T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
Song of the Priest of Bel
By Francis Saltus Saltus (1849–1889)(From Lot’s Wife, 1890) COME to me, all ye who burn | |
| For a passion in return! | |
| There are perfumes on my body and fresh leaves upon my hair; | |
| I am sleek and very wise, | |
| I know woman’s softest sighs, | 5 |
| And my kisses warm and manly all the senses can ensnare. | |
| I am old, ay, very old, | |
| And my price is bricks of gold, | |
| Being chief and holy master of the lovers of the town. | |
| I am high priest unto Bel, | 10 |
| In the grace of Vul I dwell, | |
| And the motion of my pleasure is a song and a renown! | |
| I have been the pampered slave | |
| Of King Amraphel, the grave, | |
| I have swooned and slumbered often in King Chedorlaomer’s arms. | 15 |
| There is gold within my house, | |
| There are jewels on my brows, | |
| And my breast is warm and tender as an Arkite maiden’s charms! | |
| I have drugs to warm afresh | |
| The dull failings of the flesh, | 20 |
| I have grateful food and spices, and suave basams honey-pure, | |
| And when laggard from excess | |
| Of my amorous caress, | |
| I will sing thee Nergal’s praises on the many-stringed kinoor. | |
| See! the dawn is coming soon; | 25 |
| There’s slumber in the moon; | |
| Hasten, passer! hasten, stranger! to my tent’s enticing shade. | |
| Be not tempted by the cry | |
| Of the zonahs strutting by, | |
| For my kisses are far sweeter than the kisses of a maid! | 30 |