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TO VENUS IN THE ASHMOLEAN.
Dear Goddess, in your quiet eyes
I long have seen the dumb reproof,
But surely charity denies
That you should longer hold aloof.
Dear Goddess, freely I confess—
Great pardon, of your graciousness.
I long have seen the dumb reproof,
But surely charity denies
That you should longer hold aloof.
Dear Goddess, freely I confess—
Great pardon, of your graciousness.
The Confession
An argument arose between us
Touching the perfect waist of Venus.
My friend (a very subtle Scot)
Said Thirty-three. I'm sure it's not
Was my retort. As I'm alive
I'll guarantee it's thirty-five.
Base men had let the matter rest—
But we—we put it to the test.
We took a measured length of twine
And came within the sacred shrine.
The Goddess stood, unrobed and stately—
Her purity abashed us greatly—
And came within the sacred shrine.
The Goddess stood, unrobed and stately—
Her purity abashed us greatly—
