T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
A Song at the Kings House
Anonymous(From Westminster Drolleries, 1671–2) |
CLORIS, let my passion ever, | |
Be to you as I design: | |
Flames so noble, that you never | |
Saw the like till you knew mine. | |
Not a breath of feigned passion | 5 |
From my lips shall reach your ears; | |
Nor this love that’s now in fashion, | |
Made of modest sighs and tears. | |
In my breast a room so fitting | |
For your heart I will prepare, | 10 |
That you’ll never think of quitting, | |
Were you once but harbour’d there. | |
The Rent’s not great that I require | |
From your heart, mine to repay: | |
Fortitude’s all I desire | 15 |
To keep your lodging from decay. | |
Fairest Saint, then be not cruel, | |
Nor to love me count it sin; | |
Since a smile from you is fuel, | |
For to keep this fire in. | 20 |
When I am forc’d by death or age, | |
From your flames for to retire, | |
All true Lovers I’ll engage | |
Still my passion to admire. | |