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Home  »  Poetica Erotica  »  Song: “Custom, alas! doth partial prove”

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

Song: “Custom, alas! doth partial prove”

Anonymous
 
(From The Cupid, 1736)

CUSTOM, alas! doth partial prove,
  Nor gives us even measure:
To maids it is a pain to love,
  But ’tis to men a pleasure.
 
They freely can their thoughts explain,        5
  Whilst ours must burn within:
We have got eyes and tongues in vain,
  And truth from us is sin.
 
Men to new joys and conquests fly,
  And yet no hazard run.        10
Poor we are left if we deny;
  Or if we yield, undone.
 
Then equal laws let custom find,
  Nor either sex oppress:
More freedom give to womankind,        15
  Or give to mankind less.