T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
Youth and Lordship
By Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828–1882)(Italian Street-Song) MY young lord’s the lover | |
| Of earth and sky above, | |
| Of youth’s sway and youth’s play, | |
| Of songs and flowers and love. | |
| Yet for love’s desire | 5 |
| Green youth lacks the daring; | |
| Though one dream of fire, | |
| All his hours ensnaring, | |
| Burns the boy past bearing,— | |
| The dream that girls inspire. | 10 |
| My young lord’s the lover | |
| Of every burning thought | |
| That Love’s will, that Love’s skill | |
| Within his breast has wrought. | |
| Lovely girl, look on him | 15 |
| Soft as music’s measure; | |
| Yield him, when you’ve won him, | |
| Joys and toys at pleasure; | |
| But to win your treasure, | |
| Softly look upon him. | 20 |
| My young lord’s the lover | |
| Of every tender grace | |
| That woman, to woo man, | |
| Can wear in form or face. | |
| Take him to your bosom | 25 |
| Now, girl, or never; | |
| Let not your new blossom | |
| Of sweet kisses sever; | |
| Only guard for ever | |
| Your boast within your bosom. | 30 |
| My young lord’s the lover | |
| Of every secret thing, | |
| Love-hidden, love-hidden | |
| This day to banqueting. | |
| Lovely girl, with vaunting | 35 |
| Never tempt to-morrow: | |
| From all shapes enchanting | |
| And joy can borrow, | |
| Still the spectre Sorrow | |
| Rises up for haunting. | 40 |
| And now my lord’s the lover | |
| Of ah! so many a sweet,— | |
| Of roses, of spouses, | |
| As many as love may greet. | |