| T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22. | | | | To Anthea | | By Robert Herrick (1591–1674) |
| | (Songs from Hesperides, 1648)
LET’S call for Hymen, if agreed thou art; | |
| Delays in love but crucify the heart. | |
| Love’s thorny tapers yet neglected lie: | |
| Speak thou the word, they’ll kindly by-and-bye. | |
| The nimble hours woo us on to wed, | 5 |
| And Genius waits to have us both to bed. | |
| Behold, for us the naked Graces stay | |
| With maunds of roses for to strew the way: | |
| Besides, the most religious prophet stands | |
| Ready to join, as well our hearts as hands. | 10 |
| Juno yet smiles; but if she chance to chide, | |
| Ill luck ’twill bode to th’ bridegroom and the bride. | |
| Tell me, Anthea, dost thou fondly dread | |
| The loss of that we call a maidenhead? | |
| Come, I’ll instruct thee. Know, the vestal fire | 15 |
| Is not by marriage quench’d, but flames the higher. | | | | |
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