His Supposed Mistress

If I freely can discover What would please me in my lover, I would have her fair and witty, Savouring more of court than city; A little proud, but full of pity; Light and humourous in her toying; Oft building hopes, and soon destroying; Long, but sweet in the enjoying, Neither too easy, nor too hard: All extremes I would have barred.

She should be allowed her passions, So they were but used as fashions; Sometimes froward, and then frowning, Sometimes sickish, and then swowning, Every fit with change still crowning. Purely jealous I would have her; Then only constant when I crave her, ’Tis a virtue should not save her. Thus, nor her delicates would cloy me, Neither her peevishness annoy me.