Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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

The Enjoyment

By William Pattison (1706–1727)

(From Poetical Works, 1728) COME my Laura, come my love;
Come my tender turtle-dove;
Let me from this host retire,
To languish in a softer fire,
How the waving elms invite us!	5
How the rosy bowers delight us!
How their am’rous foldings twine,
To imitate thy arms and mine!
See these snowy lilies blowing,
With the blushing roses glowing,	10
Silently the soul inspire,
To kindle at thy lover’s fire:
See these springing violets rise,
Animated by thy eyes;
Lavishly their charms they spread,	15
To make a soft enamelled bed;
And like this downy swelling breast,
They rise, and languish to be pressed.
But O thou happy, happy grove,
Sacred to the God of love,	20
With the thickest umbrage shade us,
Let no piercing rays invade us:
Let no light but Beauty’s charm us,
Let no heat but Beauty’s warm us;
Make our artificial light,	25
Close and sweet as our delight.
And now, my dear, no longer coy,
Let us give a thought to joy!
Then, closely lay thy lips to mine,
And let our souls and bodies join:	30
Let me suck thy balmy breath,
And fainting, glory in my death.
Take me dying to thy arms,
Ah me! I die with pleasing pain,
O kindle me to life again.	35
And now, my brighter Queen of Love,
I’ll confess the stronger Jove.
O happiest transport, dearest blessing,
Sweetest-rapture past expressing!
Who can tell the thrilling pleasure,	40
When the nymph resigns her treasure!
When she melts in ripen’d blisses,
Breathing out her soul in kisses!
When in Paradise she lies,
And rolls her pretty dying eyes:	45
While the Snake with softer strains,
Sweetly stings her tickling veins!
She pants, she sighs, she heaves her charms,
And locks her vig’rous lover in her arms.