T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
A Logical Song
Anonymous(From The Festival of Love, 1789) WHY, Chloe, thus squander your prime! | |
In debate between fear and temptation? | |
If adulterous love be a crime, | |
Why quarrel with plain fornication? | |
But your beauties with age you may lose; | 5 |
Then seize the short moment of joy! | |
If not—then with confidence use, | |
What by using you cannot destroy. | |
Come, come, bid our transports begin, | |
Ere we lose both our youth and our leisure; | 10 |
Sure ’tis better repenting a sin, | |
Than regretting loss of a pleasure. | |