I’m lonesome since I’ve lost my wife, My children I have well dispos’d; Be thou my Valentine for life, And let the bargain soon be clos’d. ANSWER OF COMPLIANCE. Sir, as I lately understood, To please your wife you always strove; In me I hope you’ll find as good, And ne’er repent your second love. ANSWER OF REJECTION. Sir, you are aged it appears, Why on a second marriage bent? A widower advanced in years, I think, as such, should be content. TO A LADY. I love my Valentine as much As doctors love a fee to touch; As much as misers love their pelf, Or as a dandy loves himself; As much as minstrels love a lay, Or children love a holiday; As much as gluttons love to dine, I love my dearest Valentine. ANSWER OF COMPLIANCE. I love my Valentine indeed, As much as scholars love to read; As much as soldiers love to mess; As much as ladies love to dress; As much as amateurs to play, As much as courtiers to be gay: In short, I love my Valentine As much as coxcombs to be fine. ANSWER OF REJECTION. I hate a flatterer--’tis true, As much as Christians hate a Jew; As much as schoolmasters a clod, Or little children hate a rod; As much as critics hate a pun, Or wretched debtors hate a dun: In short, a flatterer I hate, As much as dandies love to prate. TO A LADY. I boast not eloquence, dear Miss, Nor do I write exceeding fine; Therefore, I bluntly ask you this-- Pray, will you be my Valentine? ANSWER OF COMPLIANCE. Fine pompous words I do detest, Nor can I bear the studied line; I own that he will suit me best, Who is a downright Valentine. ANSWER OF REJECTION. Give me the man refin’d--correct-- A polish makes all metals shine; To clownish ways I must object-- Give me th’ accomplish’d Valentine. TO A LADY. Of all the fair I’ve ever seen, For beauty, manners, and for mien, My charmer doth outshine: Oh, then, be kind, I humbly pray, Grant me the happiness to say, You are my Valentine. ANSWER OF COMPLIANCE. Of all the youths I’ve ever known, For wit and truth I needs must own To thee I must incline; Oh, then, my freedom pray excuse, But truly I could not refuse, So kind a Valentine. ANSWER OF REJECTION. Of all the trash I ever read, It may with verity be said, ’Tis your unmeaning lines; Of this no more pray ever send, For be assur’d I’ll not attend To foolish Valentines. FROM A YOUNG MAN TO A YOUNG LADY. I have been very wild of late, But if to marry you’ll incline, I shall reform--I’ll grow sedate, And be a constant Valentine. ANSWER OF COMPLIANCE.