To a Cosin (who still loved young Girles, and when they came to be mariageable, quitted them, and fell in love with fresh) at his fathers request, who desired he might be perswaded out of the humour, and marry.

VVEre there not fooles enow before in the Common-Wealth of Lovers, but that Page  82 thou must bring up a new Sect? Why delighted with the first knots of roses, and when they come to blow (can satisfie the sence, and do the end of their Creation) dost not care for them? Is there nothing in this foolish transitory world that thou canst find out to set thy heart upon, but that which has newly left off making of dirt-pyes, and is but preparing it self for loam, and a green▪sick∣nes? Seriously (Charles) and without ceremony, 'tis very foolish, and to love widdows is as tolera∣ble an humour, and as justifiable as thine—for beasts that have been ridd of their legges are as much for a mans use, as Colts that are un-way'd, and will not go at all:—Why the divel such yong things? before these understand what thou wouldst have, others would have granted. Thou dost not marry them neither, nor any thing else. 'Sfoot it is the story of the Jack-an-apes and the Partridges; thou starest after a beauty till it is lost to thee, & then let'st out another, and starest after that till it is gone too. Never considering that it is here as in the Thames, and that while it runs up in the middle, it runnes down on the sides; while thou contemplat'st the comming-in-tide and flow of Beauty, that it ebbes with thee, and that thy youth goes out at the same time: After all this too, She thou now art cast upon will have much ado to avoid being ugly. Pox on't, Men will say thou wert benighted, and wert glad of any Inne. Well! (Charles) there is another way if you could find it out. Women are like Melons: too green, Page  83 or too ripe, are worth nothing; you must try till you find a right one. Tast all, but hark you—(Charles) you shall not need to eat of all, for one is sufficient for a surfet: Your most humble servant.

I should have perswaded you to marriage, but to deal ingeniously, I am a little out of arguments that way at this present: 'Tis honourable, there's no question on't; but what more, in good faith I cannot readily tell.