The poem
IF to a girl who loves us truly Her mother gives instruction duly In virtue, duty, and what not,-- And if she hearkens ne'er a jot, But with fresh-strengthen'd longing flies
To meet our kiss that seems to burn,--
Caprice has just as much concerned As love in her bold enterprise.
But if her mother can succeed In gaining for her maxims heed, And softening the girl's heart too, So that she coyly shuns our view,-- The heart of youth she knows but ill;
For when a maiden is thus stern,
Virtue in truth has less concern In this, than an inconstant will.
1767-9.