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The former eight attend you well,

But he were under folly’s spell

Who wasted on the other two

His time—’tis what a dolt would do.

Too great a burden ’tis to lay

Upon a lover when you say,

Though his large heart would all em­brace,

With one alone must it enlace.

The son of Venus counsels this.

But sorely will he do amiss

Who follows his advice, and dear

Shall pay, as will at last appear.

In love, fair son, remain you free,

Fix not on one especially:

Suffer your heart at will to roam,

Nor lend nor give it to one home,

But let it be your constant boast

That, his it is who pays the most,

Yet see the buyer doth not get

A bargain though his gold you sweat.

Above all, give it not away,

Better, burn, hang, or drown one may.

Remember, when you give, to twist

Your fingers fast with folded fist,

But taking, open wide your hand,

Fools only give, pray understand,

Except it be by way of lure,

Some fourfold profit to ensure,

Or in return fair gift to get

Whereby good guerdon one may net;

Such gifts as these will I allow,

For good it is to give, I trow,