Much it behoves thee then to strive to gainHer favour, and thou need'st not strive in vain.Consult her pleasure, and her will obey,To favour that's the sure, the ready way:Without it, how unhappy wilt thou be!Life is without it of no use to thee.Thou'rt beautiful, and mayst thy prime enjoy,And well thy beauty and thy youth employ.Study to serve thy gentle mistress well,And merit her good graces by thy zeal;Watch as thou wilt, the trouble thou mayst spare,She'll easily deceive thy utmost care.When two fond lovers are agreed to meet,Canst thou their well-concerted plot defeat?The ways of kindness thou shouldst rather use;By being civil thou wilt nothing lose;And when an opportunity is fail,For thy own sake be friendly to our pray'r.A friend be to thy lady, not a guard,And we, with bounteous hand, thy friendship will reward.