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CUPIDS MASTER-PIECE OR, The Free-School of Witty and Delightful Complements.

BEING, The Art of Love Refined: and augmen [...] with divers new, pleasant, and delighful com [...] ments and discourses of Love. With sundry p [...] sant and amorous Songs and Sonnets. As also [...] sies for Rings, Handkerchiefs, Gloves, and o [...] things, for benefit and delight of young Men [...] Maids. With divers other pretty fancies and [...] tasies, full of Delight and variety of Wit.

[figure]
When Hearts and Hands united are,
What joy with Love then can compare.

London, Printed for John Andrews, at the White [...] at the Upper end of the Old-Baily.

Cupids Master-Piece.

A brief Description of true Love.

TRue Love is a pretious treasure,
Rich delight, unvalued pleasure;
Mens harts like to a Maze intwining
Two firm minds in one combining;
Foe to faithless vowes perfideous,
True Love is a knot Religious,
Dead to the sins that flaming rise,
Through beauties soul seducing eyes.
Deaf to gold-inchanting Witches,
Loves for Vertue, not for riches.
Such is true Loves boundless measure;
True Love is a pretious treasure.
This is Love, and worth commending,
Still beginning, never ending.
Like a wily Net insnaring,
Like a Round shuts up all squaring;
In and out, whose every Angle,
More and more doth still intangle.
Keeps a measure still in moving,
And is never Light, but loving.
Twining armes, exchanging kisses,
Each pertaking others blisses.
Laughing, weeping, still together,
Bliss in one, is mirth in either.
Never breaking, ever bending,
This is Love; and worth commending,

Instructions for Lovers: [...]eaching them, how to demean themselves to­wards their Sweet-hearts.

[...]Ou must not accost them with a shrug, as if you were lowsie: With, your Ladie, [...]et Ladie, or most super-excellent Ladie: [...]her must you let your words come rumb­ [...] forth, ushered in with a good full mouth'd, [...], as I love you: But you must speak the [...]-coming language of Love, I do not mean [...]e strange Pedantick phrases, used by some [...]ants who (aim at wit but make themselves [...]k asses by it) praise their Mistresses by the [...], Moon, or Stars; whilest the poor Girles [...]gine, they mean the signes their Mercers Perfumers live at. But you must in fine [...]l [...] words, deliver your true affection: praise [...] Mistress Eies, her Lip, her Chin, her [...]e, her Neck, her Face, her Hand, her [...]t, her Leg, her Waste, her every thing; [...] leave your Lillies and your Roses, for your [...]ntrie Froes to make Nosegaies with.

  • Thoughts c Valued may B.
  • Searching c Love may B.

A merry sportive and Delightful Discourse, be­tween a young Gallant, and a curious conceited Lady.

Gent.

LAdie, what think you of a handsome man now?

Lady.

And a wholesome too, Sir.

Gent.

That's as you make your bargain; a handsome, wholsome man then, and a kinde man, to chéer up your heart, and to lie close to you, to kéep you warm; and get two boyes at a birth.

Lady.

Two at a birth, that's nothing Sir, I have known a Cobler, a poor thin Cobler, out of mouldy chéese, brown bread, and turnups, do as much as that: Me thinks a Gentleman should scorn to have a poor Mechanick Cobler out-do him.

Gent.

What, then you would have me get two dozen at a birth, like Buttons.

Lady.

You do well to brag Sir, but if you perform this at your marriage, then I will say you are a man indeed.

Gent.

You are a merry Gentlewoman, and may make a good wife.

Lady.

Not for you Sir, for then I may chance to get nothing: in what a state am I then Sir?

Gent.
[Page]

But for all this, I know you love to hear of a good husband.

Lad.

You say true Sir, for by my troth I h [...]ve heard of none this ten years▪ they are so rare, that there are a great many longing women upon their knees, to pray for the dropping down of good husbands from heaven, because there's none upon earth.

Gent.

But tel me Lady, can you love a man?

Lad.

Yes, if the man be lovely, honest, and modest.

Gent.

Then I am the man must make you a wife.

Lad.

You make me a wife, no Sir no.

Gent.

Ay a wife, a wife I say; you need not be ashamed on it, for its the best calling a wo­man can come to.

Lad.

A grant it Sir, but I mean not to be your wife.

Gent.

Not mine, I beleive it will be the best bargain thou wilt ever make in thy life.

Lad.

Sir, I do beleive you look after wealth, and I mean to have one that will love and re­spect me for my vertues.

Gent.

Wealth, yes by my troth, I must have lands, and Lordships too Lady.

Lad.

Cry ye mercie Sir, I mistook you all this while, did not you say it was for love.

Gent.

True, but there's two words to a bar­gain [Page] all the world over; and if love be one, I am sure money is the other, else its no bargain; pardon me Lady, I must dine as well as sup.

Lad.

Then Sir you may trie your fortune, for I am resolved never to be your wife; and so farewel.

A Song for Maids.

MAids they are grown so coy of late,
Forsooth they will not marry,
Though they be in their teens & past,
They say they yet can tarry:
But if they knew how sweet a thing,
It were in youth to marry,
They would sell their Petticoats, Smocks and all,
Ere they so long would tarry.
The Lass that is most coy of all,
I [...] she had time and leisure,
Would lay by al [...] he [...] several thoughts,
And turn to love and pleasure.
Winter nights are long you know,
And bitter cold the wea [...]her,
Then who is so fond to lie alone,
When two may lye together.

A merry complemental woing between two jeering Lovers.

Man.

FAirest of all faires, will you eat a piece of Ginger-bread?

Maid.

You might have more manne [...]s, or at [Page] least more civilitie, then to scoff at her that ne­ver injured you.

Man.

Scoff, nay, indeed I love you, I vow I burn in love like some peny Fagot.

Maid.

St. Winitrid forbid it man may I be­leive it?

Man.

Ay, and though I say it that should not, I am affected towards you strangely, there's some thing like thy self comes every night to my beds side.

Maid.

And to me every morning, a voice ut­ters these words; Matrimony, Matrimony.

Man.

Now do I shake all over, and doubt its some spirit that would join us.

M.

Goodly great ones, may I beleive this also.

Man.

What not beleive, Ladie I am whol­ly and solely yours, yea, more then this; your servants, servant.

Maid.

Now you contradict your self Sir, how can you be wholly mine, and yet my servants servant?

Man.

I do but complement in this Ladie: But if thou canst love me, I can love thee; law thee now, I am rich.

Mai.

Sir, I look not after riches but the person, I must have one that can guide me, for I am foo­lish yet.

Man.

Now sée the luck of it Ladie, I am so too, but doubt not this noddle shall perform all I warrant. I am rich.

Maid.
[Page]

But riches create no love, by my vir­ginitie, I fear you will flinch.

Man.

By my virginitie, which is as good as yours, I am sure by my virginitie, if we men have any such thing as we have, I wil not flinch.

Maid.

Then for the tim [...] to come, you must not so much as cast a shée [...] eye after any wo­man but my self.

Man.

If I do at any time, then may I lose one of mine own eies, but ile keep the other however.

Maid.

Well sir, ile take your word.

A Sonnet in praise and dispraise of Love.

NOw what is Love, I will thee tell,
It is the Fountain and the Well,
Where pleasure and repentance dwell;
And it is like a Passing Bell,
That towls all in to Heaven or Hell:
This is Love, and this is Love, I here thee tell.
Now what is Love, I will thee show,
A thing that creeps where't cannot go,
A prize that passeth too and fro,
A thing for me, a thing for mo;
And he that tries shall finde it so:
This is love, and this is love, sweet friend I tro.

A merry cross woing, betweeen Tom the Tailor, and Kate of the Kitchin.

Tom.

GOod morrow Kate, for that I hear is your name.

Kate.
[Page]

Well have you heard, but something hard of hearing, they call me Katherine that talk of me.

Tail.

You lie in faith, for you are called plain Kate, and bonny Kate, and sometimes Kate the curst; but Kate take this of me for thy comfort, I am moved to woe thee for my wife.

Kate.

Moved, in good time, let him that mo­ved you hither remove you hence, I thought you were a moveable.

Tail.

Why what's a moveable?

Kate.

A Joint-stool.

Tail.

Right, thou hast hit it; come sit on me then.

Kate.

Sit on you I that I will, Asses were made to bear.

Tail.

Come, come, what wil you be angry now, you wasp?

Kate.

If I be a wasp, then thou hadst best beware of my sting, or else pluck it out.

Tail.

What with my tongue in your tail; not so Kate, I am a Gentleman.

Kate.

A Gentleman, what's your Coat of Arms pray you, a Cocks-comb?

Tail.

No a come-less Cock, so Kate will be my Hen.

K [...]te.

No Hen of yours Sir, you look so like a Cravven.

Tail.

Nay but Kate, you must not look so sowr.

Kate.
[Page]

Sowr, its my fashion when I see a Crab, and so farewel.

Fairer then Diana, chaster then Susanna,
O let me thy favour merit.
When as the Fountains, overflow the Mountains,
Then shalt thou my love inherit.

The greeting of a Lover to his Dearest, after a long absence.

WElcome, my best beloved welcom, your sight is life's restorative to me, you are more welcome to me my dearest, then day to the world or rest to the wearied, or gold to the most covetous Miser in the world; such is the joy I finde in your happy company: So that this day seems to be a day of Iubilée unto me.

A brief Description of Women.

ALl you that Women love,
And like the amorous trade,
Come learn of me; what Women be,
And whereof they are made.
Their hands are made of Rash,
Their mindes are made of Sey,
Their love is like Silk changeable,
It lasteth but a day:
Their glory springs from Sattin,
Their vanity from Feather,
Their beauty is Stand farther off,
Their conscience is of Leather.
Of Fustian's their discourse,
But Canvas fits them best;
Perpetuana is their folly,
Their earnest is but jest.
Their Life is Love and Idleness,
Their doing is their pleasure,
They lawless are, yet all their ware,
They buy by standing measure.
Their Fore-parts are of Rue,
Their hinder parts of Dockes,
Of hardest Brasile are their Hearts,
Their Heads are made of Boxe.
Or if in plainer termes,
Withall you would be dealt,
Of Beaver are their tender Thighes,
Their Skins are made of Felt.

A pleasant Discourse between a Bridegroom and a Bride, on their Bridal night.

Bridegr.

WIl you not come to bed my dear [...] why do you so delay? come let me help you.

Bride.

To bed swéet-heart, why are you so sleepie?

Bridegr.

No, but I shall be worse, if you loo [...] sad and melancholly; come prithee my dear l [...]t [...] to bed: why doest thou blush? let me undres [...] thee, be not coy, but smile.

Bride.

Alas I feel my self not well my love.

Bridegr.

Its onely bashfulness my dear, il [...] [Page] make you wel, there's no such phisick as you [...] husbands warm arms.

Bride.

Be not so hastie my dearest, we stea [...] not our content, there's time enough.

Brideg.

Do you then already cease to love me▪

Bride.

No think not so, for I do love the [...] dearly.

Bridegr.

To bed then I shall give better credit to thee be not so cold a lover.

Bride.

My passion's now over, and now m [...] dearest I hast to thy embraces.

Bridegr.

Welcom my comfort and delight and thus I fold my arms about thee.

Bride.

And thus about thee my dear bliss, I [...] twine like the female I vie.

Bridegr,

Come then let me kiss thee, let m [...] kiss again and again, and multiply them to a [...] infinite increase.

Bride.

Spare not, for they are thy own, dea [...] heart.

The gallant Sea-mans resolution concerning Marriage.

O What strange passions came on board m [...] that I should marry! was I drunk? Wh [...] to say truth what can I do at home now? what horrible thing would it be to have horns brough [...] me to Sea, to look as if the Devil were i [...] the Ship, and all the great Tempests woul [...] be thought to be of my raising, and should [...] [Page] the general course of all Merchants: and yet perhaps they are as deep in as my self, that's my comfort. O that a Seaman should live to be married, what need I to have been shackled thus with a wife, and be at charges to kéep her for other mens diets, well if I were once rid of this, I would never play the fool again.

One whose choise was either to be Hanged, or married.

LO here's the Bride, and there's the Tree,
Take which of these best liketh thee.
The choise is bad on either part,
The Womans worst; drive on the Cart.

Dick of the Country his woing of Jone of the Milk pail.

Dick.

MY pretty Chicken how doest thou? how fares thy body? Didst not think me almost lost?

Jone.

I gave thee for dead in good faith love, and was in the humour to marry another man.

Dick.

Sure thou wast not, thou doest but jest I trow.

Jone.

Truly I was, and could you blame me, [...]s it not a torture think you for a woman to stay [...]even years without a husband.

Dick.

Me thinks my browes begin to bud al­ready, they are very knotty; hast thou grafted a­ [...]y thing there? I suspect it shrewdly. How [...]omes your belly so big?

Jone.
[Page]

Its nothing but a Timpanie, I am troubled with.

Dick.

Come you are a W [...]ore, ile have you before a Justice.

Jone.

Spare me, I pray thee gentle Dick, and hearken to my counsel a little: since thou art a Cuckold (as I do not deny it) chuse whe­ther thou wilt wear thy hor [...] on thy [...]re-head, for all men to see, or put them in th [...] pocket, and let no man see them.

Dick.

Why then I am a Cuckold it seems: have not I travelled well, and to good purpose? but do so no more, and all is forgotten.

Jone.

It is so, if you stay at home to kéep me warm, but if you leave me, have at your head thē.

The Praise, and Dispraise of Women.

WOmen, the wo of Men, cause of Mans fall,
You whom Philosophers terms Monsters all;
I love your Sexe, even from my heart and soul,
From my affections, which do both controul.
And I would spend the lives of fifty men,
If possible, to praise you with my pen,
And paint your worth; but you your selves do know,
To paint your selves better then I can show:
But if my praises may your favour win,
Ile set you forth, and thus I will begin.
O you are kinde, and kinder far then man,
And equalize your kindness, no man can.
O you are fair, let me that fair unsay;
So's a bright night, compar'd with a stormy day.
Some say you have no vertue, but they lye,
For you prove constant in unconstancy.
Why you are every thing; Mans whole delight,
I speak for Day; let them that know for Night.

The merry simple woing and winning of Jone of the Cream [...]ot, by a Country Farmer.

Farm.

NAy stay, swéet Mistris Jone, here's none but one friend (as they say) de­sires to speak a cold word or two with you; how do you véel your self this frostie morning?

Jone.

What have you to do to ask, I pray you? I am a cold.

Farm.

It séems you are hot good Mrs. Jone.

Jone.

You lie though, I am as cold as ice: feel else.

Farm.

Nay you ha cooled my courage Jone, I am past, I ha done feeling with you.

Jone.

Done with me, I do defie you so I do, to say you ha done with me.

Farm.

O you mistake Jone, I mean not as you mean: no, bring but that Dog that wil say that I ever struck him, or any Cat in the town that will swear on a Book, that I have so much as set fire on their tailes.

Jone.

Do you love me then John?

Farm.

Love you, what need you question that, I sweat as ice, burning in love: well we wil be [...]

Jone.
[Page]

No haste John to hang true volk, soft fire makes sweet Malt:

Yet John cheer up thy better Leg before,
This is a deed is once done, and no more.
Iohn.
And then 'tis done for ever, as they say,
For each man hath his hour, each dog his day.

Ile get my leather dublet new forbusht, and a pair of wisps to swaddle my legs, for we mu [...] dance on that day sure, and who can dance in Boots?

Jon.

Even as you list good John, I am all yours, as they say.

Thus can Country Swain-lings wo,
And express as hot their desire;
Live to love, and love to prove,
Height and heat of Cupids fire.
And a Silibub they'l make,
While th [...]ir Lovers sue and seek
For their love; and do pertake,
Of the bliss that all do seek.

A May Day Song.

COme sit we under yonder tree,
Where merry as the Maids we'll be;
For to spin out the thrid of Sands,
Playing at Questions and Commands.
Or tell what strange tricks love can do,
By quickly making one of two.
Next we will act how lovers woe,
And sigh and kiss, as Lovers do;
And talk of Brides, and who shall make,
That Wedding Smock▪ that Bridall Cake:
What Poesies for our Wedding Rings,
What Gloves we'l give, and Ribonings:
Thus having talkt, we'l next commend,
A Kiss or two, and so we'l end.

To present a pair of Gloves.

SWeet daign to draw these on thy fair white hands
And when you wear them think my being stands
Solely at your appointment. Would that Love,
(By his great power) would change me to a Glove:
Your fair hand then should ever more be kist,
And I would ever dwell about your wrist.

An amorous Complement between a Young Man, and a beautiful Damzel.

Gent.

SWéet Ladie, being wounded by your beautie, I acknowledge it a mercie if you kill me not.

Maid,

Sir, though I am not guilty of offence, yet rather then I will be accounted a murthe­rer, I will studie to preserve so sweet a model as your self.

Gent.

Fairest then I tel you, I must love you.

Maid.

I see no necessitie that I should love you, yet I confess you are a proper man.

Gent.

Prithee do not mock me, do but look in my heart, where you shall see what you can­not despise; there Love hath made you a throne [Page] to sit and rule, all my thoughts obeying and ho­nouring you as their Queen.

Maid.

But who can see this heart you boast of?

Gent.

Alas it's easie for your eies to pierce into, but your frowns make it seem cold: But make it yours, and you shall see it spring, and and pay you in a full harvest of content: but mi­stake not, I say my heart is cold, not my love.

Maid.

And yet your love is from your heart I warrant.

Gent.

I say my heart is cold, but yet my heart is fervent still, besides my heart is not my own but yours, you have it; and while you have it, if you keep it not warm in your bosome, how can it but be cold?

Maid.

Well Sir, notwithstanding your rhe­thorick, I shall without any art at all give you a final answer; Your sute is hopeless: And so farewel.

The Young Mans Sonnet.

IS she not wondrous fair? But I do see,
She is too much too fair, too sweet for me.
Just as the Sun me thinks, I see her face,
Which I must gaze upon, but not embrace.
So sure 'tis heavens pleasure she should be sent,
As pure to heaven again, as she was lent.
And bids us we would hope for bliss,
Not to prophane her with a mortal kiss.
Al [...] how cold my Love doth grow, how hot;
O how I love her, how I love her not.
So doth my Ague Love torment by turnes,
As now it freez's, now again it burnes.

Coridon and Phill [...]da, the Shepheard and the Shepheardess.

Phil.

SHepheard why do you follow me thus?

Cor.

How can I but follow sweet when my heart is with you.

Phil.

With me, tell me then where and how I shall restore it.

Cor.

It hangs upon your eies and being there scorcht with disdain▪ it flies for ease to your Ro­sie lips, but being beaten thence also by your harsh denials, fain would it come here for har­bour; for pittie then (fair Nimph) receive it, and if you can, teach it the hardness of your own.

Phil.

Well then if my heart be so hard as you make it, it glads me that its strong enough to be a fence to my honour.

Cor.

What the sheep to be guarded, when there's no Woll neer?

Phil.

Can the sheep he safe when there is a Dog of prey within, I cannot cherish in my breast, the man that would wrong my chastitie.

Cor.

Then cherish me, who never attempted to cast the least spot on your white innocence.

Phil.

The more fool you, perhaps if you had, it needed not to have come to this.

Cor.

Yes, you may remember, although I [...]

Phil.
[Page]

Well Shepheard, look you never on me more, for I cannot love at all; or if at all, not you: let this suffice you.

Cor.

O this distracts me more: but since my presence offends you, I must obey: but when I am dead the Martir of your beautie, if I thought you would shed one poor tear on my untimely grave, and say I was unfortunate, to love where I might not be loved again, my ashes would find rest: And farewel the fairest, but yet the cruel­lest Shepheardess alive.

The delicate woing between Oliver and Rebecca.

Oliv.

THou art a brave wench Rebecca, come kiss me: wilt thou be a Ladie?

Rebec.

Sir, I have no such ambition.

Oliv.

Ile buy thee a Parrat to morrow and a Monkey, here take this Ring.

Rebec.

Pray keep it, and let me tell you my minde.

Oliv.

And ile tell thee then, I know thou lo­vest me; and prithee tell me plainly, when shall we matrimonie it, I know thou dotest on my good parts, speak, dost not? prithee be not bashful.

Rebec.

Then know I do not love you.

Oliv.

Then I have lost all my labour.

Rebec.

I question not but it will appear so, for I must tell you the truth; I cannot love you: and let this suffice you.

This Song in her praise.

THese Eys which set my fancies all on fire,
These crisped Hairs which held my heart in chains;
That dainty Hand that conquers my desire
That Wit which of my heart doth hold the reines.
O Eyes, that pierce our eyes without remorse,
O Heart, of worth to wear a royal crown,
O Head, that conquers more then Caesars force,
O Wit, that turns the world even upside down:
Then Love be judge, what heart can thee withstand;
Such Eys, such Hair, such Wit, and such a Hand.

A Letter from a Home spun Lover.

DEarest Duckling, be it known unto you, and to all men; that I have pist bloud thrée daies and three nights since I last saw you, and received that unwomanly answer from you: blinde Cupid forgive you, for I am utterly un­done by you.

Here followes their woing.

Clow.

O Jug, how do I love thee?

Jug.

Nay, thou knowest best, but I fear I shall never die with loving you.

Clow.

No Jug, but I warrant thou wouldst if thou hadst but a bit of me.

Jug.

Pray why should you think so? did you e­ver see me cast a sheeps eie at you? or did my nose bléed in your companie? And as she spake it bled.

Clow.

How now Jug, who's in love now?

Jug.

Not I upon my honestie, however you [...]

A Table.

In the Second Part.
  • 1 A pastorall Song.
  • 2 Patient Grissel.
  • 3 A Song between truth and ignorance.
  • 4 Judith and Holofernes.
  • 5 In praise of the English Rose.
In the Third Part.
  • 1 A Maidens choise twixt age and youth.
  • 2 As I came from VValsingham.
  • 3 The winning of Cales.
  • [...] Of Edward the third and a Countess.
  • [...] The Spanish Ladies Love.
  • [...] A farewell to love.
  • [...] The Lover by his gifts thinketh to con­quer Chastity.
  • [...] The womans answer.
FINIS.

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