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(Anonymous, c. 1620–50)
“BE not afraid thou fairest, thou rarest | |
| That ever was made! deny me not a kiss; | |
| Then thou shalt see the Measure of pleasure | |
| that I will have from thee. What hurts there in this? | |
| Then lets embrace, and let pleasure be free, | 5 |
| The world shall nere take notice how delightful [we be.] | |
| |
| “I see that spies, both peeping and creeping, | |
| in each corner lies to hinder all our joys; | |
| But Cupid shall see, and find them, and blind them | |
| that hindrance will be to the getting of Boys. | 10 |
| Then lets, etc.: | |
| |
| “Venus, Jupiter, fair nature, Dame creature, | |
| Made thee for delight, but yet for none but I; | |
| Then lets embrace, and rifle and trifle, | |
| leave a Jewel in the place, but kept till you die. | 15 |
| Then lets, etc. | |
| |
| “Nay pish! nay fie! you’ll venture to enter! | |
| a trespass so high, you’ll wish were undone; | |
| Should any spie, they’ll wonder, look yonder; | |
| but you’ll not fly the place you have begun. | 20 |
| Then lets, etc. | |
| |
| “Now you have enjoyed the Measure of pleasure, | |
| indeed I[’m] destroyed if you speak of it again; | |
| For women do prove neglected, rejected, | |
| when freedom of love is known to other men. | 25 |
| Now you have enjoyed me, and all things be free, | |
| In faith you’ll undo me if a telltale you be. | |
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| “Then here’s my heart! I’ll ever endeavor | |
| that we will never part till death assigns the time. | |
| Were it not you, believe me it would grieve m[e] | 30 |
| to do what I do; that love should be a crime; | |
| But it is a fault of so sweet a degree, | |
| That sure I am persuaded, court nor country be fr[ee.]” | |
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