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Home  »  Poetica Erotica  »  A Song at the Kings House

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.