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Home  »  Poetica Erotica  »  Love Not Too Much

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

Love Not Too Much

By Bernard Gilbert (1882–1927)
 
(From Rebel Verses, 1918)

HAVE you too greatly loved?
Sister take warning!
Once let your soul be moved,
Sable your mourning;
If he be satiate,        5
Then an ingratiate,
Waiteth the dawning.
 
Shew not the passion
That stirs in your veins,
Far more alluring        10
To handle the reins,
His love ensuring….
In masculine fashion
If certain—he wanes.
 
He the pursuer        15
Must ever press on,
Passionate wooer
Whilst you are a stone;
Shew but a touch,
Yet never too much        20
And the battle is won.
 
Man is a monster
Made to be stroked,
Close then your arms
Cover your charms;        25
Great the enticement
Of beauties when hidden,
Of passion well cloaked.
 
Crazed, he shall plead,
For what you yield gladly,        30
Fiercer his greed,
For what you give madly;
You may have pleasure
And still hold your treasure….
Sister, take heed!        35