T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
A Counterlove
By John Lyly (1555?1606)(From The Phoenix Nest, 1593) DECLARE, O mind, from fond desires excluded, | |
That thou didst find erewhile, by Love deluded. | |
An eye, the plot, whereon Love sets his gin, | |
Beauty, the trap, wherein the heedless fall, | |
A smile, the train, that draws the simple in, | 5 |
Sweet words, the wily instrument of all, | |
Intreaties posts, fair promises are charms, | |
Writing, the messenger, that woos our harms. | |
Mistress, and servant, titles of mischance: | |
Commandments done, the act of slavery, | 10 |
Their colors worn, a clownish cognizance, | |
And double duty, petty drudgery, | |
And when she twines and dallies with thy locks, | |
Thy freedom then is brought into the stocks. | |
To touch her hand, her hand binds thy desire, | 15 |
To wear her ring, her ring is Nessus’ gift, | |
To feel her breast, her breast doth blow the fire, | |
To see her bare, her bare a baleful drift, | |
To bait thine eyes thereon, is loss of sight, | |
To think of it, confounds thy senses quite. | 20 |
Kisses the keys, to sweet consuming sin, | |
Closings, Cleopatra’s adders at thy breast, | |
Fained resistance then she will begin, | |
And yet unsatiable in all the rest, | |
And when thou dost unto the act proceed, | 25 |
The bed doth groan, and tremble at the deed. | |
Beauty, a silver dew that falls in May, | |
Love is an Eggshell, with that humor filled, | |
Desire, a winged boy, coming that way, | |
Delights and dallies with it in the field, | 30 |
The fiery Sun, draws up the shell on high, | |
Beauty decays, Love dies, desire doth fly. | |
Unharmed give ear, that thing is hap’ly caught, | |
That cost some dear, if thou mayst ha’ for naught. | |