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Swinburne, Algernon Charles, 1837-1909

"The Heptalogia"


I say but this: as we went up
I heard the Monthly give a sniff
And "_if_ the big dog makes the pup--"
She murmured--then repeated "if!"
The caudle on a slab was placed;
She snuffed it, snorting loud and long;
I fled--I would not stop to taste--
And dreamed all night of things gone wrong.

3. THE SENTENCES

I
Abortive Love is half a sin;
But Love's abortions dearer far
Than wheels without an axle-pin
Or life without a married star.

II
My rules are hard to understand
For him whom sensual rules depress;
A bandbox in a midwife's hand
May hold a costlier bridal dress.

III
"I like her not; in fact I loathe;
Bugs hath she brought from London beds."
Friend! wouldst thou rather bear their growth
Or have a baby with two heads?


IDYL CCCLXVI
THE KID
My spirit, in the doorway's pause,
Fluttered with fancies in my breast;
Obsequious to all decent laws,
I felt exceedingly distressed.
I knew it rude to enter there
With Mrs. V. in such a state;
And, 'neath a magisterial air,
Felt actually indelicate.


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