Kitap 3
A growing inclination to be kind.
Thus far with foils you've sought those laid aside;
I now sharp weapons for the sex provide,
Nor doubt not 'gainst myself to see 'em tried.
When first a lover you design to charm,
685
Beware lest jealousies his soul alarm;
Make him believe with all the skill you can,
That he and only he's the happy man.
Anon, by due degrees, small doubts create,
And let him fear some rival's better fate.
690
Such little arts make love its vigour hold,
Which else would languish, and too soon grow old.
Then strains the courser to outstrip the wind,
When one before him runs, and one he hears behind.
Love, when extinct, suspicions may revive;
695
I own when mine's secure 'tis scarce alive.
Yet no precaution to this rule belongs;
Let us at most suspect, not prove our wrongs.
Sometimes your lover, to incite the more,
Pretends your husband's spies beset the door;
700
