Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO A LADY: IN A LETTER, by JOHN WILMOT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO A LADY: IN A LETTER, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Such perfect bliss, fair chloris, we
Last Line: The juice of lusty men.
Alternate Author Name(s): Rochester, 2d Earl Of
Subject(s): Passion


Such perfect bliss, fair Chloris, we
In our enjoyments prove,
'Tis pity restless jealousy
Should mingle with our love.

Let us, since wit has taught us how,
Raise pleasure to the top:
You rival bottle must allow,
I'll suffer rival fop.

Think not in this that I design
A treason 'gainst love's charms,
When, following the god of wine,
I leave my Chloris' arms,

Since you have that, for all your haste
(At which I'll ne'er repine),
Will take its liquor off as fast
As I can take off mine.

There's not a brisk, insipid spark
That flutters in the town,
But with your wanton eyes you mark
Him out to be your own;

Nor do you think it worth your care
How empty and how dull
The heads of your admirers are,
So that their cods be full.

All this you freely may confess,
Yet we ne'er disagree,
For did you love your pleasure less,
You were no match for me.

Whilst I, my pleasure to pursue,
Whole nights am taking in
The lusty juice of grapes, take you
The juice of lusty men.





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