[73]Who loves thee, love; him woo that friendly wooes: Give to the giver, but to him refuse That giveth not; their gifts the generous earn; But none bestows where never is return. Munificence is blest: by heaven accurst Extortion, of death-dealing plagues the worst. Who bounteous gives though large his bounty flow, Shall feel his heart with inward rapture glow: Th’ extortioner of bold unblushing sin, Though small the plunder, feels a thorn within. If with a little thou a little blend Continual, mighty shall the heap ascend. Who bids his gather’d substance gradual grow Shall see not livid hunger’s face of woe. No bosom-pang attends the home-laid store, But rife with loss the food without thy door: ’Tis good to take from hoards, and pain to need What is far from thee: give the precept heed. When broach’d or at the lees, no care be thine To save the cask, but [74]spare the middle wine. To him the friend that serves thee glad dispense With bounteous hand the meed of recompense. Not on a brother’s plighted word rely, But, [75]as in laughter, set a witness by; Mistrust destroys us and credulity. Let no fair woman tempt thy sliding mind [76]With garment gather’d in a knot behind; She [77]prattling with gay speech inquires thy home; But trust a woman, and a thief is come. One only son his father’s house may tend, And e’en with one domestic hoards ascend: Then mayst thou leave a second son behind: For many sons from heaven shall wealth obtain; The care is greater, greater is the gain. Do thus: if riches be thy soul’s desire, By toils on toils to this thy hope aspire. II.