| T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22. | | | | Sonnet: “I am most lovely, fair beyond desire” | | By George Moore (1852–1933) |
| | (From Flowers of Passion, 1878)
I AM most lovely, fair beyond desire: | |
| My breasts are sweet, my hair is soft and bright, | |
| And every movement flows by instinct right: | |
| Full well I know my touch doth burn like fire, | |
| That my voice stings the sense like smitten lyre; | 5 |
| I am the queen of sensuous delight; | |
| Past years are sealed with the signet of my might; | |
| And at my feet pale present kneels a buyer. | |
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| My beds are odorous with soft-shed scent, | |
| And strange moon flowers a tremulous twilight air | 10 |
| Weave over all; and here, alone I sing | |
| My siren songs, until all souls are bent | |
| Within the subtle sweet melodious snare. | |
| God, making love, made me love’s grievous sting. | | | | |
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