AS WILLIAM walking with his wife was seen, A man of rank admired her lovely mien. Who gave you such a charming fair? he cried, May I presume to kiss your beauteous bride? With all my heart, replied the humble swain, You're welcome, sir:--I beg you'll not refrain; She's at your service: take the boon, I pray; You'll not such offers meet with ev'ry day.
THE gentleman proceeded as desired; To get a kiss, alone he had aspired; So fervently howe'er he pressed her lip, That Petronella blushed at ev'ry sip.
SEVEN days had scarcely run, when to his arms, The other took a wife with seraph charms; And William was allowed to have a kiss, That filled his soul with soft ecstatick bliss. Cried he, I wish, (and truly I am grieved) That when the gentleman a kiss received, From her I love, he'd gone to greater height, And with my Petronella passed the night.
WHEN Sister Jane, who had produced a child, In prayer and penance all her hours beguiled Her sister-nuns around the lattice pressed; On which the abbess thus her flock addressed: Live like our sister Jane, and bid adieu To worldly cares:--have better things in view.
YES, they replied, we sage like her shall be, When we with love have equally been free.
PAINTER in Paphos and Cythera famed Depict, I pray, the absent Iris' face. Thou hast not seen the lovely nymph I've named; The better for thy peace.--Then will I trace For thy instruction her transcendent grace. Begin with lily white and blushing rose, Take then the Loves and Graces... But what good Words, idle words? for Beauty's Goddess could By Iris be replaced, nor one suppose The secret fraud--their grace so equal shows. Thou at Cythera couldst, at Paphos too, Of the same Iris Venus form anew.
PRONE, on my couch I calmly slept Against my wont. A little child Awoke me as he gently crept And beat my door. A tempest wild Was raging-dark and cold the night. “Have pity on my naked plight,” He begged, “and ope thy door.”--“Thy name?” I asked admitting him.--“The same “Anon I'll tell, but first must dry “My weary limbs, then let me try “My mois'ened bow.”--Despite my fear The hearth I lit, then drew me near My guest, and chafed his fingers cold. “Why fear?” I thought. “Let me be bold “No Polyphemus he; what harm “In such a child?--Then I'll be calm!” The playful boy drew out a dart, Shook his fair locks, and to my heart His shaft he launch'd.--“Love is my name,” He thankless cried, “I hither came “To tame thee. In thine ardent pain “Of Cupid think and young Climene.”-- “Ah! now I know thee, little scamp, “Ungrateful, cruel boy! Decamp!” Cupid a saucy caper cut, Skipped through the door, and as it shut, “My bow,” he taunting cried, “is sound, “Thy heart, poor comrade, feels the wound.”