T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
The Surprising Lover
Anonymous(From Wit at a Venture; or Clio’s Privy Garden, 1674) |
LOVE, in rambling once astray, | |
Was benighted in his way; | |
With cold and tiresome cares opprest, | |
He creeps in fair Lucina’s breast | |
To shelter there and take his rest. | 5 |
The nymph, not dreaming of her fate, | |
And of an unexpected guess | |
Much less, | |
To come so late, | |
Slept on: the youth, recov’ring heat, | 10 |
Prepares his arms to try a feat. | |
The deed scarce done, the nymph awakes | |
And in the act the youngster takes, | |
Strangely surprised, yet well contented too | |
That she enjoyed so sweet a bed-fellow. | 15 |
Then, viewing well her guess all o’er, | |
She liked his presence more and more; | |
Telling him, rather than he should begone, | |
She’d nurse and keep him as her own: | |
And if he’d vow ne’er to depart, | 20 |
She’d find him lodging next her heart. | |