Richardson's New London fashionable gentleman's valentine writer, or, the lover's own book for this year: Containing a very choice selection of original and popular valentines, with appropriate answers

VALENTINE WRITER.

FROM A GENTLEMAN.

As I wander’d about ’tother day full of thought, With the subject of love I was very much caught; Whether best to live single, or best with a wife, I assure you within me was terrible strife.

Thinks I to myself, one is stupid alone, And I’m sure I have read, “two is better than one;” So a wife I have fixed on, that wife shall be you, If it please you, and I will be constant and true.

LADY’S ANSWER.

“To be constant and true”--your promise is fair, And I with your lines am quite smit I declare; So I, at your word, take you, and send you this line, To say I rejoice to be your Valentine.

FROM A YOUNG MAN NEARLY OUT OF HIS TIME, TO HIS FAVOURITE LADY.

I have only a few months to serve, When I shall be out of my time; To keep thee I’ll strain every nerve, Devoting to thee all my prime.

Then spite of relations and friends, Consent, my dear girl, to be mine; I’ll make for their loss great amends, If you’ll be my fond Valentine.

ANSWER OF COMPLIANCE.

That you promise fair, I confess, And shall not your offer decline; Indeed I want words to express, That you’re my approv’d Valentine.

ANSWER OF REJECTION.

You ought to have patience indeed, Until you’re in bus’ness awhile; For how do you know you’ll succeed, So many now fail in their toil?

Then you’d be a bankrupt in love, If business began to decline; And, oh! what a burthen would prove Your hasty and rash Valentine!

FROM A SERVANT TO HIS FAVOURITE LASS.

Altho’ I have a charming place, Yet I’d that place resign, My dearest fair one to embrace, And be her Valentine.

’Tis thee alone that I would serve, Then to my suit incline, Nor from your humble servant swerve, But be his Valentine.

ANSWER OF COMPLIANCE.

I have receiv’d your Valentine, And ponder’d upon every line; And if I must confess the truth, I think you are a charming youth.

ANSWER OF REJECTION.

Pray keep your place where plenty reigns, The thought is a bad sign; If you gave up your ways and means, How could you keep a Valentine?

Such idleness I can’t endure; Then mind I do advise, When poverty is at the door, Love out of window flies.

FROM A GENTLEMAN.

When first I saw thee I would fain Have feasted on the sight again-- That thy sweet figure I may ’twine, Consent to be my Valentine.

ANSWER OF COMPLIANCE.

To thee this answer I address, For soon did I the author guess; But, ere my person I resign, I wish to see my Valentine.

ANSWER OF REJECTION.

Love, when sudden, is not right, Who can judge, pray, at first sight? Madness you with love combine, Is’t thus you seek a Valentine?

FROM ANY ONE IN GREAT OR HUMBLE CIRCUMSTANCES, TO A LADY THAT IS FOND OF SINGING.

Mark well--“Oh, thou wert born to please me,” ’Tis true--“My dear, my only love”-- Then with a negative don’t teaze me-- But your fond Valentine approve.

“Come, live with me and be my love”-- And you shall sing “sweet home” each day; So happy, we’ll together rove “Over the hills and far away.”

ANSWER OF COMPLIANCE.

I understand, Sir, what you mean, So you may get the wedding ring; “Ah, sure a pair were never seen,” The people all around will sing.

“Sweet home!” is a delightful song, “Begone, dull Care,” shall give us cheer “A snug little cot” we’ll have ere long-- “The charming fellow” you shall hear.

ANSWER OF REJECTION.

“Go, naughty man, I can’t abide you,” “Cease your cunning” so malign; There are other men beside you, And a better Valentine.

FROM A GENTLEMAN.

I am a gentleman by birth-- A competency boast; Of all the fair ones upon earth, Thee I admire the most.

Thou art accomplish’d--quite refin’d-- An angel, so divine! Then, since thou’rt suited to my mind Pray be my Valentine.

ANSWER OF COMPLIANCE.