nothing so frequent as to belie their estates, to prefer their suits, and to advance themselves.  Many men to fetch over a young woman, widows, or whom they love, will not stick to crack, forge and feign any thing comes next, bid his boy fetch his cloak, rapier, gloves, jewels, &c. in such a chest, scarlet-golden-tissue breeches, &c. when there is no such matter; or make any scruple to give out, as he did in Petronius, that he was master of a ship, kept so many servants, and to personate their part the better take upon them to be gentlemen of good houses, well descended and allied, hire apparel at brokers, some scavenger or prick-louse tailors to attend upon them for the time, swear they have great possessions, [5178]bribe, lie, cog, and foist how dearly they love, how bravely they will maintain her, like any lady, countess, duchess, or queen; they shall have gowns, tiers, jewels, coaches, and caroches, choice diet,

       “The heads of parrots, tongues of nightingales,
        The brains of peacocks, and of ostriches,
        Their bath shall be the juice of gilliflowers,
        Spirit of roses and of violets,
        The milk of unicorns,” &c.

as old Volpone courted Celia in the [5179]comedy, when as they are no such men, not worth a groat, but mere sharkers, to make a fortune, to get their desire, or else pretend love to spend their idle hours, to be more welcome, and for better entertainment.  The conclusion is, they mean nothing less,

[5180] “Nil metuunt jurare, nihil promittere curant: 
        Sed simul accupidae mentis satiata libido est,
        Dicta nihil metuere, nihil perjuria curant;”

       “Oaths, vows, promises, are much protested;
        But when their mind and lust is satisfied,
        Oaths, vows, promises, are quite neglected;”

though he solemnly swear by the genius of Caesar, by Venus’ shrine, Hymen’s deity, by Jupiter, and all the other gods, give no credit to his words.  For when lovers swear, Venus laughs, Venus haec perjuria ridet, [5181]Jupiter himself smiles, and pardons it withal, as grave [5182]Plato gives out; of all perjury, that alone for love matters is forgiven by the gods.  If promises, lies, oaths, and protestations will not avail, they fall to bribes, tokens, gifts, and such like feats. [5183]_Plurimus auro conciliatur amor_:  as Jupiter corrupted Danae with a golden shower, and Liber Ariadne with a lovely crown, (which was afterwards translated into the heavens, and there for ever shines;) they will rain chickens, florins, crowns, angels, all manner of coins and stamps in her lap.  And so must he certainly do that will speed, make many feasts, banquets, invitations, send her some present or other every foot. Summo studio parentur epulae (saith [5184]Haedus) et crebrae fiant largitiones, he must be very bountiful and liberal, seek and sue, not to her only, but to all her followers, friends, familiars, fiddlers, panders, parasites,