Safe Despair it is that raves－1
Agony is frugal.
Puts itself severe away
For its own perusal.
Garrisoned no Soul can be 5
In the Front of Trouble－
Love is one, not aggregate－
Nor is Dying double－
Agony is frugal.
Puts itself severe away
For its own perusal.
Garrisoned no Soul can be 5
In the Front of Trouble－
Love is one, not aggregate－
Nor is Dying double－
(F.1196/J.1243)
[1] Safe:: a contraceptive sheath (OED n. 4, 1897); however, this usage appeared already in 1868. This poem was written around 1871. Safe Despair:: the despair of having safe sex.
[2] Agony, frugal:: extreme pain, the sexual disease or childbirth, is easy to get.
[3] away:: not using the condom, will be in agony easily.
[4] perusal:: survey, examination, the safety of intercourse.
[5] Soul:: as a term of endearment or adoration (OED 7a); the source of action or vitality. Garrisoned:: to place troops in a fort to defence. The lover's passion cannot be garrisoned.
[6] Front of Trouble:: wearing the condom in the front of the penis, the source of trouble for sexual disease or unsought pregnancy.
[7] not aggregate:: the penis and condom as one for the thinness.
[8] Dying:: the orgasm.
Various means are promised to all applicants for the prevention of conception, and not only are French safes and all the other inventions for the purpose explained and offered for sale, but pills and other means, less innocent, are boldly offered to the public, to "restore menstrual suppression." ─ The Medical and Surgical Reporter, Volume 18 (1868)
Dr. Reynold's French Safe is warranted a safe and sure preventative against disease. Price ＄1, or three for ＄2. ─ The Rochester Directory: Volume 21 (1870)