Let no Aspiring Courtier be thy Choice; Avoid in Courts, the Bustle and the Noise; Where Vain _Ambition_ hurries on the Mind, And always leaves more solid Joys behind: As when the _Thrifty Clown_, securely Blest, His _Barns_ with _Plenty_, with _Content_ his _Brest_, Possest with hopes of a long lost Estate, In haste forsakes his humble harmless Seat. With Bagg and Bundle, Trots it up to Town, } There wildly Gapes, and wanders up and down, } And's kept in _Ignorance_ till he's undone. } Some weighty Sums receiv'd for _Corn_ and _Cheese_, Are _Spent_ in _Treats_, and _Giv'n_ away in _Fees_. Mean while the _Lawyer_ so well Acts his Part, } With empty Pockets, and an Aking Heart, } He sends him home again to Plow and Cart. } So the _Gay Youth_ does Lavish his Estate, And bribes into the Favour of the _Great_; Prefer'd he sits like Fortunes Darling Son, To's Friends, and what he was, a Stranger grown; Till soon some turn of a Revolving State, Leaves him to Curse _Ambition_, and his Fate; Threaten'd with Want, perhaps the Youngster Writes, And Lives (or rather Starves Genteely) by his Wits. Therefore, _Melissa_, Guard thee from surprize; Let none of these betray thee, if thou'rt Wise; Let not their Songs, nor Sighs, thy Soul Entice. But if thou wou'dst be happy in thy Choice, Above 'em all, a Gentleman prefer; One free from Bus'ness, undisturb'd with Care; Yet in the Publick Good (without Vile ends) To serve his Country, and his Countries Friends: Travel his Understanding shou'd improve; For as it helps his Knowledge, 'twould his Love. As to his Person, 'tis not to advise; All Women see not with the self-same Eyes. In that you might your own Opinion use, Your Heart wou'd teach you; but were I to chuse, He shou'd not be Effeminate or Proud, (I hate the Man that is by Pride subdu'd). In us I Grant a little Pride may be, Much less a Crime (and may with Sense agree) A Gift alone for our own Sex design'd, To awe the loose Opinions of Mankind; Who quickly else more Insolent wou'd grow: 'Tis Vertue's Guard, and Aids our Beauties too. A Gay Appearance shou'd not make me err; I wou'd the Beauties of the Mind prefer. Among the Few, I'd have a Man of Sense, Endu'd with Modesty and Temperance; Not with a great, and yet a good Estate; Not too much Learning, nor Illiterate, And yet he shou'd (avoiding each extream) Know more of Man, than Man shou'd know of him. Be Gen'rous and Well-bred, but not Profuse; Not giv'n to Flattery, nor to take th' Abuse: Gentile his Carriage, and his Humour such, Shou'd speak him Sociable, but no Debauch. A Lover of his Country, and a Friend to Wit Read _Poetry_ he shou'd, but shou'd not write; His Temper Lively, not to _Wildness_ bent, His Talk Diverting, and yet Innocent; Not Unreserv'd, nor yet too Nicely Wise, Apter to Bear, than Offer Injuries; Courage enough his Honour to defend, But Constant in his Love, and Faithful to his Friend.