T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
The Fall
By Sir Charles Sedley (1639–1701)| AS Chloe o’er the meadows past | |
| I viewed the lovely maid: | |
| She turned and blushed, renewed her haste, | |
| And feared by me to be embraced— | |
| My eyes my wish betrayed. | 5 |
| I trembling felt the rising flame, | |
| The charming nymph pursued; | |
| Daphne was not so bright a game, | |
| Tho’ great Apollo’s darling dame, | |
| Nor with such charms endued. | 10 |
| I followed close, the fair still flew | |
| Along the grassy plain; | |
| The grass at length my rival grew, | |
| And catched my Chloe by the shoe; | |
| Her speed was then in vain. | 15 |
| But, oh! as tottering down she fell, | |
| What did the fall reveal? | |
| Such limbs description cannot tell; | |
| Such charms were never in the Mall, | |
| Nor smock did e’er conceal. | 20 |
| She shrieked; I turned my ravished eyes | |
| And, burning with desire, | |
| I helped the Queen of Love to rise; | |
| She checked her anger and surprise, | |
| And said, “Rash youth, retire, | 25 |
| “Begone, and boast what you have seen; | |
| It shan’t avail you much: | |
| I know you like my form and mien, | |
| Yet since so insolent you’ve been, | |
| The Parts disclosed you ne’er shall touch.” | 30 |