The mysteries of love & eloquence, or, The arts of wooing and complementing as they are manag'd in the Spring Garden, Hide Park, the New Exchange, and other eminent places : a work in which is drawn to the life the deportments of the most accomplisht persons, the mode of their courtly entertainments, treatments of their ladies at balls, their accustom'd sports, drolls and fancies, the witchcrafts of their perswasive language in their approaches, or other more secret dispatches ...

Questions and Commands.

The Question was put,

Whether Colatinus were not a cuckold for all that Lucretia stabb'd her self?

To which the Lady answered in the Affirmative.

It was demanded,

Whether of the two wrought the most excusable Love-cure upon themselves, Hero that drown'd her self, or Phillis that hang'd her self?

It was answered,

Phillis that hang'd her self; because it may be the nature of some women to love hanging so well, that they had ra∣ther hang by the neck then not hang at all.

It was ask'd,

Whether it were more dangerous for Ladies to dance upon the Ropes, or to dance upon the Ground?

The Reply was,

To dance upon the Ground, because that sport hath been the occasion that several Ladies have caught many a shrewd fall.

It was demanded,

Why women are many times more quick witted then men?

The Answer was,

Because they eat so much salt.

It was required,

Why the Poets do so much extol Cupid for his shaft, being but a Boy;

Answer was made,

That Venus bid them do it upon her reputation, who knew better what belonged to a Page then they did.

It was ask'd,

Why Maiden-heads was so much priz'd?

It was reply'd,

Because a man might then be sure there was no danger.

It was ask'd,

Who was the fittest man to marry a flat nos'd woman?

The Reply was made,

One that had a Roman nose.

The Question was put,

Why women used to spit when they heard men speak bawdy?

It was answered,

Because their teeth water.

It was demanded,

What was the humor of those people that dyed for Love?

The Answer was,

That they lov'd to dye.

It was demanded of a Lady,

Whether she had rather marry a Fool or a Wiseman?

Answer was made,

A Wise man, unless it were such a Fool as would let her do what she listed.

The Question was,

Why women are said to be in subjection to men,

The Answer was,

Because they lie undermost.

The Question was put,

Whether a wise, beautiful, or wealthy woman were to be chosen?

The Reply was drawn from the comparison of a Wallnut;

For they said, Beauty was like the rind, presently peel'd off; that a womans Wit was quickly crack'd; and that therefore Wealth, which was like the kernel, and brought substance along with it, was to be preferred as best of all.