So the Gay Youth does Lavish his Estate,
And bribes into the Favour of the Great;
Prefer’d he sits like Fortunes Darling Son,
To’s Friends, and what he was, a Stranger grown;
Till soon some turn of a Revolving State,
Leaves him to Curse Ambition, and his Fate;
Threaten’d with Want, perhaps the Youngster Writes,
And Lives (or rather Starves Genteely) by his Wits.

Therefore, Melissa, Guard thee from surprize;
Let none of these betray thee, if thou’rt Wise;
Let not their Songs, nor Sighs, thy Soul Entice. 
But if thou wou’dst be happy in thy Choice,
Above ’em all, a Gentleman prefer;
One free from Bus’ness, undisturb’d with Care;
Yet in the Publick Good (without Vile ends)
To serve his Country, and his Countries Friends: 
Travel his Understanding shou’d improve;
For as it helps his Knowledge, ’twould his Love. 
As to his Person, ’tis not to advise;
All Women see not with the self-same Eyes. 
In that you might your own Opinion use,
Your Heart wou’d teach you; but were I to chuse,
He shou’d not be Effeminate or Proud,
(I hate the Man that is by Pride subdu’d). 
In us I Grant a little Pride may be,
Much less a Crime (and may with Sense agree)
A Gift alone for our own Sex design’d,
To awe the loose Opinions of Mankind;
Who quickly else more Insolent wou’d grow: 
’Tis Vertue’s Guard, and Aids our Beauties too.

A Gay Appearance shou’d not make me err;
I wou’d the Beauties of the Mind prefer. 
Among the Few, I’d have a Man of Sense,
Endu’d with Modesty and Temperance;
Not with a great, and yet a good Estate;
Not too much Learning, nor Illiterate,
And yet he shou’d (avoiding each extream)
Know more of Man, than Man shou’d know of him. 
Be Gen’rous and Well-bred, but not Profuse;
Not giv’n to Flattery, nor to take th’ Abuse: 
Gentile his Carriage, and his Humour such,
Shou’d speak him Sociable, but no Debauch. 
A Lover of his Country, and a Friend to Wit
Read Poetry he shou’d, but shou’d not write;
His Temper Lively, not to Wildness bent,
His Talk Diverting, and yet Innocent;
Not Unreserv’d, nor yet too Nicely Wise,
Apter to Bear, than Offer Injuries;
Courage enough his Honour to defend,
But Constant in his Love, and Faithful to his Friend.

This is the Man I’d to my Heart prefer; }
Such Men, Melissa, well deserve our Care; }
You’ll say they’re Scarce, and I must grant they are. }
Yet I resolve by such a Man, or none,
(Unless by Love betray’d) I will be won.

But were I Woo’d by the Embellish’d Youth;
His Soul susceptible of Love and Truth: 
By easie steps he shou’d attain my Heart,
By all the Proofs of Breeding, Wit, and Art. 
Then like some Town, by War-like Numbers sought,
That long against its Enemies has fought,
And oft with Courage brav’d the shining Field, }
Yet in the end by Want or Force compell’d, }
It does with Honour to the Conqueror Yield. }