Like to a _beaver_ soft and fine, Such is your skin, sweet Valentine; As fine as any _down_ your hair, Which ever made a hat to wear; Were I a _beaver hat_ for thee ’Twould suit my wishes to a T; When on your head I then did shine, How blest would be your Valentine! Oh! let me grace your pretty head, There, with an _ostrich-feather_, spread, How grand would be the lot of mine, To call you dearest Valentine! THE ANSWER. Why, how now, Hatter, What’s the matter? Have you broke from Bedlam late? Thus to rave, You saucy knave, Pray leave off such idle prate; _Hat_ and _feather_ Take together, Them and you I must decline; So mind your trade, You dirty blade, I will not be your Valentine. FROM A TANNER Though I’m a Tanner by my trade, Yet, Valentine, don’t be afraid, Tho’ often hides I tan, ’tis true, I ne’er will tan the hide of you: The bark and lime that’s in the pit, May tan the outside of my wit, And keep my heart quite stout for you Much more than other trades can do; Besides, mine is a useful trade, Since, without me, no shoes are made; Then let your heart to me incline, And I am, with love, your Valentine. THE ANSWER. Tho’ you in my heart, Mr. Tanner, would glide, I fear that you will tan my hide, Which sure would kill this heart of mine, If e’er you should, my Valentine. Useful’s your art, I own ’tis true, In making leather for the shoe; But may not yet that useful art As hard as leather tan your heart? Howe’er, I’ll not inconstant prove, But boldly venture on my love: So tenderly your heart incline, And be my gentle Valentine. TO A LADY. My Valentine, my lovely maid, Kind, gentle, fair and free, In all thy sex’s charms array’d How few are found like thee! Thy image always fills my mind, So may your heart approve, Since fix’d to thee, alone, I find I need no other love. TO A LADY, WITH A POCKET-BOOK. Appointments often you’ve mistook, So I send a memorandum book; The days, weeks, and months you’ll see, As handy, Miss, as they can be. To suit it to your mind the better, There is a case to hold a letter, With other things of good design, And fit for you, my Valentine. THE ANSWER. Your present is of use, I find, And is quite artfully design’d, To put me still in mind of you; Say, Valentine, is it not true? Well, I will try to do my best, And set you down among the rest. FROM A CURRIER AND LEATHER-CUTTER.