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Home  »  Poetica Erotica  »  A Well-wishing to a Place of Pleasure

T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.

A Well-wishing to a Place of Pleasure

Percy’s 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!