First to the knight Placebo thus begun, (Mild were his looks, and pleasing was his tone,) Such prudence, sir, in all your words appears, As plainly proves, experience dwells with years; 150 Yet you pursue sage Solomon's advice, To work by counsel when affairs are nice: But, with the wise man's leave, I must protest, } So may my soul arrive at ease and rest, } As still I hold your own advice the best. } 155 Sir, I have lived a courtier all my days, And studied men, their manners, and their ways; And have observed this useful maxim still, To let my betters always have their will. Nay, if my lord affirmed that black was white, 160 My word was this, "Your honour's in the right." Th' assuming wit, who deems himself so wise, As his mistaken patron to advise, Let Tirm not dare to vent his dang'rous thought, A noble fool was never in a fault.[16] 165 This, sir, affects not you, whose ev'ry word Is weighed with judgment, and befits a lord: Your will is mine; and is, I will maintain, Pleasing to God, and should be so to man; At least your courage all the world must praise, 170 Who dare to wed in your declining days. Indulge the vigour of your mounting blood, And let grey fools be indolently good, Who, past all pleasure, damn the joys of sense, With rev'rend dulness and grave impotence.[17] 175 Justin, who silent sat, and heard the man, Thus, with a philosophic frown, began: A heathen author,[18] of the first degree, Who, though not faith, had sense as well as we, Bids us be certain our concerns to trust 180 To those of gen'rous principles, and just. The venture's greater, I'll presume to say, To give your person, than your goods away: And therefore, sir, as you regard your rest, First learn your lady's qualities at least: 185 Whether she's chaste or rampant, proud or civil; Meek as a saint, or haughty as the devil; Whether an easy, fond, familiar fool, Or such a wit as no man e'er can rule.[19] 'Tis true, perfection none must hope to find 190 In all this world, much less in woman-kind; But if her virtues prove the larger share, Bless the kind fates, and think your fortune rare. Ah, gentle sir, take warning of a friend, Who knows too well the state you thus commend; 195 And spite of all its praises must declare, All he can find is bondage, cost, and care. Heav'n knows, I shed full many a private tear, And sigh in silence, lest the world should hear: While all my friends applaud my blissful life, 200 And swear no mortal's happier in a wife;