Arrive before your Husband. Not that I canSee quite what good arriving first will do;But still arrive before him. When he’s takenHis place upon the couch and you go tooTo sit beside him, on your best behaviorStealthily touch my foot, and look at me,Watching my nods, my eyes, my face’s language;Catch and return my signals secretly.I’ll send a wordless message with my eyebrows;You’ll read my fingers’ words, words traced in wine.When you recall our games of love together,Your finger on rosy cheeks must trace a line.If in your silent thoughts you wish to chide me,Let your hand hold the lobe of your soft ear;When, darling, what I do or say gives pleasure,Keep turning to an fro the ring you wear.When you wish well-earned curses on your husband,Lay your hand on the table, as in prayer.If he pours you wine, watch out, tell him to drink it;Ask for what you want from the waiter there.I shall take next the glass you hand the waiterAnd I’ll drink from the place you took your sips;If he should offer anything he’s tasted,Refuse whatever food has touch his lips.Don’t let him plant his arms upon your shoulders,Don’t let him rest your gentle head on his hard chest,Don’t let your dress, your breasts, admit his fingers,And–most of all–no kisses to be pressed!You kiss–and I’ll reveal myself your lover;I’ll say ‘they’re mine’; my legal claim I’ll stake.All this, of course I’ll see, But what’s well hiddenunder your dress–blind terror makes me quake.
Arrive before your Husband. Not that I canSee quite what good arriving first will do;But still arrive before him. When he’s takenHis place upon the couch and you go tooTo sit beside him, on your best behaviorStealthily touch my foot, and look at me,Watching my nods, my eyes, my face’s language;Catch and return my signals secretly.I’ll send a wordless message with my eyebrows;You’ll read my fingers’ words, words traced in wine.When you recall our games of love together,Your finger on rosy cheeks must trace a line.If in your silent thoughts you wish to chide me,Let your hand hold the lobe of your soft ear;When, darling, what I do or say gives pleasure,Keep turning to an fro the ring you wear.When you wish well-earned curses on your husband,Lay your hand on the table, as in prayer.If he pours you wine, watch out, tell him to drink it;Ask for what you want from the waiter there.I shall take next the glass you hand the waiterAnd I’ll drink from the place you took your sips;If he should offer anything he’s tasted,Refuse whatever food has touch his lips.Don’t let him plant his arms upon your shoulders,Don’t let him rest your gentle head on his hard chest,Don’t let your dress, your breasts, admit his fingers,And–most of all–no kisses to be pressed!You kiss–and I’ll reveal myself your lover;I’ll say ‘they’re mine’; my legal claim I’ll stake.All this, of course I’ll see, But what’s well hiddenunder your dress–blind terror makes me quake.
