Charles Sackville, Earl of Dorset (1638–1706)

IN vain, Clemene, you bestow

The promised empire of your heart

If you refuse to let me know

The wealthy charms of every part.

My passion with your kindness grew,

Tho’ beauty gave the first desire:

But beauty only to pursue

Is following a wand’ring fire.

As hills in perspective suppress

The free enquiry of the sight;

Restraint makes every pleasure less

And takes from love the full delight.

Faint kisses may in part supply

Those eager longings of my soul;

But oh! I’m lost if you deny

A quick possession of the whole.