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Watch any banquet hanger-on caressed.
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Shall someone else, some man, grow warmer in my place,
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5
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Arms round your neck in casual embrace?
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No wonder that the wedding of Atrax’s daughter
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Drew both those men and half-men to the slaughter!
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But not for me some Centaur’s home; my members mean
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To have you like a man’s. That’s plainly seen.
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10
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So memorize what you must do (don’t give the South
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Wind or the East these words fresh from my mouth):
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Arrive before him. As to why, I cannot say:
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What could we do? Come early anyway.
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Then when he lies down on the couch, go modestly,
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15
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But brush against my foot in secrecy.
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And watch my subtle looks, my eyes, communicate;
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Catch all my hints … and then reciprocate.
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Arch words that make no sound will speak from silent brows.
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Observe my hands; in wine, they’ll trace my vows.
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20
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When you are thinking of our hungry, errant hands,
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Finger your cheeks as if with blushing brands.
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Or if you’re harboring against me some complaint,
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Tug gently on your earlobe as a feint.
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My darling, when I speak and you approve the sound,
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25
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Then smile … and twirl one of your rings around.
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Hands down like those in prayer, palm the banquet table …
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To wish him all the curses you are able.
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The wine he stirs for you, let your husband drink—take heed!
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Then whisper your choice to the ganymede.
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30
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The cup that’s been refilled, I’ll take and drink from first,
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Sipping from where your lips have quenched their thirst.
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If he should offer you some dainty that he’s tasted,
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Refuse your husband’s food; let it be wasted.
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Don’t let him throw his arms around your slender shoulder
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35
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Or draw you to that chest hard as a boulder.
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Make sure his nimble fingers never find your breast.
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Don’t let him kiss you—this above the rest!
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Just let his lips touch yours and I’ll stand up and swear
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They’re mine, revealing my love then and there.
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40
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But these are open torts; the robe you wear, my dear,
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Hides things that fill me with a cold, blind fear.
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Don’t let your thigh touch his; don’t let his brush your leg.
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Your soft foot touch his rough one? No, I beg!
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I fear so much because I’ve boldly done it, too.
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45
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See how my own acts act like rack and screw,
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So often have we two too fast made sweetest haste,
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Beneath unfastened robes, to touch and taste.
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Do as I say, not as we do: lest someone think
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So, let your tell-tale cloak slip off and slink.
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50
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Keep urging him to drink, not kiss. There, draw the line.
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And while he drinks, in secret add more wine.
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Then when he’s been put down in just this vinous sleep,
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Pure chance will show the counsel we’re to keep.
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When you get up to go and everybody rises,
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55
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Get thronged about—and wait for my surprises.
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(You’ll find me in that crowd, or else be found by me:
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Touch any part of me you cannot see.)
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But what’s the use? All this is only good for hours,
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Then night will ban me from you with its powers.
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60
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At night your husband locks you in, and I, half gone
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In grief, will stand outside your door till dawn.
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Cold iron door! That man will kiss—and rub and paw!
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With you, what’s love with me, with him is law.
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But give against your will—you can—as if coerced.
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65
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Show him a deaf, dumb Venus at her worst.
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Give him no pleasure, if my words have any weight;
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If not, please don’t be pleased at any rate.
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But come what may, tomorrow, say in constancy
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You gave him nothing you have given me.
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70
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