| T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22. | | | | Love Not Too Much | | By Bernard Gilbert (1882–1927) |
| | (From Rebel Verses, 1918) |
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HAVE you too greatly loved? | |
| Sister take warning! | |
| Once let your soul be moved, | |
| Sable your mourning; | |
| If he be satiate, | 5 |
| Then an ingratiate, | |
| Waiteth the dawning. | |
| |
| Shew not the passion | |
| That stirs in your veins, | |
| Far more alluring | 10 |
| To handle the reins, | |
| His love ensuring…. | |
| In masculine fashion | |
| If certain—he wanes. | |
| |
| He the pursuer | 15 |
| Must ever press on, | |
| Passionate wooer | |
| Whilst you are a stone; | |
| Shew but a touch, | |
| Yet never too much | 20 |
| And the battle is won. | |
| |
| Man is a monster | |
| Made to be stroked, | |
| Close then your arms | |
| Cover your charms; | 25 |
| Great the enticement | |
| Of beauties when hidden, | |
| Of passion well cloaked. | |
| |
| Crazed, he shall plead, | |
| For what you yield gladly, | 30 |
| Fiercer his greed, | |
| For what you give madly; | |
| You may have pleasure | |
| And still hold your treasure…. | |
| Sister, take heed! | 35 | | |
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