University of Virginia Library

THE NOONING.

'Twas Summer, and, with sultry Heat opprest,
At Noon I laid me down in Bed to Rest.
The Curtains of my Window, slightly drawn,
Let in a doubtful Beam, that look'd like Dawn;
Or the faint Glimm'rings that through Forests play;
Or Twilight twinkling at the Close of Day.
Such pretty Masquerades of Light and Shade
Suit with the Blushes of a Wishing Maid;
And serve, with Decency, to usher in
Ladies who dread the Shame, but love the Sin.
CORINNA lo! appear'd, in loose Array,
Adown Her Neck her comely Tresses stray:
Like Great SEMIRIMIS Her Figure shew'd;
Like LAIS smiled, as Lovely and as Lewd.
I seiz'd Her Gown, and broke thro' that Defense;
(The slender Outwork of Unguarded Sense)
At first she struggled; but 'twas plain to see,
She Fought for Honour, not for Victory.
Stript of Her Robe, and Naked to my View,
How Faultless was Her Make! Her Shape how True!
What Arms I saw and felt! What Plump round Breasts!
And how they Heav'd! — as Longing to be Prest.
How firm Her Thighs! How smooth Her Belly rose
Beneath Her slender Waste! The Rest — suppose.
Beauty and Youth in their full Vigour shone;
And close I Clasp'd Her Body to my Own.
Spent with Excess of Joy Intranc'd We Lay:
Give me such Noons, ye Gods, to ev'ry Day.