| T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22. | | | | Advice to a Lady | | By Matthew Prior (1664–1721) |
| | (From Poems, 1722)
PHILLIS, give this humour over, | |
| We too long have time abused; | |
| I shall turn an errant rover, | |
| If the favour’s still refused. | |
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| Faith! ’tis nonsense out of measure, | 5 |
| Without ending thus to see | |
| Women forced to taste a pleasure | |
| Which they love as well as we. | |
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| Let not pride and folly share you, | |
| We were made but to enjoy; | 10 |
| Ne’er will age or censure spare you, | |
| E’er the more for being coy. | |
| |
| Never fancy Time’s before you, | |
| Youth, believe me, will away; | |
| Then, alas! who will adore you, | 15 |
| Or to wrinkles tribute pay? | |
| |
| All the swains on you attending | |
| Show how much your charms deserve; | |
| But, miser-like, for fear of spending, | |
| You amidst your plenty starve. | 20 |
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| While a thousand freer lasses, | |
| Who their youth and charms employ, | |
| Though your beauty their’s surpasses, | |
| Live in far more perfect joy. | | | | |
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