The Art of Courtship

the art of courtship is sublime 
subtler than an intricate rhyme 
a meandering way to romantic glory 
or a steep fall into purgatory 
you know not what instruments to hide 
and what to wield through this sunset ride 
it may bring hopes and desires new 
and carnal love for a chosen few 
but that comes after you've swam through 
when the harvest is yours to accrue 
if you triumph, you may rejoice 
if not, quote this in a pensive voice: 
rules alter and instructions fail 
thus ends a miserable tale