The first and second part of The remedy of loue. VVritten by Sir Thomas Ouerbury Knight

The Remedy of Loue .

WHen Loue did reade the Title of my booke , He fear'd least some had Armes against him tooke ; Suspect mee not for such a wicked thought , Vnder thy colours which so oft haue fought . Some youths are oft in loue , but I am euer ; And now to do the same I do perseuer . I meane not to blot out what I haue taught , Nor to vnwinde the web that I haue wrought . If any loue , and is with loue repaide , Blest be his state ! he needeth not my aide : But if he reape scorne where he loue hath sowne , Of such it is that I take charge alone . Why should loue any vnto hanging force ? When as euen hate can driue them to no worse ? Why by their own hands should it cause men perish , When it is peace alone that loue doth cherish ? I l'e ease you now which taught to loue before , The same hand which did wound shall heale the sore . The same earth , poyson'd flowres , and healthsome breeds , The Rose is often neighbour vnto weeds . To men and women both , I Physicke giue , Else I but halfe the sicke world should relieue . If any for that Sexe vnfitting are , Yet they by mens example may beware : Had wicked Seylla this my counsell read , The golden haire had sluck to Nisus head . Take heed , when thou dost first to like begin , Thrust not loue out , but let him not come in . By running farre , Brookes runne with greater force , 't is easier to hold in , then stop thy horse . Delay , addes strength and faster hold imparts : Delay , the blades of corne , to eares conuerts . The Tree which now is father to a shade , And often head against the winde hath made , I could at first haue pluckt vp with my hand , Though the Sunnes prospect now it dares withstand , Then passions , ere they fortifie remoue , " In short time , liking , groweth to be loue : Be prouident , and so preuent thy sorrow , Who will not do 't to day , cannot to morrow . The Riuer which now multipli'd doth swell , Is in his cradle but a little Well . Oft , that which when 't is done is but a skarte , Becomes a wound while we the cure deferre . But in thy heart if loue be firmely seated , And hath such roote as cannot be defeated : Although in had at first I did not take you , At point of death'twere cruell to forsake you . That fire which water neuer can asswage , For want of stuffe at length must end his rage . Whiles loue is in his furious heate giue place , Delay , what counsell cannot , brings to passe , At first his minde impatient and sore , Doth Physicke , more then the disease abhorre . Who but a foole , a mother will forbid , Her sonne new dead , some briny drops to shed : When she a while hath spoke her griefe in teares , With patience then , of patience she heares . Out of due season who so Physicke gi's , Though it cause health , yet hath he done amisse . And friendly counsell vrged out of date , Doth fret the sore , and cause the hearers hate . But when loues anger seemeth to appease . By all meanes labour to shunne idlenes : This brings him first , this staies him and no other , This is to Cupid both his nurse and mother . Barre idlenesse , loues arrowes blunt will turne , And the vnflaming fire want power to burne , " Loue ne're doth better entertainment finde , " Then in a desolate and empty minde . Sloth is loues bawde , if thou wilt leaue wooing , Let still thy body , or thy minde be doing . Full happinesse nere stop'd with rub of chance , Ease vncontroul'd , Long sleepes and dalliance , Do wound the minde , though neuer pierce the skin , And through that wound loue slily creepeth in . Then either vnto bookes go make thy mone , So shalt thou haue most company alone . Or else vnto the doubtfull warres go range , Ready , thy felfe , for honour to exchange . The Parthian , that valiant Run-away , To yeeld new cause of triumph doth assay . Aegystus was a letcher , and why so ? The cause was he had nothing else to do . When all the youths of Greece for Troy were bound , And with a wall of men enclos'd it round , Aegystus would not from his home remoue , Where he did nothing , but that nothing loue . If these faile , to the Country then repaire , For any care extinguisheth this care : There maist thou see the Oxe , the yoke obey , And though the earth , ploughs eating through their way : To whom thou maist set corne to vse , and see For euery corne , spring vp a little Tree . The Sunne being Midwife , thou shalt oft finde there , Trees bearing far more fruite then they can beare . And how the siluer Brookes are riding post , Till in some Riuer they themselues haue lost . There maist thou see Goates skale the highest Hill , That they their bellies and their dugges may fill . And harmelesse sheepe , to whom was no defence , By nature euer giuen , but innocence . There maist thou learne to graffe , and then note how , The old Tree nurseth the adopted bough ; And of his sap doth him allowance rate , Though his fruite from him do degenerate . There maist thou see the Hare tred many a ring , The Hounds into a laborinth to bring : Vntill he ( hauing long his death delaide ) By his owne steps be to the dogs bettaide , Of Fishing vse , so thou the fish shalt see , Punish'd to death for their credulity . Do this , that thou maist weary be at night , So sleepe in spight of thoughts shall close thy sight . Let not thy memory things past repeate , T is easier oft to learne then to forget . Therefore keepe distance , and thy loue forsake , This to effect some iourney vndertake : I know thou wilt wish raine , and faine delay , And oft thy doubtfull foote stand at a stay : But how much more it greiues thee to be gone , So much the more remember to go on . Name not the miles nor once look backwards home , The Parthian by flight doth ouercome . Some say my rules are hard , I do confesse it , I needs must hurt the wound because I dresse it . Wilt thou bide for thy bodies health vexation ? Which straight decayes without foods reparation ? And wilt not thou do this thy minde to mend ? Thy better halfe which did from heauen descend ? For your more comfort , this one proofe I say , " 't is harder farte to part then stay away . For custome with the hardest things that are , Will make vs in short time familiar . If thou be once abroad there long abide , Least comming home into relaps thou slide : Then will thine absence bring thee to worse plight , As fasting breeds a greater appetite . Thinke not by witchcraft to fright loue away , Pluto himselfe hath bene in loue they say . Circe vs'de this , the wandring Knight to stirre , Yet many miles were twixt his loue and her . But he that is so vex'd , that would esteeme , All paines but cheape , his freedome to redeeme : Let him alone summe vp his Mistresse crimes , Thinke how much she hath cost thee many times : Thinke how she vsde to sweare and kindly speake , And ( faithlesse ) streight her word and oath to breake : And thinke , the same night that she thee denies , That ( greedy ) with some seruingman she lies . Vrge this , thy matter neuer will be spent , For sorrow will make any eloquent . I was in loue my selfe the other day , And she vngratefull would not loue repay . Then grew I the Physitian and the sicke , And did my selfe recouer by this tricke . I sayd she was not faire when I did eye her , Yet to confesse the truth I did belie her , I blam'd her leg and foote when I stood by her , Yet to confesse the truth I did belie her , Yet I at length ( for many times I said it ) Gainst my owne knowledge to my selfe gaue credite , Still neere to vertue , vices bordring lie , For on both sides of her they seated be : Then the good parts thou in thy Mistresse know'st , To one of those two vices see thou bow'st . Account the fat as swolne , the browne as blacke , If she be slender , say , she flesh doth lacke : If she be merry , sweare that she is light , If modest , thinke it is for lacke of wit . This done , thy Mistresse , be she not too coy , Wherein she hath no gift nor grace , employ : If she sing harsh , intreate her still to sing , Hath she fat fingers ? then a Lute her bring : If she stride wide , then get her forth to walke , If speake she ill , then giue her cause to talke . If she dance hobling , let her not sit still , And make her laugh if that her teeth be ill ; Sometimes into her chamber earely presse , Before at all points she her selfe can dresse : That which is Venus image when 't is done , Was ( while 't was making ) but a rugged stone . With Cloathes and Tires our iudgements bribed bee , And woman is least part of what we see . But least thou too much trust this rule , beware , For many ( like Truth ) fairest , naked are . Yet venture in , for there is often found , The stuffe , whereof their painting they compound : And boxes , which vnto their cheekes giue colour , And water that doth wash their faces fouler .

The second part of the Remedy Of Loue . HItherto haue I breath'd , now will I bring , My ranging course into a shorter ring . When that night comes ( which many nights hath lost thee , And much sweete bitter expectation cost thee ) Whilst thou art heauy , and thy spirits downe , And foolishly wise , by repentance growne : Then let thine eyes her body note , till they Do something finde amisse and thereon stay . Some may perchance , these precepts , trifles call , Who is not help'd by any may by all . For all I cannot fit instructions finde , Because no two are like in face and minde . The same that one doth not mislike at all , A great deformity , some others call . As that nice youth , that did his loue with-draw , Because his Mistresse he at Priuy saw . They loue in ieast , that so can whole become , When Cupid shootes at such he drawes not home . Striue thou to be in loue with two together , So shall thy loue be violent in neither : For when thy minde by halfes doth doubtfull stray , One loue doth take the others force away . The selfe-same strength , vnited is more strong , Then when to two , it parted , doth belong . Great Riuers being peece-meale oft diuided , Do shrinke at length to Brooks that may be strided This trick hath many help'd , therefore we see , Women for spite terme it Inconstancie . The old loue , by sucession out is droue , In Helen , Paris lost Oenone's loue . Shee which hath many sonnes , makes not such mone , As she which looseth all her sonnes in one , The fastest loue a second loue vndoes , For in a crosse-way loue himselfe doth loose . Although thy heart with fire like Aetna flame , Let not thy Mistresse once perceiue the same : Smother thy passions , and let not thy face , Tell thy mindes secrets , while she is in place : Thy heart being stormy , let thy face be cleere , Nor let loues fire by smoake of sighes appeare . Dissemble long , till thy dissembling breed , Such vse , as thou art out of loue indeed . I haue , from drinking , so my selfe to keepe , Laine on a bed and winck'd my selfe asleepe . Oft haue I seene youths faine themselues in loue , Till taken at their words they so did proue . If she appoint thee any time to come , And comming thither find'st her not at home . Do not make Sonnets at her chamber dore , Nor thy repulse as a mischance deplore , Nor to her , when thou meetest her againe , Of thine owne wrongs or her vntruth complaine . For , to be patient , time will easy make it , If thou haue patience but to vndertake it . He that from farre his Mistresse doth admire ; And dares not hope of his hauing desire : His wound , a cure , vncurable will proue , For what we thinke forbidden , most we loue . Distrust not then , till thou heare her reply , " Who asketh faintly , teacheth to deny . If all these faile , this next will helpe impart , And loue of others to selfe-loue conuert . Since thoughts of loue no longer vs possesse , Then while we liue in health and happinesse . Let him that is indebted thinke alone , That while he thinkes his day drawes neerer on : Whom a hard father from his will doth let , Let him before him still his father set . Let him which will a wife with nothing take , Thinke from preferment she will keepe him backe : None need this Physicke of Physitions borrow , For none but hath some cause of feare or sorrow . Let him that deeply loues and is forgone , ( Like an ill-doer ) feare to be alone . Vse not to silent Groues alone to shrinke , Nothing loue more vpholdeth then to thinke : Then will thy minde thy Mistresse picture take , For mem'ry all things past doth present make . Then like Pigmalion we an image frame , And fall in loue deuoutly with the same . Therefore , then night , lesse dangerous is the day , Because then , thoughts new borne , talk sends away . Then shalt thou finde how much a friend is worth , Into whose breast thou maist thy griefe poure forth . Phillis alone frequented th'riuers side , Clowded with shade of trees , till there she di'd . Who loues must louers company refuse , For loue is as infectious as newes . By looking on sore eyes , we sore eyes get , And fire doth alwaies on the next house set . Did not infection to next neighbours flie , Diseases would with their first owners die . A wound new heal'd will soone break out againe , Therefore from seeing of thy loue refraine : Nor will this serue , but thou must shun her kin , And euen the house which she abideth in Let not her Nurse or Chamber-maide once moue thee Though they protest , how much their Mistresse loues thee Nor into any question of her breake , Nor of her talke ( though thou against her speake ) He that sayes oft that he is not in loue , By repetition doth himselfe disproue . I would not wish thy loue in hatred end , Let her that was thy loue , be still thy friend . But when yee needs must meet , then shew thy spirit , Thinke how she loues some fellow of lesse merite , Make not thy selfe against thou seest her fine , For this is doubtlesse , of some loue , a signe . The reason is ( as I my selfe haue tride ) Why many men so long in loue abide , Because if they some kinder looke obtaine , They forth-with thinke they are belou'd againe . " To our owne flattery soone we credite giue , " And what we would haue true we soone beleeue . So they like Gamesters leese on more and more , Lest they should loose that little lost before . But trust not thou their words , & though they swear , Yet womens oathes are oather of Atheists here . Nor as a signe of griefe their weeping take , But thinke , their eyes , vse , soluble doth make . Bee still and sullen , beare a grudge in minde , Nor tell the cause least she excuses finde : He that beginneth with his loue to chide , That man is willing to bs satisfide . Beauty is nothing worth , for if we loue , The fowl'st she in our iudgement faire will proue : Therefore the onely meanes by which to try them , Is then to iudge when fairer do stand by them : Conferre their faces and with all their minde , Who seeth onely with his eyes is blinde . Comparison , the touch-stone is , whereby , We from the good the better do descry . 't is but a trifle which I meane to speake , And yet , loues strength , this trifle oft doth breake . All letters written from thy Mistresse , burne : Such reliques , louers mindes do backwards turne . Though thou canst not behold thē while they flame . Thy loues last funerall fire , do thinke the same . Take heed least thou into the place refort , Which hath bene accessary to your sport : Stirre not the ashes which do fire conceale , Nor touch the wound which is about to heale . Loue cannot be maintain'd with pouertie , His ryot doth with riches best agree . Honour and titles , though not felt nor seene , The chiefest cause of loue to some haue bene . Frequent not Plaies , for whiles we others loue , See acted , we our selues do parties proue . Vpon my proofe , Musicke and Dancing flie , For Musicke , Trees and Stones did mollifie : And fishes too though they themselues be dumbe To heare Arions Harpe did gladly come . And Dancing doth in some more Passions raise , Then reason pacifies in many daies . These melt the minde and soft our hearts do make , And thereby loues impression apt to take . Touch not the Poets which of loue do sing , They vs to loue by imitation bring , Whiles we in them do others loue behold , Change but the names the Tale of vs is told . What man ( but some stiffe Clowne ) but soone will proue By reading of such bookes in loue , with loue ? Barre them I say , because in them is found , A certaine musicke and a wanton sound . Vnlesse I by Apollo be misled , 't is a mutation which most loue hath bred . Much easinesse doth cloy , and most we set , By that which we with doubt from others get : Then frame this selfe me riuall , but surmise , That cold in middle of her bed she lies . Atrides could lye dull by Helens side , And was content at Creet from her to bide . Vntill by Paris she from him was rented , Then was his loue by others loue augmented . Lastly , I must some meates forbid the sicke , That I in all may be Physition like : Vse not on sweete and iuicy meates to feede , Of such , the fulnesse , doth lusts hunger breede : And stuff'd with such , we any do admire , When all their beauty lies in our desire . But Wine is more prouoking farre then meat , This heates our bloud and it on rage doth set . This drownes our minde and makes it sence obey , " Loues wings being wet he cannot flye away .