Poetry Sunday (01-10-10 edition)

This is one of my favorites by Petronius. There have been many translations of it. This particular translation is by Ben Jonson.


Doing, a filthy pleasure is, and short
by Gaius Petronius

Doing, a filthy pleasure is, and short;

And done, we straight repent us of the sport:

Let us not then rush blindly on unto it,

Like lustful beasts, that only know to do it:

For lust will languish, and that heat decay.

But thus, thus, keeping endless holiday,

Let us together closely lie and kiss,

There is no labour, nor no shame in this;

This hath pleased, doth please, and long will please; never

Can this decay, but is beginning ever.