Kitap 1
All would be wearied ere I told a part.
By letters, not by words, thy love begin;
And ford the dangerous passage with thy pen;
If to her heart thou aim'st to find the way,
500
Extremely flatter and extremely pray.
Priam by pray'rs did Hector's body gain;
Nor is an angry god invok'd in vain.
With promis'd gifts her early mind bewitch,
For e'en the poor in promise may be rich.
505
Vain hopes awhile her appetite will stay;
'Tis a deceitful, but commodious way.
Who gives is mad ; but make her still believe
'Twill come, and that's the cheapest way to give.
E'en barren lands fair promises afford,
510
But the lean harvest cheats the starving lord.
Buy not thy first employment, lest it prove
Of bad example to thy future love ;
But get it gratis, and she'll give thee more,
For fear of losing what she gave before.
515
The losing gamester shakes the box in vain,
