English

If Women could but keep the grace
They had when first we wed,
A husband of his wife's embrace
Would ne'er be surfeited.
But when 'tis over — lackaday,
The pleasure seems to pass away.

Let life spell pleasure while the wine-cup flows,
And Maidens dance and Garlands love the Rose.
Away with Grief — one hour and we are gone,
Enjoy to-day, to-morrow no man knows.

Cupid, all our longing end
And thy power resign;
Or a mutual passion send
Even as we mortals blend
Water with our wine.

They drive me mad, her rosy lips,
The vermeil gate of song,
Wherefrom my soul its nectar sips,
And her soft whispering tongue.

Her eyes a liquid radiance dart
Beneath their lashes close,
Traps to ensnare my fluttering heart
And rob me of repose.

Her breasts, twin sisters firmly grown,
A milky fountain pour,
Two hills that Love their master own,
More fair than any flower.

But hush! Why of her beauty make
A theme for idle ears?
From Midas' reeds a warning take

She stood beside thy bier
And beat her milk-white breast,
Weeping Adonis there,
Adonis laid to rest.

And lo her wailing cry
Did wound my heart within,
'Twere sweet methought to die
If I her grief could win.

When thou dost put to sea,
And sail death's ocean dark,
Take me, dear god, with thee
And let me join thy barque.

We vowed that we would faithful be,
Sosipater Arsinoi,
Calling on Love to hear our oath
And be the witness of our troth;
But she is false, her promise vain;
I constant to my word remain.
Come then, dear Hymen, come to-night
And let the gods reveal their might.
No marriage song for her — instead
A dirge to curse her faithless bed.

How oft I prayed to hold her in my arms
And take my fill of all her rosy charms;
And yet to-night I have her by my side
While still I faint and motionless abide.
Thou wretched soul, what ails thee!
Raise thy head,
Or else from joy be ever banished.

Good Evening, miss. Good evening, sir, to you.
And what's your name? What's your's I'd like to know?
You're rather curious, miss. You're curious, too.

Are you engaged? To anyone I please.
Then sup with me: how much? No advance fees,
To-morrow you shall pay me at your ease.

Fair terms, my charmer; now when will you come?
Just when you please. At once? Well, you are some ;
I'll tell you where I live, and you shall take me home.

It is not what she reads in books
That gets a maiden off the hooks;
What Nature gives all womankind
Far sooner will a husband find.

The Frenchy and the Privateer
Each night you'll see upon the pier,
Or else patrolling in the town,
Gulping poor silly youngsters down.
Beware these pirate-craft, my friends —
Such skirmishes have bitter ends.