies in your power to stand my friend in this business , and I hope you will be pleased to think me capable of what I make my request to you for , being brought up and educated under my Father in the same way ; my industry and diligence with humble gratitude shall ever attend you , whilst I am Sir ,

Your Servant in all thankful acknowledgement P. Q.

The Gentleman's Answer . Honest Peter ,

I Am very sorry to hear of your Father's Death , the last time that be and I were together truly I little thought or imagined that he was so nigh his end , though I must confess that he was pretty well stricken in years , you may assure your self that for his sake and your own also I will do you any kindness that lies in my power , and though the management of this concern does not wholly depend on my single choice and approbation ; there being several other Gentlemen you know which are equally concerned with me in the same business , yet I do not question in the least but that they will freely condescend to my propositions in your behalf , therefore rest your self contented for a while , and doubt not but that you may succeed your Father in this place , and when we meet together you may be confirmed according to your desire ; no more at present but remain

Your assured Friend , R. S.

A Letter from a Gentleman to a Countrey School-master concerning putting his Son to School with him . Worthy Sir ,

ALthough I have not had the happiness as yet to be well acquainted with you , yet your good works have rendred you famous to my opinion , having partly understood some of your excellent qualifications in educating youth by some of my near Neighbours , who have been concerned with you by committing their children to your tuition and government ; which by evident examples you have demonstrated that you have taken no small pains and care in order to their benefits , for I find they have made a good proficiency considering their time and Age ; I have a Son Sir about ten years of Age that I intend to commit to your charge very suddenly , therefore I would desire you to govern him according as you shall find him well or ill disposed , not with too much severity nor too much lenity , and I shall be willing to answer any reasonable demands as you shall desire both for his board and Schooling ; pray send me word if you please to accept of him , and I will speedily come down along with him , who am

Your Servant unknown , J. T.

The Answer . Sir ,

I Must confess you are a Stranger to me , nevertheless I am bound by the rules of civility to give you thanks for your good opinion of me ; however I hope if you ever make trial of what you have hitherto but only had by reports , that I shall make good that Character which your Neighbours have given to your own satisfaction and belief . If you please to bring your Son down to me Sir I shall be very careful of him as I am of all others which I take in hand , and I doubt not in the least but that we shall quickly agree upon terms : I have conveniency enough to entertain him , and we live in a very good wholesome Air ; I never had a Boy that lodged in my house return home sick since I kept School , which is now about sixteen years since : Yet I have entertained many good Mens Sons ; as for his disposition I shall soon learn and find out what temper he is of , and accordingly shall have an eye towards him ; thus till I see you Sir I remain

Yours in all reasonable service W. K.

A Letter to a Gentle-woman with a Ring sent as as token . Fairest of Creatures ,

I Here present you with the true Emblem of my love , it is a Ring which represents my Love to you is endless , that though you frown upon me and seem to slight my proffered services , yet still my Love endures as firm as at the first ; neither can all your angry denyals to my long continued sute alter or change my loving resolution . This Ring is Gold the purest of all Metals , which signifies ( if that you please to take it so ) that my Love is pure , and the purest of all Love ; not tainted nor corrupted with any thoughts of worldly interest , but 't is your love alone Madam that I ask ; how can you be so cruel to your adorer , one that takes no delight in any Creature living , but your self . I dare not call you unkind nor speak the least ill thing against you , for my love is so great that I cannot call your disdain unworthiness . Let pity move you to compassion , which if I find , I shall not doubt but that I shall quickly be a Conquerour , till then I restless live .

The object of your scorn N. L.

Her Answer . Sir ,

IF that you count it any happiness to be beloved of one so mean as I am , who hitherto have held you in disdain and laught at all your discontent with scorn : Then bless that happy hour when you did buy that Ring you sent me for a token ; not for the value of the Ring I love you , but those your kind expressions which you writ to me in your last Letter have moved my heart to pity , you then now may assure your self a Conquerour for I do pity you , and not only so , but I love you too for your true constancy , had you been fickle and had took denial in a short time , I never would have granted you what now I do ; then now be comforted my Love , and cast all sorrow from thy heart , for I am thine and will be to my death : think not of any thing that has formerly past between us , for I will love thee the better for the time to come , and when you please to come and visit me ; you shall be welcome to her who is

Your affectionate Lover , J. P.

A Letter sent to a Gentleman as a Challenge . Sir ,

YOu may take notice first of the affront you gave me when we were last together ; and secondly that I am not of so mean and low a spirit to pass by those your rude actions without taking just revenge according to the offence : therefore you being all Man last night , I hope will not prove your self to be less to morrow morning about four of the Clock in Lamb's conduit fields with your Sword in your hand , where we will end the dispute which you contend about , but if you refuse to meet me at the place and time which I have appointed , I shall post you up about the Town for an inconsiderable Fool and scandalous coward , and shall make my self satisfaction some other way ; this from

Your present enemy and disobliged Friend F. D.

The Answer . Good Mr. Huff ,

WHat , is that little spark of courage which has lain asleep ever since you was born awakened now at last ? In troth I am very glad that I gave you occasion last night to rouze it up this morning , and truly had I thought that you durst have been so valiant as to have taken notice of what I had said , I would have spoke ten times more to you then what I did ; I will be sure to meet your outragious self at the place aforesaid , and instead of my Sword I shall only make use of my Scabbard , and bang your sides sufficiently , sending you crying home to your Wife , just as you used to do when you saw a couple of Mastiff dogs fighting in the street hard by your own door , I scorn to defile my Sword with such cowardly blood as thine is , but shall rather satisfie my self in giving thee a good sufficient beating , this from

Your derider , S. N.

A Letter desiring his Friend to acquaint him with news that is stirring . Kind Friend ,

KNowing that your affairs in the World are of no small importance , and that you negotiating your self with Men of Foreign as well as Domestick business cannot but be acquainted with all the news that is stirring , both at home and also at places more remote ; I should be glad to have some small satisfaction from you by a weekly Letter , if you would give your self the trouble of writing , I would be at what charge they should cost you in sending them , that I might a little please my self in hearing what transactions happen on this our Earthly Globe of Mortality . For in our Countrey we hear no news , except perhaps I hear that our Neighbour Prattle's Daughters belly begins to swell by eating too many Pease-pottage , or else some body has prickt her there ; or else at present we know not what , this and the like stories is all our divertisement ; no more but remain

Yours , expecting to hear from you N. J.

The Answer . Good Cousin ,

I Must humbly beg your pardon for my long silence , and now at length if writing upon such an insignicant account as I now have done : had there been any thing of News abroad worth the relating , and had it come to my ears I would have been sure to have made you acquainted with it e're this : as for Foreign businesses and affairs of State I hear no noise , God be thanked the Universe of Mankind is hush'd into a quiet peace for ought I hear , and trading flourishes indifferent well amongst ingenious Men and good Husbands , but bad Husbands will always be finding fault of the badness of Trade , when it is their extravagancies which makes them sink and decline in the World ; as for the News which you tell me concerning your Neighbours Daughter ; I think it is almost Universal , for young Maidens now a days are often troubled with such swellings but it seldome lasts them above nine months , and then it asswages again , insomuch that we scarcely take any notice of such like distempers ; now of late I may inform you thus much , that the building of St. Paul's Cathedral in London goes on most expeditiously , and I am apt to think will be accomplished a great deal sooner then most men could imagine so vast a structure could be finished : some other news I can acquaint you with , which though it be a little Jocose yet it is very certain , that several Men of several minds , of several conditions , and several qualities ; do wear the Bull 's Feather upon their heads , and yet they know not some of them that they wear it there , but others do ; and count it a great ornament , supposing that their Horns were tipt with Gold , neither will they matter if their Neighbours call them Cuckold , for if they do , they 'le ask them to shake hands ; all the difference between them being this , the one knows himself to be a Cuckold , and the other only thinks that he himself is none ; and I believe you have some of this sort of Cattle in your Countrey : no more but am

Yours upon all occasions R. D.

A dunning Letter sent from a Creditor to his Debtor for Money . Sir ,

COntrary to my natural Will and Inclinations , necessity forces me to give you a timely summons that you may provide me some Money against the next quarter-day , for I shall be very much necessitated about that time for Money , else I would not have troubled you as yet , though I ask you for nothing but what is my own : However had I not received great loss of late in my way of Trade , I would not have called in my Money from you , because I know it to be very secure whilst it is in your hands ; therefore pray be pleased not to take amiss these my lawful demands , but let me have a speedy Answer from you which may be effectual to my desires , and I will for the time to come be always studious how I may again be serviceable to so good and sure a Friend as your self , which may assure you that whilst I live I am ,

Yours to the utmost of my power G. R.

His Friend 's kind Answer . Kind Sir ,

YOurs I received and am very sorry to hear that you have suffered any loss or damage in the way of your Trade ; I wish you may recover with interest what you have lost , and am so far from being angry with you for sending for your own , that I am rather angry with you for questioning that which you might assuredly know , which was the payment of that Money which you so kindly lent me : However to shew my thankfulness to you for those favours , and my willingness to gratifie so good a Friend , I have sent you by your Cousin all that Money which I owe you , both interest and principal before the time , not knowing but that you may have a more sudden occasion for it , then you were willing to discover to me your Friend ; pray cancel the Bond and send it back by your Cousin , and also send me word whether or no you shall have occasion for any more present Money , which if you have I will be sure to furnish you with it , being ever as ready and willing to serve you ,

As you have been to oblige me R. W.

A Letter to perswade a Friend to marry . Loving Friend ,

IN considering your welfare , and taking a short view into your present concerns ; I cannot but think that it is altogether inconvenient for you to lead a single Life any longer , for since you have betaken your self to House-keeping and the ordering of a Family , I am sure that it would be very necessary for you to marry a Wife , whose care ( if she perform her duty ) will be always within doors , and see that those Servants you keep do not waste nor make lavish of any provision , or otherways , what Goods you shall commit to their charge in your absence when you are abroad about your earnest concerns ; expecting all to be well and carefully minded at home : but alas you may be mistaken in a House-keeper or a Servant-Maid , for they oftentimes do combine and have self-concern with the Apprentice , to the great detriment and almost ruine of several young Men like your self , who have put confidence in them ; this as the first and no small Argument , I bring to disswade you from living single , and to perswade you to betake your self to a Wise : The next reason is this which you must pardon , because it is not spoken particularly concerning you , neither does it exclude you ; but it may be very properly attributed to any single Man which is a House-keeper : Suppose then this , that a young Man as you are does at sometime or other meet with some of his good friends or former companions abroad as he is walking about his lawful occasion , and being glad to see each other , you cannot well part without drinking a glass or two of Wine together thereby to signifie your mutual loves and friendship which you mutually do owe , and having sate a while in the Tavern one Bottle many times begets two or three , or may be more and still loth to part , till it oftentimes is seen that the Wine doth predominate over your reasons at that time and you stay late , being elevated with those charming liquors you at length return home , and having no body to entertain you there but your Servant-Maid , it may be in that humour ( though not in the least inclined to it another time ) you begin to be familiar with your Maid ( and so familiar as is unseemly for me to name though you may guess my meaning ) this Maid perchance though honest heretofore , yet considering that you are her Master and she but of a low degree or quality contrary to her natural custom , may submit her self and willingly condescend to what you shall earnestly desire to enjoy , which being granted you , on the morrow when 't is too late , repent you of the Fact , and may perchance be brought to open shame quickly after for such your deed as you have committed ; or else forc'd to marry her whom you have already strumpeted : this cautionally I advise you of , not that I know you in the least guilty , but I am sure a good Wife ( of which sort there are many ) would prevent all these miscarriages of youth , and be a great comfort to you both night and day , therefore pray take my counsel , and think ne're the worse of him who cordially is

Your real Friend , W. P.

His Friend's Answer . Loving Friend ,

I Am apt to think you speak experimentally as concerning youthful vanities and frailties : However I must confess your advice is good , and I should be ungrateful if I should not return you hearty thanks for so good admonition , but yet I must also let you know that I am not guilty of those transgressions which you forewarn me of : for I seldom am long out of my Shop , but if I should , the Apprentice could not wrong me much , for I take a narrow inspection into all my concerns , that I should soon miss any particular parcel that should by any means be miscarried , and as for being overcome with Wine I think I never was beyond the bounds of reason , but were I never so much addicted to drinking , I should never be over-kind to my Maid ; for to prevent that danger I keep one that is well stricken in years , and so deformed that she is a perfect Antidote against Letchery : However I shall not tye my self from Marriage , could I meet with a young Woman that was suitable and agreeable to my condition and temper , descended of honest parentage , and reputed to be a vertuous , civil and honest Virgin , and one that after Marriage would not defile my Bed , neither had she in her single condition stained her Virginity by yielding her body to be spotted with any lascivious companions , but had behaved her self in all her youthful days unspotted according to the strictest rules of modesty : with such a one if I could meet , I say it should be the first thing I undertook to marry with her , but truly there are so many that I find miscarry when they marry , that I am something fearful how I tye my self for term of life to that thing which for ought I know may be my perpetual ruine , but as you used to tell me that I must venture , for nothing venture nothing enjoy , I am therefore resolved e're long to take your counsel and good example , who am

Yours as my own R. L.

A Letter complaining of such long silence in his Friend's writing no oftner to him . Loving Friend ,

WHen I consider the ability and strength of your fancy , together with the dexterity of your Pen in writing ; as also the benefit and advantage I reap and receive in reading your learned and well composed Epistles ; I can do no less but blame you for not writing oftner to your Friend , I am sure and very confident that it cannot be in the least burthensome to you to take Pen in hand , and write to me some few Lines that I may hear of your welfare ; which would be very great joy and comfort to your faithful Friend , and a recreation to your ready Muse : I know not wherein I have offended you , or acted any unworthy action towards you that you should slack your hand from writing , but if you will let me know my fault , I will endeavour to make satisfaction for my misdemeanour ; thus desiring to hear from you , I am .

Yours in expectation W. N.

The Answer . Dear Friend ,

YOu must pardon my long forc'd silence in Letters , for I have been sorrowfully employed another way , it hath pleased God to visit my poor Family with great and heavy sickness ; insomuch that I have buried two of my children the Eldest and the Youngest , and my Wife now lies desperately sick of a Fever , whether she may escape or no I cannot tell , for she is very weak ; you might imagine that some extraordinary business or other had befallen me , else I should not have been so long in silence from so good a Friend as your self . I hope you will not question the continuation of my wonted custom of writing to you , so soon as it shall please God to blow away those storms of afflictions that hang over our house thus long , and cause a Sun-shine once again to appear , for be assured that I am

Yours till Times hour glass is run out J. M.

A cunning Letter sent to a crafty Friend to borrow Money . Kind Sir ,

Your obliging qualities have ever been so great and manifold to me , who have never merited the least favour from you , that your goodness makes me presume once more to beg a kindness of you ; which is , that you would lend me ten pounds between this and Thursday next , and accept of my own Bond for your security but for three Month's time , and you shall then be sure to be repaid it with the interest as shall be then due , and my humble thanks shall ever require you with this friendly assurance , that if ever you should stand in need of the same kindness , though your demands should be ten times more that I shall be proud in obliging you on the same terms ; your answer by this Bearer if without excuses will be my present satisfaction , and my study for the future shall be for a requital ,

Your faithful Friend to serve you R. N.

The Answer . Kind Sir ,

I Am very sorry that I cannot oblige you according to your expectation , for at present I have not so much Money to spare by me , nor shall not have any such sum within the time as you have mentioned , you seldom could have asked me at such a time , for seldom it is that I am unprovided of so small a quantity , and if I had it you may assure your self that I would make no denyal of it to so good a Friend as you are and have been to me , but should be glad that I could oblige you in any thing whatsoever , therefore pray let me beg of you not to take it unkindly , fer it is my Nature and ought to be the free disposition of every generous Soul to communicate his assistance to his Friend in every respect to the utmost of his power , but these your present demands ( laying aside all formal excises and flattering complements ) are beyond the reach of my capacity , however I will subscribe my self Sir

Your assured and faithful Friend S. D.

A Letter to his angry Sweet-heart . My Love ,

YOur frowns have so eclipsed my wonted comfort and consolation , that without the speedy Sun-shine of your smiles my future hopes which I promised my self will be utterly blasted , you know you have my heart and all that ever I could call my own at your disposing ; therefore let me beg of you to be kind before it be too late , least certainly you hear that I died through your neglect and cruelties , who am

Your afflicted Lover N. B.

Her short but loving Answer . Sir ,

I Fancy when you wrote to me last you were in a Dream , or else not throughly awake , for how can you task me with unkindness that have no pleasure but in your content and comfort ; if you have undergone any sorrow by your own imagination I am very sorry for it , for I 'le assure you my heart participates of all your troubles , your Love to me I mutually accept , giving you mine again with this assurance , that I am

Yours without dissimulation , whilst S. G.

A Letter upon the delay of a courtesie desired . Kind Sir ,

AMongst the rest of my Friends you have had no small share of my good esteem , therefore I thought you would have had greater care in preserving your promise , and not have dealt so disingenuously with me , who have been always so ready to serve you , pray let me desire you not to feed me any longer with fair words , but let performances speak your mind or frustrate my hopes by a flat denial .

Your dissatisfied Friend , M. K.

The Answer . Sir ,

YOur Friendship I must consess hath been variously shewn to me , for which I must give you abundance of thanks , pray call not my delays uncivilities , nor forgetfulness , for believe me Sir my promises which I made you shall be speedily performed according to your desire , and the best of my power ; and instead of justifying my self , I beg your pardon for non-performance , hoping 't wil be granted by your worthy self .

Yours D. F.

A Letter of Counsel from a Father to his Son . Dear Child ,

I Have heard that you are given to Alchymistry , which is a great charge to many but profiteth few , employ your time so that you may not lose by the bargain : what a grief it is to want , I pray God you may never know ; therefore eschew Prodigality which quickly makes a poor Man ; I have sent you twenty pounds , I hope you will make good use of it , and when you need more send to me for it , after the Term the Vacation will call you into the Countrey , where knowing your Father's House you may make your own welcome , you must not from me expect a flattering welcome , nor take it unkindly that I forewarn you of what may prove to your prejudice , above all things serve God and keep a clear Conscience towards all Men : converse not with fools , for in so doing you will lose your time : beware of drunkenness , for it is a beastly humour : take heed of Knaves for they are much to be feared , all which my advice if you pursue , you may expect God's blessing , which is

Your Father's Prayers H. D.

The Son 's dutiful Answer . Honoured Father ,

AS touching the study of Alchymistry I have heard much , but believe little : However I will not wast your Lands to make a new Mettal ; I know it is not long to the next Vacation , which being come , I will not be long from you , and if at my coming I find you well , that shall be my best welcome , as I will not flatter my self with your Love , so I cannot but joy in your kindness , whose careful counsel I will lock up in my heart as my best jewel : For to serve God is the duty of every Christian , and no longer let me live then in the care of that comfort ; as for Fools they cannot understand me , and Knaves shall not trouble me ; as for drunkenness never doubt me , for it is a thing most loathsome in my Nature ; as for your Money I humbly thank you , and I hope to bestow it according to your good liking , thus with my prayers for your long life , health and happiness I remain

Your dutiful Son till death , H. D.

A merry Letter after the old Fashion sent to a Maid .

AFter my Love remembred unto you , trusting in God that you are in good health as I was at this present writing , with my Father and my Mother , and my Brothers and Sisters , and Unkles and Aunts , and the rest of my good Friends thanks be to God for it . The cause of my writing to you at this time is , that I hear Joan since my coming from Weston , when you know what talk we had together there at the sign of the Horns , and how you did give me your hand and swear that you would not forsake me for all the World , and how you made me buy you a Ring and a Heart that cost me two and twenty pence , and I left them with you , and you gave me a Napkin to wear in my Hat and a small Feather , I thank you , which I will wear to my dying day , and I marvel if it be true as I hear , that you have altered your mind , and are made sure to my Neighbour Pigsay's Son . Truly Joan you do not well in so doing and God will plague you for it : and I hope I shall live well enough if I never have you ; for there are more Maids in the World besides you Joan , and truly I count my self worth the whistling after , I am sure there are some young Maids about us will except of me , and be glad to leap at me to have such Honey kisses Joan as I used to give you ; therefore be not so high and so proud Joan and so scornful , for if you will have none of me , I will have none of you , but will be as stout and as coy as any handsome Maid in England ; for you know my old Grandsir has left my Father good House and Land , and my Father will give it to me his own Son I am sure , and therefore praying you to write me your Answer by this Bearer my friend , touching the truth of all how it stands with you , I commit you to God :

From Willow-green , May 11. 1675. J.S.

Jones Answer .

INdeed sweet John I did not expect such a Letter from your hands , I would have you to know I scorn it : have I got my Fathers and Mothers ill will for you to be so used at your hands ? I perceive and if you be so jealous already you would be somewhat another day , I am glad I find you that you can believe any thing of me , but it is no matter ; I care not , send me my Napkin and you shall have your Ring and your Heart , for I can have enough if I never see you more , for there are more Batchellors then John , and my penny is as good silver as yours , and seeing you are so stout , even put up your Pipes , for I will have no more to do with you ; and so unsaying all that ever hath been said betwixt us , pray make your choice where you list , for I know where to be beloved and so farewel .

J. R.

A Letter from a Father to a Son at the university . Dear Son ,

I Am sorry to tell thee that I hear thy diligence doth not answer my desire , and I would gladly wish it otherwise , but I hope a kind admonition will suffice to work a on good Nature , and therefore will rather hope the best then doubt the contrary : and in the love of a Father let me entreat thee to avoid the company of a lewd fellow , as rather an enemy then a Friend . The Feminine Sex are dangerous to affect , for as they will be a loss of time , so with hinderance of study they will produce expence : The exercise of thy body I admit for thy health , but let thy Love be in thy Learning , else wilt thou never be a good Scholar , for desire and delight are the best Masters both of Art and Knowledge , whilst vertuous Reason makes Understanding gracious : Therefore not out of the bitter humour of displeasure , but the careful Nature of affection I write unto thee for thy own good , and as nothing can joy the heart of a Father more then the obedience of a loving child , so can there nothing be more grievous then the stubborn spirit of an ungracious Son ; I speak this to thee knowing thy years and understanding able to digest the consideration of my desire , which in sum is my joy in thy good . For let me tell thee , my Estate thou knowest , and how much I have strained my credit for thy advancement ; to which Learning being a speedy and an assured good means , I would be glad to see my comfort in thy profit , in such fruits of thy study as with the blessing of God may hasten thy preferment ; therefore be industrious and diligent for thy own benefit , and thou shalt not want a Father's encouragement to the very utmost of his ability ; thus praying to God for thee , whom I beseech daily to bless thee , with my hearts love to the Lord's blessing I leave thee ; who am

Thy loving Father S. D.

The Son's Answer . Loving Father ,

AFter the bands of humble duty , my good Father I have received your most kind and loving Letter ; in which how much joy I have received I cannot express , fearing rather your sharp rebuke then loving admonition ; but God himself who can and doth work more in some Natures with a kind chiding then in others with may stripes . I know you are not ignorant of the inclination of youth , and therefore thus kindly touch the hurt of inheedfulness , for which how much I do humbly thank you I hope the care of your counsel in time shall pleasingly tell you , therefore for what ill you have heard grieve not , and of the good you may hear doubt not but believe me ; for I will not abuse your trust whatever vanity soever I have seemed to effect : My Book hath been the Mistress of my Love in which how much I will labour , and from which what profit . I will gather your hope shall see in the effect of God's blessing , without the which how dangerous are many studies to the understandings of ungracious Spirits , I would it were known in any , and I pray God that none may know it in me . I My preferment I leave to God's pleasure who best knows how to dispose of his Servants , and for your contentment that it may be in my obedience . Your health as the worlds happiness I pray for ; mine own moderate exercise with abstinence from excess , doth with God's blessing hold me in good state : and for the Feminine Sex ( though I would be no Hypocrite ) I had rather read of then be acquainted with them ; for I allow of your opinion touching them : thus hoping ere-long that you will receive as much content of my courses as you have ever doubted the contrary ; in the duty of my humble Love I take my leave for this time , but rest always .

Your dutiful Son S. D.

A Daughters Letter to a Mother . Honoured Mother ,

I Mast acknowledge in all duty that your came of me hath been so great , that my prayers shall ever petition Heaven for your long life and happiness ; and will always move in obedience to your commands , I have no other ways to express my filial duty and love ; but by conforming my self in all things to your commands , and I shall think all the endeavours of my life well bestowed to gain your blessing and love which I have hitherto enjoyed let me beseech therefore and beg of you that there may be a continuation of your kind love and good affection towards me , and I will endeavour all the days of my life more and more continually to engratiate my self into your favour , whilst I am

Your obedient and datiful Daughter . J. P.

The Mothers kind Answer . My dear Child ,

I Received thy kind and dutiful Letter which was no small comfort to me , pray God continue thy duty and obedience to thy Loving Mother , and if thou dost fear him I am sure be will encline thy heart to Wisdom , which is to fear the Lord and to honour thy Parents with humble reverence , and will be the only way to prolong thy days on Earth , and after Death hath seized upon thy body and sent thee to the Grave , yet thy name shall live after Death to Immortality ; and all that ever knew thee shall lament thy loss after death : saying , thou lived'st and did'st die a good Woman and a good Christian , which will be a comfort to thy Friends that hear it , and an Eternal joy and consolation to thy self in the World to come ; thus to the protection of him that made thee I recommand thee who am

Thy loving Mother J. P.

A Letter of comfort to a Friend in Adversity . Sir ,

WEakness is presently discomfited when any calamity doth befal them , but I doubt not but you are strong enough to oppose your unfortunate sorrows , and to make such good use of them , that they shall rather confirm then discourage you in the way of vertue ; I know you can look upon Adversity with an eye of consideration , discerning therein the hand of Providence ; look up then , and see from whence all troubles do arise , there is a blessing annexed to them , if they be suffered with patience ; your virtue that stands inward may now be made apparent to the World in bearing your sorrow , misery , or any worldly affliction , which refine good Men to a greater perfection ; I know you need not my counsel being strong in your self , yet pardon my love , my compassion , and my counsel , and accept them from

Yours bound to serve you N. C.

The Answer . Kind Sir ,

LIke as the Rain doth fall from a wandring Traveller when he comes dropping in , even so at the receipt of your kind and cordial Letter I felt my sorrows wast and vanish from me , being presently refreshed by your good counsel , and all my sorrow is in this my adversity that I have nothing to requite your love withal but the poor and slender payment of thanks . It is common with others whom we reckon in the number of Friends , to fall off when they see their Friend is fallen into any calamity , but such are no more to be accounted of then the flattering shadow that walks before us in the Sun-shine , whilst your Love being built on the constant foundation of your goodness cannot be shaken with the unfortunate chances of your Friend ; in all Estates your Love doth know no change , and this in the midst of my troubles shall bring me store of assured comfort , that I am blest with a Friend so faithful unto him , who is

Your friend in the same fidelity C. B.

A Letter sent to a Friend perswading him that he was a Cuckold . Honest Charles ,

THou knowest I love thee well and ever have done since our first acquaintance : In troth I am sorry that I must now write to thee about such news as I believe will be unwelcome to thee , which to be short and plain I hear tkou art a Cuckold , neither do I ground my belief upon the vulgar report of others that say thy Wife is a Whore , but I have seen so much by her own self that thou must needs be a Cuckold , by those actions which I have observed by her in our Market Town , she not thinking me to be so near her : watch her a little more narrowly for the future and I believe thou wilt soon be satisfied of the truth of this matter . I do not write this to make thee jealous without cause , but because I would not have thee rock the Cradle when another Man got the Bastard ; this is all from

Thy real Friend H. E.

The Answer . Honest Harry ,

I Must confess that thou tellest me strange News , neither is it in the least welcome to me ; yet as I would not be too credulous in believing any thing that may touch or stain the honour and reputation of my Wife , who has been my Bedfellow thus long , so in like manner I would not be blinded with fair speeches to believe her honest that is a notorious Strumpet : for as thou sayest Harry by that means , I may indeed Father the spurious issue of unknown Progenitors ; yet however I will not be jealous before I find a cause , and when I have found a cause I will not be jealous long after , for I will watch her as warily as ever a Cat watcht a Mouse , that she shall not stir but I will Incognito attend her , and then I shall quickly perceive how she behaves her self abroad , she not mistrusting of my suspicion will not proceed so cunningly as otherwise she might , but will continue in her wonted course without all doubt ; which if it should be in the ways of wickedness ( as God forbid it should ) I should be very sorry , and would soon separate my self from her ; and if I am a Cuckold I am certain Harry you know , and are acquainted with several others as may shake hands with me . You know 't is said that Cuckolds are Christians ; and truly I am apt to think that it is many an honest Man's lot : and also many a Knave 's deserved Fortune to be Cuckolded by his own Wife at home , at that very instant of time that he is Cuckolding his Neighbour abroad . As for my part Harry if it be so it shall not much trouble me , but I am resolved to know the truth on 't ; for I know thy honest love and kindness to me is such , that thou would'st not give me any disturbance without some grounds , and for thy love I give thee hearty thanks , who am

Thine to my power , C. D.

A Fantastick Letter to a Friend to try both his Wit and patience . Sir ,

I Would be glad to see you for fear of losing my Eye-sight , but for hearing of you , except it be to preserve me from deafness , I assure you it never troubles me : for when I know no good to expect from you , I wonder what I should do with you ; except to learn ignorance out of idleness , or to make work to no purpose : yet for old acquaintance knowing this bearer coming near you , I thought it good to tell you how well I love you : yet lest you should misconstrue my meaning , let me assure you that he which doth truly know you will accordingly esteem you ; but if you know your self it will be the better for you , I am no Schoolmaster and therefore will read you no precepts , but would wish you to observe times progress , and to hold a friend as a Jewel and a Fool as loss of time , which if you take notice of it will be the better for you :

Your downright Friend J. L.

The Answer .

INdeed Mr. Coxcomb you have made a very learned Epistle , only it relishes of a little too much Maggot which worked so strongly and strangely in your lunatick Brain , that I find the effects of her labouring and toyling thus long there to be prodigious ; insomuch that she has caused you to write a monstrous piece of nonsence , which you your self cannot understand , and there is also so much of fool into the bargaen , that had I not known that you were living , I should have blest my self to think from whence it should all come ; I verily believe that thou art no School-master for thou never learnedst beyond the Testament , and whereas thou advisest me to have a care of keeping company with Fools , I shall take thy counsel in that and be sure to avoid thy company , for I am sure in conversing with thee , I shall certainly lose time , therefore I bid thee farewell ;

R. C.

A conceited Letter from a Countrey School-master , who thought himself to be a great Schoolar . Sir ,

BY all the Nouns and Pronouns in the eight parts of Speech , if you do not send me up the eight pounds which you owe me for your young Son Mr. Quibus his feeding at my Table , and tumbling in my Sheeps Feather-bed with a horum harum horum , I 'le bring you before 'um , where Amo amas amavi , if you do not pay me I am sure they will not save ye , therefore I say Cave , for Per deum , they shall have ye ; for the Constable with his Fustis , shall take you before Sir Justice . Sir I do not love to flatter ye nor yet to use many words , for you may remember that Vir sapit qui pauca loquitur , which for fear you should not understand I English it thus , That Man is wise who speaketh few things or words ; I have done what I can for your Juvenis or young Man which you please to call him , therefore pray be civil to me your Ludi-Magister or School-master ,

Radolphus Ignosus .

The Gentleman's Answer . Good Mr. Ignosus ,

BE not so fiery for your Money , for I think your Quarter is not out till to morrow at night ; However rather then you should be angry and throw your Latin about after this manner ; I 'le hereafter be sure to pay you a week before hand , and I 'le assure you that you shall never have occasion to have me before a Justice for my Money that shall at any time be due to you from me for my Son's board : However since I understand by you that he lies upon a Sheeps Feather bed , which may be Englished a flock-bed ; let me desire you for the future to let him lie upon a Gooses or a Hens Feather-bed : and instead of Vir sapit qui pauca loquitur , I will have it Vir loquitur qui pauca sapit , which I English thus , the Man speaketh that understands but little ; but I do not mean you Sir , therefore I hope you will not be angry with him who is

Your loving Friend E. Quibus .

A cautional Letter from a Husband to his young Wife in the Countrey . Loving Wife ,

NOtwithstanding the great distance that is at present betwixt our habitations , yet the inward thoughts of my heart and mind are continually with you ; I desire that you may be careful of your honour and reputation , for that once lost which we call our good name , cannot easily be repair'd again ; I hope you are virtuous and so guarded with Chastity , that you are always armed against all such temptations as may be offered to a young Woman as you are , especially having such opportunities as you have at present : However if you do but call to mind , first how great an offence it is to God Almighty to adulterate and defile your self : it being a breach of the Commandment ; and secondly , the great and abominable wrong you do your Husband by such transgressions : I am sure upon these considerations well weighed , you will be careful of committing any such notorious crimes ; withal assuring your self that those which at any time do yield and prostrate themselves illegally to their lustful desires , though they do it never so privately , even when they may think themselves secure enough being it may be some hundreds of miles from their honest Husbands , who are careful all their life to maintain them handsomely , and see that they want for nothing ; those I say that do offend in such a manner though never so obscurely , yet these Actions like those of Murther will at one time or other be discovered and made known ; Fame flies with nimble wing and swiftly spreads abroad the evil Actions of every bold offender , the very birds will whistle forth the injuries the Wife commits against her honest Husband ; this my dear love I write not that I am jealous , but only as a caution for thee to take notice of , now thou art so far from me , therefore prithee be not angry with him who is

Thy truly loving Husband till death A. B.

Her Answer . Sweet-heart ,

I Received a Letter with your Name to it , and directed to me ; but sure if it came from you it was never intended for me , but for some other Woman , but yet not satisfied that you could make such a mistake ; I upon a second consideration do fear that you are fell distracted : for surely had you that natural since now , that you had when I departed from you ; the Letter you sent would not have been directed to me but to some Mistress or small Harlot of yours , whose fidelity you so much doubted and feared that she had to do with more Cullies besides your self ; but to come a little closer to the business , I partly smell out your design when you writ that Letter , you are jealous of me though without cause , yet fain would hide your jealousie under the pretence of giving me good counsel ; Introth Husband you know I am young , but not so much a Child but I can perceive what you aim at : Alas poor Man ! what does your head ake before you have any occasion for it ? I am sorry for your mistake ; and truly now you have put me in the mind how brave au opportunity I have here in the Countrey to make you a Cuckold , I am like enough to take notice of it so far as to make the best use of my time and not to let it , slip , for I can judge no less but that you have got some homely Doxy or other to supply my place during my absence , which makes you cry out Whore first ; but 't is no matter for that now I think on 't Husband I will be honest pray think so , I would fain have you think so , and then it will be the better for my design : I mean honestly indeed I do Husband , therefore pray believe her who is

Your virtuous Wife J. B.

A Letter to invite a Friend to a Wedding . Honest Ned ,

MY Sweet-heart and I have just now consider'd on 't , and have concluded together to make a jovial Wedding , and in troth I am a little in haste too I must confess , and know not well how to stay any longer ; for I have such pritty thoughts come into my mind concerning the Wedding-night , and then Ned ; and concerning the Sack-posset and then Ned ; and when the Candle is taken away and then Ned ; but what then is to be done I do but guess Ned : but I vow and swear and will take my Oath on 't , that I long till that time is come that I may know Ned ; and 'faith old Soul to make up our merry company I invite thee to come and see us joyn'd together next Saturday , and thou shalt be as welcome as any Man in England , I would have it on Saturday Ned , because we may lie in Bed all day on Sunday , and that 's all at present Ned but the more is to come .

R. H.

The Answer . Honest Robin ,

I Perceive by your short Epistle , that you now think your self to be Man good enough to venture on a Woman , and I am glad to hear that you have got one to your mind ; Faith Bob in my mind thon art much to be commended that thou dost not make a foolish long and tedions wooing , for that signifies nothing ; when they have done all they must take one another for better and for worse , as the Parson says ; and if it must be so it must , then high for a Boy or a Girl the very first night : for I perceive Bob that thou art a little tickled with the thoughts of it already , by my Mack old Boy thou need'st not question my coming ; for I am resolved to be there , and will pick me up a Spouse of my own if I can , if not I protest and swear I 'le make use of any one that belongs to some body else and so much for that

Thine E. P.

A Letter of Farewel sent to a Friend , from one that is going a long Journey . Kind Sir ,

SInce for several years we have been convenant together , and have held a great correspondency together in way of friendship and also business ; I could not leave my Native Country and betake my self to travel without letting you know of my departure Sir , which will be the next opportunity I can have for transporting my self and Family into the East - Indies , and I am informed that we may have a conveniency of Shipping within this Month ; within which time if I may be so happy as to see you in Town I shall take it as a great favour , if not Sir I humbly recommend this to your hands , which will let you know that I give you a thousand thanks for all kind courtesies which I have received from you , and if it please God that I return again into England I will be sure to come and wait on you my self ; who am

Yours in all places whilst G. R.

The Answer . Dear Sir ,

Your Letter at first sight did very much surprize me , to think that I so suddenly should lose so good a Friend , but afterwards considering that your Wisdom would prompt you to nothing but what shall be to your advantage and preferment , I thought I had no reason to envy at your happiness or to advise you to the contrary ; I am very sorry that I cannot personally appear before you to make an humble acknowledgement how much I am your Debtor , for all those kind favour ; which I have received from you time after time ; I doubt I cannot get so much leisure from my urgent affairs in the Country , as to come and wait upon you before your departure ; however Sir I shall beg of God for your safe passage through Neptune's raging Waves , and that in safety you may again return , which if I live to see , I 'le strive to be the first that shall come and kiss your hand , who am Sir ,

Yours where ever I am N. B.

How to begin and end Letters with new Complements .

Sir , BEing sensible of all those former favours wherewith you have obliged me , I could do no less but make an humble acknowledgement for those unmerited kindnesses which you have been pleased to confer upon me .

Sir , Since the last time I saw you , abundance of Worldly sorrows have surrounded me ; insomuch that I have been uncapable of serving my Friends of whom I reckon you the chief .

Sir , What ever Tongue can express or Heart can wish of the welfare of any real and beloved Friend , I wish and desire may always attend you , but setting aside all ceremonious complements , these may give you to understand , &c.

Sir , I know your discretion to be so great , and your Love so unfeigned that you will not misconstrue any mistake that I shall make in this Letter : therefore I shall not be so curious as at other times I ought to be when I write to those that are more critical , &c.

Sir , In considering your manifold obligations wherewith you have obliged me , it puts me in mind how much I am your Debtor , and how urable I am at present to make you satisfaction , thanks is too mean a present for so much worthiness , yet at present Sir may serve to let you know that I am not ungrateful , &c.

Sir , If I knew which way to gratifie you for all those favours which you have accumulated upon my undeserts , I would not all this while have remained your Debtor , &c.

Sir , After a recommendation of my good wishes , and my hearty prayers for your good health and preservation , these may certifie you that , &c.

Madam , Your Ladyship I hope need not question my faithfulness in serving you , but shall ever account it the greatest honour that can be conferred upon me to be reckoned amongst the number of your Servants , and all my comfort will be in being obedient to your commands , though at present I must confess , &c.

Madam , If loving you be reckon'd and accounted a crime , then I am certain that I am the greatest criminal in the whole World , yet am I also sure that the wretch that loves you not must be a Devil , &c.

Madam , In the fresh remembrance of those pleasant charms I gain'd from your resplendent eyes at our last meeting , I take bold courage to salute your ears with these presumptuous words , that I am your Lover , &c.

Sir , Since our last meeting I very well can remember your unworthiness at that time , pray forbear to say you are my Lover , for I utterly disown your Sute ; your rudeness would have blunted the edge of my affection if I ever had any for you , but that is more then you ever knew , &c.

Madam , The humble adorer of your excellent beauty hath sent these submissive Lines to kiss your fair hands , which kindness if you smiling please to grant , the Authour of them will presume e're long to wait upon you , and with bended knees prostrate himself before so much Divinity , &c.

Sir , Vain words will not advance you to your aim , for 't is not flatteries that will avail or work your ends upon her that has past the Age of twenty ; Children may be deluded with fair speeches , but riper years do look for more substantial performances : therefore pray desist , &c.

Madam , A World of Joys and comfort flows from every word I ever heard you speak ; from every smiling look you ever cast upon me ; Madam , look on and speak again , making your slave more happy then all others .

Sweet-heart , I humbly thank you for your last kindness when I was at your house , and if ever I live to see you again I hope I shall make you part of amends , &c.

Kind Sir , You need not have given your self the trouble to have writ me those thanks for those small civilities which you received at our house ; all I can say to you is that you were welcome , and if you are pleased to think your self so , pray let us have your company again , &c.

Honest Will , Faith you know I love you , and that is better then all the complements in the World ; downright dealing is most acceptable amongst Friends , for flatteries are fit for nothing but to please Women and Children , &c.

Sir , With humble reverence I submit my self to your discretion , not doubting but your goodness will order my concerns to the best advantage , being more capable of discerning what may stand for my future benefit then any other person living ; therefore I wholly condescend to what you shall determine in this matter , &c.

Sir , Your Wisdom has confounded my second thoughts , therefore I refer my self to your better judgement , and I 'le assure you that on my part there shall no more disturbances arise that may in any ways be prejudicial to our mutual society hereafter , &c.

Sir , You may command me upon all accounts to serve you , being always ready to communicate my assistance to a person so much deserving as your self ; therefore write but your Will and Pleasure and it shall be done , &c.

Sir , Wit in other Men seems to be but a florid way of speaking to set forth a bad action with the greater lustre , but in you it shews it self with so much gravity that every word which flows from you , appears to me to be an Oracle , &c.

Madam , Let me beseech you not to condole the loss of your blasted beauty , since that your better ornament does still remain inviolable ; I mean your virtue which is a precious Jewel lodged in your mind , which time decyphering wrinkles cannot wrong ; but it will abide to perpetuity , &c.

Sir , I must confess the gay and glorious blossom has it's first time which lasts not long but withers and decays , and then we expect the more substantial fruit to follow . Youth and Beauty may flourish for a while , but Age calls out for action to adorn the Mind and Soul of every Man and Woman &c.

Sir , When first I heard of those great disasters which have lately befallen you , I equally shared in your misfortunes ; but since 't is gone and past , let me desire you instead of grief and mourning to accept my consolation , &c.

Sir , Every thing underneath the glorious Sun at one time or other must undergo and feel the sence of sorrow ; some have a larger portion then the rest , and none can truly say they live in quiet , but those that do enjoy a contented mind , &c.

Sir , Suppose I angry was at your abuse : 't was not only that you were injurious to me but that I might thereby let you see your own folly , which being known I hope you will amend , &c.

Madam , Let me beg of you to be free and not conceal the Love you bear my friend any longer : for if Love have not it's natural course and vent , like to the flames of fire , which being supprest , may breath and smother undiscovered for a time , but when it once breaks forth it burns more fiercer , &c.

Madam , You know your powerful charms have no resistance , then be not cruel when none dares contend but when you find an opposition to your will ; then use what severity shall best become your Sex , &c.

Madam , Nature has curiously framed your outward shape beyond the parallel of your fellow creatures ; then do not strive to stain what she hath made by any immodest and unseemly Action , you know how unkind you have been , &c.

Madam , You have honoured me so far that it is beyond all expression , my obedience to your will shall be my present acknowledgement ; and for the future I will be sure to hearken to your command .

Sir , You have tyed me so strong in the bonds of true affection that they are infringeable to envy it self ; though I know I have several enemies abroad in this malicious World , that would be glad to cause a separation of our friendship but it is beyond their power . I now must tell you Sir , &c.

Sir , Let me beg of you once more to make us happy with your good company at London , where you shall find your welcome by your freedom , and we shall know your acceptance by your continuance , &c.

Sir , Your Letter I received and am glad to hear of your welfare ; as touching the business which you have commanded me to effect , it shall be done according to your content ; therefore rest your self satisfied with my reality , &c.

Sir , Few words amongst friends are best , as for what you have heard , keep to your self , for it is very dangerous to be a medler in those cases ; I have other business to acquaint you with , &c.

Sir , My humble service I present to you and your Bedfellow , wishing you true joy , long life and health in this World , and everlasting joys in the World to come , we are all well at present I bless God , I would desire you to send , &c.

Sweet Sir , I admire that I have never seen you all this while , I hope my looks did not fright you when you were last at our house , if some of your quality had but half the invitation as I have given you , I should have seen them often in this time ; but 't is no matter , &c.

Ah Madam ! Impute not my so long absence to be any neglect of mine , for had I been at my own disposing I would scarcely have been ever from you ; but sickness , &c.

Madam , If Love be blind as some Men say he is , I wonder how he come to hit my heart so right , he has wounded me and 't was in darkness too , and so that none but you alone can cure , &c.

Sir , I wonder why so many young Men talk of Cupid and his Feather'd Darts that wounds their breasts and yet they know not when . In my opinion they are much mistaken , for Love proceeds at first from each others eyes ; and after that want of enjoyment of a beauty once seen may cause a kind of troublesome passion to arise , and this is my belief concerning Love .

Sir , Let me desire you as you love your self to fly from this infected place , where nothing but Murthers and Rapes are daily threatned , I heard but the other day , &c.

Sir , You may imagine that I love you , else I should not have carried my self in such a familiar manner as I did last night to you who were so much a stranger to me , perhaps you may think me wanton but , &c.

Sir , Let me beg of you not to remember my past faults , but forget an I forgive them all , burying them in oblivion , and for the future I will be more careful of offending , &c.

Sir , In anger I write to you not to trouble your self with my concerns , but mind your own business ; I believe you will find enough to do at home , it may be I may find you some employment shortly if you have none of your own , in the mean time pray let me advise you to bridle your Tongue , or else , &c.

Sir , Let me desire you not to regard the vulgar report of the common sort of people , for they will say any thing : Neither do they regard who it is they wrong , exclaiming against any person behind his back whom just before they applauded before his Face , and this is their common course , &c.

Life of my Soul , Let not my absence provoke thee so far as to be jealous of my inconstancy for thus much assure thy self , that where ever I am my heart is with thee , and nothing but death shall alter my resolutions , which are to make thee my Wife , &c.

Supplements , with choice phrases and and sentences to be used in the middle of Letters upon all occasions .

WHat else may be added to our good success In proceedings of this Nature , I leave to your wiser judgement to consider on .

After Madam I have said all I can say , I must leave it to your goodness to muke a good and favourable construction upon my honest intentions .

I know Sir nothing can be more suitable to my present condition then your good advice , which I will certainly be guided by ; knowing that what ever you admonish me to act or do , must on necessity be for my present and future advantage .

You may remember Madam that at our last meeting , you promised me that I should have a second happiness , by meeting you next Monday morning where we met before .

Let not delays frustrate your design , for you know they often prove dangerous , therefore let me advise you to strike whilst the Iron ●s hot .

Consult with your Parents first Sir , and get their good wills , and you shall ever find me to be according to my promise .

Expect no flatteries from your publick enemy , for your deserts deserve no favour but a just revenge shall certainly be your portion .

What I have said is cordial and you may believe it and count me your Friend in telling you the truth of this matter , whose effects without your care will prove I doubt very dangerous .

Never doubt nor fear but first of all make Tryal ; experience is the best Mistress ; I doubt not but that she will be kind , and that all things may succeed according to your desire .

Thousands you know have miscarried for want of making a quick pursuit in such concerns as yours are ; you know that a place of good preferment is soon catcht up .

Consult with reason first , and be not over-rash in your attempts , lest you precipitate your whole design .

Love me then as you have begun in spite of all their surious anger , you know my constancy and dear affections will never alter but remain for ever firm .

I doubt not but you are disposed to Melancholy , therefore let me advise you to leave that lonesome place , and betake your self to the City ; where you will find diversity of subjects that will expose you to a harmless mirth , and innocent Recreation .

Exclaim not Madam against your sole admirer , one that adores your very name like a sacred deity ; one that hath Atlas strength to bear and undergo the greatest burthens that affliction or torment can lay upon him for your sweet sake .

I grant your sure Sir if your love be true , but first you must give me leave to make trial of your constancy .

I must confess that many have been beguil'd by smooth tongues and flattering speeches , but mine you have no reason to mistrust .

Consent not Daughter to their false delusions , for now a days not one Gallant amongst ten is to be believed ; let your love be grounded on what I shall think reason , then will you live a happy life hereafter .

My Father 's good will , Sir , you first must ask before I shall make my self any surer to you , yet this I will tell you , if what you demand be according to his good liking , I can satisfie you , that I sandy you above any other Man .

That Song you sung so ravisht all my senses last night , that I shall not think my self happy till once again I hear it from your mouth .

Then blest be that hour that first I made the motion , since according to my desire you have granted my request ; for I am obliged in duty Madam to make a more then verbal acknowledgement .

Your business Sir I have carefully minded , which succeeds according to your wish , the Man you told me was your chiefest witness I met in Town , and have secured him till the Trial shall be , and according to his evidence I question not but that you in your sute will prove victorious .

I had sooner been with you , Sir , had not my Horse tired by the way ; insomuch that I was forced to lie still two whole days , because he was not able to perform the Journey .

Your Letters of advice , Sir , came too late , for I had then dispatched the business before their arrival ; however if I can serve you in the like nature I shall gladly be commanded by you .

No more your aged Father's counsel disrespect , least that I count it wilful disobedience , what I advise you to is for your own advantage , as yet you know the power is in my hands to make you happy or for ever miserable .

I hope you cannot justly task me , Sir , with disobedience , for rather then I would prove undutiful to so good a Father , I would make choice of my sharp pointed Sword to be my fatal Executioner .

I know your clemency and well disposed mind is apter to forgive my faults , then I can have the considence to ask your pardon ; pray Sir , be therefore satisfied in my protestations that I not only love , but also honour you .

I shall endeavour so to use my time to the best advantage of my future good , that you my aged Parents may have joy and comfort at all times when ever you see my face .

Learning I know is a most precious Jewel , not to be obtained without a careful study and industry ; my diligence shall therefore be to the utmost of my power to acquire to my self so rich a gem which is of that great value .

You know that none shall ever reap the profit of your Learning but your self , therefore my child seek it and thou shalt have it .

I am glad to hear that you are merry , for it is a sign that you are in health , but let me advise you Child , to have a care , that Vanity take not up too much Room in your mind and heart , supplying that place which should contain profounder knowledge , stealing away your thoughts from following better things .

I always , Sir , do consult with reason in my affairs before I pitch upon any design ; therefore after I have had some small time to deliberate my thoughts I shall be ready and willing to give you my opinion and best judgement in this matter .

Love is a thing that I never yet studied , therefore you tell me strange news about it ; but I will consider on 't , and if I find I can love any Man it shall be you as soon as any body I know of .

But since our Parents angry are and will not give their consents that we should marry together , I am resolved if you will agree to appoint a time , when privately we may make our selves happy though against their wills .

'T is true I love , and that you know full well , but willingly would have our Friend 's good will , yet since you are resolved to take me at a venture , name but the time and I will surely meet you , for I had rather offend all my friends , then in the least to prove unkind or fickle to thee my dearest Love and only joy .

Admire not that I appear to be somewhat strange to your propositions , for I know that you have ever been unconstant ; therefore I shall be careful how I settle my affections on a sudden .

Stoop not so low as once to condescend to act such folly , for ruine will attend all those that without consideration match themselves to such extravagancy .

I heartily could wish the time were come that both our hearts and hands might be united , I willingly would run a lawful course , yet hardly can indure to stay so long ; why should I be delayed from that sweet enjoyment which every night I dream on without redress , 't is real pleasure that I want my dear .

Conclusions and endings of Letters of all sorts , and upon all occasions .

THus do I take my leave and submit my self to your Lordships pleasure who am , The humblest of your Scrvitors A. B.

I never thought my self more happy , then when I was busie in prosecuting your Worship's just commands , therefore let me beg of you to harbour no ill opinion of him ; who is The only admirer of your Worship's virtues B. C.

Thus , honoured Sir , do I commit my self to your just censure , knowing that you will be favourable to Your distressed Servant C. D.

Much might be added worthy Sir upon this same business ; but time will not give me leave any longer to insist thereon ; I therefore at this time shall conclude , and only acknowledge that I am and ever will be to my death , Your faithful Friend and most humble Servant D. E.

But lest I should seem troublesome in being too tedious in this my Letter ; I shall only add this to my former acknowledgements , that I am Your most obliged and most faithful Servant E. F.

Consider well on what I have writ you word of , and meditate on it at your leisure ; which is all from Your affectionate Father F. G.

What ever you have writ to me shall so deeply be lodged in my breast , that nothing but death shall take it from thence , which I hope will be a satisfaction to you , from Sir . Your dutiful Son G. H.

My dearest-Soul , blame me not for my suspition and jealousie of thy unconstancy , but rather pardon it , for it proceeds from the abundance of love of him who is The only adorer of thy beauty H. I.

And if your suspition Sir be grounded out of your own imagination and all without cause , I shall not desire that you should adore me , but imploy your time in learning to be wiser , and that is all from her who is Yours more then you deserve I. K.

But to sum up all complements in one Line , I am Sir Yours till death , in death , and after death K. L.

Now since your folly I have pretty well discovered , I think it is time to leave off at this time , only telling you that I am Your Friend more than you are your own L. M.

Therefore Sir let me desire you not to question my fidelity in this concern , but rely wholly upon Your most faithful Friend M. N.

Ah Madam what shall I say more that might move you to compassion , a thousand Sheets of Paper would be too little to contain the full description of my sorrows , which night and day I do undergo for want of the enjoyment of your Love ; 't is nothing else I ask dear Madam but one smile from your sweet self , which if you would but grant it would revive Your languishing and disconsolate Lover N. O.

That which you ask dear Sir I out of pitty grant , for it never shall be said that I should so disturb so likely and so hopeful a Gentleman as your self , in denying him so small a request , when next you please to see me again , I 'le meet you with a smile , and if that won't do I 'le smile again , and so continue till you shall be satisfied , then I hope you will be pleased with her who is Your compassionate and most loving Friend M. P.

And Joan I now have only this to tell thee that in good truth I love thee dearly who am called by the name of Robin Hog .

And that I may end my Letter just as you have done Robin , I must tell you that I love you as well as you love me which I had almost forgot , but I think such good words do never come too late ; this is all from her who is thine , and honestly known by my proper name being my Mothers name who was born before me Joan Sow .

Superscriptions for Letters , suitable for all Degrees and Qualities of Men and Women .

TO the most High and Mighty Monarch , His sacred Majesty of Great Brittain .

Or thus ,

To the most Gracious and Victorious Monarch , Caesar Augustus . Salutem .

Nobility . To the most Illustrious Prince . To his Royal Highness James Duke of York . But to other Dukes thus , To the most Renowned Duke . To the Right Honourable Earl of , &c. To the Honourable Lord . Gentry . To the Right Worshipful R. T. Knight Baronet . To the Worshipful R. T. Knight . To the Worshipful Esquire . To the most Impartial and upright Judges . To the most wise and most discreet States-man . To the most pious , most grave , and most religious Clergy-man . To Professors of Liberal Arts and Sciences . To the most Eloquent and most florid Rhetorician . To the most Skilful , most Learned , and approved Physician . To the most crafty and most subtle Logician . To Poets thus . To the Muses best adorers . Or thus . To the Laureated Society . To Lawyers thus . To the most skilful and most Impartial Friend , &c. To the most skilful and most aiery Musician . To his worthy and noble , and highly esteemed Patron . To Kindred and Relations . To his Honoured and Welbeloved Father H. P. To his dear and tender Mother . To his most affectionate Brother or Sister . To his dearly beloved Wise . To her dearly beloved Husband . To his loving Unkle . To the honourable Colonel . To the couragious and most valiant Captain . To Lovers . To the Life of my Soul Mrs. A. B. To the Mistress of my best thoughts E. C. To the fair hands of the Honoured Lady . To the fair hands of the Honoured Lady , Madam R. S. To the fulness of my true contentment , Mistress S. L. To the hope of my Fortunes Mrs. J. P. To my best choice Mrs. P. P. To the only joy of my heart Mrs. D. D. To my Heaven upon Earth Mrs. J. F. To the fairest and most Angelical Beauty in the whole Universe Mrs. R. T. To the adored and most venerable demi-goddess Madam J. K. To ordinary Friends and Acquaintance . These to his loving and much esteemed Friend Mr. A. B. These to his true and trusty Friend Mr. B. C. To his honourable Friend Mr. C. D. To her newly displeased Friend Mr. D. E. To her best resolved Friend Mr. E. F. To her well advised Friend Mr. F. G. To his loving and long expected Friend Mr. G. H. To her most disquieted Friend Mr. H. I. To his respected Friend Mr. J. K. To his approved Friend Mrs. K. L. To her most worthy Friend Mrs. L. M. To his well experienced and most esteemed noble Friend Mr. M. N. To his well disposed Friend N. O. To his much disordered Friend O. P. To his unkind and ill advised Friend P. Q. To his perjur'd and lascivious Wife R. S. at her Lodgings in Moor-fields . To the jealous Pimp and Cuckold my Husband S. S. at his Lodgings in Whetstones-Park . To his suddenly displeased Friend Mr. S. T. To her worthy Friend Mr. T. T. adventurer in Barbadoes . To his true and trusty Friend Mr. V. W. Factor in Jamaica . Doctor in Divinity . To the most pious and most Learned Doctor W. A. Doctor in Physick . To the most eminent and most skilful Doctor A. B. To a Bishop . To the most Holy , most Learned , most Benevolent , and most Reverend Father in God , John Lord Bishop of , &c. To Mrs. Twattle you may easily find the house , For she at Mr. Woodcock's does carouse .

Posies for Rings , or Motto's fit for Presents . I Love you well , Your self can tell . Let Virtue guide , My lawful Bride . Sure you mistake , That bargain 's to make . My tender heart , Disdain makes smart . My Love , Shall ever faithful prove . I moan , Because I lie alone . Absence ne're parts , Two loving hearts . This and the giver , Are thine for ever . I vow to kiss , Her that reads this . The Love I owe , In this I show . No Turtle Dove , Shall shew more Love . As I affect thee , So respect me . The gift is small , But Love is all . When this you see , Remember me . This to a Friend , I freely send . Well directed , If well accepted . I 'le not express , What you may guess . When this you see , Think well of me . Virtue and Love , Are from above . More near to me , Then Life can be . Though Friends cross Love , We 'll meet above . 'T is Love alone , Makes two but one . You and I , Will Lovers die . I seek to be , Both thine and thee . I am sure to die , If you deny . In thee each part , Doth catch a heart . My true Love is , Endless as this . When Cupid fails , The eye prevails . Your blest sight , Is my delight . I wish to have , But blush to crave . I wish you knew , What I owe you . My constant Love , Shall ne're remove . Take this in part , Of my true heart . For one sweet kiss , I give you this . Nothing for thee , Too dear can be . Desire like fire , Doth still aspire . In troth you know , It must be so . My Love you know , Then say not no. If you this foregoe , You are my foe . I love thee Jone , And thee alone . I love thee John , Therefore come on . My mind is bent , And I am content . I 'le venture , Till I find Love's center . I was an Ass , Should I let you pass . In midst of grief , Love sends relief . Where Hearts agree , No strife can be . I joy to find , A constant mind . Love never dies , Where Virtue lies . Love's delight , Is to unite . Let Friend nor Foe , This secret know . I must confess , Love goes by guess . The nigher kin , The further in . What I have done , Declare to none . My name is Harry , And Doll I 'le marry . Come when you will , I am yours still . I 'le take my Oath , To part I 'm loath . I 'le swear and vow , That I love you . I hope to meet , Some kisses sweet . Though this be small , You shall have all . When I am well , Have at thee Nell . I hope your mind's , To Love inclin'd . Forgive , Or else I cannot live . You 'l ever find , Me very kind . I am full of Love , Towards you my Dove . I this present , With good intent . What more I owe , You 'l shortly know . True Friends , By Love are made amends . Cupid's command , Who can withstand . Think well of me , When this you see . When you see this , Blow me a kiss . My only joy , Be not so coy . I love till death , Shall stop my breath . Unto the end , I 'le be your Friend .

A COLLECTION OF THE Newest Songs , AND MERRY CATCHES : WHICH Are now sung either at Court or Theatres .

SONG I. WHy should so much beauty fear , Round this Isle the Heavens appear , Like your own streams undisturb'd and clear : Those beauteous Nymphs unfrightned too , Not minding what another shews , they do Their innocent delight pursue . Why should so much beauty dye , Or so sweet a Soul deny , The delights of those keep company : But whilst 't is fresh and blossoming , Ne're make delays in any thing , But grant those joys most pleasure bring . Your sweet smiles and dimple cheek , Fatal are to all they meet , And lay them prostrute at your feet : Then dear Nymph for once be kind , Let sighs and skricks be left behind ; Whilst innocent our sport we find .

SONG II. NOw that the cold Winter 's expell'd by the Sun , And the Fields that did pennance in Snow ; Have put Madam Natures gay Livery on , Embroyder'd with flowers to make a fine show : Since the Hills and the Valleys with pleasure abound , Let Mortals bear a part and the Frolick go round . Hark , hark , how the brids in sweet consort conspire , The Lark and the Nightingale joyn ; And in every Grove there 's an amorous Choire , While nothing but mirth is their harmless design : Since the Hills and the Valleys together abound , Let Mortals bear a part and the Frolick go round . Methinks the god Pa● , whose Subjects we are , Sits and smiles on his flowery Throne ; He accepts our kind offering every one , Our May-pole's his Scepter , our Garland his Crown : Since the Hills and the Valleys together abound , Let Mortals bear a part and the Frolick go round .

SONG III. THe delights of the Bottle , and the charms of good Wine , To the Powers and the Pleasures of Love must resign : Though the Nights in the Joys of good drinking be past , The debauches but till the next morning do last : But Love's great debauch is more lasting and strong , For that often lasts a Man all his Life long . Love and Wine are the bonds which fasten us all , The World but for these to confusion would fall : Were it not for the Pleasure of Love and good Wine , Mankind for each trifle their lives would resign ; They 'd not value dull Life but would live without thinking , Nor would Kings rule the World but for Love and good Drinking .

SONG IV. TEll me no more you love , Unless you will grant my desire , E'ry thing will prove But Fuel unto my Fire : 'T is not for kisses alone So long have I made my address ; There 's something else to be done , Which you cannot chuse but guess . 'T is not a charming smile , That brings me my perfect joys , Nor can I be beguil'd With sighs or craving eyes . There is an essence within Kind Nature has clear'd the doubt : Such bliss cannot prove a Sin Therefore I will find it out .

SONG V. Dorinda's lamentation for Amintas . A Dieu to the pleasures and follies of Love For a passion more noble my fancy doth move , My Shepherd is dead and I live to proclaim With sorrowful notes my Amintas his Name : The Wood-Nymphs reply when they hear me complain , Thou never shake see thy Amintas again : For Death hath befriended him Fate hath defended him None , none alive is so happy a Swain . You Shepherds and Nymphs that have danc'd to his lays Come help me to sing forth Amintas's praise , No Swain for the Garland durst with him dispute So sweet were his Notes whilst he sung to his Lute : Then come to his Grave and your kindness pursue To weave him a Garland of Cypress and Yew : For life hath forsaken him Death has o'retaken him No Swain again will be ever so true . Then leave me alone to my wretched Estate , I lost him too soon , and I lov'd him too late : You Ecchoes and Fountains my witnesses prove How deeply I sigh for the loss of my Love ; And now of our Pan whom we chiefly adore This favour I never will cease to implore , That I may go above And there enjoy my Love And live more happy than ever before .

The Catholick Lover . SONG VI. T Is not enough great gods , 't is not enough , That I one single beauty love , No , no , Eternal powers if you Envy the peace my mind once knew , If 't be my Fate to be a slave : If I must love and such passions have ; Let not one Quiver , or one Bow , One glance , one dart , one Arrow do ; Let many eyes my freedom break , Let many chains me Captive make , 'T is Caesar-like From many wounds a death to take .

SONG VII . LOng since fair Clarinda my passion did move Whilst under my friendship I cover'd my Love , But now I must speak though I fear 't is in vain 'T is too late in my Death to dissemble my pain ; In telling my Love though I fear she 'l deny I shall ease my sad heart and more quietly dye . Ah sure by my eyes you my passion might find , No friendship e're languish'd or look'd half so kind ; Though I said not I lov'd , you might see it too plain , Friends use not to sigh , nor to speak with such pain : Each touch of your hand such a warmth did inspire , My Face was all flam'd and my heart all a fire . My thoughts are so tender , my Tongue cannot tell , What bliss wou'd be yours could you love half so well ; Let the thing with a Title our property move , Let him have the shew , and let me have the Love : I have lov'd you so long that if now you delay , You 'l owe me so much as you never can pay .

SONG VIII . WHat fighs and groans now fill my breast , And suffer me to take no rest For my Carmelia , Oh she 's gone , And left me here to sigh alone : But is she dead ? Then I 'le go see If in her Grave there 's room for me . Oh cruel Fate that so design'd , To take her and leave me behind ; And thou Oh death whose quick Alarms , Have snatcht her rudely from my Arms : Canst thou not find a way for me , To my Carmelia's brest to flee . Dye then Anselmio ! why dost stay , Since thy Carmelia leads the way ? Oh! die yet faster , do not live , That dearest Nymph for to survive . Now dearest Soul I come , I fly Always to live with thee , I die .

SONG IX . WHy should Friends and Kindred gravely make thee Wrong thy self and cruelly forsake me ; Be still my dearest Mistress : hang Relations , Love 's above their dull considerations : Let 'em live and heap up treasure , Whilst that thee and I enjoy our pleasure . He that seeks a Mistress in a portion , Puts himself to use with damn'd extortion ; If he must be brib'd to copulation , Pox upon his Love 't is out of fashion : Where we like , no matter what the estate is , 'T is not Love except we shew it Gratis . How to see the Miser have I wondred , Weighing out his passion by the Hundred ; Ne're consulting Birth nor Education , Vertue without Wealth 's but prophanation : Be she old or ugly 't is no matter , So she is but rich , he 'l venture at her . Joynture is a sordid Lay-invention , Quite beside our Nature and Intention ; When we wou'd agree it makes resistance Finding tricks to keep us at a distance : Then who poorly make a new Election , Suffers wealth to trouble his affection .

SONG X. A Rant . MAke a noise Pull it out And drink about Brave Boys : T'other Cup , Fill the Glass You sober Ass Turn up ; Why so sad Wee 'le have more Upon the score My Lad : Let the Rabble Prate and babble Fontre Diable We will all be mad . Sing a Catch Serenade In Masquerade The Watch , Prittle prattle Tittle tattle Give 'em battle They shall find their match . See they come Staves and Pikes Who ever strikes Strike home : Come Boys draw Fairly meet 'Em in the street Saw ! Saw ! Bravely done Cut and slash The Weapons clash They run . How they wallow Let us follow Hoop and hallow For the day is won : All 's our own , Every Crack Must on her back Lye down ; Let us muster In a cluster Huff and bluster For we rule the Town . Play along , Sing and chant A merry Rant Among ; Lay about , Look you Whores Shut all your doors And flout . All prepare See the Sluts Draw up the shuts Beware Batts and Cinders Break the Windows Nothing hinders Let 'em have a care Together clash In they go , At every throw , Dash ! dash ! Hark they tumble How they rumble Now the Whores are quasht . Boys dispatch 'T is enough That we can huff The Watch : Back again To the Sun Come let us run Amain ; There we 'l stay Roar and drink And never think Of day . Time , with Lasses Pots and Glasses Sweetly passes How it slides away : Let the Fool , He that thinks And sleeps and drink By Rule ; By a measure At his leasure Take his pleasure And grow wisely dull .

SONG XI . A Wife I do hate For either she 's false or she 's jealous , But give me a Mate That nothing will ask , or tell us . She stands not on terms Nor chaffers by way of Indenture : Nor loves for your Farms , But takes the kind Man at a venture . If all prove not right , Without Act , Process , or Warning , From a Wife for a night , You may be divorc'd the next morning : Where Parents are slaves Their Brats cannot be any other ; Great Wits and great Braves Have always a Punk to their Mother .

SONG XII . BE thou joyful I am jolly In thy pleasure 's my delight , Art thou inclin'd to Melancholly I am of that humour right ; For I can joy ; or joys can slight . Art thou lib'ral of embraces I can also lavish be , Or dost thou scorn to yield such graces I can scorn as well as thee Of these I can be nice or free . Dost thou Joy I should attain thee Then I will thy Servant be , Or if my presence do disdain thee I will never wait on thee , For I can love or let thee be . If to singing thou ' It apply thee , I can warble Notes to thee , Or if to sighing , I le sigh by thee , To thy passions I le agree , For I 'm to all thy humours free . Dost thou joy I should come near thee With a heart both firm and true ? Or dost thou fly my sight and jear me ? Unto Lovers that 's not new , For I can stay , or bid adien .

SONG XIII . OH Celia come tell me how long it will be Before you will grant my desire , Is there no end of your cruelty But must I consume in this fire : You 'l not say you love nor yet that you hate But delight for to see me languish ; Ah Celia take pitty of my desperate state And remove the cause of my anguish . Ah Celia remember the pitiful moan That came from your desperate Lover , When I was sitting and fighing alone Nor did I my Celia discover : The Hills with the Valleys took share of my grief And Eccho'd my Lamentation ; Yet Celia unkind will not give me relief But takes pleasure in my vexation .

A Catch . XIV . IF Wealth would keep a Man alive I 'de only study how to thrive , That having got a mighty Mass Might then bribe Fate to let me pass : But since we can't prolong our years . Why spend we time in griefs and fears ? For since by destiny we dye And must all pass over the Ferry , Hang sicknesses and eares Since we han't many years Let 's have a short life and a merry .

A Drinking Catch . XV. COme away , t'other Glass He 's a temperate Ass That refuses his brimmer of Rhenish , While our bottles go round A new way we have found Both our heads and our veins to replenish : We 'le be witty and brave when our Noddles are full , While the sober young Fop is but prudently dull : With Wenches and wine Our selves we refine , From the dross of the Puritan City We care not a Louse For the dull Coffee-house 'T is the Tavern that makes a Man witty : In spight of misfortune thus happy we are , In a jolly brave Soul that 's a stranger to care .

SONG XVI . WEre Celia but as chast as fair , How could I kiss the snare , And therein lye And ne're be tir'd with my Captivity : But she 's a Whore , that cools my blood , Oh! that she were less handsome or more good . Would you believe that there can rest Deceit within that brest , Or that those Eyes Which look like Friends are only spies : But she 's a Whore , yet sure I lie May there not be degrees of Chastity . No , no , what means that wanton smile But only to beguile , Thus did the first Of Women make all Men accurst I for their sakes give Women o're , The first was false the fairest is a Whores .

A drinking Catch . XVII . WHat a madness it is to give over our drinking , When Apollo is drunk you may know by his winking ; His Face is on flame , and his Nose is so red , It predicts he is sleepy and goes drunk to bed : Let him sleep to grow sober while we tarry here , And drink till the Morning appear .

Despair . SONG XVIII . MAke a Bed in the deep , For me discontented poor Lover to sleep , Till the Cannons like Thunder Rend the Heavens in sunder , And fright'ning the Main Do force me at last to unwaken again . When the Storms do arise And with their proud Surges encounter the Skies , My head finds a Pillow On the top of a Billow And I look for a Grave , Within the cold Womb of a turbulent Wave . The Wind shall convey My Prayers unto her I adore e'ry day : It gently shall move Her to pitty her Love ; And each sigh that he hears It shall whisper again into Phillis's Ears . If the Tempest do roar Then Phillis alone is the Saint I implore , If she will not appease The rage of the Seas , Nor calm the rough Weather I le breath out her name and my Life both together . So the Ocean to me Shall instead of a Tomb and a Sepulchre be , And as I do glide Too and fro with the Tide Thereby is exprest That a Lover may dye but he never can rest . Over Phillis shall hover The wand'ring Soul of her martyred Lover , And if I do find her To my memory kinder , Oh then I shall never Abandon her bosom but tarry for ever .

SONG XIX . WHen a Woman that 's buxom to a dotard doth wed , 'T is a madness to think she 'l be ty'd to his bed , For who can resist a Gallant that is young And a Man Al-a-mode in his Garb and his Tongue : His looks have such charms and his Language such force , That the drowfie Mechanick's a Cuckold of course . He brings her acquainted with Dons of the Court , That are persons of worth , and of civil report ; Thus she cannot a kind opportunity want For he 'l trusther with no Man except her Gallant : Yet the confident Fop for her honesty swears So he grafts on himself the gay horns that he wears . Thus happy are we that are yok'd to a Citt For when ever we teach him he pays for his wit , By his Duck that appear'd to be faithful and chast , He finds himself Cuckold and beggar'd at last ; And the credulous Fool having drudg'd all his Life , Proves a Thief to himself and a Pimp to his wife .

SONG XX. LEt the Bowl pass free From him to thee As it first came to me 'T is pity that we should confine it , Having all either credit or coyn yet , Let it e'en take it's course There 's no stopping it's force He that shuffles must inter-line it . Lay aside your cares Of Shops and wares And irrational fears Let each breast be as thoughtless as his'n is , That from his Bride newly ris'n is We 'le banish each soul That comes here to condole Or is troubled with Love or business . The King we 'l not name Nor a Lady to enflame , With desire to the Game And into a dumpishness drive all ; Or make us run mad , or go Wive all : We 'l have this whole night Set apart for delight And our mirth shall have no corrival . Then see that the Glass Through it's circuit do pass , Till it come where it was And every Man's Nose been within it , Till he end it that first did begin it : As Copernicus found That the World did turn round , We will prove so does e'ry thing in it .

SONG XXI . I Always resolved to be free from the charms That Love with his subtilty e're could invent , I kickt at his Deity laught at the harms That he could devise to abridge my content : But now I do find though the Lad he be blind , The mark he hath hit and hath changed my mind ; A Boy though he be , yet his Manhood I see , For with one poor Dart hath he conquered me . I likewise before such beauties did see With charms in their Tongues and darts in their eyes , Who thought by their Wiles to intoxicate me But never before my heart could surprise : But now I do see that a slave I must be , To one that before was a Servant to me ; For the angry god's Dart hath so pierced my heart , No Balm that 's apply'd but increaseth the smart . And thus being plung'd in that loving amaze The place is a Labyrinth where I reside , Whose turnings and windings hath so many ways That none can get out without help of a guide : And my guide is so coy though my Soul I employ , To lie at her feet , yet my hope she 'l destroy ; But rather then I 'le keep parley with her eye , To add to my bonds , I am resolved to dye .

SONG XXII . FAir Clarinda I do owe All the Woe That I know To those glorious looks alone , Though you 're an unrelenting stone : The quick Light'ning from your eyes Did sacrifice My unwise , My unwary harmless heart , And now you glory in my smart . How unjustly you do blame That pure flame From you came Vext with what your self may burn , Your scorns to Tinder did it turn : The least spark how Love can call That does fall On the small Scorch'd remainder of my heart Will make it burn in every part .

A Pastoral Song . XXIII : AS I was sitting on the Grass Within a silent shady Grove , I over-heard a Countrey Lass Was there bewailing of her Love : My Love says she Is ta'ne from me And to the Wars is prest and gone ; He 's marcht away And gone to Sea , Alack , alack , and a welladay And left me here alone . My Love he was the kindest Man There 's none that 's like him in the Town , He gently takes me by the hand And gave me many a Green Gown ; With kisses sweet He would me treat And often sing a Roundelay : And sometimes smile Then chat a while , That so we might the time beguile A live-long Summers day . My Love on May-day still would be the earliest up of all the rest , With Scarfs and Ribbons then would he Of all the crew be finest drest ; With Morris Bells And fine things else , But when the Pipe began to play : He danc'd so well I heard e'm tell That he did all the rest excel , And bore the bell away . The Man that took my Love away Was too , too harsh and too severe , I gently on my knees did pray That he my Love would then forbear ; I offer'd too A breeding Ewe And Chilver-Lamb that was my own ; Do what I cou'd It did no good He left me in this pensive mood To sigh and make my moan .

SONG XXIV . WHen first I saw fair Celia's face So full of Majesty and Grace , As potent Armies do attack The place can no resistance make : So she by power has made her way Unto my heart and there does stay Receiving homage which I pay . The force of Love who can withstand It is in vain to countermand , What envious Cupid has decreed Then my poor heart must ever bleed : Till you fair Nymph by pitty mov'd My passion having once approv'd Can love as now you are belov'd . It would be Gallantry in Love , If Celia would the Act approve ; Where she so long has caus'd a smart There to bestow at last her heart : In doing so ( fair Saint ) you may , From your blest name derive a day , When Lovers all to you shall-pray .

Against Poets . SONG XXV . WHat mean the dull Poets themselves to abuse , With the pittiful Rhimes of an ignorant Muse ; No more in the praise of a Nymph let 'em prate , Nor complain of the Stars or unkindness of Fate : But if they must Rhime let 'em do 't to some end , And sing us a song of our Bottle and Friend . They 're in pittiful case with their heart and their flame , And are puzled to find a new Mistresses name ; But once in a Stanza they must be in Love , Then their Protean Mistress must any thing prove : For their sence and their truth's are but Pimps to their Rhime , And their Alphabet helps 'em to words that will chime . The Mistress they sancy they fit to their mind , In a minute she 's pretty , coy , cruel , and kind ; Thus Women are Deities only in show While to them they do all their constancy owe : But in Burgundy we the fond passion will quench , Or if we must love we will go to a Wench .

A Pastoral Song , XXVI . O Delia ! for I know 't is thee , I know 't is thee , For nothing else could move My tuneless heart , but something from above ; I hate all Earthly Harmony , Hark , hark , ye Nymphs and Satyrs all around ; Hark how the baffled Eccho faints and dies , See how the winged Air all gasping lies , At the melodious sound , Mark while she sings How they droop and flag their wings . Angelick Delia sing no more , Thy Song 's too great for mortal Ear ; Thy charming Notes I can no longer bear : Oh then in pitty to the world give o're And leave us stupid as we were before ; Fair Delia take the fatal choice To vail thy beauty or suppress thy voice : His passions thus poor Celadon betray'd , When first he saw , when first he heard the lovely Maid .

SONG XXVII . HAng up Mars And his Wars Give us drink , We 'le tipple my Lads together , Those are Slaves Fools and Knaves That have chink , And must pay For what they say Do or think Good fellows account for neither : Be we round , be we square , We are happier than they are , Whose dignity works their ruine : He that well the bowl rears Can baffle his cares And a fig for Death or undoing .

SONG XXVIII . WHen I see the young Men play Young methinks I am as they , And my aged thoughts laid by To the dance with joy I fly : Come a flowry Chaplet lend me Youth and merry thoughts attend me . Age be gone , we 'le dance among Those that young are , and be young , Bring some wine boy , fill about You shal see the old Man's stout : Who can laugh and tipple too , And be mad as well as you .

A Tavern Song , XXIX . COme drink off your Liquor 'T wil make you the quicker For Rhimes , Songs , Conceits , or for Ballads , Be the Wine red or yellow The cups deep or shallow There 's nought comes amiss to our Pallats . Chorus . Then come drink away Be it night or be it day The time shall be told as it passes : The true Hour we shall know By the Ebb and the Flow Of the jolly quart Pots and the Glasses . It stands us upon To change our Helicon For Spring it was nothing but Water : But hence springs a fire That will quicken and inspire And tickle our senses with laughter . Chorus . Then come drink away Be it night or be it day The time shall be told as it passes : The true hour we do know By the Ebb and the Flow Of the jolly quart Pots and the Glasses .

SONG XXX . DIngenes was merry in his Tub And so let us be in our Club , 'T is mirth that fills our brains with blood More then either Sleep , Wine , or Food ; Let each Man keep his heart at ease No Man e're dy'd of that Disease : 'T wil always keep thy body in health Then value it above thy Wealth , 'T is sadness and grief that doth bring Diseases in Autumn , and in the Spring , Then welcome harmless Mirth let 's say For the more we laugh , the more we may .

On a dead Horse , an Epitaph . SONG XXXI . HEre lies not in , but on Earth's Womb , An Horse expos'd without a Tomb ; No winding-sheet , nor his own skin , Nor laid by any of his Kin. Yet was no Jade ; Death had a race And took him for a sprightly pace : Now see his Funeral Exequies Th' Ravens in Black do solemnize , Unto the Skies they him exalt Being Sepulchred in Airy Vault : In living Tombs he thus out-prides MECHA and Aegypt Pyramides : Change now his Epitaph , say not here lies A Horse but rather here he flies . Mourn not his Fate my Friends , since thus The Horse is now transform'd to Pegasus .

SONG XXXII . WHere the Bee sucks there suck I In a Cowslip Bell I lye , There I couch when Owls do cry , On the Batt's back I do fly After Summer merrily : Merrily , merrily , shall I live now Under the blossom that hangs on the Bough .

Anger , SONG XXXIII . A Curse upon thee for a slave Art thou here , and heard'st me rave ? Fly not sparkles from mine eye To shew my indignation nigh ? Am I not all Foam and Fire With voice as hoarse as a Town Cryer ? How my back opes and shuts together With fury as old Men's with Weather ? Could'st thou not hear my Teeth knack hither Thou nasty scurvy mungril toad ? Mischief on thee , light upon thee , All the Plagues that can confound thee Or did ever reign abroad : Better a thousand lives it cost Then have brave Anger spilt or lost .

SONG XXXIV . THe Pot and the Pipe The Cup and the Can , Have undone , quite undone Many a Man . The Hawk and the Hound The Dice and the Whore , Have undone , quite undone Twice as many more .

A Scotch Song . XXXV . I W'o not go to 't , I mun not go to 't For Love nor eer for Fee , For I am a Maid , and will be a Maid And a good one till I d ee : Yet mine intent I could repent For one Man's company .

SONG XXXVI . HE that marries a merry Lass He has most cause to be sad , For let her go free In her merry tricks She 'l work his patience mad . But he that marries a Scold , a Scold , He has most cause to be merry , For when she 's in her fits He may cherish his Wits With singing hey down derry . He that weds a roaring Girl That will both scratch and fight , Though he study all day To make her away He 'l be glad to please her at night . And he that copes with a sullen Wench That scarce will speak at all : Her doggedness more Then a Scold or a Whore Will penetrate his Gall. He that 's matcht with a Turtle Dove That has no Spleen about her , Shall wast so much Life In love of his Wife He had better be without her .

SONG XXXVII . YOu Lovers love on Lest the World be undone And Mankind be lost by degrees , For if all from their Loves Should go wander in Groves There soon would be nothing but Trees .

SONG XXXVIII . WOman who is by nature wild Dull bearded Man incloses , Of Nature's freedom we 're beguild By Laws which Man imposes : Who still himself continues free Yet we poor slaves must fetter'd be . Chorus . A shame on the Curst Of for better for worse 'T is a vile imposition on Nature , For Women should change And have Freedom to range Like to every other wild Creature . So gay a thing was ne're design'd To be restrain'd from roving , Heaven meant so changeable a mind Should have its change in loving : By cunning we cou'd make men smart But they by strength o'recome our Art . Chorus . A shame on the Curse Of for better for worse 'T is a vile imposition on Nature , For Women should change And have freedom to range Like to every other wild Creature . How happy is the Village Maid Whom only Love can setter , By foolish Honour ne're betray'd She serves a power much greater : That lawful Prince the wisest rules ; Th' Usurper , Honour , rules but Fools . Chorus . A shame on the Curse Of for better for worse 'T is a vile imposition on Nature , For Women should change And have Freedom to range Like to every other wild Creature . Let us resume our ancient right Make Man at distance wonder , Though he victorious be in fight In Love we 'le keep him under : War and Ambition hence be hurl'd Let Love and Women rule the World . Chorus . A shame on the Curse Of for better for worse 'T is a vile imposition on Nature , For Women should change And have Freedom to range Like to every other wild Creature .

SONG XXXIX . STay shut not the Gate T'other quart 't is not so late As your thinking , The Stars which you see In the Hemisphere be , Are but Studs in our cheeks by good drinking : The Sun 's gone to tipple all night in the Sea , Boys To morrow he ' ! blush that he 's paler then we Boys , Drink Wine give him Water , 't is Sack makes us the Boys . Fill up the Glass To the next merry Lad let it pass Come away with 't , Let 's set Foot to Foot And give our minds to 't 'T is Heretical Sects that do slay wit : Then hang up good faces , let 's drink till our Noses Gives freedom to speak what our fancy disposes , Beneath whose protection now under the Rose is . Drink off your Bowl 'T wil enrich your Head and your Soul , With Canary : For a Carbunkled Face Saves a tedious race For the Indies about us we carry : No Helicon like to the Juice of the Vine is , For Phoebus had never had Wit that Divine is , Had his Face not been bow-dy'd as thine is and mine is . This must go round Off with your Hats till the Pavement be crown'd With your Beavers , A Red coated Face Frights a Serjeant at Mace Whilst the Constable trembles to shivers : In state march our Faces like some of the Quorum , While the Whores fall down and the vulgar adore 'em , And our Noses like Link-boys go shining before 'em .

SONG XL. CUpid's no God , a wanton Child , His Art 's too weak , his power 's too mild , No active heat nor noble fire Feathers his Arrows with desire : 'T is not his Bow or Shaft 't is Venus eye Makes him ador'd and crowns his Deity .

On a Kiss . SONG XLI . OH that joy so soon should wast Or so sweet a bliss As a kiss Might not for ever last , A sugry melting , so soft , so delicious , The Dew that lies on Roses When the Morn her self discloses Is not so precious : Or rather when I would it smother Were I to taste but such another , It would be my wishing That I might dye with kissing .

SONG XLII . HOw happy 's the Pris'ner who conquers his fate With filence and ne're on bad fortune complains , But carelesly plays with his key on the Grate And makes a sweet Consort with them and his chains : He drowns care with Sack when his heart is opprest , And with that makes it flout like a Cork in his breast . Then since we are all Slaves who Islanders be And our Land 's a large Prison enclos'd with the Sea , We 'le drink off the Ocean , and set our selves free , For Man is the World's Epitome . Let Tyrants wear purple deep dy'd in the blood Of those they have slain their Scepter to sway , If our Conscience be clear , and our Title be good To the Rags that hang on us we are richer then they : We drink up at night what we can beg or borrow And sleep without plotting for more the next morrow . Then since we are all Slaves who Islanders be And our Land 's a large Prison enclos'd with the Sea , We 'le drink off the Ocean and set our selves free , For Man is the World's Epitome . Come Drawer fill each Man a pint of Canary This Brimmer shall bid all our sences good night , When old Aristotle was froliek and merry With the juice of the Grape he turn'd Staggerite : Copernicus once in a drunken fit found By the course of his brains that the Earth did turn round . Then since we are all Slaves who Islanders be And our Land 's a large Prison enclos'd with the Sea , We 'le drink off the Ocean , and set our selves free For Man is the World's Epitome . 'T is Sack makes our Faces like Comets to shine And gives us a beauty beyond Complexions mask , Diogenes fell so in Love with his Wine That when 't was all out he dwelt in the Cask : He liv'd by the scent in that close wainscotted room When dying requested the Tub for his Tomb. Then since we are all Slaves who Islanders be And the Land 's a large Prison enclos'd with the Sea , We 'le drink off the Ocean , and set our selves free , For Man is the World's Epitome . Though the Userer watch on his bags and his house To keep that from robbers he rak'd from his debtors , Each Midnight cries Thieves at the noise of a Mouse Then looks if his bags are fast bound in the setters : When once he grows rich enough for a State-plot In one hour Buff-plunder what threescore years got . Then since we are all Slaves who Islanders be And our Lands a large Prison enclos'd with the Sea , We 'le drink off the Ocean and set our selves free , For Man is the World's Epitome . Let him never so privately muster his Gold His Angels will their Intelligence be , How close they are prest in his Canvass hold And long that State Soldiers should set them all free Let him pine and be hang'd , we will merrily sing Who hath nothing to lose may cry , God bless the King . Then since we are all Slaves who Islanders be And our Land 's a large Prison enclos'd with the Sea , We 'le drink off the Ocean and set our selves free For Man is the World's Epitome .

A Rural Song , XLIII . NYmph and Shepherd come away In these Groves let 's sport and play , Let each day be a Holiday , Sacred to ease and happy Love To dancing Musick Poetry ; Your Flocks may now securely Rove While you express your jollity . Chorus of Shepherds and Shepherdesses . We come , we come no joy like to this Now let us sing , rejoyce and kiss , The Great can never know such bliss , 1. As this , 2. As this , 3. As this , All. As this . The Great can never know such blist . All the Inhabitants o' th Wood Now celebrate the Spring , That gives vigour to the blood Of every living thing : The Birds have been billing and singing before us And all the sweet Choristers joyn in the Chorus : The Nightingales with jugging throats Warbling out their pretty Notes So sweet , so sweet , so sweet , And thus our Loves and pleasures greet . Chorus of all . Then let our Pipes sound , let us dance and sing , Till the murmuring Groves with Ecchoes ring . How happy are we From all Jealousie free No dangers nor cares can annoy us , We toy and we kiss And Love 's our chief bliss A pleasure that never can cloy us , Our days we consume in unenvyed delights And in love and soft rest our happy long nights . Each Nymph does impart Her Love without Art To her Swain who thinks that his chief Treasure : No envy is fear'd No sighs we e're heard But those which are caus'd by our pleasure ; When we feel the best raptures of innocent Love , No joys exceed ours but the pleasures above . Chorus . In these delightful fragrant Groves Let 's celebrate our happy Loves Let 's Pipe and Dance , and Laugh and Sing , Thus every happy livingthing Revels in the time of Spring .

SONG XLIV . FArewel thou dearest of my crimes Be never more the abuser of my times , Lest that I curse too late The errors of my Fate Which made me love thee . All ye Deities divine Strengthen this request of mine , Then may I say Frail delights pass away I am rul'd by a power that 's above thee . No more shall thy seducing smiles Thy winning looks , or other sweet beguiles , Have power to withdraw My heart from Love , by Law Sealed to another ; Cupid I thy power defie Thou art a flattering Deity And there are none But say thou art the Son Of a fair , foolish , fickle , wanton Mother .

SONG XLV . Augusta is enclin'd to fears Be she full or be she waning , Still Augusta is complaining ; Give her all you can to ease her Give her all you can to ease her You can never , never please her .

SONG XLVI . YOur merry Poets , old Boys , Of Aganippus Well , Full many Tales have told Boys , Whose Liquor doth excel ; And how that place was haunted By those that lov'd good Wine , Who tippled there and chaunted Among the Muses nine : Where still they cry'd , Drink clear , Boys And you shall quickly know it , That 't is not lousie Beer , Boys But Wine that makes a Poet.

SONG XLVII . COme you Ladies of the Night That in silent sports delight , And see the wanton Moon-shine play To light us in our doleful way : Come , come , come Ladies come The Night 's not blind though deaf and dumb . Ladies have you seen a Toy Called Love , a little Boy ? Almost , naked , wanton , blind , Cruel now , and then as kind ; If he be 'mongst you Ladies say , That he is Venus Run-away . Marks about him he hath plenty You may know him amongst many , As his body is on fire And his breath out-flames desire So being sent like Lightning in He wound our hearts but not our skin . If any here can but discover Where this winged wag doth hover , For her pains shall have a kiss When and where her heart can wish : But she that can but bring him to his Mother , From Venus and her Boy shall have another .

SONG XLVIII . SInce we poor slavish Women know Our Men we cannot pick and chuse . To him we like why say we no We have no pleasure to refuse : By our put-offs , and fond delays A Lovers Appetite we pall ; And if the Gallant stays too long His Stomach 's gone for good and all . Or our impatient amorous guest Unknown to us away may steal , And rather then stay for a Feast Take up with some course ready meal , When opportunity is kind Let prudent Women be so too , And if the Man be to her mind Tell her she must not let him go . The Match soon made is happy'st still For Love hath only there to do . Let no one marry against her will But stand off when her Parents woe And only to their suit be coy , For she whom joynture can obtain : To let a Fop her bed enjoy Is but a lawful Whore for gain .

SONG XLIX . LEt Fortune and Phillis frown if they please I 'le no more on their Deities call , Nor trouble the Fates but I 'le give my self ease And be happy in spight of them all : I will have my Phillis if I once go about her Or if I have not I 'le live better without her . But if she prove vertuous obliging and kind , Perhaps I le vouchsafe for to love her , But if Pride and inconstancy in her I find , I 'de have her to know I 'me above her : For at length I have learn'd now my Fetters are gone To love if I please or let it alone .

SONG L. FOnd fables tell of old How Jove in Dana's lap Fell in a shower of Gold , By which she caught a Clap : Oh had it been my hap ! However the blow doth threaten , So well I like the play , That I could wish all day And night to be so beaten .

SONG LI. 'T Is late and cold , stir up the fire , Sit close , and draw the Table nigher , Be merry and drink Wine that 's old A hearty Medicine against a Cold : Your Beds of wanton Down the best Where you shall tumble to your rest . I could wish you Wenches too But I am old and cannot do , Call for the best the House may ring Sack , White , and Claret , let 'em bring , And drink apace whilst breath you have You 'l find but cold drink in the Grave . Plover , Partridge , for your Dinner And a Capon for the sinner , You shall find ready when you 're up , And your Horse shall have his sup : Welcome , welcome , shall fly round And I shall smile though under ground .

SONG LII . VEnus chanc'd to love a Boy , Young Adonis was her Joy , He once leapt from off her knee To hunt and take a Humble Bee , Then the bag to her did bring , She sigh'd and ask'd him for the sting : When he look'd and saw her eye Drop a tear , he straight did cry , Oh forgive me I will bring A bigger and a longer sting ; Smiling she cry'd , pretty Lad , When that time comes I shall be glad .

SONG LIII . I Le sing you a Song that was never in Print It 's truly and newly come out of the Mint , I 'le tell you before hand you 'l find nothing in 't . On nothing I think , and on nothing I Write , 'T is nothing I covet yet nothing I slight , Nor care I a pin if I get nothing by 't . Fire , Air , Earth and Water , Beasts , Birds , Fish , and Men , Did start out of nothing , a Chaos , a Den ; And all things shall turn into nothing agen . 'T is nothing sometimes that makes many things hit , As when Fools amonst wise Men do silently fit ; A Fool that says nothing may pass for a Wit. What one Man loves is another Man 's loathing , This Blade loves a quick thing , that a new thing ; And both of them in conclusion love nothing . Your Lad that makes Love to a delicate smooth thing , Who thinking to gain her with sighs and with soothing Does frequently make much ado about nothing . At last when his patience and Purse is decay'd , He may to the Bed of a Whore be betray'd , But she that hath nothing must needs be a Maid . Your slashing and clashing , and flashing of Wit , Doth start out of nothing but Fancy and fit ; 'T is little or nothing to what hath been writ . When first by the Ears we together did fall , Then something got nothing , and nothing got all ; From nothing it came and to nothing it shall . That party that seal'd to a Cov'nant in hast Who made our three Kingdoms and Churches lie wast ; Their project and all came to nothing at last . They raised an Army of Horse and of Foot , To tumble down Monarchy , Branches and Root ; They thunder'd and plunder'd but nothing wou'd do 't . The Organ , the Altar , and Ministers cloathing , In Presbyter Jack begat such a loathing : That he must needs raise a petty new nothing . And when he had robb'd us in sanctifi'd cloathing Perjur'd the people by faithing and trothing , At last he was catcht and all came to nothing . In several Factions we quarrel and brawl , Dispute and contend and to fighting we fall ; I 'le lay all to nothing that nothing wins all . When War and Rebellion and Plundering grows , The Mendicant Man is the freest from Foes ; Most happy is he that hath nothing to lose . Brave Caesar and Pompey , and brave Alexander , Whom Armies did follow as Goose follows Gander ; Nothing can say to an Action of slander . The wisest great Prince were he never so stout , Though he conquer'd the World and gave Mankind a Rout ; Did bring nothing in , nor shall bring nothing out . Old Noll that arose from high thing to low thing , By Brewing Rebellion , Nicking and Frothing ; In seven years space was both all things and nothing . Dick ( Oliver's Heir ) that pitiful slow thing , Who once was invested in purple clothing ; Stands for a Cypher , and that stands for nothing . If King-killers bold are excluded from bliss , Old Bradshaw ( that feels the reward on 't e're this ) Had better been nothing then what now he is . Blind Colonel Hewson that lately did crawl , To a lofty degree from a low Cobler's stall ; Did bring all to nothing when Awl came to Awl . Your Gallant that Rants it in delicate clothing , Though lately he was but a pitiful low thing ; Pays Landlord , Draper , and Taylor with nothing . The nimble tongu'd Lawyer that pleads for his pay , When Death doth arrest him and bear him away ; At the general Bar will have nothing to say . Whores that in Silk were by Gallants embrac'd , By a rabble of Prentices lately were chas'd ; Their courting and sporting comes to nothing at last . If any Man tax me with weakness of Wit , And say that on nothing I nothing have Writ , I shall answer , Ex nihilo nihil fit . Yet let his discretion be never so tall , This very word nothing shall give it a fall , For writing of nothing I comprehend all . Let every Man give the Poet his due , 'Cause then 't was with him as now it 's with you ; He studied it when he had nothing to do . This very word nothing if took the right way , May prove advantageous for what would you say ? If the Vint'ner should cry there 's nothing to pay .

SONG LIV. Cupid once was weary grown With Womens errands , laid him down On a refreshing Rosie Bed The same sweet Covert harboured A Bee , and as she always had Aquarrel with Loves idle Lad ; Stings the soft Boy ; Pains and Fears Straight melts him into Cryes and Tears : As Wings and Feet would let each other , Home he hastens to his Mother Then on her knees he hangs his head And cryes Oh Mother ! I am dead , An ugly Snake they call a Bee ( Oh see it swells ) has murder'd me ; Venus with smiles replies , O Sir , Does a Bees sting make all this stir , Think what pains then attend those Darts , Wherewith thou still art wounding hearts , E'n let it smart , may chance that then Thou 'lt learn more pitty towards Men.

Philomel and Charon . SONG LV. Phil. CHaron , Oh gentle Charon let me wooe thee By tears and pitty now to come unto me . Char. What voice so sweet and charming do I hear ? Speak what thou art . Phil. I prithee first draw near : Char. A sound I hear but nothing yet can see , Speak what thou art ? Phil. Oh Charon pity me ! I am a Bird , and though no name I tell My Warbling Note will say I am Philomel . Char. What 's that to me , I waft no Fish nor Fowls , Nor Beasts nor Birds , but only humane Souls . Phil. Alas for me ! Char. Shame on thy witching Note , That made me thus hoise Sail and bring my Boat : But I 'le return what mischief brought thee hither ? Phil. A deal of Love and much , much grief together . Char. If this be all I am gone . Phil. For Love I pray thee . Char. Talk not of love , all pray but few Souls pay me . Phil. I 'le give thee sighs and tears . Char. Will tears and sighs pay scores ? For patching Sails , for mending Boats and Oars . Phil. I 'le beg a penny , and I 'le sing so long Till thou shalt say I have paid thee with a Song . Char. Why then begin : Phil. And all the while we make Our slothful passage o're the Stygian Lake : Thou and I 'le sing to make these dull shades merry , Which else with tears would doubtless drown our Ferry .

SONG LVI . WHat an Ass is he That waits on a Womans leisure , For a minutes pleasure And yet perhaps may be Gull'd at last and lose her , What an Ass is he . Shall I sigh and die Cause a Maid denies me , And that she may try , Suffer patiently ; Oh no Fate shall tye me To such cruelty . Love is all my Life For it keeps me doing , Yet my Love and Wooing Is not for a Wife ; It is good eschewing Warring care and strife . What need I to care For a Womans favour , If another have her Why should I despair ; When for Gold and labour I can have my share . If I fancy one And that one do love me , Yet deny to prove me , Farewel , I am gone : She can never move me , Farewel , I am gone . If I chance to see One that 's brown , I love her Till I see another That 's more brown than she : For I am a Lovet Of my Liberty . Every day I change And at once love many , Yet not ty'd to any , For I love to range ; And if one shou'd stay me I should think it strange . What if she be old So that she have riches . Youth and Form bewitches , But it is store of Gold Cures lascivious Itches , So the Criticks hold .

SONG LVII . I Know more then Apollo For whilst that he was sleeping , I saw the Stars At mortal Jars , And watry Neptune weeping . I saw fierce Mars contending With his bright fiery Face , Saturn likewise Threat'ning the Skies Cariering with a Grace . Venus with all her Train Of Heavenly Nymphs was dancing , Revelling all night They vanish'd quite And Pegasus left prancing . Sol hid himself , and Phoebe Pluckt in her Horns for fear , And Jove did fly Through the Gallery But his Messenger did swear . Astronomers from hence Might Britains State pourtray , Our Sun 's a sleep Let England weep Impiety bears sway . Meteors , not Stars Eclipse Our Hemisphere I think , If they be crown'd The World turns round , We 're all undone let 's drink .

SONG LVIII . HOld back thy Hours dark night till we have done The day will come too soon , Young Maids will curse thee if thou steal'st away , And leav'st their blushes open to the day : Stay , stay , and hide The blushes of the Bride . Stay Gentle night and with thy darkness cover The kisses of my Lover , Stay and confound her Tears and her shrill cryings , Her weak denyals , vow and often dyings : Stay and hide all , But help not though she call .

SONG LIX . COurtier if thou need'st wilt Wive From this Lesson learn to thrive , If to match it be thy Fate Let her surpass in Birth and State ; Let her curious garments be Twice above thine own degree ; This will draw great eyes upon her Gain her Servants , and thee Honour .

SONG LX. POor Citizen , if thou wilt be A happy Husband , learn of me , To set thy Wife first in thy Shop : A fait , kind , sweet Wife , sets a poor Man up ; What though thy shelves be ne're so bare , A Woman still is currant Ware , Each Man will cheapen , Foe and Friend , But whilst thou art at th' other end ; What e're thou seest , or what dost hear , Fool have no eye to , nor no Ear : And after Supper for her sake , When thou hast fed , snort , though thou wake ; What though the Gallants call thee Mome , Yet with thy Lanthorn light her home : I am confident but will not tell , Where such a Citizen doth dwell .

A Serenade . SONG LXI . THou joy of all hearts , and delight of all eyes , Natures chief , and Beauties chief prize ; Look down you 'l discover , Here 's a faithful young vigorous Lover ; With a heart full as true As e're languisht for you , Here 's a faithful young vigorous Lover ; The heart that was once a Monarch in 's breast Is now your poor Captive , and can have no rest , 'T wil never give over , But about your sweet bosom will hover : Dear Miss let it in , By Heaven 't is no sin , Here 's a faithful young vigorous Lover .

SONG LXII . CLoris when you disperse your influence , Your dazling beams are quick and clear , You so surprize and wound the sence , So bright a Miracle you appear : Admiring Mortals you astonish so , No other Deity they know ; But think that all Divinity 's below . One charming look from your Illustrious face Is able to subdue mankind , So sweet , so powerful a grace Makes all Men Lovers but the blind : Nor can they freedom by resistance gain , For each embraces the soft chain ; And never struggles with the pleasing pain .

SONG LXIII . WHen first my free heart Was inspir'd by desire , So loft was the wound , And so gentle the fire ; My sighs were so sweet , And so pleasant the smart , I pitty'd the slave That had ne're lost his heart : He thinks himself happy , And free ; but alas ! He 's far from that Heaven Which Lovers possess . In Nature was nothing That I could compare With the beauty of Chloris I thought her so fair ; A Wit so Divine All her sayings did fill , A Goddess she seem'd ; And I thought of her still : With a zeal more enflam'd , And a passion more true , Then a Martyr in Flames For Religion can shew . More vertues and graces I found in her mind , Then the Schools can invent , Or the gods e're design'd . She seem'd to be mine By each glance of her eye , If Mortals might aim At a blessing so high . Each day , with new favours , New hopes she did give ; But alas ! what is wisht We too soon do believe . With awful respect While I lov'd , I admir'd , But fear'd to attempt What so much I desir'd , In a moment my Joys And my hopes were destroy'd , A Shepherd more daring Fell on and enjoy'd : Yet in spight of my Fate , And the pains I endure , In a second Amour I will seek for my cure .

SONG LXIV . WHat does the fair Clariza mean , To tantalize her Servant so ? She frowns , and sweetly smiles agen ; Whence these alternate Fancies flow , Flong to know . Though they for trivial causes are , Each glance to me 's a several Fate ; My Heart 's the Ship , her Eye the Star ; The Port it Sails to , love , or hate , Which on her wait . When sad Aurora's clouded dress Seems to portend a stormy day , The dying flow'rs their heads depress But take new Life from Sol's bright Ray , I fare like they . Though Love has made me Reason's Foe Some weak reflexions still remain , Which her deriding scorn do show , By which my faults , and her disdain I see too plain . Yet let her know that still I love ; If that 's presumptuous , I adore : But if my Fate uncertain prove , And she mysterious , as before , I 'le love no more . To all , but that Divinest she My flame shall ever be unknown : If just contempt my purchase be ; My ill success I 'le never own To more than one . Neither favour , nor force , nor fear , nor delight , Shall make me discover , if she will but Write .

SONG LXV . BE jolly my friend , For the Money we spend On Women and Wine , to our selves we do lend : The Ladies embraces , And our Carbuncled Faces , Will gain us more credit , then the Muses , or the Graces . Then Sirrah , be quicker , And bring us more Liquor ; We 'l have nothing to do with Physician , or Vicar : We 'le round with our Bowls , Till our passing Bell toles , And trust no such Quacks with our Bodies or Souls .

SONG LXVI . CEase Chloris , cease to wonder why My cheeks so pale , so dim my eye ; Admire no more my shortned breath , No more foretel m'approaching death : For now it only lies in you , To make your Omen false , or true . From the Physician you in vain Inquire the Nature of my pain ; In vain you weep ; for , when you please , You , only you can give me ease : And none will think you truly grieve For one you care not to relieve . By meaner passions you endure What by a nobler you may cure : Change but your Pity into Love , And so the cause in both remove . This by a strange discovery , You 'l cheat the World , yourself , and me .

SONG LXVII . AH ! fading Joy How quickly art thou past ! Yet we thy ruine hast ; And what too soon would die , help to destroy , As if the cares of humane Life were few , We seek out new , And follow Fate , which does too fast pursue . In vain does Natures bounteous hand supply , What pievish mortals to themselves deny . See how on ev'ry Bough the Birds express , In wild Notes , their happiness : Not anxious how to get , or spare , They on their Mother Nature lay their care . Why then shou'd Man the Lord of all below , Such troubles chuse to know , As none of all his Subjects undergo . Chorus . Hark , hark ! the Waters fall , And with a murmuring sound Dash , dash upon the ground , To gentle slumbers call .

SONG LXVIII . A Curse on the Zealous and Ignorant crew , That languish all day And with passion obey The senceless decrees that Platonicks pursue : How poor and unhappy Unhappy are those pretenders , Who fearless of scandal or vulgarly shame , Diminish their flame . But blest is the Man that with freedom enjoys , A beauty whose eyes Like the Stars in the Skies , Produce new delights till his Appetite cloys ; How happy unhappy How happy are these pretenders . Who fearless of scandal or vulgar reproach Pursues his debauch . Elizium's a grief and a torment compar'd To that we can prove In enjoyment of Love Where Lovers in raptures still meet a reward : The tales of the Ancient Of future delights are ungrounded , In loves kind fruition where Souls have access , Oh there 's the true bliss .

SONG LXIX . A Dieu my Cordelia , my dearest adieu , No passion more slighted , was ever more true , No torment severer than this could you prove To enjoyn him by absence that 's chain'd by your love ; Subdu'd by your charms y'inflam'd my desire , Till a spark from your eyes , set me all on fire ; O cruelty shown , no offence but Love known Exil'd and out-law'd by a hard hearted Stone .

SONG LXX . OH name not the day least my senses reprove , And curse my poor heart for the knowledge of Love ; Ah the ignorant fate of a fearful young Lover , When a sign is return'd not to have Wit to discover : To delay a kind Nymph from her hour of design Is to dig for a Treasure and sink in the Mine .

A Musical Instruction for a Young Lady . SONG LXXI . TO play upon the Vial if A Virgin will begin , The first of all she must know her Cliff And all the stops therein : Her Prick she must hold long enough Her Back-falls gently take , Her touch must gentle be , not rough , At each stroke she must shake . She must unto her Bow fly , And stick close to her Fiddle , Her Feet must hold the lower end And her knees must hold the middle : Two fingers on the Hair must lie And two upon the Back ; She must ever keep true time , And with her Feet it pat. And when she hath as she would have She must it gently thrust , Up , Down , Swift , Slow , at any rate As she her self doth list : When by experience she doth find That she grows something cunning ; She 'l ne're be contented in her mind But whilst the Bow is running .

SONG LXXII . WHen first my dear Delia my heart did surprize , By the attraction of Beauty , and power of her Eyes , I trembl'd and sigh'd , and stedfastly gaz'd , Until all my thoughts into raptures were rais'd : That Monarch's unworthy who grudges to part , With Scepter and Crown to attain such a Heart .

SONG LXXIII . HOw bonny and brisk , how pleasant and sweet , Were Jenny and I while my passion is strong ; So cagerly each others flame we did meet That a minutes delay did appear to be long : The Vows that I made her she seal'd with a kiss Till my Soul I had lost in a rapture of bliss . I vow'd and I thought I cou'd ever have lov'd Where beauty and kindness together I found , So sweetly she look't , and so sweetly she mov'd That I fancy'd my strength with my joys to abound : For the pleasures I gave she did doubly requite By finding out ever new ways to delight . At last when enjoyment had put out my fire My strength was decay'd and my passion was done , So pall'd was my Fancy , so tame my desire That I from the Nymph very fain would have gone : Ah Jenny said I we adore you in vain , For Beauty enjoy'd does but turn to disdain .

SONG LXXIV . THey call , they call , what voice is that ? A Lady in despair , Whose Tears and Sorrows comes too late , Her losses to repair ; By too much Pride I 've lost a heart I languish to regain , And yet I 'de kill the Man I love E're own my pleasing pain : Some gentle spirit shew the Fate , Of him I love , but fain wou'd hate . In vain , in vain , thou seek'st our aid Thy passion to remove , For see alas the foul event Of thy too Tragick Love ; See , see , the Crown thou didst disdain Another Brow must wear , Then sigh and weep no more in vain But die in deep despair : May this be all proud Beauties fate Still to repent their Pride too late .

SONG LXXV . NAy let me alone I protest I 'le be gon , 'T is a Folly to think I 'le be subject to one ; Never hope to confine A young Gallant to dine , Like a Scholar of Oxford On none but a Loin : For after enjoyment our bellies are full , And the same Dish again makes the Appetite dull . By your wantoning Art Of a sigh and a start , You endeavour in vain To inveigle my heart , For the pretty disguise Of your languishing eyes , Will never prevail With my Sinews to rise : 'T is never the Mode in an amorous Treat , When a Lover hath dined to perswade him to eat . Faith Betty the Jest Is almost at the best , 'T is only variety Makes up the Feast ; For when we 're enjoy'd And with pleasures are cloy'd , The vows that we made To love ever are void : And now pretty Nymph it was ever unfit , That a meal should be made of a relishing bit .

SONG LXXVI . TYrant thou seekest in vain With her pure blood thy guilty Sword to stain , Heaven does that sacred blood design To be the source of an immortal Line : Death will not dare to touch that heart Which Love hath chosen for his Dart. Chorus . Fair Innocence and Beauty are Of watchful Heaven the chiefest care , But the devouring Monster shall A Sacrifice to Justice fall . Richmond does fly to your redress Love's Messengers can do no less , His Sword shall with one blow Cut off your Fetters , and Tyrants too : All resistance vain will prove When valout is inspired by Love . Chorus . Tyrants by Heaven and Earth are curst They swell with blood untill they burst , But Lovers are wise Natures care What Tyrants ruine they repair .

SONG LXXVII . AST was Walking In a May Morning , I heard a Bird sing Cuckoo . Upon a Tree of choice She sung with pleasant voice , Which made my heart rejoyce , Cuckoo . She noddled up and down , And she swore by her Crown , Her Friends liv'd in this Town , Cuckoo . All you that Married be Come learn this Song of me , And so we shall agree to be ; Cuckoo Upon a Tree .

SONG LXXVIII . GOd Cupid's for certain as foolish as blind , To settle his heart upon people unkind , His punishment's just for not having regard To gentle complyers , but ungrateful and hard . And you 'l find it for ever like Oracle true , Love will fly the pursuer , the flyer pursue . As shadows do follow those who run away , And fly those that follow , as if 't were at play ; As Death soonest searcheth Men fearing to die , From those who wish for him he farthest doth fly . So you 'l find it for ever like Oracle true , Love will fly the pursuer , the flyer pursue . If a shade you embrace , you 'l find your hands empty , If you court a fair face she 'l nothing but tempt ye : Reciprocal kindness you 'l always see missing , Returning base scorn , as bad as a hissing . So you 'l find it for ever like Oracle true , Love will fly the pursuer , the flyer pursue . The Lovers hard fate is sure from above , True love meets disdain , as disdain doth with Love , Or else flesh and blood could ne're be so cruel To give gentle flame so dismal a Fuel . Chorus . Thus you 'l find it for ever like Oracle true , Love will fly the pursuer , the flyer pursue .

SONG LXXIX . I 'De have you quoth he , Wou'd you have me quoth she , O where Sir ? In my Chamber quoth he , In your Chamber quoth she , Why there Sir ? To kiss you , quoth he , To kiss me , quoth she , O why Sir ? Cause I love it , quoth he , Do you love it , quoth she , So do I Sir .

SONG LXXX . WHat shall we do ? When our eyes are surrounded , With Beauties like you , Our hearts must be wounded . If we fly from the War , Your Darts do o're-take us ; And if we stay there , Your Captives you make us : Engaging , or flying , w' are sure to be slain : Then who is so mad , such a Fight to maintain ! And yet , Oh! how sweet Are the wounds of your glances ! Then nobly we 'l meet , Though we fall by your Lances : When your smiles do evince That our Death will be pleasant , Better die like a Prince Then live like a Peasant : If engaging , or flying , we are certain to die 'T is courage to fight , and a folly to fly .

SONG LXXXI . THou art so fair , and cruel too , I am amaz'd , what shall I do To compass my desire ? Sometimes thy eyes do me invite , But when I venture , kill me quite , Yet still encrease my fire . Ost have I try'd my love to quell , And thought it's fury to repel , Since I no hopes do find : But when I think of leaving thee , My heart as much doth torture me , As 't would rejoyce , if kind . I still must love , though hardly us'd , And never offer but resus'd ; Can any suffer more ? Be coy , be cruel , do thy worst , Though for thy sake I am accurst ; I must and will adore .

SONG LXXXII . Loe ! behind a Scene of Seas , Under a Canopy of Trees ; The fair new golden World was laid Sleeping like a harmless Maid , Till alas ! she was betraid : In such shades Urania lay , Till Love discover'd out a way ; And now she cry's , some power above , Save me from this Tyrant Love . Her poor Heart had no defence , But it 's Maiden innocence ; In each sweet retiring eye You might easily descry : Troops of yielding beauties fly ; Leaving rare unguarded Treasure , To the Conquerours Will and Pleasure : And now she cry's , some power above , Save me from this Tyrant Love . Now , and then , a stragling frown , Through the shades skipt up and down , Shooting such a piercing dart , As would make the Tyrant smart , And preserve her Lips and heart : But alas her Empire 's gone , Throne , and Temples all undone : And now she cry's , some power above , Save me from this Tyrant Love . Charm aloft , the stormy Winds , That may keep these Golden minds , And let Spaniard's love be tore , On some cruel Rocky Shore ; Where he 'l put to Sea no more . Lest poor conquered beauty cry , Oh I 'me wounded ! Oh I die ! And then , there is no power above , Can save me from this Tyrant Love .

SONG LXXXIII . I Never shall henceforth approve The Deity of Love Since he could be , So much unjust by wounding me , To leave my Mistress free . As if my shame could leave a Print Upon a heart of flint ; Can flesh and stone Be e're converted into one , By my poor flame alone ? Were he a God , he 'd neither be , Partial to her nor me , But by a Dart , Directed into eithers Heart ; Make both confess his Art . Thus being melted with his subtile fire , Our loves might mingle into one desire .

SONG LXXXIV . WHy lovely Celia shou'd I fear , To tell you that I love ; Since I no other shape can wear , But what you may approve : What fault can you with my bright passion find , That must be as immortal as your mind ? 'T is secret friendship that I bring , Friendship the Soul of Love ; A rich , though long a banish'd thing , To those blest Souls above : Only this just return from you I crave , As you possess my heart , I yours may have . The Treacherous , he that proffers bliss , By glitt'ring joyntures made ; He only the Impostor is , By which you are betraid : How vainly will it by you then be sought , To gain that freedom , which your Tyrant brought . The crafty Leopards , so doth win , On herds that fearless lye ; With that enamel of his skin , Till the surpris'd must die : Too late alas ! then strives the Captive prey , From the insulting foe to get away .

A Mad man's Song . LXXXV . IN Caves sull of Skulls , and rotten old bones , There she sighs in the day time , and in the night groans ; Amongst Hosts of the guilty for ever she 'l howl , And in beds full of Serpents Eternally rowl : But I and rene 'll be merry , Amongst happy Lovers we 'll play ; Ah Charon make hast with your Ferry , Row hard and I 'le double your pay .

A Dialogue between Sorrow , and one Afflicted . SONG LXXXVI . Afflict . O Sorrow , sorrow , say where dost thou dwell ? Sorrow . In the lowest Room of Hell : Afflict . Art thou born of human race ? Sorrow . No , no , I have a furious face . Afflict . Art thou of City , Town , or Court ? Sorrow . I to ev'ry place resort : Afflict . Why ? O why ? Into the World was Sorrow sent ? Sorrow . Men afflicted best repent . Afflict . What dost thou seed on ? Sorrow . Broken Sleep : Afflict . What tak'st thou pleasure in ? Sorrow . To weep , To sob , to pine , to groan , To wring my hands , and sit alone Afflict . When , O when shall Sorrow quiet have ? Never , Never , Never , Never till she find a Grave .

SONG LXXXVII . WHilst Alexis lay prest in her Arms he lov'd best , With his hands round her neck , and his head on her breast ; He found the fierce pleasure too hasty to stay , And his Soul in the Tempest just flying away . When Coelia saw this , with a sigh and a kiss She cry'd , Oh my dear I am robb'd of my bliss : 'T is unkind to your Love , and unfaithfully done , To leave me behind you , and die all alone . The youth though in hast , and breathing his last , In pity dy'd slowly , whilst she dy'd more fast : Till at length she cry'd , now , my Dear , now let us go ; Now die my Alexis , and I will die too . Thus entranc'd they did lie , till Alexis did try To recover new breath , that again he might die ; Then often they dy'd , but the more they did so , The Nymph dy'd more quick , and the Shepherd more slow .

The double Health . SONG LXXXVIII . TUrn off the Glass 't is a crime to see 't full Drinking dead liquor , has made us so dull ; Let slaves and Phanaticks be subject to care Deep thoughts , and affairs our fierce enemies are .

On the Death of Mr. Pelham Humphry . SONG LXXXIX . DId you not hear the hideous groans The shrieks and heavy moans , That spread themselves o're all the pensive Plain , And rend the breast of many a tender Swain ; 'T was for Amintas dead and gone : Sing you forsaken Shepherds , sing his praise In careless melancholy Lays , Lend him a little doleful breath For Amintas , poor Amintas cruel Death : 'T was thou that mad'st dead words to live , Thou that dead numbers didst inspire With charming Voice and tuneful Lyre , That Life to all but to thy self could'st give : Why could'st thou not thy wondrous art bequeath , Poor Amintas , poor Amintas , cruel Death . Chorus . Sing pious Shepherds , sing while you may Before the approaches of the fatal day ; For you your selves that sing this mournful Song : Alas e're it be long Shall like Amintas breathless be : Though more forgotten in the Grave then be .

SONG XC . SUre it is so , then let it go Let the giddy-brain'd times run round , Let the Cobler be crown'd , And Monarchy thus we recover : Let Fools go and Preach , And the Apes go and teach , And the Clown be the amorous Lover . Let Fortune be blind and Love prove unkind And a Cobler as stout as Hector , Let Diana turn Whore And Excise-men grow poor , And a Brewer a second Protector . Let the great Epicure no Junkets indure , And an excellent Trades-man go hoop Sir , Let a Whore-master hap To want a good Clap And a Taylor at last turn Trooper . Let Merchants want gains And Lovers high strains , And a Farmer his skill in Cowing , Let the Lawyer come down To put off his Gown And put on his Jacket for Plowing . Let an Hostler want dung And an Orator Tongue And the Poets a sence of framing , Let a Lyar want skill To have Wit at will , And a common shark know no gaming . He that ne're read nor writ Shall be the only Wit And in these and the like disasters , There will none think me rude If I boldly conclude This is a mad World my Masters .

SONG XCI . 'T Was in the pleasant Month of May On a Morn by break of day , Forth I walkt the Woods so wide When as May was in her pride ; There I espyed all alone Phyllida and Coridon . Much adoe there was I wot , He could love but she could not , His Love he said was ever true , Nor was mine e're false to you : He said that he had lov'd her long , She said that Love should have no wrong . Cwydon would kiss her then She said Maids must kiss no Men , Till they kiss for good and all Then she made the Shepherds call , Their fellow Swains to witness sooth Ne're was lov'd so fair a youth . Then with many a pretty Oath As yea and nay , and Faith and Troth , Such as silly Shepherds use When they will not love abuse ; Love that had been long deluded Was with kisses sweet concluded : And Phillida with Garlands gay Was crown'd the Lady of the May.

SONG XCII . WHat makes you all so dull You lively Lads that love , The pleasures of the Plain And sport enchanting Jove : My jolly Muse Brings other News And time invites to go , Fill Nectar 's Cup The Hare is up , We come to sing , so , ho. My Pipe is of the pure Cane of the Winter Corn , By force of Cynthia's lure Transform'd into a Horn : Aurora's look Hath chang'd my crook , Into a bended Bow , And Pan shall keep My patient Sheep While here we sing , so , ho. Let us like Swains That only undergoes , The pleasures of the Plains In place where Boreas blows : And every Night Take our delight With our she-friend and so : Both night and day We 'll sport and play And merrily sing , so , ho.

SONG XCIII . THe Glories of our Birth and State Are shadows not substantial things , There is no Armour 'gainst our Fate Death lays his Icy hands on Kings , Scepter and Crown Must tumble down And in the Dust be equal laid , With the poor crooked Sythe and Spade . Some Men with Swords may reap the Field And plant fresh Lawrels where they kill , But their strong Nerves at length must yield , They tame but one another still : Early or late They stoop to Fate And must give up their murmuring breath , Whilst the pale Captive creeps to death . The Lawrel withers on your Brow Then boast to more your mighty deeds , For on Death's Purple Altar now See where the Victor Victim bleeds ; All Heads must come To the cold Tomb , Only the Actions of the just Smell sweet and blossom in the Dust .

SONG XCIV . WHen Aurelia first I courted She had Youth and Beauty too , Killing Pleasures when she sported And her charms were ever new : Conquering time hath now deceiv'd her , Which her Glory did uphold , All her Arts can ne're retrieve her Poor Aurelia's growing old . Those airy Spirits which invited Are retir'd and move no more , And those Eyes are now benighted Which were Comets heretofore : Want of these abate her Merits Yet I have passion for her Name ; Only warm and vigorous Spirits Kindle and maintain her flame .

SONG XCV . STill to be neat , still to be drest As you were going to a Feast , Still to be Powder'd , still Perfum'd , Lady it is to be presum'd ; Though Arts hid causes are not found , All is not sweet , all is not sound . Give me a look give me a face That makes simplicity a grace , Robes sweetly flowing , Hair as free , Such sweet neglect more taketh me : Then all the Adulteries of Art They wound mine eyes but not my heart .

Strephon and Daphne . SONG XCVI . Strephon. COme my Daphne come away We do wast the Crystal day , 'T is Strephon calls , Daphne . What would my Love ? Strephon. Come follow to the Myrtle Grove , Where I with Venus will prepare New Chaplets to adorn thy Hair . Daphne . Strephon were I shut in this Tree I 'de rend the Bark to follow thee . Strephon. My Shepherdess make hast The minutes fly too fast : Let 's to those cooler shades where I , Blind as Cupid in thine eye , Betwixt thy Breasts will ever stray , In such warm Snows Who would not lose his way ? Chorus . Wee 'll laugh and leave the World behind , Those Gods themselves that see Shall envy thee and me And never tast such joy , When they embrace a Deity .

SONG XCVII . WHy should we not laugh and be jolly Since all the World is mad And lull'd in a dull Melancholy , He that wallows in store Is still gaping for more , And that makes him as poor As the wretch that ne're any thing had . How mad is that damn'd Money-monger That to purchase to him and his Heirs , Grows shrivel'd with thirst and hunger , While we that are bonny Buy Sack with ready Money And ne're trouble the Scriveners Lawyers . Those Gulls that by scraping and toiling Do swell their Revenues so fast , Get nothing by all their turmoiling , But are marks for each Tax , While they load their own backs , With the heavier packs And lie down gall'd and weary at last . While we that do traffick in tipple , Can baffle the Gown and the Sword , Whose Jaws are so hungry and gripple , We ne're trouble our heads With Indentures or Deeds And our Wills are compos'd in a word . Our Money shall never-indite us Nor drag our free minds to thrall , Nor Pyrates nor Wracks can affright us , We that have no Estates , Fear no Plunder nor Rates We can sleep with open Gates He that lies on the ground cannot fall . We laugh at those Fools whose endeavours Do but fit them for Prisons and Fines , When we that spend all are the savers , For if Thieves do break in They go out empty agen And the Plunderers lose their designs . Then let us not think on to morrow But tipple and laugh while we may , To wash from our hearts all sorrow , Those Cormorants which Are troubled with an Itch To be mighty and rich Do but toil for the Wealth which they borrow . The Mavor of the Town with his Ruff on What a P — is he better than we , He must vail to the Man with his Buff on ; Though he Custard may eat And such lubbarly Meat , Yet our Sack makes us merryer then he .

SONG XCVIII . NO I will sooner trust the Wind When falsly kind It courts the pregnant Sails into a Storm ; And when the smiling Waves perswade Be willingly betray'd , Then thy deceitful Eyes or Form . Go and beguile some easie heart With thy vain Art , Thy smiles and kisses on those Fools bestow ; Who only see the calms that sleep On this smooth flattering deep , But not the hidden dangers know . They that like me this falshood prove Will scorn thy Love , Some may deceiv'd at first adore thy Shrine , But he that as they Sacrifice Doth willingly fall twice Dies his own Martyr and not thine .

SONG XCIX . BEauty and Love once fell at odds And thus revil'd each other , Said Love I am one of the gods And you wait on my Mother : Thou hast no power o're Men at all But what I gave to thee ; Nor are thou longer fair or sweet Then Men acknowledge thee . Away fond Boy , then Beauty said , We know that thou art blind , But Men have knowing eyes and can My Graces better find : 'T was I begot thee , Mortals know , And call'd thee Blind Desire ; I made thy Quiver and thy Bow And Wings to kindle fire . Love then in anger flew away And straight to Vulcan pray'd , That he would tip his shafts with scorn To punish this proud Maid Thus Beauty ever since hath been But courted for an hour , To love a day is now a sin 'Gainst Cupid and his power .

A Dialogue betwixt Neptune and Apollo occasioned by the death of the Earl of Sandwich . SONG C. Apol. I Charge thee Neptune as thou art just resign , The most admired Sandwich , which is mine , Whose loss creates a discord in the Spheres And turns our melody to groans and tears . Nept. Forbear to ask what is unjust to grant , Thy charge and my desins are dissonant ; He 's mine by conquest what is thy pretence ? Apol. In Musick his unequal'd Excellence . Nept. Heroick parts , I gave him , taught him how , With thundering Canon ; and a furrow'd Brow ; To rule the surface of my Realm . Apol. And I By a Magnetick power in Harmony , Made him a Conquerour to overcome , All Souls that lov'd or lik'd Elizium . Nept. Thy Seat is pleasant there all sweets do dwell , But mine with rage and horrour only swell : Which lately is encreas'd since Sandwich sent , So many Religions to my Element , Whose Emulation to a Princes Throne Makes me keep Sandwich to preserve my own . Chorus . We 'll sing his Requiem by some murmuring Brook , On which as th' Emblem of our grief we look : And with our tears increase it to a Main ; Then sigh and weep till Sandwich come again , Or else we never , never will refrain .

The Quakers Song , CI. YE she-friends and he-friends whoever inherit , Infallible Light in dark Lanthorn of Spirit , Come prick up your Ears and behold I will fit ye , With an Hymn that is call'd by the Wicked a Dirty . In the scuffle we lately have had with the Baptist , Wherein both our honour and interest wrapt is , Though our Logick perhaps be too weak to dispute 'em We hope by a Ballad at least to confute 'em . For though Fiddle and Organs are both Babylonish , Wherewith the Prophane delighted alone is , Yet in such a case Inspiration may haunt Even us which are perfect to warble a chaunt . Then let us a while our trembling lay by ; And quit our still meetings to set up a cry , Let 's challenge and Rant , talk loud and be bold For the Spirit at present doth move us to scold . 'T is time to exclaim as receiving the wrong , And take up that carnal Weapon the Tongue ; For if we delay , our whole party must sink , And our long boasted light go out in a stink . Our juggling's so plain , will appear that each eye Through the Mask of our holy pretences will spy , And see that a Quaker when stript of his paint Is nearer of Kin to an Atheist than Saint . Then let us equivocate neatly and lay A plausible meaning on all that we say , And the very same Art that serves to excuses At once shall condemn all those that accuse us . This being done we point time and place And come full prepared to bandy the case , In the Barbican first we gave them a meeting , And never was seen such a Bear-Garden greeting . A Rabble thrust in from each end of the Town And before half an Argument could be laid down , In less time then a Man can a pot of Ale swallow 'T was confirm'd with a hoop , and deny'd with a hollow . The place like a Hot-house appear'd , and by hap some Friends might be cured here of a Clap ; And if it were so I cannot but say 'T was the best effect of our meeting that day . For once more have at 'em , for without doubt If we cannot confute we must tire them out ; And therefore sent word they were cowardly Lubbars , If they would not in Spittle-fields venture a Rubbers . Four hours and more we dispute in and out To know what it was we should dispute about , Which yet at the last was never agreed But no matter for that we resolv'd to proceed . 'T would have made Puss laugh , or Child in the Chrisomes , To hear us chop Logick and talk Syllogisms ; That Spiritual Cantings of Naylor and 's brood Should Apostatize thus into Figure and Mood . To see holy seed so grand a designer As to turn Yea and Nay into Major and Minor , Use Language o' th Beast Concedo or Perge , And tickle their Tobies at length with an Ergo. At first they came on like huffing Philistines And needs would attempt to prove us no Christians : When most by our wranglings already thought much To believe that in truth either of us were such . All Dialogues we cry'd down as prophane Though divers of us had writ in that strain ; But that by a Figure must be understood Making things bad in others , in us to be good . But let Friends take notice how basely they wrong us . By suggesting a Papist God bless us among us ; For there was no need of that I must tell ye , Since each of us carries his Pope in his Belly . Our selves to be Christians we loudly declare But avoid the contest to prove that we are : For we find that our interest doth better agree , To be counted Christians then truly to be . Yet inveigl'd at last by a kind of a Wile We were drawn into what we had shun'd all the while ; But still we are safe ( though shrewdly put to 't ) For when all things fail , Inspiration can do 't . To this then we fly though certain it be , Old Mahomet had as much claim to 't as we ; However it serves to ward off a blow For who shall refute what no Man can know . For if Folks would have Wonders or Miracles done , We confess we can instance at present but one , That so many should Scripture and reason forsake And in our ridiculous whimsies partake . But though in good Form we would argue no more , We went on with bawling as high as before , For we knew that the Croud would the glory afford , To him that spoke loudest and had the last word . To prove that we did our Antagonist beat 'T is enough for to say that we made them retreat , And charged them bravely when we had done In the Bear with an Eccho they run Friends they run . And to shew that our Ammunition of Lungs , Was yet not all spent nor weary our Tongues , After this we began another new quoil And fell all a Preaching in Rank and in file . Thus in brief a strange clutter we kept and a stir But what good came on 't if I know I 'me a Cur , Only people went home some sick and some lame , But all of them just as wise as they came .

SONG CII . THou fair Usurper of my Fate Tell me what my Lot shall be , Must I languish at this rate Without hope or help from thee ; And am I damn'd a slave to be , Unto a truckling destiny . Or is your Love that poyson grown Which inflicts those fatal Darts , Which the god of Love alone Did form for false rebellious hearts : And must none then approach thy Love But those who Martyrdom will prove . Hadst thou thy liberty preserv'd And still a nobler Soveraign been , At what a rate hadst thou been serv'd When all thy Slaves had Rivals been ; Nay gods themselves had quit their sway Proud of the glory to obey . But stay , my passion grows too bold Seeking your honour thus to stain , It shews that Loyalty grows cold When Subjects for reward complain : Henceforth my passions shall declare No perfect Love without despair .

SONG CIII . Man . WHy Phillis to me so untrue and unkind , Remember the Vow which you made , Though Love cannot see , let not honour be blind Whereon is the other betray'd . Woman . Though Sir to your Bed true Allegiance I vow'd , I am not oblig'd by that Oath : No longer then you keep both constant and true , The same Vow obligeth us both . Man . Fair Nymph did you feel but those passions I bear , My Love you would never suspect ; A heart made of steel must needs love the fair , And what we love cannot neglect . Chorus . Then since we love both Let us both be agreed And seal both our Loves with a kiss ; From breaking our Oath We shall both then be freed , A Princess shall envy our bliss .

SONG CIV . SInce Coelia's my Foe To a Desart I 'le go , Where some River For ever Shall Eccho my Woe ; The Trees will appear More relenting than her , The Morning Adorning Each Leaf with a Tear . When I make my sad moan To the Rocks all alone , From each hollow Will follow A pityful groan : But with silent disdain She requites all my pain , To my mourning Returning No answer again . Then Coelia adieu When I cease to pursue , You 'l discover No Lover Was ever so true : Your sad Shepherd flies From those dear cruel eyes Who not seeing His being Decays and he dies . But it 's better to run From the Fate we can't shun , Then for ever To endeavour What cannot be won : What ye Gods have I done , That Amintas alone , Is so treated And hated For loving but one ?

SONG CV . DIsputes daily arise and errours grow bolder , Philosophers prattle how greedy's the Miser ; The more we should know then by being the older , But plainly 't appears there 's no body wiser : He that spends what he has and wisely drinks all , 'T is he is the Man Mathematical .

SONG CVI. NO , no , 't is in vain Though I sigh and complain , Yet the secret I 'le never reveal ; The wrack shall not tear it From my Breast but I 'le bear it To the Grave where it ever shall dwell : Oh would that the gods had created her low And plac'd thee poor Hylas above , Then , then , I a present might freely bestow Of a heart that is all over Love . Like the damn'd from the Fire We may gaze and admire , Yet never can hope to be blest ; Oh the pangs of a Lover That dares not discover The poison that 's lodg'd in his Breast : Like a Deer that is wounded I bleeding run on And fain I the torture would hide , But Oh 't is in vain , for where ever I run The bloody Dart sticks in my side .

SONG CVII . HAd Daphne Honour , Wealth or Fame , Thou hadst some colour for thy flame ; Or were she young she might excite Thy lustful thoughts to appetite : Were she or beautiful , or good , She unawares might fire thy blood ; But being neither rich , young , chast , nor fair , To love is Dotage , Phrensie to Despair .

SONG CVIII . NO Joys like to those of a new married Bride , Who freely does make her own choice , Where nothing but innocent Love doth abide Whilst with her kind Bedfellow she doth rejoyce : Long may they continue in such pleasant charms With faithful embroces in each others Arms. The spritely young Bridegroom tasts of this bliss , The day with their Friends they do spend ; At night with great freedom they hug and they kiss , Both thinking that night will soon have an end . Long may they continue in such pleasant charms With saithful embraces in each others Arms. The fruits of their pleasure they both do desire , Which after nine Months they may find ; Both hope for an Off-spring just like the own Sire , And pray to Lucina that she will be kind . Long may they continue in such pleasant charms With faithful embraces in each others Arms. He never is pleas'd when his Bride 's out of sight , She likewise his presence doth crave , So great is their Love and so sweet their delight , One absent , the other no pleasure can have : Long may they continue in such pleasant charms With faithful embraces in each others Arms. A happy success to so faithful a pair , Can never be wanting be sure ; Much wealth and great honour to such as they are , Will flow in a pace and for ever endure : Long may they continue in such pleasant charms With faithful embraces in each others Arms. Long life will attend them till hoary old Age Does call them to lye down to rest , Cold Death with cold blood , then will gently engage . And send them to 'th Grave and their Souls to be blest . Thus still they continue secure from harms , Both lye in one Coffin in each others Arms. That couple is blest , who thus happily meet Prosperity hedges them round , Their embraces are pleasant , their kisses are sweet , Delights of all sorts all their Life will abound . Long may they continue in such pleasant charms With faithful embraces in each others Arms. But those that do marry for Money , not Love Will never have peace in their mind , They unto each other a sorrow will prove And troublesome days they for ever will find : May those never meet , who do marry for Gold Where Love at a price in a Market is sold . In discord and envy they ever will live , Each day will beget a new strife ; Whilst angry words they to each other give The Wife blames the Man , and the Man blames his Wife . May those never meet , who do marry for Gold Where Love at a price in a Market is sold . She cryes he don 't love her , he swears she 's a scold , She finds his affections are dull , Which causes her love in like manner grow cold She vows to be pievish as he to the full : May those never meet , who do marry for Gold Where Love at a price in a Market is sold . And since from her Husband she finds no delight , It makes her abroad for to range , She resolves in her heart to keep out of his sight , For Women by Nature are subject to change : May those never meet , who do marry for Gold Where Love at a price in a Market is sold . Then jealous he grows which perplexes his Soul , And out of revenge she does horn him , Whatever he says she resolves to controul , And replies with a frown , he 's a fool and she scorns him . May those never meet , who do marry for Gold Where Love at a Price in a Market is sold .

SONG CIX . COme all you Gallants that live near the Court , Unto the brisk Dames of the City resort ; There 's none of your Misses can show you such sport , As we , who for you do complain . Some of our Husbands do live such dull lives , So plunged in care , and for Wealth so contrives ; That scarce one Night in ten lye close to their Wives , Which makes us so much to complain . Betimes in the Morning abroad they do run , Leaving their Wives in their beds alone , Not minding that business which should be first done , Which makes us so much to complaio . Though many have Dullards , yet I have got one , That keeps a young Miss who hath his heart won , For she sucks the Marrow , and I pick the Bone , Which makes me full sore to complain . Since so he disdains me , a Miss for to keep , Soon into the favour of Gallants I 'le creep ; Who shall the fore-room of Love's Treasury sweep , And then let the Cuckold complain . I 'le buy me new Towers , lac'd Gowns of the best , To the view of kind Lovers lay open my breast ; So by that they may know my mind to the rest : And my languishing eyes shall complain . I care not to tell you the place where I dwell , But I go by the name of , Bright Madam Bell ; Because I love Clappers that makes me sound well , Of which I will never complain . When I by my Art had learnt the right way , With Gallants and Tradesmen to sport and to play , I 'le tell you how many there came in one day ; And I had no cause to complain . The first that attempted my Love for to win , An old Gamester at Court long time he had been , For he knew the right way to play at Inn and Inn , Who made me leave off to complain . When from me he went , a Sword-man soon got , A sight of my Face , and if I 'd deny not , He would venture a pass if he dy'd on the spot , And I had no cause to complain . As pritty an Archer as ever had been , Made me stand for his Butt , and thought it no sin ; Quite up to the Feathers to shoot his Dart in , Then I had no cause to complain . Another brave Archer , a swaggering Spark , Though the Curtains were draw'd , and I lay i' th dark , Yet he took such aim that he hit the right mark ; And of him I will never complain . The next that approached was a Surgeon of Spain , Who drew out-his Lancet to open my vein , Which neatly he did , and ne're put me to pain ; And I had no cause to complain . A very rich Merchant gave me Jewels fine , With many choice dainties and good store of Wine ; To let him once dig in my hidden Mine , And of which I cannot complain . My passionate Landlord would not be content , Until he had gained his Tenants consent , He had one minutes pleasure for fifty weeks Rent , No Cuckold of that can complain . A Gentleman came that did once live at Bow , He out of my Shop vow'd never to go , Until he had been in my Ware-house below , And of which I could not complain . A lusty stout Captain laid siege to my Fort , For he knew by my looks I loved the sport , And he had a Gun gave such a report : That I could not at all complain . The last was a Doctor well skill'd in the Law , I enflam'd his blood , which made him to draw ; But my young Man peep'd through the Key-hole and saw , Which made me to fear he 'd complain . When his Master next Morning was gone to the Strand For to make him amends I quickly began , For I let him do , as did the last Man : Then vow'd he would never complain . And now to conclude I bid you all adien , For I never will yield to love above two , The Master , and Man , which my business can do , For more I will never complain .

SONG CX . GOd Cupid for ever , I desire thy poor Quiver And will never regard thy weak Bow ; Thy Arrows can't hit me Nor a Woman out-wit me I am free from that pitiful woe : Since my Jenny proves false , all her Sex I defie , And I 'le riot with Bacchus all night , And laugh at the power of thy blind Deity Full Glasses shall be my delight . 'T is a great piece of folly For to live melancholy And with whining young Lovers complain , If a Miss prove unkind I can alter my mind And another more loving obtain . To a pievish young slut I will ne're be confin'd Whilst liberty I may enjoy ; No generous Mortal was ever design'd His freedom that way to destroy . Then blest be the hour I was freed from the power Of Cupid that silly young Boy , Yet I will not deny But sometimes by the by The short pleasures of Love I 'le enjoy : That minutes delight being past , I am gone And free from the Nymph and her charms , Then happily meeting some other alone I pleasantly die in her Arms. Had Jenny been Loyal I had ne're had the Tryal Of any but she all my Life , Full oft have I told her Which made her the bolder That I purpos'd to make her my Wife : But she like a Wanton must needs be a Whore So eager and hot was her flame , Which made me to swear I would love her no more But laugh at her folly and shame .

SONG CXI . OH Caelia come tell me now Why you your own pleasures delay , How oft have you heard me vow That I lov'd you both night and day : You seemingly grant my desire Yet just at the push you 're unkind ; Which kindles an amorous fire And tortures a generous mind . If that your love be such That will with my humour agree , I know you will not grutch To venture your self with me : You will me shall equally share The delights we together create ; Why should we then longer forbear Enjoyment oft happens too late . Then may you wish in vain For what you do now refuse , Then must you bear the pain Because you did reason abuse : Take it then whilst you may The present time 's always the best ; What hinders but that this day With joys be ever blest . Nature does now command To take our sweet delight , How can you her withstand Who says it must be this night : Love does affirm the same And reason doth make it appear ; To delay our sport is a shame What causeth you then to fear . Come by this kiss you shall Nay prithee now be not coy , By my life now or not at all We 'le try for to get a boy : I by your Eyes can descry Though faintly you bid me forbear ; That you love it as well as I , Therefore pritty Rogue forbear .

Calia's Answer . SONG CXII . I Have heard your amorous Tone And now I do understand , If that you had me alone You 'd make me obey your command : Those kindnesses which I do grant . May make you expect I 'me a Whore ; Those favours treaster you 'll want For I 'le never be kind any more . My Love to your person is such That it won't with your humour agree , And I fear I have lov'd you too much Except you had more honesty ; Now that which you call a delight Pray keep to your self and be hang'd ; If by force you do put me to fright I 'le swear you shall soundly be bang'd . I never shall wish for that Which afterwards I shall repent , I know what you fain would be at But without it you must be content : I am not i' th mind for to take That thing you 'd so willingly give ; There 's another bargain to make For honestly I will live . Nature says no such thing Nor will she so basely command , That I such dishonour should bring On my self , since I can you withstand ; But Love may do much I confess Where folly doth reason blind ; But I never to you did express That I was so foolishly kind . Go , go you are wantonly bent And I hate for to hear you swear , Except I do find you repent Your company I shall forbear ; Your mark you have taken amiss Believe me when truth I do tell ; Be thankful for this one kiss And so pretty fool farewel .

Latin . SONG CXIII . NUnc bibito totum Nam est bene notum Quod pocula plena de vine ; Cor faciunt jucundum Si fuerit immundum Sic Romulus dixit Quirino : Rex Vivat laetanter , vos omnes clamate , Qui non vult habebit in sinum , Jam bibe , tunc singulis vitrum date , Cantabitur ad Mutatinum .

English . SONG CXIV . NOw drink it all off For 't is known well enough That brimmers of excellent Wine , Will make the heart glad Be it never so sad So Romulus said to Quirine : Now merrily all cry , God bless the King , He that drinks not shall have it in 's breast , To every one see a full Glass you bring And we 'll sing till the Morn without rest .

A Catch . SONG CXV . COme come bonny boys Come away , make haste , come away , We 'le prove that our joys Can admit of no tedious delay : To the Tavern let 's go and be merry , With White-wine , brisk Claret and Sherry ; Our Dads are in Heaven we need not to fear Because they have left us some hundreds a year .

Latin . SONG CXVI . PLus scio quam Apollo , Nam illo dormitante Vidi aftra Pugnantia , Vulcano lachrymante . Mars Venere concubuit Muliere libidinesa : Vulcanus vidit , Illam deridet , Tunc fuit ●diosa .

English . SONG CXVII . I Know more then Apollo , For whilst that he lay sleeping . I saw the Stars At mortal jars , And Valcan he lay peeping . And Mars he lay with Venus A pritty wanton Woman , But Vulcan saw And did her claw That now she 's fit for no Man .

SONG CXVIII . GReat Love to thy Deity , praises I 'le sing , A Requiem to sorrow because thou didst bring ; Thy power I 'le own , for why thou hast freed me From those desperate passions the Fates had decreed me : A Heart hard as stone and conquering beauty Must bend to Love's bow with Allegiance and duty . Love's secret embraces who ever hath known When the bloods young and warm , and youth's blossom new blown , To the god of that Love will certainly pay His humble Devotious by night and by day : A heart hard as stone , and a conquering beauty Must bend to his bow with Allegiance and duty . Loves humble and meek , Love's gentle and sweet , Not mov'd with fresh passion when frowns he doth meet ; He conquers by favours and wins by degrees He 's partial to none for no Mortal he sees : A heart hard as stone and conquering beauty Must bend to his bow with Allegiance and duty . The attraction of beauty may charm for a while , And Man of his freedom does often beguile ; Admiring those features which do but ensnare Till at length to our Foes sure Captives we are : But a heart hard as stone and conquering beauty , Must bend to Love's bow with Allegiance and duty . When beauty presumes and resolves for to slight All offers of Love and in Pride takes delight , The sighs and the groans of a desperate Lover With cruel disdain she endeavours to smother : But a heart hard as stone and conquering beauty Must bend to Love's bow with Allegiance and duty . Fair Venus Love's Queen doth his Arrows prefer , Before the keen Sword of the great god of War ; Mars conquers but boa●es , but Love's darts they are such , Those Souls they subdue which they happen to touch : A heart hard as stone and conquering beauty Must bend to Love's bow with Allegiance and duty . The scornful young Nymph that will searce take a kiss , But counts her disdain a peculiar bliss ; Poor Strephon alas doth so wound by her hate That Cupid takes pity and she now is his mate : Thus a heart hard as stone and conquering beauty Must bend to his bow with Allegiance and duty . Those great Men of War who do count Love a toy And to amorous Courtship do ever seem coy ; Yet at one time or other they are forced to yield And think kisses more pleasant then the Ensigns i' th Field : Thus hearts hard as stone and conquering beauty Must bend to Love's bow with Allegiance and duty . The Country Swain that is always in labour And ne're knew no Joys but a Pipe and a Tabor , Now at length casts an Eye on some Joan of his crew Then Love slips betwixt them and both doth subdue : A heart hard as stone and conquering beauty Must bend to his bow with Allegiance and duty . The Man of old Age who death doth expect , And all the Worlds vanities strives to neglect ; Yet often we find him with Love to be catcht , Then to a young Damsel he needs must be matcht : For a heart hard as stone and conquering beauty , Must bend to his bow with Allegiance and duty . Let the old and the young ones , the rich and the poor , The name and the power of Cupid adore ; Since none can escape or be free from his darts Which cunningly he doth convey to our hearts : A heart hard as stone and conquering beauty Must bend to his bow with Allegiance and duty .

SONG CXIX . WHen youth do agree To be merry and free , Let no one repine their enjoyment to see ; For equal's the pleasure which is to be had Betwixt a young Lass and a lively young Lad. Time swiftly doth run And old Age it will come , Our days are half spent e're our pleasure 's begun ; The present time 's best , therefore take 't whilst you may , Who knows but out sorrows begin the next day . He that always is sad Must expect to be mad , Good Wine and good company make the heart glad ; The daily fruition of which will create Desights , and prevent our complaining of Fate . 'T is folly not Fate Does troubles create Then let us avoid it before 't is too late ; Be jolly dear hearts for our Life 's but a span , And a hundred years hence we may love if we can . Then give me a Lass And good Wine a full glass , The drousie Mechanick's a temperate Ass : He studies to get but he knows not for who Thus daily his trouble he seeks to pursue . Perhaps when he 's old And his blood is grown cold , He weds a young Whore , a Thief , and a Scold ; Who spends all he has and is ever at strife , And calls him old Cuckold though she be his Wife . Which makes him complain But alas all in vain For no better content he is like to obtain ; Then sighing he cries , oh the fault was my own For to pass by the pleasures I once might have known I may sit and repent But must be content Since now 't is too late what is past to prevent ; This happens to greedy Curmudgeons who spend Their youth to hoard up for their ruines i' th end .

SONG CXX . THe World is grown mad and turn'd upside down , And to all that have sence it it easily known ; Their Words and their Actions do daily declare , How far from civility moved they are ; The custom of Wedlock some would turn out of door , And argue 't is better to trade with a Whore . What off-spring then may we expect for to meet , When Men pick up Wenches they meet in the street ; For a groats worth of Brandy or Alebeing wild , The silly young wanton is gotten with child : Then with a great confidence swear to your face , That they have best luck who are Bastards by race . Thus do they proceed to the fourth generation , The spurious issue of base reprobation ; Just Cat after kind , like Father and Mother , They take their debaucheries one from another : Till Tyburn at last puts an end to their game For thither they are Carted together with shame . Now those that are guilty I fain would advise To take my good counsel and learn to be wise , You young Men wed Lasses of equal degree , Then may you expect ever happy to be : For those who live honest are blessings in store , But curses for such as do Trade with a Whore . A Wife that is honest , virtuous , and fair , Is a Jewel whose worth is beyond all compare ; All day she 's a comfort , and in bed a delight , Her company 's pleasant by day and by night : Your Children with joy you may ever behold They 'l honour you both if you live to be old . But he that doth Company keep with a Whore , Shall never be happy but ever be poor ; And for one Minutes pleasure if it be to be found , The whole days delight in that minute is drown'd : For she still will crave till no more thou canst give , Thus with her in sorrow thou ever wilt live .

SONG CXXI . HAppy is the Man that takes delight In banquetting the senses , That drinks all day and then at night The heighth of joy commences : With bottles Arm'd westand our ground Full bumpers crown our blisses We sing and roar the streets around In Serenading Misses . Pleasures thus free and unconfin'd No drowsie crime reproaches , No Heaven to a Frolick mind No pleasures like debauches : Whilst rambling thus , new joys we reap In charms of Love and drinking ; Insipid Fops lie drown'd in sleep And the Cuckold he lies thinking .

SONG CXXII . HOw severe is Fate to break a Heart That never went a roving , To torture it with endless smart For too much constant loving : I bleed , I bleed , I melt away , And I wash my watry pillow ; I range the Woods alone all day And I wrap me round in Willow .

SONG CXXIII . HOw cruel is Fortune grown To turn all my hopes to despair , From bliss I am headlong thrown And banisht the fight of my Dear : Grant me some pity kind Heaven To my sorrows afford some relief ; Or let my poor Soul be given A Martyr unto my grief .

SONG CXXIV . A Curse on impertinent Age The pleasures of youth to invade , The cheats that have long been broke Have impudence still to Trade : Awake my fair Celia betimes Before the sweet youth 's undone ; Come shew thy delights in a breast Will yield thee a thousand for one . I 'le bring thee hot youth and love Come mingle thy fire with mine , We 'll serve for the Stars above And make them asham'd for to shine : Come down to my plentiful Feast Lie picking of Bones no more ; The scraps of a dish ill drest Or the leavings of many a Whore .

SONG CXXV . POor Corydon thy flames remove I pity thee but cannot love , Yet I find there is something in every Vein , Which moves me to love could I meet with a Swain Were honest and kind Were loving and kind I could love him again .

SONG CXXVI . NEver more will I protest , To love a Woman but in jest , For as they cannot be true , So to give each Man his due ; When the wooing fit is past Their affections cannot last . Therefore if I chance to meet With a Mistress fair and sweet , She my favour shall obtain Loving her for Love again ; Thus much liberty I crave Not to be a constant slave . For when we have try'd each other If she better like another , Let her quickly change for me Then to change am I as free ; He or she that loves too long Sell their freedom for a Song .

SONG CXXVII . AS Amoret with Phillis sate One Evening on the Plain , And saw the charming Strephon wait 〈◊〉 tell the Nymph his pain ; 〈…〉 danger to remove She whisper'd in her Ear , Ah Phillis if you cannot love The Shepherd do not hear , The Shepherd do not hear . None ever had so strange an Art His passion to convey , Into a list'ning Virgins heart And steal her Soul away ; Fly , fly , betimes for fear you give Occasion to your Fate ; In vain quoth she in vain you strive , Alas ! 't is now too late , Alas ! 't is now too late .

SONG CXXVIII . BEss black as Charcoal Was found in a dark hole With Kit at the Cat and Fiddle , But what they did there None safely can swear Yet Gentlemen Riddle my Riddle . Troth I would be loth Were I put to my Oath To swear Kit with Bess did ingender , Yet it would tempt a Man Bridle all that he can His present well wishes to tender . But 't was found at last E're a twelvemonth was past That Christopher Bess had o'remaster'd ; For her Belly betray'd her And so she down lay'd her And brought him a jolly brown Bastard .

SONG CXXIX . AS Chloris full of harmless thought Beneath the Willows lay , Kind Love a comely Shepherd brought To pass the time away : She blusht to be encounter'd so And chid the amorous Swain ; But as she strove to rise and go He pull'd her down again . A sudden passion seiz'd her heart In spight of her disdain , She found a pulse in e'ry part And love in e'ry Vein : Ah youth quoth she , what charms are these That conquer and surprise ; Ah let me ! for unless you please I have no power to rise . She faintly spoke and trembling lay For fear he should comply , But Virgins Eyes their hearts betray , And give their Tongues the lie : Thus she who Princes had deny'd With all their pompous Train . Was in the lucky minute try'd And yielded to a Swain .

SONG CXXX . A Young Man lately in our Town He went to Bed one night , He had no sooner laid him down But was troubled with a Sprite : So vigorously the Spirit stood Let him do what he can ; Oh then he said It must be laid By a Woman , not a Man . A handsome Maid did undertake , And into th' Bed she leapt ; And to allay the Spirit 's power Full close to him she crept : She having such a Guardian care Her Office to discharge , She open'd wide , her conjuring Book , And laid her leaves at large . Her Office she did well perform Within a little space , When up she rose , and down he lay , And durst not show his Face ; She took her leave and away she went When she had done the deed , Saying if it chance to rise again Pray send for me with speed .

SONG CXXXI . A Pastoral Dialogue betwixt Strephon and Phillis . Phil. STrephon what envious Cloud hath made All o're thy Face this sullen shade ? Strep. It is the Index of my grief ; Phil. But say , admits it no relief ? Thy now neglected flock doth stray : The Wolf securely takes his prey . And thy discarded Pipes lie by , While thou under some Beech does lie , Or Myrtle in the shady Grove , And sigh and pin'st like one in Love . Strep. Ah Phillis ! thou hast touch'd me now , I can't my passion disavow ; At that word Love , my heart does rise , And with it strangely sympathize . Phil. But who did thus your heart surprize ? Strep. It was the Shepherdess , whose eyes Are brighter far , than any Ray The Sun disclosed on May-day . Phil. Who was it Strephon , tell me true ? Strep. Ah dearest Phillis it was you ! Phil. Strive not false Shepherd to deceive A Nymph , too easie to believe A passion which she likes so well , Such falshood would deserve a Hell . Strep. May the gods for whom fat Lambs I feed , That on their smoaking Altars bleed , All my devoutest prayers despise ; And all my humble Sacrifice : Or what 's a greater cure , may I Find nought from thee but cruelty ; If I do love my Phillis less Then my own greatest happiness : If truth doth not in Swains reside Where is she in the World beside . Phil. I can't distrust so lov'd a trouth Deliver'd by so sweet a youth . Chorus of two . Let 's joyn our hearts and hands , and we 'll outvye The Gods themselves with our Felicity ; Let those that in deceitful Courts do dwell , Delay their joys and tedious suits pursue : Voices . Our honest words , their Courtship far excell , 'Mongst unambitions Shepherds love is true .

SONG CXXXII . A Maid I dare not tell her Name For fear I should disgrace her , Tempted a young Man for to come , One Night for to embrace her : But at the door he made a stop , He made a stop , he made a stop ; But she lay still , and snoring said , The latch pull up , the latch pull up . This young Man hearing of her words Puil'd up the latch and enter'd , And in the place unfortunately , To her Mothers Bed he ventur'd : But she poor Maid was sore afraid , And almost dead , and almost dead , But she lay still and snoring said , To the truckle-bed , to the truckle-bed . Unto the truckle-bed he went But as the youth was going , The unlucky Cradle stood in 's way And almost spoil'd his wooing : When after that the Maid he spy'd The Maid he spy'd , the Maid he spy'd ; But she lay still and snoring said , The other side , the other side . Unto the other side he went . To shew the Love he meant her , Pull'd off his cloaths couragiously And falls to th' work he was sent for : But the poor Maid made no reply , Made no reply , made no reply ; But she lay still and snoring said , A little too high , a little too high . This lusty Lover was half asham'd Of her gentle admonition , He thought to charge her home as well As any Girl could wish him : Oh now my Love I am right I know , I am right I know , I am right I know ; But she lay still and snoring said A little too low , a little too low . Though by mistakes at length this youth His business so well tended , He hit the mark so cunningly He defy'd the World to mend it : Oh now my Love I am right I swear , I am right I swear , I am right I swear ; Then she lay still and snoring said , Oh there , oh there , oh there , oh there .

SONG CXXXIII . A Maiden fair I dare not wed , For fear I wear Acteon's head ; A Maiden black is ever proud , The little one is ever loud : The Maiden that is tall of growth , Is always subject unto sloth ; The fair , the foul , the little , the tall , Some faults remain amongst them all .

SONG CXXXIV . IN faith 't is true I am in love , 'T is your black eyes have made me so : My resolutions they remove , And former niceness overthrow . The glowing Charcoal's set on fire A Heart that former flames did shun , Was an Heretick unto desire , Now 's judg'd to suffer Martyrdom . But Beauty since it is thy fate At distance thus to wound so sure , Thy virtues I will imitate And see if distance prove a cure . Then farewel Mistress , farewel Love , Those lately entertain'd desires ; Wise Men can from that Plague remove , Farewel black Eyes and farewel fires . If ever I my heart acquit Of those dull flames , I 'le bid a Pox On all black Eyes , and swear they 're fit For nothing but a Tinder-box .

SONG CXXXV . HOw happy art thou and I , That never knew how to love ; There 's no such blessings here beneath Whatever there is above : 'T is liberty , 't is liberty , That every Wise man loves . Out , out upon those Eyes That think to murther me , And he 's an Ass that thinks her fair That is not kind and free ; There 's nothing sweet , there 's nothing sweet To Man but liberty . I 'le tye my heart to none , Nor yet confine my eyes , But I will play my game so well , I 'le never want a prize : 'T is liberty , 't is liberty , Has made me now so wise .

SONG CXXXVI . WHere ever I am and what ever I do , My Phillis is still in my mind , When angry I mean not to Phillis to go , My feet of themselves the way find : Unknown to my self I am just at the door , And when I would rail I can bring out no more : Then Phillis too fair and unkind , Then Phillis too fair and unkind . When Phillis I see , my heart burns in my breast , And the Love I would stifle is shewn , Asleep or awake , I am never at rest , When from my Eyes Phillis is gone : Sometimes a sweet Dream does delude my sad mind , But when I awake and no Phillis I find , How I sigh to my self all alone ! How I sigh to my self all alone ! Should a King be my Rival in her I adore , He should offer his treasure in vain ; Oh let me alone to be happy and poor , And give me my Phillis again : Let Phillis be mine and but ever be kind I would to a Desart with her be confin'd ; And envy no Monarch his Reign , And envy no Monarch his Reign . Alas I discover too much of my love And she too well knows her own power : She makes me each day a new Martyrdom prove , And makes me grow jealous each hour ; But let her each minute torment my poor mind , I had rather love Phillis though false and unkind : Then ever be freed from her power , Then ever be freed from her power .

SONG CXXXVII . ARm , arm , arm , arm , the Scouts are all come in , Keep your Ranks close and now your honours win ; Behold from yonder Hill the Foe appears , Bows , Bills , Glaves , Arrows , Shields , Swords , Pikes , and Spears . Like a dark Wood he comes , or Tempest pouring , Oh view the Wings of Horse , the Meadows scouring , The Vant-guard marches bravely , hark the Drums , Dub , dub ; They meet , they meet , and now the Battle comes : See how the Arrows fly That darken all the Sky , Hark how the Trumpets sound : Hark how the Hills rebound , Tara , tara , tara , Hark how the Horses charge , in boys , in boys in , Tara , tara : The Battle totters , now the Wounds begin , Oh how they cry , oh how they die : Room for the valiant Memnon arm'd with Thunder , See how he breaks the Ranks asunder ; They fly , they fly , Eumenes has the chase , And brave Polybius makes good his place ; To the Plains , to the Woods , To the Rocks , to the Floods , They fly for succour , follow , follow , follow , Hey , hey , Hark how the Souldiers hollow : Brave Diocles is dead , And all his Soldiers fled ; The Battles won and lost That many a Life hath cost .

SONG CXXXVIII . I Found my Celia one night undrest , A precious banquet for languishing Love ; The charming object a flame encreas'd , Which never , ah never , till then I prov'd : Her delicate Skin and Starry Eye , Made me a secret bliss pursue ; But with her soft hand she put it by , And cry'd fie Amintor , ah what would you do . Her words and blushes so fir'd my heart , I pull'd her to me and clasp'd her round , And though with cunning she play'd her part , Yet fainter and fainter , her threats I found ; But I least thought or least desir'd , My Love a forbearance should allow ; A touch of her hand my heart inspir'd , My passion was melted I know not how . Which when fair Celia's quick eye perceiv'd And found by my dulness my passion decay , Her fate she inwardly seem'd to grieve , That fool'd her and cool'd her so basely away : She sigh'd and look'd pale to see me dull And in her heart this Oath she swore , She never again would slight an address Nor the critical minute refuse no more .

SONG CXXXIX . The Country-man's Prophecy . MY jolly good Friends who to mirth are enclin'd , Give car and I 'le tell you a piece of my mind , For what I declare you 'l find clear as the Sun , When Covetousness out of England shall run . When Men beget Women , and Women get Men , And Men they do bring forth Children agen ; When Coventry steeple cracks Nuts with its thumb , Then Covetousness out of England will run . When Hares sit i' th high way to pick a Man's purse , And the Man in the Moon put his child out to nurse ; And when Shooing-horns learn to beat on a Drum , Then Covetousness out of England will run . When Bears they wear Breeches of Silver and gold , And go to the Barbers for to be Poll'd ; And Monkeys do wait on them till they have done , Then Covetousness out of England will run . When a Conjurer's frighted to see a black Cock And wenching Gallants are afraid of the Smock ; When Coats Linsey Wolsey by Ladies are spun , Then Covetousness out of England will run . When the Church of St. Paul hath got Wings and Legs , And upon London-stone doth fit and lay Eggs ; And when Capons and Cocks of that breed do come Then Covetousness out of England will run . When old Men graft Pear-trees on Cedar-stocks , And Owls at Noon-day do fly up in flocks ; When Cuckooes at Christmas amongst us do come , Then Covetousness out of England will run . When Taylors forget to throw Cabbage in Hell , And shorten their Bills that all may be well ; When Horses can speak that have ever been dumb , Then Covetousness out of England will run . When Beggars marry Ladies , and Women leave scolding , And Neighbour to Neighbour shall not be beholding ; When Misers their Money lend out by the Tun , Then Covetousness out of England will run . When Lawyers are willing to plead without Fees , And Pens , Ink , and Paper does grow upon Trees ; And all is well ended that e're was begun Then Covetousness out of England will run . When Millers refuse any Tole for to take And those that have Agues don't shiver and shake , When old Mother Damnable once doth turn Nun , Then Covetousness out of England will run . When Whetstone-Park Ladies live honest and chast , And scorn by their Cullies for to be imbrac'd ; When Cooks do want Victuals , as sure as a Gun Then Covetousness out of England will run . When Poets build Alms-houses up for the Poor , And the rich old Curmudgeons desire no more ; When Cripples at running great Wagers have won , Then Covetousness out of England will run . When Vint'ners and Tapsters ne're value their scores , But freely give all Men that enter their doors ; When the Cart to the Horses with great haste shall come , Then Covetousness out of England will run . When Men without Money shall buy House and Land And a Soldier forget the word of command , When a Welsh-man to breakfast shall drink a whole Tun , Then Covetousness out of England will run . When Hogs do wear Armour and vapour along , And Pick-pockets never appear in a throng ; When Trades-men by trusting shall ne're be undone , Then Covetousness out of England will run . When Men grow as high as the May-pole i' th Strand , And Fishes take pleasure to be on dry Land ; When Oysters at Billingsgate cry eat me come ; Then Covetousness out of England will run . When great Essex Scrpents shall fly in the Air , And Rabbets cry catch me in Net or in snare ; When Hectors pay debts without ever a Dun , Then Covetousness out of England will run . When Ships over Dunstable Downs you see sail , And Oyster-women cease to scold and to rail ; When Men shall roast Apples at midnight i' th Sun , Then Covetousness out of England will run . When all these things happen then you will confess , The honest plain Country-man rightly did guess ; He vows you shall shoot him to th' heart with a Gun , When Covetousness out of England will run .

SONG CXL . WHen I shall leave this clod of Clay , When I shall see that happy day , That a cold bed , a winding sheet Shall end my cares My grief and tears And lay me silent at my Conquerour's feet . When a dear Friend shall say he 's gone , Alas ! he has left us all alone ; I saw him gasping , and I saw Him strive in vain Amidst his pain His Eye-strings breaking , and his falling Jaw . Then shall no tears bedew my Herse , No sad uncomfortable Verse ; My unlamented Death shall have , He who alive Did never grieve How can he be less merry in the Grave . Then Friends for a while be merry without me And fast as you die come flocking about me , In Gardens and Groves our day Revels we 'le keep , And at night my Theorbo shall rock you asleep : So happy we 'le prove , that Mortals above , Shall envy our Musick , shall envy our Love .

SONG CXLI . Long Vacation . HOw quiet the Town is Now the tumult is gone , Now the Bullies and Punks To retirement are flown : The Nights are all peace And the Mornings serene , Our Windows are safe And our bodies are clean . Chorus . The Nights are all peace , &c. The Woman of Honour The Bulker and Ranger , Disturb not our selves Nor inveigle the Stranger ; Our joys are our own Spight of empty Gallants , Who Cuckold the Town To supply their own wants . Chorus . Our joys are our own , &c. Since the Town 's then our own And the sweets it affords , Though indeed we are Rogues We 'le be as drunk as the Lords Opportunity short is For Term-time will come , When our Wives will be rambling And we must keep home .

SONG CXLII . LAurinda who did Love disdain , For whom had languish'd many a Swain ; Leading her bleating Flocks to drink She spy'd upon the Rivers brink , A youth whose eyes did well declare How much he lov'd , but lov'd not her . At first she laugh'd and gaz'd a while But soon it lessen'd to a smile , Then to surprize , and wonder came , Her breast to heave her heart to flame ; Then cry'd she out , ah now I prove ! Thou art a god almighty Love . She would have spoke but shame deny'd , And bid her first consult her Pride ; But soon she found that aid was gone , For Jove alas had left her none : Ah how she burns but 't is too late , For in his eyes she reads her Fate .

SONG CXLIII . LOve's soft deluding charms Must now give place to Arms , Hark , hark , I hear the Trumpet 's fresh Alarms ; Mars chides me for my stay And frowning seems to say , Thy honour youth will suffer by delay : Adieu ye Sex Divine Whose all commanding shrine , So oft has bow'd these stubborn knees of mine ; Kind Females now no more Must I those charms adore , Nor court the pleasures of the Brittish Shore . My Friend and I in Wars 'Midst Armies , Wounds and Scars , Will bid defiance to unlucky Stars ; No charming Female Darts With all their amorous Arts , Shall e're disjoyn our undivided hearts : Friendship that noble Name That kindles generous flame , Prompts us to court no Mistress now but Fame ; Her we may joyntly love And happy Rivals prove In Emulation like to those above . Thus hand in hand we 'le go And equal danger know , Love begs in vain when Honour answers no ; The Battle done at last , We 'le lie so close imbrac'd And think with pleasure on the danger past : Should one of us be slain , Fate 's envy's spent in vain ; In spight of Death our friendship we 'le maintain ; For he that 's left behind Shall teach the World to find Though two in person , we 're but one in mind .

SONG CXLIV . HOw mighty are the charms of Woman kind , And yet how soon decay'd ; Scarce has a beauty in full glory shin'd E're 't is in utter ruine laid : While the blest minutes last before it's fall , 'T is made a Deity and ador'd by all ; But when the glorious lustre's gone , Th' unhappy slighted Nymph is left alone The sad privation to bemoan . See , see , poor Phillis yonder once the fair , Bright as the Morning Sun ; Blasted and faded all her beauties are , Alas her killing days be done : How unregarded now she treads the plain Pursu'd by no admiring Swain ; Not one charm left , not one alluring grace , Horrour and wrinkles have assum'd their place , Age , Age 〈◊〉 wrote upon her Face . Who then would be in love and fondly prize At so-unjust a rate , A pair of flattering false deluding eyes That are to morrow out of date : If their first vigour lasted to the Grave 'T were richly worth the while to be a slave : But since the fairest in their course must end I will no more on the gay toy depend But make my pleasure in my friend .

SONG CXLV . DO not ask me charming Phillis Why I lead you here alone , By this bank of Pinks and Lillies , And of Roses newly blown : 'T is not to behold the beauty Of those flowers that crown the Spring , 'T is to — but I know my duty And dare never name the thing . 'T is at worst but her denying Why should I thus fearful be , Every Minute gently flying Smiles and says make use of me : What the Sun does to those Roses While the Beams play sweetly in , I would — but my fear opposes And I dare not name the thing . Yet I die if I conceal it Ask my Eyes , or ask your own , And if neither can reveal it Think what Lovers think alone : On this bank of Pinks and Lillies Might I speak what I wou'd do , I wou'd with my lovely Phillis I wou'd , I wou'd , I wou'd , ah wou'd you .

SONG CXLVI . PEace Cupid take thy Bow in hand I' th gloomy shade in ambush stand , To watch a cruel Nymph frequents this Bow'r , Cold as the streams but sweeter then each flow'r ; There , there she is , direct thy Dart Into that stony Marble heart , Draw quickly , draw and shew thy Art . Woe 's me , thou' rt blind indeed , thou hast shot me , Whilst she scapes in the Grove and laughs at thee .

SONG CXLVII . HE 's a Phlegmatick Lover In whom we discover A temper that never doth change ; A Breast that 's like mine with jealousie burns , Now Love and now Anger possess it by turns ; With fears I grow mild and with hopes I grow tame , That passion is weak that is always the same . But the Sanguine brisk Lover Can never discover How the Soul of a Woman 's inclin'd , He knows that her charms have conquer'd yet more ; That many there are who do figh and adore : He trusts not to merit , to give him success For Women love only by fancy and guess ; Or if to desert by great chance they prove kind , The fair still are fickle and oft change their mind . Oh the starts of a Lover Do plainly discover The passion he feels is extream ; For he that loves well and does not possess , Must either be jealous or else love you less ; Then say not my fears or my doubts do you wrong , He cannot be quiet whose passion is strong : Small Fires do but glow , and are always the same , But the greater will rage and scatter the flame .

SONG CXLVIII . MY Muse denies To Apologize For my Song 's acceptation , I know 't will fit Your Appetite Because 't is of the fashion . New Fashions began With the World and Man In Adam's time and Eves , They did begin To cover sin With a fashion of their leaves . After was try'd The rough Bucks hide A wear of commendation , Had not with the Skin The Horns crept in And turn'd it into fashion . Each Taylor is read In this Fashion , his head Is capable on 't 't is fear'd ; When he 's not at leisure His Wife will take measure , Though 't be by his Neighbours yard . The Clown's array Is an innocent gray Nor stain'd by the Dyer's Art , Which doth invest As pure a breast And no less spotless heart . The Farmer 's Hose His wearing Shooes For both are wond'rous plain , His Honesty Not Knavery , he Most purely dies in grain . The School-master in His Trouzes hath been And bumbast , Doublet long space , He 's a Monoptote For he varies not At any time his case . His Wife is pure In her task demure , Her Gown is of Reformation , And she verily Turns up her eye In a very zealous fashion . The Shopkeepers walk And often do talk In Gowns of Purple or Blew , Since Venner and Far Wore such at the Bar Some wisely have chang'd their hue . The Lawyer ( be 't known To all Men ) is prone To the fashion of long Hose , And fain he would Still have and hold Long Suits for he lives by those . Now with the best Your Pimp's in request This your Gallant is supply'd : By his Bones as well As his clothes you may smell He 's rarely Frenchify'd . His Mistress plum'd Painted , perfum'd Is stillify'd all over , Her loose array Doth every day A looser body cover . The Scholar well trust In his black Suit brusht Is like to jet in his degree , Nor is it enough Men point at stuff He 'l be pointed at the knee . Thus are we become As Apes of Rome , Of France , Spain , and all Nations : And not Horses alone But Men are grown Diseased of the Fashions .

SONG CXLIX . HOw happy and free is the resolute Swain That denies to submit to the yoke of the fair , Free from excesses of pleasure and pain Neither dazled with hope nor deprest with despair , He 's free from disturbance and calmly enjoys All the pleasures of Love without clamour or noise . Poor Shepherds in vain their affections reveal To the Nymph that is pievish , proud , sullen and coy , Vainly do Virgins their passions conceal For they boil in their grief till themselves they destroy . And thus the poor darling lies under the curse To be checkt in the Womb or o'relaid by the nurse .

SONG CL. AH how unkind is the Nymph I adore For my obedience she slights me the more , Still as she shuns me I closer pursue , So by her flight she has learnt to subdue ; How endless are the pains I must endure , Since she by flying wounds and slams the cure . Yet how unhappy soever I am Still I must follow and cherish my flame , For should I struggle and break off my chain My freedom would be worse then her disdain ; Therefore the nobler Fate I will prefer It must be happy if it come from her . Then cruel Fair if my death you 've decreed Spight of compassion I beg you proceed , And look not down on my wretched Estate As neither worthy of your Love not hate : For with your frowns I would rather dispence Then languish in luke-warm indifference .

SONG CLI . MY Gaffer and Gammer were fast in their Nest , And all the young fry of their cribs were possest ; Spot whitefoot and Puss in the Ashes were spread , And a blinking rush Candle stuck over their head . Sweet Ursly was washing the Trenchers and Platter , Preparing to make her good friend , the Hog fatter : Greaz'd up to the Elbows and smutcht to the Eyes ; And her rich broider'd cloaths were as fat as her Thighs . Like Bagpipes her cheeks , and her Udders chin high Her Nose hawking out bending both ways awry ; Her Lips were as thick as her squint eyes were blinking And her orient locks were most rankishly stinking . While Roger the Plow-man lay close by a snoring God Cupid was vext at his Clownish adoring ; And therefore conveys to his great Loggerhead , In a whisper the News , that all were a Bed . Up Roger starts then and rubbing his Eyes To his dearest sweet Ursly with passion he flies ; And jolling his Elbows on Urslys broad back , Complains that his heart was e'n ready to crack . But Ursly displeas'd with the weight of her Love ( Oh Cupid why dost thou thus treacherous prove : ) As fast as she cou'd she turn'd her about And with dish-clout slopt o're the wretch'd face of our Lout . Now Cupid thou' rt fit to be kickt out of doors Since a Pimp thou dost prove to such fulsom amours ; But Cupid is only a hope to obtain What is out of our reach seldom causes our pain . For Roger at Matket had frequently seen Such beauties good lawi , each lookt like a Queen : Yet his heart all the while did continue his own But Ursly , ah Ursly but seen and 't is gone .

SONG CLII. POor Celia once was very fair A quick bewitching eye she had , Most neatly look'd her braided hair , Her dainty cheeks would make you mad : Upon her Lips do all the Graces play And on her brest ten thousand Cupid's lay . Then many a doting Lover came From seventeen to twenty one , Each told her of his mighty flame But she forsooth affected none . One was not handsome the other was not fine , This of Tobacco smelt and that of Wine . But t'other day it was my fate To pass along that way alone , I saw no Coach before her door But at her door I heard her moan : And dropt a tear and sighing seem'd to say Young Ladies marry , marry whilst you may .

SONG CLIII . AS sad Philothea lay melting in grief , And kindly complain'd of the amorous Thief ; She aloud to the Woods did her passion impart But faintly lamented the loss of her heart : Ah cruel unkind Dorilaus she cry'd Bring back the fond stray that has wander'd aside . The Youth as from courting Astraea he came Had the pleasure of hearing her sigh out his name ; And softly he stole till so nigh her he drew , That his Arms on a sudden about her he threw : Then take back thy heart Philothea he cry'd 'T is pitty the stragler should ever be ty'd . Surpriz'd at the welcome approach of her Swain Yet unwilling to take the fond Truant again , No Shepherd says she give me thine in exchange And I 'le keep it so safe that it never shall range : No trust me not I , Dorilaus reply'd Since your own you have suffer'd to wander aside .

SONG CLIV. PEace and silence be the guide To the Man and to the Bride , If there be a joy yet new In Marriage , let it fall on you , That all the World may wonder ; If we should stay we should do worse And turn our blessings to a curse By keeping you asunder .

SONG CXXV . I Courted a Lass , my folly Was the cause of my disdaining , I courted her thus ; what shall I Sweet Dolly do for thy dear Loves obtaining . But another had dally'd with Dolly That Doll for all her seigning , Had got such a Mountain above her Valley That Dolly went home complaining .

SONG CLVI . CLoris forbear a while Do not o'rejoy me , Urge not another smile Lest it destroy me . That beauty pleaseth most As is best taking ; Which is soon won soon lost , Kind yet forsaking : I love a coming Lady faith I do But now and then I 'de have her scornful too . O'recloud these Eyes of thine Bo-peep thy features , Warm with an April shine Scorch not thy Creatures : Still to display thy Ware Still to be fooling ; Argues how rude you are In Cupid's Schooling : Disdain begets a smile , scorn draws us nigh , 'T is cause I would and cannot makes me try . Chloris I 'de have thee wise When Gallants view thee , Courting do thou despise Fly those pursue thee : Fast moves an Appetite Makes hunger greater . Who 's stinted of delight Falls to 't the better : Be coy and kind betimes be smooth and rough , And buckle now and then and that 's enough .

SONG CLVII . PHilander and Sylvia a gentle young pair , Whose business was loving , and kissing his care ; In a sweet smelling Grove went smiling along Till the youth gave a vent to his heart with his Tongue : Ah Sylvia said he and sigh'd when he spoke , Your cruel resolve will you never revoke ; No never she said , how never he cry'd , 'T is the damn'd that shall only that sentence abide . She turn'd her about to look all around , Then blusht and her pritty eyes cast on the ground ; She kist his warm cheeks and then play'd with his neck And urg'd that his reason his passion should check : Ah Philander she said 't is a dangerous bliss ! Ah never ask more and I 'le give thee a kiss ! How never he cry'd and then shiver'd all o're , No never she said and then trip'd to a Bow'r . She stopt at the Wicket , he cry'd let me in , She answer'd I wou'd if it were not a sin ; Heaven sees , and the gods will chastise the poor head Of Philander for this : straight trembling he said Heaven sees I confess , but no Tell-tales are there , She kist him and cry'd , you 're an Atheist my dear , And shou'd you prove false I shou'd never endure , How never he cry'd , and straight backwards he threw her . Her delicate body he clasp'd in his Arms. He kist her , he prest her , heap'd charms upon charms ; He cry'd shall I now , no never she said Your will you shall never enjoy till I am dead : Then as if she were dead , she slept and lay still Yet even at death she bequeath'd him a smile ; Which emboldned the youth his charms to supply Which he bore still about him to cure those that die .

SONG CLVIII . TAke oh take those lips away , That so sweetly were forsworn ; And those Eyes the break of day , Lights that do mislead the Morn : But my kisses bring again , Seals of Love , but seal'd in vain .

SONG CLIX. WIth an old Song made by an old ancient pate Of an old worshipful Gentleman who had a great estate , Who kept an old house at a bountiful rate , And an old Porter to relieve the Poor at his gate : Like an old Courtier of the Queens , And the Queens old Courtier . With an old Lady whose anger good words asswages , Who every quarter pays her old Servants their wages ; Who never knew what belong'd to Coach-men , Foot-men and Pages , But kept twenty old Fellows with blew Coats and badges : Like an old Courtier of the Queens , And the Queens old Courtier . With an old study fill'd full of Learned Books , With an old reverend Parson you may know him by his looks ; With an old Buttery Hatch worn quite off the hooks And an old Kitchen which maintains half a dozen Cooks : Like an old Courtier of the Queens , And the Queens old Courtier . With an old Hall hung round about with Guns , Pikes and Bows ; With old Swords and Bucklers , which have born many shrewd blows ; And an old Frisado Coat to cover his Worship's Trunk Hose , And a cup of old Sherry to comfort his copper Nose : Like an old Soldier of the Queens , And the Queens old Courtier . With a good old fashion when Christmass is come , To call in his Neighbours with Bagpipe and Drum ; And good chear enough to furnish every old room , And old Liquor able to make a Gat speak , and a wise Man dumb : Like an old Courtier of the Queens , And the Queens old Courtier . With an old Huntsman , a Faulconer , and a kennel of Hounds , Which never hunted nor hawkt but in his own grounds ; Who like an old wise Man kept himself still within his own bounds , And when he dy'd gave every child a thousand old pounds : Like an old Courtier of the Queens , And the Queens old Courtier . But to his eldest Son his House and Lands he assign'd , Charging him in his Will to keep the old bountiful mind , To love his good old Servants and to Neighbours be kind ; But in th' ensuing you shall hear how he was enclin'd : Like a young Courtier of the Kings And the King 's new Courtier . Like a young Gallant newly come to his Land And keeps a brace of whores at his own command ; And takes up a thousand pounds upon 's own Land , And lieth drunk in a new Tavern till he can neither go nor stand : Like a young Courtier of the Kings , And the King 's young Courtier . With a neat Lady that 's brisk and fair , Who never knew what belong'd to good house-keeping or care ; But buys seven Fans to play with the wanton Air And seventeen or eighteen dressings of other Mens Hair : Like a young Courtier of the Kings , And the King 's young Courtier . With a new Hall built where the old one stood , Wherein is burnt neither Coal nor Wood ; And a Shuffle-board Table smooth and red as blood , Hung round with pictures which do the Poor little good : Like a young Courtier of the Kings , And the King 's young Courtier . With a new study stuff'd full of Pamphlets and Plays , With a new Chaplain that swears faster then he prays ; With a new Buttery Hatch that opens once in four or five days , With a new French Cook to make Kickshaws and Toys : Like a young Courtier of the Kings , And the King 's young Courtier . With a new fashion when Chrisimas is come , With a new Journey up to London we must be gone , And leave no body at home but our new Porter John , Who relieves the Poor with a thump on the back with a stone : Like a young Courtier of the Kings , And the King 's young Courtier . With a Gentleman Usher whose carriage is complete , With a Foot-man , Coach-man , Page to carry Meat ; With a waiting Gentle-woman whose dressing is very neat ; Who when the Master has din'd let 's the Servants not eat : Like a young Courtier of the Kings , And the King 's young Courtier . With a new honour bought with his Fathers old gold , That many of his Father's old Mannors had sold ; And this is the occasion that most Men do hold , That good House-keeping is now grown so cold : Like a young Courtier of the Kings , And the King 's young Courtier .

SONG CLX . PHillis I pray Why did you say That I did not adore you , I durst not sue As others do Nor talk of love before you . Should I make known My flame , you 'd frown No tears could e're appease you ; 'T is better I Should silent die Then talking to displease you .

SONG CLXI . A Way with the causes of riches and cares That eat up our Spirits and shorten our years ; No pleasure can be In state nor degree But it 's mingled with sorrows and fears : Then perishall Fops by sobriety dull'd While he that is merry reigns Prince of the world . The quirks of the zealous of beauty and wit Though supported by power at last must submit ; For he that is sad Grows wretched or mad Whilst mirth like a Monarch doth sit : It cherishes life in the old and the young And makes e'ry day to be happy and long .

SONG CLXII . NO , no thou all of red and white Thou hast not yet undone me quite , For I have lost but half my heart Yet I confess the wound doth smart ; Then pretty Thief oh steal no more But let me keep one part in store ; Sure half 's too much for thee of mine Unless I had some share in thine . Though thou art fair and thou art young And though thou hast a pretty Tongue , And every word that thou dost say Might lead a Prince's heart astray : Yet all those Traps will ne're catch me I must have kinder snares from thee : 'Las thou shalt see I can retreat And not lie conquer'd at thy feet . 'T is true if I did keep the Field At length I must be forc'd to yield , Not like a Coward will I fly Nor like a fool will stay and die : With half my heart I 'le march away Then t'other part not long will stay ; A heart divided knows no power Nor will submit above an hour . Reproach me not though heretofore I only freedom did adore , And brag that none though kind as fair The loss of it could half repair : Since I now willingly do yield To Chleris beauty all the field . With greater joys I do resign My freedom , though thou e're keep'st thine ; And am resolv'd constant to prove Should her neglect transcend my Love : Strange charms they are which make me burn Without the hopes of a return . To see and not to be in Love A wonder like her self would prove , Whose charms by Nature and by Art Do each of them deserve a heart : For which my sorrows are not small I have but one to pay them all . I must confess a while I strove With reason to resist my Love , All Saints sometimes against death do pray Though it be to Heaven their only way ; 'T is only Chloris hath the skill To make me blest against my will . Nor will I so much as endure To think unconstancy secure , For were I to that sin so bent It sure would prove my punishment ; Her to adore I must confess N better then elsewhere success .

A TABLE Of all the SONGS , Alphabetically composed . A. A Dieu to the Pleasures and Follies of Love Page 4 A Wife I do hate Page 11 As I was sitting on the Grass Page 20 A Curse upon thee for a Slave Page 27 Augusta is enclin'd to fears Page 38 Ah fading Joy Page 57 A Curseo ' the Zealous and Ignorant crew Page 58 Adieu my Cordelia , my dearest adieu Page 59 As I was walking on a May Morning Page 64 A Curse on Impertinent Age Page 112 As Amoret with Phillis sate Page 113 As Chloris full of harmless thought Page 115 A young Man lately in our Town Page 116 A Maid I dare not tell her Name Page 118 A Maiden fair I dare not wed Page 120 Arm , Arm , Arm , the Scouts are all come in Page 123 Ah how unkind is the Nymph I adore Page 138 As sad Philothea lay melting in grief Page 141 Away with the causes of riches and cares Page 161 B. BE thou joyful I am jolly Page 11 Be jolly my friend Page 56 Beauty and Love once fell at odds Page 83 Bess black as Charcoal Page 114 C. COme away , t'other Glass Page 13 Come drink off your Liquor Page 25 Cupid no God a wanton child Page 33 Come you Ladies of the night Page 39 Cupid once was weary grown Page 46 Charon , O gentle Charon let me woo thee Page 47 Courtier if thou needs wilt Wive Page 51 Chloris when you disperse your influence Page 53 Cease Chloris , cease to wonder why Page 57 Come my Daphne come away . Page 79 Come all you Gallants that ●ive near the Court Page 96 Come come bonny boys Page 104 Chloris forbear a while Page 142 D. DIogenes was merry in his Tub Page 26 Did you not hear the hideous groans Page 73 Disputes daily arise and errours grow bolder Page 92 Do not ask me charming Phillis Page 133 F. FAir Clarinda I do owe Page 19 Farewel the dearest of my crimes Page 38 Fond Fables tell of old . Page 41 G. GOd Cupid's for certain as foolish as blind Page 65 God Cupid for ever I defie thy poor Quiver Page 99 Great Love to thy Deity praises I 'le sing Page 105 H. HAng up Mars Page 23 Here lies not in , but on Earth's Womb Page 26 He that marries a merry Lass Page 28 How happy 's the Pris'ner who conquers his Fate Page 34 Hold back thy hours , dark night Page 51 How bonny and brisk , how pleasant and sweet Page 61 Had Daphne Honour , Wealth or Fame Page 93 Happy is the Man that takes delight Page 110 How severe is Fate to break a heart Page 111 How cruel is Fortune grown Page 111 How happy art thou and I Page 121 How quiet the Town is Page 129 How mighty are the charms of Woman kind Page 132 He 's a Phlegmatick Lover Page 134 How happy and free is the resolute Swain Page 138 I. IF Wealth would keep a Man alive Page 13 I always resolved to be free from her charms Page 18 I wo' not go to 't , I mun not go to 't Page 28 I 'le sing you a Song that was never in Print Page 48 I know more then Apollo Page 49 I 'de have you quoth he Page 66 I never shall henceforth approve Page 69 In Caves full of Skulls and rotten old Bones Page 71 I charge thee Neptone as thou art just resign Page 84 I have heard your amorous Tone Page 101 I know more then Apollo Page 105 In Faith 't is true I am in Love Page 120 I found my Celia one night undrest Page 124 I courted a Lass , my folly Page 142 L. LOng since Clarinda my passion did move Page 5 Let the Bowl pass free Page 17 Let Fortune and Phillis frown if they please Page 41 Loe behind a Scene of Seas Page 68 A Latin Song Page 103 A Latin Song Page 164 Laurinda who did love disdain Page 130 Loves soss deluding charms Page 130 M. MAke a noise pull it out Page 8 Make a Bed in the deep Page 15 My jolly good Friends who to mirth are enclin'd Page 125 My Muse denies to Apologize Page 135 My Gaffer , and Gammer were fast in their Nest Page 139 N. NOw that the cold Winter 's expell'd by the Sun Page 2 Nymph and Shepherd come away Page 36 Nay let me alone Page 62 No I will sooner trust the Wind Page 82 No , no , 't is in vain Page 92 No Joys like to those of a new married Bride Page 93 Now drink i● all off Page 103 Never more will I protest Page 113 No , no , thou all of red and white Page 150 O. OH Celia come tell me how long it will be Page 12 Oh Delia for I know 't is thee Page 23 Oh that Joy so soon should wast Page 33 Oh name not the day lest my 〈◊〉 reprove Page 59 Oh sorrow , sorrow , say 〈◊〉 dost thou dwel Page 71 Oh Celia come tell me 〈◊〉 Page 100 P POor Citizen if thou wilt be Page 52 Poor Corydon thy flames remove Page 112 Peace Cupid take thy bow in hand Page 134 Poor Celia once-was very fair Page 140 Peace and silence be the guid● Page 142 Philander and Sylvia a gentle young pair Page 143 Phillis I pray Page 149 S. STay shut not the Gate Page 32 Since we poor slavish Women know Page 40 Sure it is so , then let it go Page 74 Still to be neat , still to be drest Page 79 Since Celia 's my Foe Page 90 Strephon what enviom Cloud bath made Page 117 T. THe delights of the Bottle , and charms of good Wine Page 5 Tell me no more you live Page 3 'T is not enough great Gods , 't is not enough Page 5 The Pot and the Pipe Page 28 'T is late and cold stir up the fire Page 42 Thou joy of all hearts , and delight of all Eyes Page 52 To play upon a Viol if Page 60 They call , they call , what noise is that Page 62 Tyrant thou seek'st in vain Page 63 Thou art so fair and cruel to● Page 67 Turn off the Glass 't is a crime to see 't full Page 73 'T was in the pleasant Month of May Page 75 The Glories of our Birth and State Page 77 Thou fair Vsurper of my Fate Page 88 The World is grown mad and turn'd upside down Page 109 Take , oh take those Lips away Page 145 V. Venus chanc't to love a Boy Page 42 W. WHy should so much beauty fear Page 1 What sighs and groans now fill my breast Page 6 Why should Friends and Kindred gravely make thee Page 7 Were Celia but as chast as fair Page 14 What a madness it is to give over our drink●●ing Page 15 When a Woman that 's bux●m to a D●tard doth Wed Page 16 When first I saw fair Celia 's face Page 21 What mean the dull Poets themselves to abuse Page 22 When I see the young Men play Page 24 Where the Bee sucks , there suck I Page 27 Woman who is by Nature wild Page 30 What an Ass is he Page 48 When first my free heart Page 53 What does the fair Clariza mean Page 55 When 〈◊〉 my dear Delia my heart did surprize Page 61 What shall we do Page 66 Why lovely Celia should I fear Page 70 Whilst Alexis lay prest Page 72 What makes you all so dull Page 76 When Aurelia first I courted Page 78 Why should we not laugh and be jolly Page 80 Why Phillis to me so untrue and unkind Page 89 When youth do agree to be merry and free Page 108 Where ever I am , and what ever I do Page 122 When I shall leave this clod of clay Page 128 With an old Song made by an ancient old pate Page 145 Y. YOu Lovers Love on Page 29 You merry Poets old Boys Page 39 Ye she-friends and he-frriends Page 85

AN INDEX , DIRECTING How to find out any of the aforegoing Letters in their proper Pages . A Father to his Son at School in the Countrey Page 49 The Sons Answer Page 50 A Citizen returning his Friend kind thanks for his entertainment when he was in the Countrey . Page 51 The countrey Gentleman's Answer to the Citizen Page 52 A merry Letter to invite a Friend to the Tavern Page 52 His Friend's Answer Page 53 A Letter from a Gentleman to a young Lady whom he courted to marry Page 54 The young Ladies answer Page 55 A Countrey Farmers Son to one of his Neighbours Daughters Page 56 Her kind Answer Page 57 A Letter to court a young Widdow who had lately buried her Husband Page 57 The Widdows Answer Page 59 A Merchant to his Factor in the East-Indies Page 60 The Factor's Answer Page 61 A Letter to disswade a Friend from marrying Page 61 The Young Man's merry Answer Page 64 A Letter of Anger sent to his Friend for an affrent given at their last meeting Page 66 His Friend 's short Answer Page 67 A Letter to chastise a near Kinsman who was given to Extravagancy Page 67 His Kinsman's Answer Page 69 A Letter from a Countrey Shop-keeper to a Grocer in London for commodities Page 70 The London Grocer's Auswer to his Countrey Chapman Page 71 A Letter from a Citizen to his Friend in the Countrey to send him up a Prentice Page 72 The Countrey Gentleman's kind Answer Page 73 A Letter of advice for health Page 73 The Gentleman's Answer Page 74 A Letter to his Friend in praise of his Mitress Page 75 His Friend 's merry Answer in praising his foul Mistress by the Contraries Page 77 A Letter sent to his Friend a Sommerset shire Man full of Complements Page 80 The Sommerset-shire Man's clowish Answer in their own Countrey Language Page 81 A loving Letter sent to a Gentle-woman Page 82 The Gentle-woman's kind Answer Page 83 A Letter from a Gentle-woman to her Husband , who had buried her Child in the Country Page 85 The Husband's Answer Page 86 A Letter to congratulate a Friend's happy return from his long Journey Page 86 The Captain's thank ful Answer to his Friend's Letter expressed with many Complements Page 88 A hasty Letter to his Cousin Page 89 His Consin's hasty Answer Page 90 A Letter sent to his Friend condoling his long sickness Page 90 The sick Man's thank ful Answer Page 91 A Letter to perswade a Friend to betake himself to business Page 92 His Friend 's short Answer Page 94 A Letter from an Elder Brother to the Younger , reproving him of extravagancy Page 95 The Younger Brother's Answer Page 96 A Letter sent from a London Quaker to one of his Country Brethren Page 98 The Country Quaker's Answer Page 99 A Letter of Excuse Page 99 The Gentleman's Answer Page 100 A Letter sent to a Gentleman in way of petition Page 101 The Gentleman's Answer Page 102 A Letter from a Gentleman to a Countrey School-master , concerning putting his Son to School with him Page 103 The Schoolmaster 's Answer Page 104 A kind Letter to a Gentle-woman with a Ring sent as a token Page 105 The Gentle womans Answer Page 106 A Letter sent to a Gentleman as a challenge Page 106 The Answer Page 107 A Letter desiring his Friend to acquaint him with what news is stirring Page 108 His Friends Answer Page 109 A dunning Letter sent from a Creditor to his Debtor for Money Page 110 The Debtor's Answer Page 111 A Letter to perswade a Friend to marry Page 112 His Friend's Answer Page 114 A Letter complaining of such long silence , in his Friend , in writing no oftner to him Page 115 His Friend's Answer Page 116 A cunning Letter sent to a crafty Friend to borrow Money Page 116 The Answer Page 117 A Letter to his angry Sweet-heart Page 118 Her short but loving Answer Page 118 A Letter upon the delay of a courtesie desired Page 119 The Answer Page 119 A Letter of Counsel and good advice from a Father to his Son Page 120 The Son 's dutiful Answer Page 121 A merry Letter after the old fashion sent to a Maid Page 121 Her Answer Page 123 A Letter from a Father to a Son at the Vniverfity Page 123 The Son's Answer Page 125 A Danghters Letter to her Mother Page 126 The Mothers kind Answer Page 127 A Letter of comfort sent to a Friend in adverfity Page 127 His Friend 's thank ful Answer Page 128 A Letter sent to a Friend perswading him that he was a Cuckold Page 129 His Friend's Answer Page 130 A Fantastical Comical Letter sout to a Friend to try both his wit and patience Page 131 The Answer Page 132 A Conceited Letter from a Countrey Schoolmaster who thought himself to be a great Scholar Page 132 The Gentleman's Answer Page 133 A contional Letter from a Husband to his Young Wife in the Country Page 134 His Wifes Answer Page 135 A Letter to invite a Friend to a Wedding Page 136 His Friend's Answer Page 137 A Letter of farewel sent to a Friend from one that was going a long Journey Page 138 The Answer Page 139 How to begin Letters with Complements Page 140 Supplements with choice Phrases and Sentences to be used in the middle of Letters upon all occasions Page 151 Conclusions and Endings of Letters of all sorts and upon all occasions Page 157 Superscriptions for Letters suitable for , all Degrees and Qualities of Men and Women Page 16● Posies for Rings , or Motto's fit for presents . Page 166 FINIS .