Beware of fair and painted talk! Beware of flattering tongues! The Mermaids do pretend no good, for all their pleasant Songs! Some use the tears of crocodiles, contrary to their heart: And if they cannot always weep, they wet their cheeks by Art. OVID, within his _Art of Love_, doth teach them this same knack: To wet their hand, and touch their eyes; as oft as tears they lack. Why have ye such deceit in store? have you such crafty wile? Less craft than this, God knows, would soon us simple souls beguile! But will ye not leave off; but still delude us in this wise? Sith it is so, we trust we shall take heed to feignèd lies. Trust not a man at the first sight! but try him well before: I wish all Maids, within their breasts, to keep this thing in store. For trial shall declare this truth, and show what he doth think: Whether he be a Lover true, or do intend to shrink. If SCYLLA had not trust too much before that she did try; She could not have been clean forsake, When she for help did cry. Or if she had had good advice, NISUS had livèd long! How durst she trust a stranger, and do her dear father wrong! King NISUS had a hair by fate; which hair while he did keep, He never should be overcome, neither on land nor deep. The stranger, that the daughter loved, did war against the King; And always sought how that he might them in subjection bring. This SCYLLA stole away the hair, for to obtain her will: And gave it to the stranger, that did straight her father kill. Then she, who thought herself most sure to have her whole desire, Was clean reject, and left behind; When he did home retire. Or if such falsehood had been once unto ŒNONE known; About the fields of Ida wood, PARIS had walked alone! Or if DEMOPHOON's deceit, to PHILLIS had been told; She had not been transformèd so, as Poets tell of old. HERO did try LEANDER's truth before that she did trust; Therefore she found him unto her both constant true and just. For he always did swim the sea, when stars in sky did glide; Till he was drownèd by the way, near hand unto the side. She scrat[ched] her face, she tare her hair, it grieveth me to tell, When she did know the end of him that she did love so well. But like LEANDER there be few; therefore, in time, take heed! And always try before ye trust! so shall you better speed. The little fish that careless is within the water clear. How glad is he, when he doth see a bait for to appear! He thinks his hap right good to be, that he the same could spy; And so the simple fool doth trust too much before he try.