T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
The Invitation
By Aphra Behn (1640–1689)(From Poems, 1683) COME, my Phillis, let us improve | |
| Both our joys of equal love: | |
| While we in yonder shady grove, | |
| Count minutes by our kisses. | |
| See the flowers how sweetly they spread, | 5 |
| And each resigns his gawdy head, | |
| To make for us a fragrant bed, | |
| To practice o’er new blisses. | |
| The Sun itself with love does conspire, | |
| And sends abroad his ardent fire, | 10 |
| And kindly seems to bid us retire, | |
| And shade us from his glory; | |
| All that your swain desires there, | |
| Is by those eyes anew to swear | |
| How much he does adore ye. | 15 |
| Phillis, in vain you shed those tears; | |
| Why do you blush? Oh speak your fears! | |
| There’s none but you Amyntas hears: | |
| What means this pretty passion? | |
| Can you fear your Favours will cloy | 20 |
| Those that the blessing does enjoy? | |
| Ah no! such needless thoughts destroy: | |
| This nicety’s out of fashion. | |
| When thou hast done, by Pan I swear, | |
| Thou wilt unto my eyes appear | 25 |
| A thousand times more charming and fair, | |
| Then thou wert to my first desire: | |
| That smile was kind, and now thou’rt wise, | |
| To throw away this coy disguise, | |
| And by the vigor of thy eyes, | 30 |
| Declare thy youth and fire. | |