T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
A Well-wishing to a Place of Pleasure
Percys Folio Manuscript(Anonymous. c. 1600. Vol. IV. 1867) |
SEE the building | |
Where, whilst my mistris lived in, | |
Was pleasure’s essence! | |
See how it droopeth | |
And how nakedly it looketh | 5 |
Without her presence! | |
Every creature | |
That appertaines to nature, | |
’bout this house living, | |
Doth resemble, | 10 |
If not dissemble, | |
due praises giving. | |
Harke! how the hollow | |
Windes do blow | |
And seem to murmur | 15 |
in every corner | |
for her long absence! | |
The which doth plainly show | |
The causes why I do now | |
All this grief and sorrow show. | 20 |
See the garden | |
Where I received reward in | |
for my true love! | |
Behold those places | |
Where I received those graces | 25 |
the Gods might move! | |
The Queene of plenty, | |
With all the fruits are dainty | |
delights to please. | |
Flora springing | 30 |
Is ever bringing | |
Dame Venus ease. | |
Oh, see the arbour where that she | |
with melting kisses, | |
distilling blisses | 35 |
From her true selfe, | |
with joy did ravish me! | |
The pretty nightingale | |
did sing melodiously. | |
Haile to those groves | 40 |
Where I injoyde those loves | |
so many dayes! | |
Let the flowers be springing | |
And sweet birds ever singing | |
their Roundelayes! | 45 |
Many Cupid’s measures | |
And cause for true Love’s pleasures | |
Be danced around! | |
Let all contentment | |
For mirth’s presentment | 50 |
this day be found! | |
And may the grass grow ever green | |
where we two lying | |
have oft been trying | |
More several wayes | 55 |
th[a]n beauties lovely Queen | |
When she in bed with Mars | |
by all the Gods was seen! | |