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(Translated by Christopher Marlowe)
Corinnæ concubitus.
IN summer’s heat, and mid-time of the day, | |
| To rest my limbs upon a bed I lay; | |
| One window shut, the other open stood, | |
| Which gave such light as twinkles in a wood, | |
| Like twilight glimpse at setting of the sun, | 5 |
| Or night being past, and yet not day begun; | |
| Such light to shamefaced maidens must be shown | |
| Where they may sport, and seem to be unknown: | |
| Then came Corinna in her long loose gown, | |
| Her white neck hid with tresses hanging down, | 10 |
| Resembling fair Semiramis going to bed, | |
| Or Lais of a thousand wooers sped. | |
| I snatched her gown: being thin, the harm was small, | |
| Yet strived she to be covered therewithal; | |
| And striving thus, as one that would be cast, | 15 |
| Betrayed herself, and yielded at the last. | |
| Stark naked as she stood before mine eye, | |
| Not one wen in her body could I spy. | |
| What arms and shoulders did I touch and see! | |
| How apt her breasts were to be pressed by me! | 20 |
| How smooth a belly under her waist saw I, | |
| How large a leg, and what a lusty thigh! | |
| To leave the rest, all liked me passing well; | |
| I clinged her naked body, down she fell: | |
| Judge you the rest; being tired she bade me kiss; | 25 |
| Jove send me more such afternoons as this! | |
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