Nor from a scornful taunt can scarce refrain; Go, fool, and strive to please my love again. Now she would be Europa, Io now; (One bore a bull, and one was made a cow.) Yet she at last her brutal bliss obtained, And in a wooden cow the bull sustained; Filled with his seed, accomplished her desire, Till by his form the son betrayed the sire.[43] If Atreus' wife to incest had not run, (But, ah, how hard it is to love but one!) His coursers Phœbus had not driven away, To shun that sight, and interrupt the day. Thy daughter, Nisus,[44] pulled thy purple hair, And barking sea-dogs yet her bowels tear. At sea and land Atrides saved his life, Yet fell a prey to his adulterous wife. Who knows not what revenge Medea sought, When the slain offspring bore the father's fault? Thus Phœnix did a woman's love bewail; And thus Hippolytus by Phædra fell. These crimes revengeful matrons did commit; Hotter their lust, and sharper is their wit. Doubt not from them an easy victory; Scarce of a thousand dames will one deny. All women are content that men should woo; She who complains, and she who will not do. Rest then secure, whate'er thy luck may prove, Not to be hated for declaring love. And yet how canst thou miss, since womankind Is frail and vain, and still to change inclined? Old husbands and stale gallants they despise; And more another's, than their own, they prize. A larger crop adorns our neighbour's field; More milk his kine from swelling udders yield. First gain the maid; by her thou shalt be sure A free access and easy to procure: Who knows what to her office does belong, Is in the secret, and can hold her tongue, Bribe her with gifts, with promises, and prayers; For her good word goes far in love-affairs. The time and fit occasion leave to her, When she most aptly can thy suit prefer. The time for maids to fire their lady's blood, Is, when they find her in a merry mood. When all things at her wish and pleasure move, Her heart is open then, and free to love; Then mirth and wantonness to lust betray, And smooth the passage to the lover's way. Troy stood the siege, when filled with anxious care; One merry fit concluded all the war. If some fair rival vex her jealous mind, Offer thy service to revenge in kind. Instruct the damsel, while she combs her hair, To raise the choler of that injured fair; And, sighing, make her mistress understand, She has the means of vengeance in her hand: Then, naming thee, thy humble suit prefer, And swear thou languishest and diest for her. Then let her lose no time, but push at all; For women soon are raised, and soon they fall. Give their first fury leisure to relent, They melt like ice, and suddenly repent. To enjoy the maid, will that thy suit advance?