This was an ancient poetic form, first known as "Vivamus, mea Lesbia, Atque Amemus" by the Latin poet Catullus. Many others provided versions over millenia, even ol' Ben Jonson. Thomas Campion (a contemporary of Shakespeare) in his "Bookes of Ayres" wrote "Sweetest Lesbia." It was the background for many ancient poems, often as a prelude to seduction, on the order of "To Virgins," in est, "gather rosebuds while ye may." Presently I submit...

"Sweet Lesbia"

Sweet Lesbia, let us prove
While we may, the sports of love,
Time won't be ours forever
For tomorrow, is never,

Fickle moons will wax and wane
Suns that set will rise again,
But if once we lose this light
Love would sleep eternal night,

If all would live life in love
With no need to smash or shove,
Without bloody knife or gun
With only needs to have fun,
We could live just for today
In the moment we could stay,
We would have no need to fight
Dreading the eternal night,

When I'm at last laid to rest
Come Lesbia, with your best,
Come with laughter, do not weep
Do not mourn, I only sleep,

Come with lovers to my tomb
For I lay in earth's rich womb,
Gather rosebuds by moonlight
Gracing my eternal night

© 1998 TARickey