T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
A Song: After the fiercest pangs of hot desire
By Richard Duke (16581711)(From Miscellany Poems, 1707) AFTER the fiercest pangs of hot desire, | |
Between Panthea’s rising breasts, | |
His bending breast Philander rests: | |
Though vanquished, yet unknowing to retire, | |
Close hugs the charmer, and ashamed to yield, | 5 |
Tho’ he has lost the day, yet keeps the field. | |
When with a sigh the fair Panthea said, | |
“What pity ’tis, ye Gods, that all | |
The noblest warriors soonest fall!” | |
Then with a kiss he gently reared his head, | 10 |
Armed him again to fight, for nobly she | |
More loved the combat than the victory. | |
But more enraged, for being beat before, | |
With all his strength he does prepare | |
More fiercely to renew the war; | 15 |
Nor ceased he till the noble prize he bore: | |
Ev’n her much wondrous courage did surprise, | |
She hugs the dart that wounded her, and dies. | |