Earl of Rochester

Caesar van Everdingen. Bacchus with Nymphs and Cupid, c1660.


To A Lady, in A Letter.

Such perfect bliss, fair Chloris, we     In our enjoyment 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 bags 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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