T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
A Song: “After the fiercest pangs of hot desire”
By Richard Duke (1658–1711)(From Miscellany Poems, 1707) AFTER the fiercest pangs of hot desire, | |
| Between Panthea’s rising breasts, | |
| His bending breast Philander rests: | |
| Though vanquished, yet unknowing to retire, | |
| Close hugs the charmer, and ashamed to yield, | 5 |
| Tho’ he has lost the day, yet keeps the field. | |
| When with a sigh the fair Panthea said, | |
| “What pity ’tis, ye Gods, that all | |
| The noblest warriors soonest fall!” | |
| Then with a kiss he gently reared his head, | 10 |
| Armed him again to fight, for nobly she | |
| More loved the combat than the victory. | |
| But more enraged, for being beat before, | |
| With all his strength he does prepare | |
| More fiercely to renew the war; | 15 |
| Nor ceased he till the noble prize he bore: | |
| Ev’n her much wondrous courage did surprise, | |
| She hugs the dart that wounded her, and dies. | |