T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
A Dialogue betwixt Castadorus and Arabella in Bed
By Thomas Jordan (1612?1685?)(From Poetical Varieties, 1637) ARABELLA. Dear Castadorus, let me rise, | |
Aurora ’gins to jeer me: | |
She tells me I do wantonise. | |
CASTADORUS. I prithee, sweet, lie near me. | |
Let red Aurora blush, my dear, | 5 |
And Phoebus laughing follow; | |
Thou only art Aurora here, | |
Let me be thy Apollo. | |
It is to envy at our bliss | |
That they do rise before us: | 10 |
Is there such hurt in this or this? | |
ARABELLA. Nay, fie! why, Castadorus! | |
CASTADORUS. What, Arabella, can one night | |
Of wanton dalliance tire you? | |
I could be ever if I might: | 15 |
One hour let me desire you. | |
ARABELLA. Fie, fie, you hurt me; let me go! | |
If you so roughly use me, | |
What can I say or think of you. | |
CASTADORUS. I prithee, Love, excuse me. | 20 |
Thy beauty and my love defend | |
I should ungently move thee: | |
’Tis kisses sweet that I intend: | |
Is it not I that love thee? | |
ARABELLA. I do confess it is, but then— | 25 |
Since you do so importune | |
That I should once lie down again— | |
Vouchsafe to draw the curtain. | |
Aurora and Apollo, too, | |
May visit silent fields; | 30 |
By my consent they ne’er shall know | |
The bliss our pleasure yields. | |