T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
The Progress of Love
By Robert Dodsley (17041764)BENEATH the myrtle’s secret shade, | |
When Delia blest my eyes; | |
At first I view’d the lovely maid | |
In silent soft surprise. | |
With trembling voice, and anxious mind, | 5 |
I softly whisper’d love; | |
She blush’d a smile so sweetly kind, | |
Did all my fears remove. | |
Her lovely yielding form I prest, | |
Sweet maddening kisses stole; | 10 |
And soon her swimming eyes confest | |
The wishes of her soul: | |
In wild tumultuous bliss I cry, | |
“O Delia, now be kind!” | |
She press’d me close, and with a sigh, | 15 |
To melting joys resign’d. | |