ators.

BOOK I

If in so learned an Age as this, when Arts and Sciences are risen to
such Perfection, there be any Gentleman unskilled in the Art of
Loving, let him come to my School; where, if he hath any Genius, he
will soon become an Adept: For I would by no means have any young
Gentlemen think, that Erudition is unnecessary upon this Occasion. It
is well known that the [1]Rules of Art are necessary to the Conduct of
a Ship; for which reason, none but able and experienced Seamen are
preferred to the Command of one. Rules are necessary even to make a
good Coachman, as those Gentlemen who have the Ambition to excel this
way very well know. In the same manner is Art required to drive the
Chariot of Love well. Now it hath pleased _Venus_ to place me in the
Coach-Box: what a Captain is to a Ship, or the Driver to his Chariot,
that am I to Love. I own indeed Master _Cupid_ is a little wild, and
often stubborn; but he is only a Child, and of an Age to be
disciplined: And however fierce the Disposition of a Lad may be, a
judicious Schoolmaster knows very well how to correct it: For many a
Boy who hath afterwards turned out a Hero, hath when at School very
patiently submitted to the Lash, and quietly, at the Word of Command,
held out his Hands to be whipt [2]. Duke _William_ [3] himself, when a
Lad, very possibly submitted to Correction; and he [4] who was
hereafter to become the Terror of his Enemies, might in his Youth have
been afraid of his Tutor. Mr. _Pointz_ was his Preceptor: I am the
Preceptor of Love. Both these Youths were of a fierce Disposition,
both elevated [5] in their Birth. But as the stoutest Ox submits
himself to the Yoke, and the most fiery Horse to the Bridle, so shall
Love to me. Though he may bend his Bow against my Breast, and shake
his Torches at me; no matter: nay, the more he pierces me with his
Arrows, the more he burns me, the more severely will I be revenged of
him.

But here, Master _Apollo_, I will tell no lies to my Readers. I do not
pretend to have received any Inspiration from you, any more than from
Parson _Whitefield_ [6]: And as for Miss _Clio_ [7] and her eight
Sisters, I never visit them; nor have I even a Cap-Acquaintance with
them. I write from Experience only; and _Experto crede Roberto_ is my
Motto. I promise my Readers that I will tell them truth; and if I
must, for form sake, invoke any Muse, _Venus_ herself shall be the
Person [8]. Sweet Goddess! then be thou present,