The Sale Of Loves.

I dreamt that, in the Paphian groves,         My nets by moonlight laying,     I caught a flight of wanton Loves,         Among the rose-beds playing.     Some just had left their silvery shell,         While some were full in feather;     So pretty a lot of Loves to sell,         Were never yet strung together.             Come buy my Loves,             Come buy my Loves,     Ye dames and rose-lipped misses!--         They're new and bright,         The cost is light,     For the coin of this isle is kisses.     First Cloris came, with looks sedate.         The coin on her lips was ready;     "I buy," quoth she, "my Love by weight,         "Full grown, if you please, and steady."     "Let mine be light," said Fanny, "pray--         "Such lasting toys undo one;     "A light little Love that will last to-day,--         "To-morrow I'll sport a new one."              Come buy my Loves,              Come buy my Loves,     Ye dames and rose-lipped misses!--         There's some will keep,         Some light and cheap     At from ten to twenty kisses.     The learned Prue took a pert young thing,         To divert her virgin Muse with,     And pluck sometimes a quill from his wing.         To indite her billet-doux with,     Poor Cloe would give for a well-fledged pair         Her only eye, if you'd ask it;     And Tabitha begged, old toothless fair.         For the youngest Love in the basket.             Come buy my Loves, etc.     But one was left, when Susan came,         One worth them all together;     At sight of her dear looks of shame,         He smiled and pruned his feather.     She wished the boy--'twas more than whim--         Her looks, her sighs betrayed it;     But kisses were not enough for him,         I asked a heart and she paid it!             Good-by, my Loves,             Good-by, my Loves,     'Twould make you smile to've seen us         First, trade for this         Sweet child of bliss,     And then nurse the boy between us.