I know that men will rove in youth, But once their wild oats having sown, They are, for constancy and truth, The best of Valentines that’s known. ANSWER OF REJECTION. I’ve heard so much, Sir, of your pranks, That I your offer must decline; For your kind meaning you’ve my thanks, But seek another Valentine. FROM A MECHANIC TO A LADY. Tho’ for Valentine some scorn A mechanic, ’cause he toils; She had better ne’er been born, Who for that withholds her smiles. Handicraft great judgment shows ’Tis of skill a certain sign; ’Stead of cocking, then, your nose, Be my loving Valentine. ANSWER OF COMPLIANCE. Industry is my delight, At my needle I excel; We’ll our vows together plight, For we’ll do exceeding well. ANSWER OF REJECTION. Of handicrafts there’s many a sort, Some are dirty, some are clean; Of yours I’ve heard a bad report, You must guess, then, what I mean. FROM A YOUNG MAN. I am young, not yet of age, But I’m old enough for thee, And I’ll please thee, I engage, If my Valentine you’ll be. ANSWER OF COMPLIANCE. Youth’s the season, I am told, That for love and joy’s most fit, Then, kind Sir--don’t think me bold-- Your addresses I’ll permit. ANSWER OF REJECTION. For Valentine I’ll have no boy, For I abhor a hobble-de-hoy; His pertness always must molest-- And _dandyism_ I much detest. FROM A COTTAGER TO HIS FAVOURITE LASS. I for my Valentine have got A little comfortable cot; I’ve got a little piece of land, And other things too at command: Oh, tell me then if you’ll be mine, Say if you’ll be my Valentine. ANSWER OF COMPLIANCE. To my thanks you have a claim, For the kindness which you proffer: I should be indeed to blame, Were I to reject your offer. ANSWER OF REJECTION. ’Tis not land that can impart, A good temper, a good heart; In the cottage we may find, Anger and a troubled mind. FROM A LABOURER TO HIS LASS. Tho’ this a lab’rer sends to thee, In hopes your Valentine to be, Make him not subject of thy mirth: What but a labourer was man, When this great universe began, For Adam dug, you know, the earth? ANSWER OF COMPLIANCE. That man is born to toil I know, He has his cares we find; And woman must experience woe, So let us be resign’d. Thank heaven for any Valentine, Altho’ a lab’rer’s sent; I’ve learn’d whatever state be mine, Therewith to be content. ANSWER OF REJECTION. I pray adopt another plan, And think upon a new design; Sooner than have a working man, I’d do without a Valentine. I’d be an old maid first, I swear, If such should be my sad mishap, Than I could any lover bear, Who wears so oft a _paper-cap_.