T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
Celamina of My Heart
By John Dryden (16311700)(From An Evening’s Love) DAMON. Celamina, of my heart, | |
None shall e’re bereave you: | |
If by your good leave I may | |
Quarrel with you once a day | |
I will never leave you. | 5 |
CELAMINA. Passion’s but an empty name, | |
Where respect is wanting; | |
Damon, you mistake your aim, | |
Hang your heart, and burn your flame, | |
If you must be ranting. | 10 |
DAMON. Love as dull and muddy is, | |
As decaying Liquor: | |
Anger sets it on the Lees, | |
And refines it by degrees, | |
Till it works it quicker. | 15 |
CELAMINA. Love by Quarrels to beget, | |
Wisely you endeavour, | |
With a grave Physician’s wit, | |
Who to cure an ague fit, | |
Puts me in a Fevor. | 20 |
DAMON. Anger rouseth Love to fight, | |
And his only bait is, | |
’Tis the spur to dull delight, | |
And is but an eager bite | |
When desire at height is. | 25 |
CELAMINA. If such drops of heat can fall | |
In our wooing weather, | |
If such drops of heat can fall, | |
We shall have the Devil and all | |
When we come together. | 30 |