‘TIs so uncommon a thing to see Tulips last till Roses come to be blown, that the seeing them in this Garden grow together, as it deserves my notice, so methinks it should suggest to me some Reflection or other on it. And perhaps it may not be an improper one, to compare the difference betwixt these two kinds of Flowers, to the disparity which I have often observ’d, betwixt the Fates of those young Ladies, that are onely very handsome, and those that have a less degree of Beauty recompenc’d by the Accession of Wit, Discretion, and Virtue: For Tulips, whil’st they are fresh, do indeed by the Lustre, and Vividness, of their Colours, more delight the Eye than Roses; but then they do not alone quickly fade, but as soon as they have lost that freshness, and gawdiness, that solv indear’d them, they degenerate into things not onely undesirable, but distastful; whereas Roses, besides the moderate Beauty they disclose to the Eye, (which is sufficient to please, though not to charm it) do not onely keep their Colour longer than Tulips, but when that decays, retain a perfum’d Odour, and divers useful Qualities, and Virtues, that survive the Spring, and recommend them all the Year. Thus those unadvis’d young Ladies, that because Nature has given them Beauty enough, despise all other Qualities, and ev’n that regular Diet which is ordinarily requisite to make Beauty it self lasting, not onely are wont to decay betimes, but as soon as they have lost that Youthful freshness, that alone endear’d them, quickly pass from being Objects of Wonder, and Love, to be so of Pity, if not of Scorn; Whereas those that were as sollicitous to enrich their Minds, as to adorn their Faces, may not onely with a mediocrity of Beauty be very desirable whil’st that lasts, but notwithstanding the recess of that, and Youth, may, by the fragrancy of their Reputation, and those Virtues and Ornaments of the Mind, that Time do’s but improve, be always sufficiently endear’d to those that have merit enough to discern, and value, such Excellencies; and whose Esteem and Friendship is alone worth their being concern’d for. In a word, they prove the happiest, as well as they are the wisest, Ladies, that whil’st they possess the desirable Qualities that Youth is wont to give, neglect not the acquist of those that Age cannot take away.
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