T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
Song of the Priest of Bel
By Francis Saltus Saltus (18491889)(From Lot’s Wife, 1890) COME to me, all ye who burn | |
For a passion in return! | |
There are perfumes on my body and fresh leaves upon my hair; | |
I am sleek and very wise, | |
I know woman’s softest sighs, | 5 |
And my kisses warm and manly all the senses can ensnare. | |
I am old, ay, very old, | |
And my price is bricks of gold, | |
Being chief and holy master of the lovers of the town. | |
I am high priest unto Bel, | 10 |
In the grace of Vul I dwell, | |
And the motion of my pleasure is a song and a renown! | |
I have been the pampered slave | |
Of King Amraphel, the grave, | |
I have swooned and slumbered often in King Chedorlaomer’s arms. | 15 |
There is gold within my house, | |
There are jewels on my brows, | |
And my breast is warm and tender as an Arkite maiden’s charms! | |
I have drugs to warm afresh | |
The dull failings of the flesh, | 20 |
I have grateful food and spices, and suave basams honey-pure, | |
And when laggard from excess | |
Of my amorous caress, | |
I will sing thee Nergal’s praises on the many-stringed kinoor. | |
See! the dawn is coming soon; | 25 |
There’s slumber in the moon; | |
Hasten, passer! hasten, stranger! to my tent’s enticing shade. | |
Be not tempted by the cry | |
Of the zonahs strutting by, | |
For my kisses are far sweeter than the kisses of a maid! | 30 |