T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
To a Young Lady Leaning out of Her Window
By Thomas Brown (1662–1704)| WHEN Venus naked from the sea arose, | |
| She did not half so many charms expose, | |
| Nor when for the decisive fruit she strove, | |
| Showed Paris half so rich a view of love: | |
| Nay, when she clasped Adonis in her arms, | 5 |
| The melting Goddess had not half your charms: | |
| Less firm her snowy breasts, her skin less white, | |
| Her lovely limbs less tempting to delight. | |
| How then shall we express those charms below, | |
| Which you and nature both forbear to show? | 10 |
| So fair an hostess, and so fair a sign, | |
| Would force a trade, and recommend bad wine. | |
| Water from such a spring is sweeter far, | |
| Than all the clusters of the vintage are. | |
| Let Bacchanalians and the empty beaux, | 15 |
| Hunt out Champagne, Burgundy, and Bordeaux. | |
| To fetch some drops from that dear shady well, | |
| Would all the nectar of the gods excel; | |
| Your eyes assure us that you can dispense | |
| Peculiar joys for each peculiar sense. | 20 |
| Then having let us see, pray let us taste | |
| Those dear concealed delights below the waist; | |
| ’Twere madness to expect to keep one’s heart, | |
| When Cupid lies entrenched in every part. | |
| How shall we guard our freedom from surprise, | 25 |
| When your least charms are in your conquering eyes? | |