T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
The Enjoyment
By Thomas Otway (16521685)CLASPED in the arms of her I love | |
In vain, alas! for life I strove: | |
My fluttering spirits, wrapped in fire | |
By Love’s mysterious art, | |
Borne on the wings of fierce desire, | 5 |
Flew from my flaming heart. | |
Thus lying in a trance for dead, | |
Her swelling breasts bore up my head; | |
When waking from a pleasant dream, | |
I saw her killing eyes, | 10 |
Which did in fiery glances seem | |
To say, now, Celia dies. | |
Fainting, she pressed me in her arms, | |
And trembling lay, dissolved in charms; | |
When with a shivering voice she cried, | 15 |
Must I alone, then die? | |
No, no, I languishing replied, | |
I’ll bear thee company. | |
Melting our souls thus into one, | |
Swift joys our wishes did out-run; | 20 |
Then launched in rolling seas of bliss, | |
We bid the world adieu; | |
Swearing by every charming kiss, | |
To be forever true. | |