Kitap 3
And billet-doux are sent to sound your heart,
Let all such letters by a faithful maid,
Or confident, be secretly convey'd.
Soon from the words you'll judge, if read with care,
When feign'd a passion is, and when sincere.The poet, in his advice to the men, has given them the same caution, when they write letters to show their passion, and not their wit, which is a rule that will last as long as truth and reason.
545
Ere in return you write some time require;
Delays, if not too long, increase desire;
Nor let the pressing youth with ease obtain,
Nor yet refuse him with too rude disdain.
Now let his hopes, now let his fears increase,
550
But by degrees, let fear to hope give place.
Be sure avoid set phrases when you write,
The usual way of speech is more polite.
How have I seen the puzzl'd lover vex'd,
To read a letter with hard words perplex'd;
555
A style too coarse takes from a handsome face,This is very delicate, and shows of what importance it is to beauty to be well bred, if it would be victorious.
And makes us wish an uglier in its place.
But since (tho' chastity be not your care)
You from your husband still would hide th' affair,
Write to no stranger till his truth be tried;
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