Lord Byron on Courtship
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βAnd whispering, "I will ne'er consent"βconsented.β
βNot much he kens, I ween, of woman's breast, Who thinks that wanton thing is won by sighs.β
βThere is a tide in the affairs of women Which, taken at the flood, leadsβGod knows where.β
β'Tis enoughβ Who listens once will listen twice; Her heart be sure is not of ice, And one refusal no rebuff.β
β'Tis an old lesson; time approves it true, And those who know it best, deplore it most; When all is won that all desire to woo, The paltry prize is hardly worth the cost.β
βDo proper homage to thine idol's eyes; But not too humbly, or she will despise Thee and thy suit, though told in moving tropes: Disguise even tenderness, if thou art wise.β
βSome are soon bagg'd but some reject three dozen. 'Tis fine to see them scattering refusals And wild dismay, o'er every angry cousin (Friends of the party) who begin accusais, Such asβ"Unless Miss (Blank) meant to have chosen Poor Frederick, why did she accord perusals To his billets? Why waltz with him? Why, I pray, Look yes last night, and yet say No to-day?"β