| T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22. | | | | An Epithalamium on the Marriage of the Honourable Charles Leigh | | Anonymous |
| | (From Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1719)
DRAW, draw the Curtain, fie, make haste, | |
| The panting Lovers long to be alone, | |
| The precious Time no more in talking waste, | |
| There’s better Business going on; | |
| Our Absence will their Wishes crown, | 5 |
| The next swift Moment’s not too soon, | |
| Our artful Song sounds like a Drone, | |
| For now all Music, but their own, | |
| Is harsh, and out of Tune. | |
| |
| Now Love inflames the Bridegroom’s Heart, | 10 |
| How weak, how poor a Charmer is the Flute; | |
| And when the Bride’s fair Eyes her Wishes dart, | |
| How dully sounds the warbling Lute. | |
| If this Divine, harmonious Bliss | |
| Attends each happy Marriage Day, | 15 |
| Who such a blessed State would miss, | |
| And such a charming Tune as this, | |
| Who would not learn to play? | |
| |
| Oh, Joy too fierce to be exprest, | |
| Thou sweet Atoner of Life’s greatest Pain, | 20 |
| By thee are Men with Love’s dear Treasure blest, | |
| And Women still by losing gain. | |
| Smile then divine, propitious Pow’rs, | |
| Upon this Pair let Blessings flow, | |
| Let Care mix with their Sweets, not Sours, | 25 |
| But may succeeding Days and Hours | |
| Be charming all as now. | | | | |
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