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 mâ— 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 〈…〉 searcâ—â— can perâ—â—â— for her â—â—ing Soâ—â—ers do support 〈…〉 Breasts like to the well â—â—teir'd â—â—â—gs of 〈…〉 Father's old â—y'd Cow 〈…〉 at 〈…〉 with a full bagg Hâ—r 〈…〉 Peâ—ly 〈…〉 are that when I went to bugg her both my Arms 〈…〉 my prets 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And 〈…〉 her Belly â—â—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 〈◊〉 â—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
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 Paâ— 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 VVHy 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
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 â—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 secâ—â—â— 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 marriâ—â— 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
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
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 â—â—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 selt 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 needâ—â— 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 VVHen 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
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
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
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 VVHen 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
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 â—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 iâ— 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 guidâ— 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 toâ— 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. VVHy 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 drinkâ—â—ing Page 15 When a Woman that 's buxâ—m to a Dâ—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-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 16â— Posies for Rings or Motto's fit for presents Page 166 FINIS