The Art of Courtship. depiction of a woman depiction of a man printer's or publisher's device This may be Printed. R. P. Printed for I. Back on London-Bridge. The Art of Courtship; OR, The School of Delight. Containing Amorous Dialogues, Complimental Expressions, Poems, Letters, and Discourses upon sundry Occasions, relating to Love and Business: Pleasant New Songs, and Directions for Courtship and Behaviour: And Rules for Carving Flesh, Fish, Fowl; and cutting up Pastry: Also to distinguish the best Pieces, and decently to serve a Table after the most Modish and Courtly manner. With other delightful and profitable things, necessary for the accomplishment of all Persons. To which is added, The signification of MOLES, in any part of the Body, in relation to good and bad Fortunes. As likewise, The Interpretation of Dreams, as they presage happiness or unhappiness to Men and Women, in all Stations and and Conditions. Very profitable and advantageous to all Persons. Printed by I. M. for I. Back, at the Black Boy on London-Bridge: 1688. THE Art of Courtship; OR, The School of Delight. An Amorous Dialogue between Thomas and Sarah; Or, The ready way of Wooing. Thomas. OH my Love, how happy am I, thus accidentaily to meet you! alas my dear, why blush you? why turn you that face away, on which with delight I could gaze (would the brittle thread of Life continue) Ages without Number. Sarah. Ah! how you flatter me now? truly Thomas I did not think you had been so deep read in the Mystery of Courtship; yet I am too wise to credit all that men say: Yes, yes, my Mother told me indeed, that men had deluding tongues, and charged me never to trust 'em. Tom. Cruel Maid, can you, after all the Expressions of a real passion, which I have many ways demonstrated, believe that I am in jest or can be false. Sarah. Nay Tom, I know not but you may, for adad, my Mother says, there's not one in forty Mile that mean (indeed and good earnest) what they pretend. Tom. Then by all that is good in you, and myself I swear. Sarah. Oh fie Tom, nay, no swearing, for I had rather believe you then you should use any vain expressions. Tom. And you do believe me real, and that I love you above what words are capable of Expressing? above all that I can wish or think, referring to things on this side Heaven. Sarah. Adad if I thought so, i'd tell you more of my mind— Well if you will be constant and faithful— But why do I talk of that? especially if I consider what my Mother told me? Tom. Come, come, no more of Ambiguity, let doubts cease, and try my Love; kindled by a flame as bright as the Planet of the day; a love that is lasting, and cannot be extinguished by want of Jealousy. Sarah. If I thought so— Well, to be plain with you Tom, for I can't hid it no longer; if you love me as you say, let us be married as soon as you will, and then do as you please, as for our Fortunes, you know are but mean, and I am not insensible of yours; I hate to see a man of your parts pine and whine, come come, let's make an end on't if it must be so. Thom. Now you revive me, and as it were call back my fading Spirits. It shall be as you say, this day shallbe The happy Nuptial, joyful day to me; If you consent to be my charming Bride, All cares i'll banish, and while by my side You panting lie night shall your blushes hid, Night, that kind coverture of insant love, Shall make you know how dear, how kind i'll prove. S. I yield, and if a power remain in me, To make you happy nought shall wanting be. T. Then let us haste and tie the Nuptial Bands, Since hearts are joined, we'll quickly join our Hands. A Dialogue between Amintas and Pricilla; Or, The Willing Lovers. P. Say, why are you of late so drowsy grown, why o'er your face is melancholy thrown A. The cause is from within, a mighty grie● That strongly struggles, fain would have relie● P. Whence sprung it? speak, does it proceed from Love? Besure it cannot that you'll ne'er approve. A. Ah! fair Prieilla, you have found it now And what you say I blushing must allow; 'Tis o'er my heart great love doth tyrannize, P. But who is she that could thy heart surprise? A. A Beauty gay and lovely as the morn, When Rosy blushes does its face adorn, And pearly dews o'er Flora's face does shade, The fairest Creature Nature ever made. P. Has she no name? who is she? tell me true, A. Ah, dear Pricilla fair one, it is you. P. Me! O, it cannot be, I have no Charms But Nature cast me roughly from her arms. A. 'Tis only you can cure my wounded heart, From your bright eyes was shot the wounding Dart. P. Do not thus flatter to deceive a Maid, Whose yielding heart is easily betrayed. A. No words of course you heart that come and go, But such as from entire affection flow. P. Could I believe ye true, on soon should find That I am to no cruelty inclined. A. Nothing more joys me, then to hear your name, Though hitherto I have conceald' my flame? That it might brighter burn and I be blest, When of your dearest self I was possessed. P. Was I confirmed in this, with joy i'd fly Into your Arms and in your Bosom lie. A. Mistrust me not thou fairest of that kind, A Love than mine more true you ne'er can find. P. I must believe or dare I longer doubt, Thus arm in arm we'll wear our ages out; Till Death to blessed Elysium us convey, A. we will my joy, and this thrice happy day We'll memorise with Festival and play. And to all Lovers a kind pattern be, Whilst both our hearts as if in one agree. The different Effects in LOVE; Or, A discourse between Will and Ned. Ned. Well Brother Will, how sped you with your Mistress the other day? I perceive you pushed the matter home; Come, come prithee tell me man, how it fared with you, for I observe by your countenance, you are wonderfully pleased. W. How can I otherways, when so fair so soft, so kind and charming a Creature has east herself into my arms, and met my passion with an equal flame? N. You are a happy Man if it be so: Venus was kind in ruling your Nativity: but Ah! W. How's this Ned— Why Man, what makes you sigh? sure you han't fallen in Love with a cross Mistress, have you? N. Your guess is right; that heart which long withstood the batteries of mighty love, and as unconcerned beat back the dazzling beams of brightest Beauty, at last is stormed, by a cruel fair one, who let's me languish without hope. W. Fie, fie, it cannot be; can you the witty gallant and the brave, languish for one who is regardless of your pain? Come, rouse up man, and banish such a Servile love, be yourself and you have conquered it. N. As soon may Prisoners loaded with strong Chains, break from their Iron durance, as I break the Chains of Love; No, though she be cruel, yet I still must love, and wound the Air with sighs, as when the wind from hollow Rocks sends an imperfect murmur. W. Surely you are in jest? N. In jest, say you, if it be a jest it is a true one; a jest which makes me covet Solitude, and shun those Recreations I was wont to Glory in; a jest made worse by what you tell, and makes me do what ne'er before I did, Envy your happin ss, since I am miserable. W. No more of this, Psha— 'tis but counterfeit; come, come along thou whining sneaking pretending Lover; or if it be true, We'll to the place where joy & mirth abound, In Songs & Masques we'll thy Passion drowned, Whilst thou shalt scorn the scorner, & be free From her that held thee in Captivity: 'Tis Music, Wine, and Voices, that remove The pangs and tortures of a fruitless love. N. I'll go and try, though trial may be vain, And if I'm freed i'll ne'er be caught again. Complimental Expressions, and Love Posies. SIR, the joy to see you is more than words can utter. Sir, 'tis you alone, next Heaven, on whom I must rely; your favours are so many, that my heart has scarcely room to contain them. Sir, I am proud to be your Servant, and desire no more but to enjoy that name. Sir, your Wisdom and Eloquence is so Charming, that I must needs admire you. Sir, the Excellencies with which you are endued, are many, and even beyond expression. Sir, your friendship I covet above all others, and am proud to be ranked amongst the number of those you are pleased to term your Friends. Madam, your Beauties are so rare, and your actions so tempting, that I must wear your Chains, and count it a blessing to be your Slave. Madam, Wounded by your fair Eyes, I languish. Madam, you are the fair Phyfitian that can only cure the distemper of my mind. Lady, 'tis your Virtues I admire, for that more than Beauty adorns the Female Sex. Lady, I am Ravished with your Charming Voice, whose power is as great as that of Orpheus, in compelling the attention of admiring mortals. Madam, in your Cheeks the Roses and the Lilies strive for mastery, and on you wait a a pomp of winning Grace. Lady, be pleased to rank me amongst your meanest Servants, and I shall make it the business of my life to do you pleasure. Lady, I am all your own, command me in what you please, and you shall be obeyed. Fairest of Creatures, O that I could find words to express how much I love. Madam you are fair and cruel, your beauty made the wound you now refuse to cure. POSIES. My love shall be For ever free. Naught shall divide The knot 've tied By Death alone It is undone. Till life is past, My love shall last, My love I place, On thy sweet face. 'Tis thou in me, Shall happy be. My joy thou art, and hast my heart. A Letter in Verse from a Lovesick Youth to a scornful Maid. WHilst Gales of sighs were sent from my sad breast, And thoughts of you would give my eyes no rest, Snatching a midnight Tapor straight to write I did begin, but tears so dulled my sight, That pardon if some blots do here appear, Whilst I entreat you be as kind as fair, Pity the Man that sighs and pines for you, The man who vows for ever to be true, And thinks that nothing for you is too good O give me some though but Camelians food. Let me have hopes although I feed on air, And run me not thus headlong to despair: Seed me a Cordial dearest or I die, 'Tis you or death must end my misery; One or the other I must surely have, You for my wife or wed the sullen Grave: And till I know my doom, I must remain, Your slave to wear your chains and live in pain I. B. The Answer. Sir, YOur Poetical Fancy is very great, I suppose much greater than your passion; but if you are real, take notice I give you leave to hope, yet rely not too much upon that, for women's minds are wavering: indeed I could have wished you had placed your affections some where else, for though I should admit you amongst the number of my servants, 'tis ten to one whether you will ever have what you desire. This Letter how pleasing it may prove I cannot tell, I wrote it at the importunity of your Servant, which I had not done, but that he told me he should have but cold welcome if he returned empty handed: therefore take it as it is, and make what you can of it, whilst I rest entirely my own to dispose of myself when and where I have mind to it. A. G. The Perfection of Womenkind. BEauty with virtue joined is the bright gem that makes the wise the softer sex esteem For those united justre does unfold, Like flaming Diamonds in an Orb of Gold; The last may well consist without the first, But when the last is from the former thrust, Woman's not more, Women in virtue lies, That is the thing that only we should prise; For if not so, a Picture that is fair, Conceited living, is a thing as rare. SONG. To a pleasant New Tune. My life and my death are both in your power, I never was wretched till this cruel hour; Sometimes it is true, you tell me you love, But alas, 'tis too kind for me ever to prove; Could you guests with what pain my poor heart is oppressed, I am sure my Alexis would soon make me blest Distractedly Jealous I do hourly rove, Thus sighing and musing, 'tis all for my love; No place can I find that will yield me relief, My Soul is for ever entangled in grief; But if the kind Stars let me see him, O then, I'll forgive the cruel Author of all my past pain▪ The Delights of Marriage. HOw happy Celia is it, now we are In wedlock joined & made a happy pair▪ 'Tis true my Strephon, we have joys, That few the like can find, A passion that no time destroys, Is fixed in either's mind; 'Tis for my Celia, mighty Love has made Us blest, since we to him our Vows ha' paid: This had not been, if you had proved unkind, This true content you ne'er before could find: 'Tis true my Strephon, I had been In Ignorance till now; These happy days I ne'er had seen, If I had kept my Vow: But now I find such follid bliss, That i'd not be a Virgin now, For all that I could wish: Come Celia then let's to the shade, And solace in our love; Thou shalt be yet more happy made, And i'll more constant prove. SONG. Tune of, Amoretta and Phillis. Young Pheon strove the bliss to taste, but Strapho still denied; She struggled long, the Youth at last, lay panting by her side: Useless he lay, love would not wait, till they could both agree, They idly languished in debate, when they should active be. At last, come ruin me, she said, and then there fell a tear, I'll in thy Breast my blushes hid, i 'tis all that Virgin's fear: Oh that age could loves right perform, we'd make old men obey, They court us long, Youth loves to storm, then plunder and away. The bashful Lover have I seen, in raptures of surprise, Adore his Mistress like a Queen, and gaze upon her Eyes: Then sigh, say nothing, and away, and leave th'insulting foe, Proud in the conquest of the day, without ever saying no. Love's Power and Cruelty. LIghtning is not swifter than the glance of charming beauty, for though seen by chance It penetrates the Soul and fires the mind, That wretched Lovers no contentment find, But cruel Torments, a tormenting grief, Seizes the wretch that's void of a relief. Courtship what it is. COurtship and good behaviour is the mo●● accomplished way of addressing carriage all Company, a Civil respect for Inferiors, and a due reverence and regard for Superiors, comely behaviour and modesty in Discourse and action; a moderate carriage, and not too much dejected, a temper suitable to all company, and a mind not to be moved by passion, either of anger, joy or grief, not Loquatious but prudent and considerate, which are the chief Ornaments of either Sex, and gain a good repute amongst the wisest of men. A name you gain which time can never blast, A name that will remain till time is past. The Happy Suecess: Or, Damaris and Rosa. D. AH! my Joy, you now are in my power, Love gives us opportunity, come be not coy, you are my own, although divided sometimes by our Parents. R. Alas, I know not what you mean, though I confess I love you, and therefore am confident you won't hurt me. D. No, no, you need not fear that, my tender joy, for in hurting you I wound myself, come, come my little happiness, let us retire. R. With all my heart I know you will make much of me, and so long I am safe. The newest Directions for Carving Butcher's Meat, Fowl, Fish and Pastery. IN a Loin of Veal, it being decently cut in two, cut off that piece next the Kidney end, and present it as the choicest piece. A Leg of Mutton, being taken by the handle, turn your Knife on the inside, as if you would slit it, then turn off to the left, and turn out the Nut-piece, or the little Bone by the side of the handle, and present it as the most acceptable. In a Quarter of Lamb, you must divide the Shoulder from the Ribs, sprinkle some Salt thereon, and lay it in its place, then turning your Knife under the handle, take off that part, and present it to your Friend. In a Haunch of Venison, turn your Knife in the middle, cut out a round piece, and with Sauce present it: the same cutting serves for a Gammon of Bacon, Westphaliaham, etc. A Neat's Tongue you must slit, and cutting it in thin slices, prefent it. A Pig must be Chined down the Back, the Head being cut off fair, the Ears laid upon the Shoulders, and the Jaws by the Front; the Ears by Ladies being accounted best. A Pheasant must be displayed, by entering the point of the Knife under the Legs and Wings, lacing the Breast, then be taken off and presented. A Turkey must be Raised or lifted, by take off the Legs and Wings, and lacing the Breast, taking the Merithought, which is presented as the best piece. A Partridge or Plover, must be minced, by lacing and cutting cross, taking off the Legs and Wings, presenting the Breast. A Heron or Bittorn, must be lifted, that is, by raising the Legs with the point of your Knife, lacing the Breast, taking off the Belly-piece and Merithought. Plover, Teal, and Widgeon, may be cut as Pullet's. A Goose must be taken off Wings and Legs by a quick hand, with the point of a Knife, the Merithought raised, the breast laced, and the raised flesh taken off, the Belly-piece taken off and divided. As for Pigeons, young Chickens, Earks, and the like they must be split or divided in halves, long-ways. A Capon or Pullet cut up like a Goose. The Wings of all Wild Fowl are the best, and the Legs of Tame ones are so accounted. A Salmon must be Chined, laid open, and sliced. A Lobster must be Clawed and broken up, or slit. A Venison Pastry, or any large Pastry, must be cut up in the middle of the Lid, the meat taken out with a Fork, and the Gravy with a Spoon, and so presented. As for lesser Pies and Tarts, the lid must be entirely taken off, and the Filling served in Plates with part of the lid or inside Crust. The Signification of Moles in any part of the Body. A Mole on the right part of the Forehead, signifies the party wise and Industrous. A Mole on the left part of the Forehead, signifies the party to be of no great Ingenuity, bu● that the party shall be laborious, and thereby get Riches. A Moles in the m●ddle of the Forehead, denotes an indifferent Fortune, but that the party shall be much beloved, and by that means may doubtless attain preferment. A Mole on the right Eyebrow, promiseth the party to gain Riches by Marriage. A Mole on the left Eyebrow, threatens the first marriage unhappy, but the second pliant and easy. A Mole on the Nose denoteth another on the privy parts, signifieth the party to be lustful, and very desirous of marriage. A mole on the Lip, signifies a sweet and affable temper, that the party has a good stroke at K●ssing. A m●le on the Chin, or on one corner of the mouth, denotes Riches and Honour, but that the party is somewhat Gluttonous. A mole on the Throat, threatens this party with Diseases, as Strangury, Quinfie, etc. A mole on the Neck behind, is dangerous, unless that danger of sudden death be averted by providence. A mole on the right Shoulder, signifies the Favour of great persons; and on the left, Servility and labour, with many Crosses. A mole on the Back, signifies a good Name, and many Children. A mole on the middle of the Belly, just by the Navel, denotes an early marriage. A mole on the privy parts, denotes the party powerful in Venery, and promises many Children. A mole on the Buttocks, denotes the party to be of a pliant and affable temper. A mole on the right Thigh, denotes plenty and pleasure. A mole on the left Thigh, signifieth the contrary. A mole on the Knee, signifieth the party is given much to Piety and Devotion. A Mole on the Calf of the Leg, signifieth the party will be subject to the Gout. A mole on the right Ankle, signifieth the party swift and industrous: On the left Ankle, it threatens him with falling into the hands of Thiefs and Robbers. A mole on the right Foot, signifies the party shall travel on honourable occasions. A mole a on the left Foot, denotes to a Woman much danger in Childbirth, and to a man much pain in Travel. Cum Multis Alias. A Discourse of DREAMS, and their Interpretations. TO Dream you see white Hens upon a Dunghill, signifies Disgrace by some false accusation. To dream one is in a pleasant Meadow, signifies the possession of Riches, and the advantage of pleasure. To dream one fights and overcomes, is to have the advantage over ones Adversary in Law Suits, or otherwise. To dream it Thunders and Lightens, is a figure of approaching sickness. To dream two Lovers meet and have not power to speak to each other, denotes the match will be broken off by the means of their Parents. To Dream you see Death in Sickness, and that he flies you, is a sign of recovery. To dream of Kisses and Embraces, signifies sudden Marriage. To dream you are dead and laid out, signifies a dressing for the Nuptials. To dream of gay Clothing, and that upon your Back they turn to Rags, signifierh poverty. To dream one is with Child, and knows not the Father, denotes her Marriage with a stranger. To dream one sees the Sun in its brightness, signifies the favour of Great ones. To dream a Ring drops off one's finger, denoteth a disappointment in Love. To dream one has a Garland of Flowers brought and presented, denotes he or she will have the party desired. A Song of COURTSHIP. To the Tune of, State and Ambition. SWeet my Ambition is only to woo thee, Your Beauty's so lovely it doth me surprise, Let my fair Mistress my gentle sighs move ye, Who long have a Captive been to your fair eyes, Wishing no greater bliss then to adore ye, So sweet is the pain I in languishing find, No beauty had power to wound me before you, Then Gentle dear Virgin come smile and be kind. lily's and Roses shall shadow our pleasure, Fair Flora with sweets shall perfume our soft Bed, Whilst in my kind arms I hug my dear treasure, Till Blushes created by fear are all fled. Maid. Since you're so kind I cannot refuse ye, A conquest great love in my heart now has made, No longer kind Sir 'tis I mean to abuse ye, Then cheer up your Spirits and be no more sad. Though Virgins a while may stand at a distance, They cannot be cruel when true love is found, Their hearts they grow tender and lose all resistance, When patience and constancy gives them a wound. Man Blessed be the moment that gave me the blessing, To make me so happy beyond all degree, A joy that is worth a Monarches possessing, Love mighty Love has now heaped upon me. FINIS.