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Home  »  Poetica Erotica  »  Silvia

T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.

Silvia

Anonymous
 
(From Westminster Drolleries, 1671–2)

SILVIA, tell me how long it will be
  Before you will grant my desire:
Is there no end of your cruelty,
  But must I consume in this fire?
You’ll not tell me you love me, nor yet that you hate,        5
  But take pleasure in seeing me languish.
Ah, Silvia, pity my desperate state,
  For you are the cause of my anguish:
 
Her ANSWER
Damon, I tell thee I never shall be
  In a humour to grant thy desire;        10
Nor can I be taxed with cruelty,
  Having one that I more do admire.
For ’tis him that I love, and thee that I hate,
  Yet I find you fain would be doing;
No, Damon, you never shall be my Mate,        15
  Then prithee, Friend, leave off thy wooing.
 
His REPLY
Silvia know, I never shall more
  Be a Suitor to pride and disdaining,
Nor can my respects be as heretofore,
  Being now in the time of their waning:        20
For I prize not thy love, nor I fear not thy hate,
  Then prithee take it for a warning,
Whenever you meet with another mate,
  Faith, Silvia, leave off your scorning.