[78]: Mistresses are like books; if you pore upon them too much, they doze you, and make you unfit for company; but if used discretly, you are the fitter for conversation by them.
A mistress should be like a little country retreat near the town; not to dwell in constantly, but only so a night, and away, to taste the town the better when a man returns.
[79]: There is never a man in the town lives more like a gentleman with his wife than I do. I never mind her motions; she never enquires into mine. We speak to one another civilly, hate one another heartily.
[80]: Pretty pouting lips, with a little moisture hanging on them, that look like the Province rose fresh on the bush, ere the morning sun has quite drawn up the dew.
[81]:
My passion with your beauty grew,
While Cupid at my heart,
Still as his mother favour'd you,
Threw a new flaming dart.
Each gloried in their wanton part;
To make a lover, he
Employ'd the utmost of his art—
To make a beauty, she.
[82]:
Then, if we write not by each post,
Think not we are unkind;
Nor yet conclude our ships are lost
By Dutchmen or by wind:
Our tears we'll send a speedier way;
The tide shall bring them twice a-day.
With a fa, etc.
To pass our tedious hours away;
We throw a merry main;
Or else at serious ombre play;
But why should we in vain
Each other's ruin thus pursue?
We were undone when we left you.
With a fa, etc.
But now our fears tempestuous grow,
And cast our hopes away;
Whilst you, regardless of our wo,
Sit careless at a play:
Perhaps permit some happier man
To kiss your hand, or flirt your fan.
With a fa, etc.