T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
Did Not
By Thomas Moore (1779–1852)(From Juvenile Poems, 1801) ’TWAS a new feeling—something more | |
| Than we had dared to own before, | |
| Which then we hid not: | |
| We saw it in each other’s eye, | |
| And wished, in every half-breathed sigh, | 5 |
| To speak, but did not. | |
| She felt my lips’ impassioned touch— | |
| ’Twas the first time I dare so much, | |
| And yet she chid not; | |
| But whispered o’er my burning brow, | 10 |
| “Oh, do you doubt I love you now?” | |
| Sweet soul! I did not. | |
| Warmly I felt her bosom thrill. | |
| I pressed it closer, closer still, | |
| Though gently bid not, | 15 |
| Till—oh! the world hath seldom heard | |
| Of lovers, who so nearly erred, | |
| And yet, who did not. | |