Thomas Lovell Beddoes (1803–1849)

By female voices

WE have bathed, where none have seen us,

In the lake and in the fountain,

Underneath the charmèd statue

Of the timid, bending Venus,

When the water-nymphs were counting

In the waves the stars of night,

And those maidens started at you,

Your limbs shone through so soft and bright.

But no secrets dare we tell,

For thy slaves unlace thee,

And he, who shall embrace thee,

Waits to try thy beauty’s spell.

By male voices

We have crown’d thee queen of women,

Since love’s love, the rose, hath kept her

Court within thy lips and blushes,

And thine eye, in beauty swimming,

Kissing, we render’d up the sceptre,

At whose touch the startled soul

Like an ocean bounds and gushes,

And spirits bend at thy control.

But no secrets dare we tell,

For thy slaves unlace thee,

And he, who shall embrace thee,

Is at hand, and so farewell!