T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
A Counterlove
By John Lyly (1555?–1606)(From The Phoenix Nest, 1593) DECLARE, O mind, from fond desires excluded, | |
| That thou didst find erewhile, by Love deluded. | |
| An eye, the plot, whereon Love sets his gin, | |
| Beauty, the trap, wherein the heedless fall, | |
| A smile, the train, that draws the simple in, | 5 |
| Sweet words, the wily instrument of all, | |
| Intreaties posts, fair promises are charms, | |
| Writing, the messenger, that woos our harms. | |
| Mistress, and servant, titles of mischance: | |
| Commandments done, the act of slavery, | 10 |
| Their colors worn, a clownish cognizance, | |
| And double duty, petty drudgery, | |
| And when she twines and dallies with thy locks, | |
| Thy freedom then is brought into the stocks. | |
| To touch her hand, her hand binds thy desire, | 15 |
| To wear her ring, her ring is Nessus’ gift, | |
| To feel her breast, her breast doth blow the fire, | |
| To see her bare, her bare a baleful drift, | |
| To bait thine eyes thereon, is loss of sight, | |
| To think of it, confounds thy senses quite. | 20 |
| Kisses the keys, to sweet consuming sin, | |
| Closings, Cleopatra’s adders at thy breast, | |
| Fained resistance then she will begin, | |
| And yet unsatiable in all the rest, | |
| And when thou dost unto the act proceed, | 25 |
| The bed doth groan, and tremble at the deed. | |
| Beauty, a silver dew that falls in May, | |
| Love is an Eggshell, with that humor filled, | |
| Desire, a winged boy, coming that way, | |
| Delights and dallies with it in the field, | 30 |
| The fiery Sun, draws up the shell on high, | |
| Beauty decays, Love dies, desire doth fly. | |
| Unharmed give ear, that thing is hap’ly caught, | |
| That cost some dear, if thou mayst ha’ for naught. | |