| T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22. | | | | The Enjoyment | | By Thomas Otway (1652–1685) |
| | | CLASPED in the arms of her I love | |
| In vain, alas! for life I strove: | |
| My fluttering spirits, wrapped in fire | |
| By Love’s mysterious art, | |
| Borne on the wings of fierce desire, | 5 |
| Flew from my flaming heart. | |
| |
| Thus lying in a trance for dead, | |
| Her swelling breasts bore up my head; | |
| When waking from a pleasant dream, | |
| I saw her killing eyes, | 10 |
| Which did in fiery glances seem | |
| To say, now, Celia dies. | |
| |
| Fainting, she pressed me in her arms, | |
| And trembling lay, dissolved in charms; | |
| When with a shivering voice she cried, | 15 |
| Must I alone, then die? | |
| No, no, I languishing replied, | |
| I’ll bear thee company. | |
| |
| Melting our souls thus into one, | |
| Swift joys our wishes did out-run; | 20 |
| Then launched in rolling seas of bliss, | |
| We bid the world adieu; | |
| Swearing by every charming kiss, | |
| To be forever true. | | | | |
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