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FORBIDDEN FRUIT, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Pish! 'tis an idle fond excuse
Last Line: Nor dreams of his hesperides.
Subject(s): Love


I

PISH! 'tis an idle fond excuse,
And Love, enrag'd by this abuse,
Is deaf to any longer truce.

II

My zeal, to lust you still impute,
And when I justify my suit,
You tell me, 'Tis Forbidden Fruit.

III

What though your face be apple-round,
And with a rosy colour crown'd?
Yet, Sweet, it is no apple found.

IV

Nor have you ought resembling more
That fatal fruit the tree once bore,
But that indeed your heart's a core.

V

'Tis true, the bliss that I would taste,
Is something lower than the waist,
And in your garden's centre plac't.

VI

A tree of life too, I confess,
Though but arbuscular in dress,
Yet not forbidden ne'ertheless.

VII

It is a tempting golden tree,
Which all men must desire that see,
Though it concern'd Eternity.

VIII

Then, since those blessings are thine own,
Not subject to contrition,
Then, Fairest, Sweetest, grant me one.

IX

Thy Dragon, wrapped in drowsiness,
Ne'er thinks whose bed thy beauties bless,
Nor dreams of his Hesperides.





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