T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
A Lamentable Case
By Sir Charles Hanbury Williams (1708–1759)Submitted to the Bath Physicians (1744) YE famed physicians of this place, | |
| Hear Strephon’s and poor Chloe’s case, | |
| Nor think that I am joking; | |
| When she would, he cannot comply, | |
| When he wou’d drink, she’s not a-dry; | 5 |
| And is not this provoking? | |
| At night, when Strephon comes to rest, | |
| Chloe received him on her breast, | |
| With fondly-folding arms: | |
| Down, down he hangs his drooping head, | 10 |
| Falls fast asleep, and lies as dead, | |
| Neglecting all her charms. | |
| Reviving when the morn returns, | |
| With rising flames young Strephon burns, | |
| And then, wou’d fain be doing: | 15 |
| But Chloe, now asleep or sick, | |
| Has no great relish for the trick, | |
| And sadly balks his wooing. | |
| O cruel and disastrous case, | |
| When in the critical embrace | 20 |
| That only one is burning! | |
| Dear Doctors, set this matter right; | |
| Give Strephon spirits over night, | |
| Or Chloe in the morning. | |