Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONG (14), by JOHN WILMOT



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONG (14), by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: How happy, chloris, were they free
Last Line: The lusty juice of men.
Alternate Author Name(s): Rochester, 2d Earl Of
Subject(s): Passion


How happy, Chloris, were they free,
Might our enjoyments prove,
But you with formal jealousy
Are still tormenting love.

Let us, since wit instructs us how,
Raise pleasure to the top:
If rival bottle you'll allow,
I'll suffer rival fop.

There's not a brisk, insipid spark
That flutters in the town,
But with your wanton eyes you mark
The coxcomb for your own.

You never think it worth your care
How empty nor how dull
The heads of your admirers are,
So that their cods be full.

All this you freely may confess,
Yet we'll not disagree,
For did you love your pleasure less,
You were not fit for me.

While I, my passion to pursue,
Am whole nights taking in
The lusty juice of grapes, take you
The lusty juice of men.





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