Advice to lovers: or, Certain rules of behaviour shewing them how to demean themselves, so as not to miscarry in the grand affair of love. Wherein also the pretty tricks, odd humours, and fantastick carriage of some paramours, together with several pleasant passages relating to amours, and courtship, are observ'd and describ'd. By W. R. Gent.

III.

But that she may not miscarry in her Amours, nor become a Prey to the most subtile Passion; Let her be sure to observe this General Rule, viz.

Not too easily Believe (more than is meet) that she is Belov'd.

'Tis a common Infirmity of Women, presently to apprehend all Discourses of Love, though Dark and Mysterious; and even at first Dash to acknow∣ledg the most Extravagant Commendations: or if by chance they do disown them, yet they do it so faintly and coldly, that seem rather to invite an Address, than reject it; and to add Fuel to the Flame, rather than extinguish it.

In all offices therefore of Civility, and Dialogues of Love, Let her beware of thinking, That any Man Admires her, because he Discourses volubly of the Passion; And if he be Immodest that talks with her, Let a Blush discover her Dislike of his Language: If he speaks Obscurely, and Artifici∣ally of Love, Then let her pretend not to under∣stand him; and when she hath turn'd his Expres∣sions to another Sence, by an Ingenuous Sagacity,

let her decline the subject: But if the Thing be so Plain, that she cannot Dissemble, let her Divert it with a Jest, and interpret all things candidly; for by this means will she purchase the Reputa∣tion of Wisdom and Discretion, and will not so easily be impos'd upon and deceiv'd.

But now suppose a Man be truly enamour'd, and should be really Tormented with those Affe∣ctions, and be wounded with those Darts, that are wont to perplex and stick in the Souls of Men, What? shall the Rhetorick of his Miseries avail nothing? Will not Lasses at all be mov'd with solemn Protestations, Sighs and Disquietudes of an Anxious Breast, those usual Arguments of De∣voted Affections? Must they thus add an Arti∣ficial Cruelty to the Natural Barbarity and Un∣kindness of their Sex? In answer to this, I must confess, 'tis hard to give rules in this Particular, in regard of Mens different Natures, and Dispositi∣ons; only let Young Ladies always remember, [That Men make greater Professions of Love than Women.]

But it further may be demanded, What? Must a Young Lady make no Returns of Kindness? Will not a spark glowing in the Breast of her Pa∣ramour, kindle a Flame in her Bosom? Must

she Eccho back no Sighs, and make no Reflection of Amorous Groans? When her Courtier advances, must she then retreat? By doing thus, she will wholly deprive her self of that Homage, and Obsequiousness, which Young Gallants are wont to pay to their Mistresses. Must she be so Inhu∣mane as not to give the least Countenance, and Satisfaction to her Importunate Suitor? What? Not one Cheering Look? Not one Amorous Glance of a sheep's eye? No Gomfort and Re∣freshment from obliging Dimple? No Courteous Pressure of Treading Toe? or Private Invitation of Mystic Twitch?

Now by way of Reply to this, Psay, If she smile on any, Let him enjoy that Sun-shine of her Face, to whom she intends to resign up her Dear Self, & to Honour with the Espousals of her whole Per∣son; so that, if sometimes she recreates him with the Pleasure of a Glance, or gratifies him with the Blessing of a dropt Glove, or caress him with other loosely scatter'd Expressions of Kindness, we cen∣sure not her Civility; But if she be Fleering and Gamesome; and too Prodigal of her private Treads and Twinckles; of her secret Squeezes and Twitches, and other Love-Tokens, when no Marriage Noose is e're intended; Her Petulant

Forwardness creates a suspicion of Unlawful De∣sires, and consequently eclipses the Lustre of her Fame.

But however, let her be so Prudent in the Displays of her Civilities, and in giving signs of her Favour, as to take away even the least glympse of Dishonest Hopes.