Chapter 4
This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Elizabeth Swanson, September 21, 2017. To the fair Clarinda, who made love to me, imagined more than woman by Aphra Bane. Fair lovely maid, or if that title be too weak, too feminine for nobler thee, permit a name that more approaches truth.
And let me call thee lovely charming youth. This last will justify my soft complaint, while that may serve to lessen my constraint. And without blushes I the youth pursue, when so much beauteous woman is in view. Against thy charms we struggle, but in vain. With thy diluting form thou givest pain. While the bright nymph betrays us to the swain, in pity to our sex sure thou wert sent, that we may love and yet be innocent. For sure no crime with thee we can commit, or if we should, thy form excuses it.
For who that gathers fairest flowers believes, a snake lies hidden beneath the fragrant leaves. Thou beauteous wonder of a different kind, soft-chlorous with the dear Alexis joined. Whene'er the manly part of thee would plead, thou tempts us with the image of the maid. When we the noblest passions do extend, the love to Hermes, Aphrodite the friend. End of poem. This recording is in the public domain.
