John Wilmot

After Death nothing is, and nothing, death, The utmost limit of a gasp of breath. Let the ambitious zealot lay aside

Chloe, In verse by your command I write. Shortly you'll bid me ride astride, and fight:

Much wine had passed, with grave discourse Of who f*cks who, and who does worse (Such as you usually do hear

Were I (who to my cost already am One of those strange prodigious Creatures Man) A Spirit free, to choose for my own share,

In th' isle of Britain, long since famous grown For breeding the best cunts in Christendom, There reigns, and oh! long may he reign and thrive,

Ancient Person, for whom I All the flattering youth defy, Long be it e'er thou grow old,

Love bade me hope, and I obeyed; Phyllis continued still unkind: Then you may e'en despair, he said,

Love bade me hope, and I obeyed; Phyllis continued still unkind: Then you may e'en despair, he said,

Absent from thee I languish still; Then ask me not, when I return? The straying fool 'twill plainly kill

Tell me no more of constancy, The frivolous pretense Of old age, narrow jealousy,

All my past life is mine no more, The flying hours are gone, Like transitory dreams given o'er,

Well Sir, 'tis granted, I said Dryden's Rhimes, Were stoln, unequal, nay dull many times: What foolish Patron, is there found of his,

By all love's soft, yet mighty powers, It is a thing unfit, That men should fuck in time of flowers,

I cannot change as others do, Though you unjustly scorn; Since that poor swain that sighs for you

Here lies a great and mighty King, Whose promise none relied on; He never said a foolish thing,

Give me leave to rail at you, I ask nothing but my due: To call you false, and then to say

God bless our good and gracious kind, Whose promise none relies on, Who never said a foolish thing,

I cannot change, as others do, Though you unjustly scorn; Since that poor swain that sighs for you,

All my past life is mine no more, The flying hours are gone, Like transitory dreams giv'n o'er,

My dear mistress has a heart Soft as those kind looks she gave me, When with love's resistless art,

My light thou art, without thy glorious sight My eyes are darkened with eternal night; My Love, thou art my way, my life, my light.

Deare Friend. I heare this Towne does soe abound, With sawcy Censurers, that faults are found,

Methinks I see you, newly risen From your embroider'd Bed and pissing, With studied mien and much grimace,

Absent from thee, I languish still; Then ask me not, When I return? The straying fool 'twill plainly kill

Were I (who to my cost already am One of those strange, prodigious creatures, man) A spirit free to choose, for my own share,

Were I (who to my cost already am One of those strange prodigious Creatures Man) A Spirit free, to choose for my own share,

You ladies of merry England Who have been to kiss the Duchess's hand, Pray, did you not lately observe in the show

Love a woman? You're an ass. 'Tis a most insipid passion To choose out for your happiness

Quoth the Duchess of Cleveland to counselor Knight, "I'd fain have a prick, knew I how to come by't. I desire you'll be secret and give your advice:

As some brave admiral, in former war Deprived of force, but pressed with courage still, Two rival fleets appearing from afar,

I cannot change, as others do, Though you unjustly scorn; Since that poor swain that sighs for you,

Naked she lay, clasped in my longing arms, I filled with love, and she all over charms; Both equally inspired with eager fire,

An age in her embraces passed Would seem a winter's day; When life and light, with envious haste,

I could love thee till I die, Would'st thou love me modestly, And ne'er press, whilst I live,

Why dost thou shade thy lovely face? O why Does that eclipsing hand of thine deny The sunshine of the Sun's enlivening eye?

To this moment a rebel I throw down my arms, Great Love, at first sight of Olinda's bright charms. Make proud and secure by such forces as these,

At five this morn, when Phoebus raised his head From Thetis' lap, I raised myself from bed, And mounting steed, I trotted to the waters

Vulcan, contrive me such a cup As Nestor used of old; Show all thy skill to trim it up,

Nothing! thou elder brother even to Shade: That hadst a being ere the world was made, And well fixed, art alone of ending not afraid.