T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
A Song: In vain, Clemene, you bestow
By Charles Sackville, Earl of Dorset (16381706)(Contributed to Southerne’s Sir Anthony Love, 1691) |
IN vain, Clemene, you bestow | |
The promised empire of your heart: | |
If you refuse to let me know | |
The wealthy charms of every part. | |
My passion with your kindness grew, | 5 |
Tho’ beauty gave the first desire: | |
But beauty only to pursue | |
Is following a wand’ring fire. | |
As hills in perspective suppress | |
The free enquiry of the sight; | 10 |
Restraint makes every pleasure less | |
And takes from love the full delight. | |
Faint kisses may in part supply | |
Those eager longings of my soul; | |
But oh! I’m lost if you deny | 15 |
A quick possession of the whole. | |