_Melissa Belinda._

Melissa.

Prithee, _Belinda_ (for thou know'st I'm Young,
Unskill'd in Arts that to our Sex belong)
Thy wiser Counsels to my Youth impart;
Teach me at once to _Love_, and _Guard_ my Heart;
That I have _Wit_, can _Sing_ and _Dance_ you know,
And the Men tell me I am Pretty too;
I now have Fifteen pleasing Summers seen,
And have been Courted by twice Fifteen Men;
Still fresh Pretenders do my Peace Invade,
They _Write_, they _Visit, Sigh_ and _Serenade_,
And try allways to Catch a Harmless Maid.

Then since our Virgin Thoughts are apt to Rove,
And few escape that Noble Passion _Love_,
Teach me, _Belinda_, by thy Arts to Chuse
What Suiters to Admit, and which Refuse._

_Belinda._

_Melissa_, I am glad you're so Discreet, }
For, that to more Experience you'll submit, }
Argues your want of _Vanity_, not _Wit_. }

And yet, my Dear, 'tis difficult t' Advise, }
_Fools_ are so Plenty, and so Scarce the _Wise_: }