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Home  »  Poetica Erotica  »  The Enjoyment

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

The Enjoyment

By Thomas Otway (1652–1685)
 
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.