Fair lovely Maid, or if that Title be <br />Too weak, too Feminine for Nobler thee, <br />Permit a Name that more Approaches Truth: <br />And let me call thee, Lovely Charming Youth. <br />This last will justifie my soft complaint, <br />While that may serve to lessen my constraint; <br />And without Blushes I the Youth persue, <br />When so much beauteous Woman is in view. <br />Against thy Charms we struggle but in vain <br />With thy deluding Form thou giv'st us pain, <br />While the bright Nymph betrays us to the Swain. <br />In pity to our Sex sure thou wer't sent, <br />That we might Love, and yet be Innocent: <br />For sure no Crime with thee we can commit; <br />Or if we shou'd - thy Form excuses it. <br />For who, that gathers fairest Flowers believes <br />A Snake lies hid beneath the Fragrant Leaves. <br /> <br />Though beauteous Wonder of a different kind, <br />Soft Cloris with the dear Alexis join'd; <br />When e'er the Manly part of thee, wou'd plead <br />Though tempts us with the Image of the Maid, <br />While we the noblest Passions do extend <br />The Love to Hermes, Aphrodite the Friend.v<br /><br />Aphra Behn<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-the-fair-clarinda/
