The card of courtship: or the language of love; fitted to the humours of all degrees, sexes, and conditions. Made up of all sorts of curious and ingenious dialogues, pithy and pleasant discourses, eloquent and winning letters, delicious songs and sonnets, fine fancies, harmonious odes, sweet rhapsodies.

To the longing Virgins, amorous Batchelors, blithe Widows, kinde Wives, and flexible Husbands, of what Honour, Title, Calling, or Conversation soever, within the REALM of GREAT BRI∣TAIN.

Soluble Souls,

THey say, that Bacchus and Cupid, as they were one day going on hunting, took Minerva in a net; giving us to understand, that none so seemingly austere, but one time or other hath an itching desire to sport himself in Adonis

Grove. I confess it comes neer to a Syllogisme in these times (when Mars and Bellona sit as Rectors o're all hearts) to set Venus and her Son in opposition against them, as it were to thwart the current of the times: but I hope you (Gentlemen and Ladies, Citizens and Lasses) are not so far in love with the bellow∣ing of the Drum, or the clangor of the Trumpet, that the sweet and harmonious tunes of Love shall prove unacceptable unto you: for if so, my self, (who have been forc∣ed through whole Forests of bryars, by the malice of the times) of all men living, have the least reason to whisper these soft numbers in your eares. I dare not so much injure the ensuing work, as to crave pardon of the severest Stoick or austerest Cy∣nick for my wantonness, since not a loose line is scatter'd throughout this Volume, as also, because I know (in private) the curstest carper of them

all, will hug me for their pleasure (if not for their profit) For those nice Ig∣noramusses who slight all Courship as lascivious, al Complements as trivial and enormous, I shall onely say this unto them, that love (I mean not such as that of Semiramis, or Messalina) is the Author of all perfection: The greatest Doctors are but Dunces, till love hath refined them, and they know what his power is; they after that becoming witty and courtly In∣diters: for necessity findeth out the art, the lovers ardent affection com∣pelling him to finde out all waies for the attaining his Mistress love; dis∣coursing unto her his loyal affecti∣ons in smooth or pleasing termes, or else touching them sweetly or dainti∣ly in writing curiously, and with a courtlike phrase, which art because I here undertake to teach, I have nam∣ed my work The CARD of COURT∣SHIP; wherein are included such variety of conceited Courtships, that

(I dare boldly affirm it) you cannot wish for that favour, which you may not there gather. I beseech you crop them with a courteous hand, which shall for ever oblige me to impor∣tune for you at Loves footstool, be∣seeching him to use you according to your several constitutions, grant∣ing you the full fruition of your de∣sires in all afety and tranquillity, So wishes

Your devoted servant, Musophilus.