Neither One by Catharina Questiers

Hence, Venus with your love
And Bacchus with your tun:
My taste chooses neither of you;
The Cypriot goddess aside I shove,
And drinking is no more fun.
Since it turns every head askew.
I enjoy a sweeter rest,
Which always gives me joy,
Let each love what they like best:
My freedom’s what I enjoy.

Parnassus’ mountainous pass
Is what my heart desires,
Where sensual joy I can view,
O fountain clear as glass.
I long for your liquid fires
That make me true to you;
In your wisdom I find rest
That always gives me joy.
Let each love what they like best:
My freedom’s what I enjoy.

O noble painter’s art,
To practise you delights
Much more than Venus’ love.
Your grace to me impart;
I hate Bacchus’ dizzy heights,
Your art is my heaven above,
Your love brings me such rest
And always brings me joy.
Let each love what they like best:
My freedom’s what I enjoy.

From: van Gemert, Lia; Joldersma, Hermina; van Marion, Olga; van der Poel, Dieuwke; and Schenkeveld-van der Dussen, Riet, Women’s Writing from the Low Countries 1200-1875: A Bilingual Anthology, 2010, Amsterdam University Press: Amsterdam, p. 289.
(https://books.google.com.au/books?id=Kj7YsJVHm4MC)

Date: 1663 (original in Dutch); 2010 (translation in English)

By: Catharina Questiers (1631-1669)

Translated by: Paul Vincent (19??- )