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Remember this, which certainly
Will prove to women’s hearts a key.10390
Fail not upon her to impress
That ’tis her passing loveliness
And worth that takes by storm your heart—
Than this Love’s quiver holds no dart
More deadly; whether old or young,
Bred in the world, or reared among
Religious sisters, pure and chaste,
Fine flattering words will run not waste.
A woman’s fairness laud, and she
Will listen most contentedly.10400
E’en though no beauty she possess.
By Nature stamped with ugliness,
Fear not, but praise her fairy face,
Her perfect form and angel grace,
And lightly she’ll believe your word,
For never yet hath woman heard
Her beauty praised without delight,
Or doubted she with justice might
Be loved, however plain she were,
For gladly she believes her fair.10410
To please their ladies gallants ought
To give full praise, and censure nought.

Women hate censure That man I reckon most unwise
Who rashly dares to criticise
Or disapprove a lady’s ways,
For every woman thinks she plays
Her part by nature perfectly,
And interference hateth she.
E’en as a cat ne’er goes to school,
But learns by Nature’s golden rule10420