T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
“If She Be Not As Kind”
By Sir George Etherege (1635?–1691)(From The Comical Revenge, 1664) |
IF she be not as kind as fair, | |
| But peevish and unhandy, | |
| Leave her, she’s only worth the care | |
| Of some spruce jack-a-dandy. | |
| I would not have thee such an ass, | 5 |
| Hadst thou ne’er so much leisure, | |
| To sigh and whine for such a lass | |
| Whose pride’s above her pleasure. * * * * * | |
| Ladies, though to your conquering eyes | |
| Love owes his chiefest victories, | 10 |
| And borrows those bright arms from you | |
| With which he does the world subdue, | |
| Yet you yourself are not above | |
| The empire nor the griefs of love. | |
| Then rack not lovers with disdain, | 15 |
| Lest Love on you revenge their pain; | |
| You are not free because you’re fair; | |
| The Boy did not his Mother spare: | |
| Beauty’s but an offensive dart, | |
| It is no armour for the heart. | 20 |