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Aphra Behn - To the Fair Clarinda
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Who made love to me,
Imagin`d more than woman. 

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 deluding Form thou giv`st us pain,
While the bright Nymph betrays us to the Swain.
In pity to our Sex sure thou wer`t sent,
That we might Love, and yet be Innocent:
For sure no Crime with thee we can commit;
Or if we shou`d - thy Form excuses it.
For who, that gathers fairest Flowers believes
A Snake lies hid beneath the Fragrant Leaves. 

Though beauteous Wonder of a different kind,
Soft Cloris with the dear Alexis join`d;
When e`er the Manly part of thee, wou`d plead
Though tempts us with the Image of the Maid,
While we the noblest Passions do extend
The Love to Hermes, Aphrodite the Friend.
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