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In the early 16th century, the Grand Vizier of Tunis commissioned an analysis on "the source of our greatest pleasure...", in other words, the erotic arts. Sheikh Nefwazi appears to have taken this research project with gusto; he begins with "Praise be to God who has placed the source of man's greatest pleasure in woman's natural parts, and woman's greatest pleasure in the parts of man!".

The text at my disposal was translated by the Victorian explorer, writer and extraordinary character, Sir Richard Burton. The Perfumed Garden, in my opinion, surpasses the more commonly known Kama Sutra of India in charm, playfulness and sexual grace. Here we find essays of extravagant praise for the mysterious beauty of woman, saucy stories of sexual escapades, preparations "concerning the generative act" and a thorough catalogue of the "different postures for coition", complete with descriptive names like the "Pounding on the Spot" position. Then we have a chapter each devoted to the "divers names of the virile member"; the Untameable, the Quencher, the Pathmaker; and the female organs, such as the Crested One, the Duellist and the Sprinkler.

The arts of love have inspired countless artists, including myself, and I will quote Sheikh Nefwazi here,

"In writing this book I have sinned indeed! Your pardon, oh Lord, I surely shall need; But, if on the last day you absolve me, why then, All my readers will join me in a loud AMEN!"

"Do not unite with a woman until you have excited her with playful caresses and then the pleasure will be mutual. It is advisable therefore to amuse yourselves before you introduce your member and accomplish the act. You will excite her by kissing her cheeks, sucking her lips, and nibbling her breasts. You will kiss her navel and thighs, and lay a provoking hand upon her vulva. Bite her arms; do not neglect any part of her body; clasp her tightly till she feels your love; then sigh and twine your arms and legs round hers."

"Know, oh Vizier, (God's mercy be with you!) That if you wish to experience an agreeable copulation, one that gives equal satisfaction and pleasure to both parties, it is necessary to frolic with the woman and excite her with nibbling, kissing and caressing. Turn her over on the bed, sometimes on her back, sometimes on her belly, until you see by her eyes that the moment of pleasure has arrived, as I have described in the previous chapter, and, on my honour! I have not stinted the descriptions. When, therefore, you see a woman's lips tremble and redden, and her eyes become languishing and her sighs profound, know that she desires coition, then is the time to get between her thighs and penetrate her."

For more background information about the poetry featured here, please visit The Library.