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Instruction in the art of dress,

exploited Is not, with you, my business.

And if all this doth not suffice

You presently shall hear advice,

If so you will, where you may find

Example of the clearest kind.

But would you in the meantime make,

Choice of a friend for friendship’s sake,

Bestow your love, my dearest son,

On him who for yourself alone

Doth love you, but not recklessly;

Towards others let affection be

With purpose savoured, I will find

You many a one with purse well lined.

’Tis well to make some rich man friend,

Who feareth not his wealth to spend,

For him who knows to spoil and pill.

Fair-Welcome well might work his will

With such an one; he need but make

Believe that he for friend would take

None other for a heap of gold,

And swear that would he but have sold

The chance to some one else to kiss

The Rose, that treasury of bliss,

In gold and jewels might he swim,

But so his heart is true to him,

That none but he shall come anear

To share the prize he holds so dear.

Thousands may hear the same tale spun:

‘Fair sir, you are the favoured one,