T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
The Invitation
By Aphra Behn (16401689)(From Poems, 1683) COME, my Phillis, let us improve | |
Both our joys of equal love: | |
While we in yonder shady grove, | |
Count minutes by our kisses. | |
See the flowers how sweetly they spread, | 5 |
And each resigns his gawdy head, | |
To make for us a fragrant bed, | |
To practice o’er new blisses. | |
The Sun itself with love does conspire, | |
And sends abroad his ardent fire, | 10 |
And kindly seems to bid us retire, | |
And shade us from his glory; | |
All that your swain desires there, | |
Is by those eyes anew to swear | |
How much he does adore ye. | 15 |
Phillis, in vain you shed those tears; | |
Why do you blush? Oh speak your fears! | |
There’s none but you Amyntas hears: | |
What means this pretty passion? | |
Can you fear your Favours will cloy | 20 |
Those that the blessing does enjoy? | |
Ah no! such needless thoughts destroy: | |
This nicety’s out of fashion. | |
When thou hast done, by Pan I swear, | |
Thou wilt unto my eyes appear | 25 |
A thousand times more charming and fair, | |
Then thou wert to my first desire: | |
That smile was kind, and now thou’rt wise, | |
To throw away this coy disguise, | |
And by the vigor of thy eyes, | 30 |
Declare thy youth and fire. | |