GIFT OF 
 
 SEELEY W. MUDD 
 
 and 
 
 GEORGE I. COCHRAN MEYER ELSASSER 
 
 DR. JOHN R. HAYNES WILLIAM L. HONNOLD 
 
 JAMES R. MARTIN MRS. JOSEPH F. SARTORI 
 
 to the 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 SOUTHERN BRANCH
 
 UNIVERSITY of CALIFORNLf 
 
 AT 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 LIBRARY
 
 S49T
 
 
 OALVIN BIjANOHARD
 
 i3asia: 
 
 THE KISSES 
 
 rNES SECU> 
 
 NDUS 
 
 JEA^" BONNE FOX S: 
 
 WITH 
 
 % ScUction 
 
 »BOH THB 
 
 BEST ANCIENT AND MODERN ArXHORS. 
 
 X E W T E K : 
 PXTBLISHED BY CALVIN BL.VN CHARD, 
 
 82 Nassau Street. 
 1860. 
 
 93475
 
 H^
 
 fl^IH. 
 
 
 € t:;^ ■; 
 
 
 
 5^46 1 H 
 
 
 
 C X r E N T s 
 
 
 — 
 
 
 <1 
 
 
 fi.BS 
 
 Preface 
 
 
 . vii 
 
 Memoir of Sec undus . . . xi 
 
 Jlemoir of Bonnefons . . . xv 
 Kisses of Secundus ... 1 
 
 Notes on the Kisses of Secu'idus . 58 
 
 Kisses of Bonnefons . . . .69 
 
 Notes on the Kisses of Bonnefons . 123 
 
 Kisses by various Autiiors . . li&
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 After the very enthusiastic eulo-. 
 giums bestowed upon the Kisses of 
 Secundus and Bonnefons, we need net 
 be diffident in expressing ourselves 
 in favor of their peculiar graceful- 
 ness, nor hesitate to pronounce them 
 as highly-polished performances. 
 Our Authors' Poems are all beauty,
 
 VlU PREFACE, 
 
 all enchantment. The writers lead us 
 
 so insensibly along with them, that 
 
 we sympathise even in their excesses ; 
 
 yet in these beautiful Odes there is a 
 
 delicacy of sentiment not to be found. 
 
 in any other poet In their poetry, 
 
 Secundus and Bonnefons are sportive 
 
 •svithout beiiig wanton, and ardent 
 
 •n-ithout being licentious: 
 
 " They are infants of the Mufcs, and 
 lisp in numbers:" 
 
 Their descriptions are warm; but tiie 
 warmth is in the idcaa, not in the 
 tvordd.
 
 7 i EFACE, i.-i 
 
 Simplicity, fiowever, is the distin- 
 guishing charcvcteristic of the whole 
 of the Pieces selected for this unique 
 volume: — they interest by their in- 
 nocence, while they fascinate by their 
 transcendent beauty. 
 
 To infer the moral disposition of 
 a Poet from the tone of sentiment 
 which pervades his works, is fre- 
 quently a very fallacious analcgy; 
 but the souls of our Poets speak so 
 unequivocally through their poetry, 
 that we may consult them as tlie 
 faithful mirrors of their hearts.
 
 a PREFACE. 
 
 A few Notes have been appended 
 with the view of saving farther 
 reference. 
 
 There is very little known with 
 certainty of the lives of our Poets ; 
 but some trifling information has 
 been collected by their editors, which 
 they found, from time to time, scat- 
 tered through the writings of ihcir 
 contemporaries.
 
 MEMOIR 
 
 JOAXXES SECUNDUS. 
 
 NicoLAics EvERARDUs, the father of 
 Joannas Secundus, was an excellent legal 
 scholar; and his learning and abilities 
 attracted the attention of the Emperor 
 Charles V. who raised him to the dignity 
 of President of the States of Holland 
 and Zealand. He was subsequently ad- 
 vanced to the chair of the Council oi 
 Mechlin, which he held till hia deatfc 
 in 1532.
 
 Sii MEMOIROF 
 
 Tlie subject of this Memoir was bom 
 at the Hague, on the 2Sth of Decem- 
 ber, 1511, and baptized by the name of 
 Joannes Secundus, from his being the 
 second child of that name. He received 
 the rudiments of his education under his 
 paternal roof; but he was afterwards 
 sent to Bruges, and placed under the 
 care of a man of extensive erudition, 
 and with whom he remained until death 
 deprived him of that able man's instruc- 
 tions. 
 
 The talents of Secundus exhibited 
 themselves at a very early period, for 
 he wrote poetry in tl-.e tenth year of his 
 age. Painting and sculpture frequently 
 occupied his leisure liours ; and in both 
 of these arts he excelled. 
 
 When our poet had nttained his tw<?n- 
 tieth year, his fati.cr oecame aiiAious
 
 SEOCND us. xiii 
 
 i.iat he should be called to the bar: and, 
 for that purpose, he was placed under 
 the care of a gentleman of high repute 
 for legal knowledge, who resided in 
 France. 
 
 In 1533, Secunduswent to Spain, Avhere, 
 by the influence of his friends, he became 
 secretary to the Arclibishop of Toledo. 
 Soon after his arrival in that country, 
 he became acquainted with Venerilla; 
 hut she had no charms for him, and he 
 left her for the fascinating and accom- 
 plished Neaera.* To the acquaintance 
 witli this lady we are indebted for " The 
 Kisses," a work which has so enhanced 
 his fame as a poet. In a few months, 
 iiowever, the poet discovered the real 
 character of the woman who had so 
 captivated him; and as he began to
 
 »v 11 E M O i R , && 
 
 suffer from the effects of the climate, he 
 evinced an anxiety to return to his na- 
 tive country. 
 
 Secundus soon found the most bene- 
 ficial effects from the change of situation, 
 and he so far recovered his health as to 
 accept employment from the bishop of 
 Utrecht, and then the appointment of 
 first prothonotary to the Emperor Charles 
 the Fifth, at that time in Italy. But 
 death terminated his career at St. Amand, 
 in Tournay, where he fell a victim to an 
 iuflammatDry fever which carried him 
 off in four days, on the 18th of October, 
 15o3, in the twenty-fifth year of his age. 
 Ke was interred in the monastic church- 
 yard of St. Amand, where a marble 
 monument, with a Latin inscription, was 
 erected bv his relations.
 
 MEMOIR 
 
 JEAN BONNEFONS. 
 
 Although the Basia of Bonnefons will 
 not bear the test of comparison with those 
 of Secundus, yet they have been much 
 admired for their natural and graceful 
 ease, and for their warm and passionate 
 language. 
 
 We are unable to trace any particulars 
 of the family of our author. From a few 
 brief notices, however, ■wiiich have been 
 collected, it appears that Bonnefons was 
 bom at Clermont in France, in 1554,
 
 xvt M !: M I R . &o. 
 
 educated for the bar, and was a- o of a 
 convivial and social disposition. 
 
 The appearance of the Kisses * of 
 Bonnefous in 1587, attracted the atten- 
 tion of the literary world, ar:d many 
 hyperbolical compliments were paid to 
 the genius of the author. On the mar- 
 riage, however, of Bonnefons, he relin- 
 quished poetry, and devoted himself to 
 domestic affairs. 
 
 It is conjectured that our poet died in 
 1614, in the sixty-first year of his age. 
 
 The Poems of Bonnefons have been 
 repeatedly printed; and the author re- 
 vised an edition of his works a short time 
 previously to his death. 
 
 The Kissss ov Bonnefons were prodaced nniter th« 
 K of PAXCBARts, » name *i.i<.h the writer 'elected 
 40f the i\\z ubject to whora bis poems were iddreijcd.
 
 ^f)£ IXisscs 
 
 JOHANNES S E C n N D U 8.
 
 rtiM AfTTBom 
 
 ON HIS BOOK OF KISSES. 
 
 (Epigram, hit. Lib, I.) 
 
 Too chaste arc my strains 
 
 Lyciiiiia complains, 
 Auu despises and laiighs at my kisses outright, 
 
 While, wUh her in league. 
 
 That soul of intrifjuc, 
 >Elia, cries that the poet is passionless quite. 
 
 But the wantons, forsooth. 
 
 Only drive at the trutli. 
 And are dyin;; to know what his hardship can do : 
 
 'So, no, ye may long, 
 
 Neither he, nor his son,^, 
 Nor the kisses he breathes are intended for vou. 
 
 The fresh blooming bride. 
 
 While she lies by his side. 
 Shall read her young husband a lesson from me; 
 
 And the bride, in return. 
 
 From her husband shall learn 
 How their joys may be \'aricd iu everj- degree. 
 
 b3
 
 THE KISSES 
 
 JOHAXNES SECUNDUS. 
 
 THE OEIGIZS- OF THE KISS. 
 
 When in her lap the parent qneen of love 
 Had borne Ascniiius to Oythera's sfi-ove. 
 On a sweet couch of tender violets made, 
 Hush'd in repose, her precious charge she laid. 
 Then all around bade milk-white roses bloom. 
 And every air impregn'd with sweet perfume. 
 
 Adonis' image to her rnind return 'd; 
 Once more her scui with tender passion tiam-oi 
 And oft she cried, in ecstasy of joy. 
 Such was Adonis '. such the lovely boy 1
 
 6 KISSES OF SECUNDC3. 
 
 Oft, as in rapture o'er the youth she hung, 
 \j^T eajfcr arms around liis neck had fiung-, 
 But fear'd to break the artless sleeper's rest. 
 And the fond ardour of her soul repress'd ; 
 And on cadi rose that blossom'd round his head 
 A thousand, thousand burninj; kisses shed. 
 Beneath her lips the conscious flow'rets blush'd, 
 Oct every bud a warmer colour rnsli'd ; 
 While slj;!is, :m ireiitiy niurmur'd sounds, confess'd 
 Eiich tender wisii that strujjijled in lier breast. 
 Where touch Iter lips tlie bursting buds disclose 
 A glowins; kiss in every blustiini; rose, 
 And in each fresh-blown flow'ret multiply 
 The thrilling transports of Uione"s joy. 
 
 But when again her native realm she sought. 
 Drawn by her cygnets o'er the azure vault, 
 As through the void her chariot roli'd along, 
 Tlirice mutl'ring, as she went, the magic song. 
 Like Cclcus' son of old, her lavish liand 
 Shed kisses round, a-iid fertiliz'd the land: 
 Thence for mankind the teeming harvest rose. 
 And hence the balm that mitigates my woes. 
 
 All hail! ye kisses of ambrosial birth. 
 Whom rapture's tlirilling hourproduc'd on earth! 
 Sweet joys, that sooth the pangs of fierce desire, 
 for you the bard shall wake the sounding lyre;
 
 KISSES OF SLCCNDUS. 7 
 
 And while the muses' hiil shall last, your praise 
 
 Shall live immortal in the pocfs lays: 
 
 And Love! who boasts himself, with conscious 
 
 pride. 
 To that dear race from which j-e spring allied. 
 In Iloinau strains your raptures shall rehearse 
 lu all the liquid melody of verse. 
 
 KISS II. 
 
 As roand its neii;hhouring elm entwine 
 The amorous tendrils of the wanton vine; 
 
 As round the oak the i^y flings. 
 And winds its creeping sprays, and closely clings j 
 
 So let tliy arms, Nea-ra, thrown 
 Around my neck, such fervent pressure own; 
 
 And 1 as closelv will entwine 
 My arms, and clasp that sjjowy neck of thine; 
 
 And fix, ill ecstasy of bliss. 
 On thv fair lips — one long — one never-ending k'S*. 
 
 ThoUijh Ceres pour her countless treasure* 
 Though rosy Bacchus call to fest:vc picasiiret 
 
 Thougli care-deceiving sleep invite; 
 For them i will not quit the dear delight;
 
 S KISSES C7 SECVWDUS. 
 
 Nor sfcall they tempt me to foreprn ^ 
 
 jThe transports that thy ruby iipR bestow: 
 
 But, f;iiiit!ii}r M-ith the rapturous jov. 
 Our mingling spirits shall united fly; 
 
 And, wafted o'er the Stygian flood. 
 In the same bark seek Pluto's p-ile abode: 
 
 Tlience reach those fields where sweet pef- 
 fumes 
 Scent every ijale, and spring for ever bloom?. 
 
 And heroines of old renown 'd, 
 And heroes with victorious laurels crown'd. 
 
 In shaily vales, and myrtle bowers. 
 With harmless sports beguile the fleeting honri; 
 
 Or weave th' alternate song, or glance 
 Down the gay measures of the mazy dance. 
 
 There, through the laurel's tremuluus shade. 
 Sighs the warm breeze along tlie flowery glade ; 
 
 Beneath the purple violet glows. 
 The pale narcissus, aid the blushing rose: 
 
 Spontaneous there, the womb of earth, 
 UntouchM by shares, gives teeming harvests birth< 
 
 At our approach the happy shades 
 Shall rise, and welcome to those flovery gladeg ; 
 
 And me, Avith one accord, they'll place 
 By Homer's side among the tuneful race: 
 
 To thee, the fairest of the fair, 
 Kvmchs lov'd by Jove shall yield the pref'rence 
 ttiere;
 
 KISSES OF SECUNDUS. 
 
 Nor Helen, thoiiifh of race divine. 
 Disdain to own inferior cliarms to thine. 
 
 Give mc, sweet maid, one little kiss. 
 One little kiss, I said, and sig^h'd; 
 
 Scarce had I felt the thrilling bliss. 
 Scarce were your glowiujj lips to mine » 
 plied. 
 
 When from my lips your lips you take 
 111 sudden liaste, and l)urst away; 
 
 So, when he feels the coiling snake, 
 The heedless rustic startles in dismay. 
 
 Not this to give the balmy kiss : 
 Ah '. no, my love, but in the mind 
 To raise the fond idea of bliss. 
 Then leave the itiug of fierce desire belimd.
 
 KISSES OF SECL'NDUS. 
 
 Tis not a kiss those ruby lips bestow, 
 
 But richest iicclar M:d ambrosial ilews; 
 Such as from (raijniiit iiard. or ciissia How, 
 
 Or blest Arabia's spicy shrubs diffuse: 
 Or sweets that from Hyincttus' thymy brow. 
 
 Or roses lliat Cecropian bowers produce. 
 Unwearied hoiioy-becs sclei:tin^ bear 
 To cells of virfjin wax, and temper there. 
 
 But if thv v<'-iucil lips, in ev'ry kiss. 
 Thus i;ive to banquet on celestial fare, 
 
 And thrill my soul with ecstasy of bliss. 
 Soon shall this frame imbibe celestial powers, 
 fiu>i I shall revel in Olympian bowers. 
 'J'hen spare the precious boon, Xea;ra, spare. 
 Or with me those iinmortal honours share! 
 For ev'n should Jove, by rebel uodhcuds driven, 
 to me resijfii the majesty i-f heaven: 
 That heaven uiiiiout Itiy presence were unblest^ 
 And all its nectar u feasts wuhuut a zest'.
 
 KISSES OP SKCUNDUS, 
 
 While circled by those fond, endearing arms 
 
 J"liut here and there in amorous fervour twine, 
 Nesera, you, with soui-eutrancing charms. 
 Or on my neck, or shoulders soft recline. 
 And, fondly hanging o'er, unfold to sight 
 That beauteous neck, and bosom snowy white ; 
 
 And to my lips your glowing lips you join. 
 And on iny cheek the thrilling joy indite, 
 Then, gently murmurinir, ciiide your ardent swain, 
 If the fond jest he pay you back agaiu. 
 
 Wliile to my lips, in tremulous ecstasy, 
 
 Your lips, dear maid, tlie thrilling kiss impart; 
 And, breathing forth the sweetly murmur'd sigh. 
 
 Pour your warm spirit through my raptur'd 
 heart — 
 That sigli to me with genial life replete. 
 So softly musical, so balmy sweet: 
 
 While you, Xeiera, snatch my breath awav 
 That, glowing with my bosom's inward heat, 
 
 Fleets on my lips, and 'most forget* to play ;
 
 12 KISSES OF SECUNDUS, 
 
 And, oh I sweet soother of my passion's rage! 
 
 Once more, with tlmt re-animating- breath, 
 
 Recall niy spirit from the gates of death. 
 And the fierce ardour of my soul assuage: 
 Inipassion'd with thr bliss — " With Love," I cry, 
 "O'er every power supreme in sovereignty — 
 
 With Love, nor god nor nior'al can compare; 
 But, oh ! witli liim if fiiiy p"wer can via, 
 
 'Tis you, Neicra, you, ray charmi:>g fair!" 
 
 To crown our raptures 'twas agreed, dear maid, 
 A sweet two tliousand should the numlior be; 
 
 And on thy ijlowing lips a thousand paiil, 
 A thousand Uisscs 1 received from thee: 
 
 Complete, I own, the numbor'd raptures prove. 
 
 But wiieu did nuni'bers e'er suffice with love? 
 
 Wlien the ripe autumn yellows all the plain. 
 Or spring with verdure clothes the blooming 
 field. 
 
 For numbcr'd harvests asks the anxious swain. 
 Or counts the blades the grassy meadows yield ;
 
 KTSSES OF SKCUNDUS. 1? 
 
 !)r imporluncs v.-iti' rirsyer the ETOd of wine, 
 IVith iiuiiH>ei-(l cliibttri to euri'jli tlie vine ? 
 
 Who from tiie guartiian of the hive demands 
 A tliuusand hottey-bccs, yet asks no more? 
 
 Or when the 'I'bunderer bids liis lavish hands 
 On the parch'd eartii refreshings waters pour, 
 
 amve we to count eaci drop of falling rain 
 
 As the swift torrents moisten all the plain? 
 
 M'hen Jove in terror clotlies his an^rj* arm. 
 
 And hail descends, and wasting w hirlwinds fly. 
 
 While earth and ocean, shook with jiale alarm. 
 Feel all the looscn'd venifcance of the sky, 
 
 Unniov'd he views tlie mischiefs they perform, 
 
 Kor measures out the horrors of the storm. 
 
 Or s;on(i or ill alike descend from heaven. 
 Extremes in holh befit tlie race of Jove : 
 
 O tlion I to whom ctdcstial charms arc jfiven. 
 Ah I why thus sparing of thy liounty prove? 
 
 O goddess! than that goddess lovelier far 
 
 Who roams blue ocean in her pearly car — 
 
 VAHiy count thy kisses, and not connt my sighs? 
 
 Wliy count each kiss, nor count niy every tear— 
 Tliose tears, that ever streaming from my eyes. ' 
 
 Adowc my cheeks and breast a chanaet ypuxf
 
 14 KISSES OF SFCUNDl'S. 
 
 Or rease to count thy kisses, or tcunt all 
 
 Vbe signs that heave — the tears that strcamiu^ talL 
 
 Yes, count my tears. Yet if tl.ou cease to count, 
 O cruel maid '. each kiss thy lips bestow. 
 
 Then of my sorrows heed not the amount ; 
 But, oh I if such can mitigate my woe, 
 
 Let the unnumber'd tears these eyes have shed, 
 
 By thy unuiunber'd kisses be repaid. 
 
 A HUNDRED sweet kisses, by hundreds told o'er, 
 
 I'll give those red lips, my dear charmer, of thii.o. 
 And thousands by thousands as lavishly pour 
 
 On those checks, and those eyes that bewitch- 
 ingly shine ; 
 "nil the sums of my raptures as numberless qrow 
 
 As the drops that in ocean incessantly roll ; 
 Or countless as those little orbits that glow 
 
 In the mantle of night when it covers the pole.
 
 KISSES OF SECL'NDUS. Ifi 
 
 But, oh I when entranc'd on thy bosom I lie. 
 
 And iny lips to thy lips with fond ardour adhere ; 
 When I kiss thy fair cliccks or thy tale-telling- eye. 
 
 The charms that I gaz'd on at once disappear. 
 The sweet, pouting lips that inspir'd with deiii^ht ; 
 
 The beam of those eyes that bewitch'd me, the 
 wliile ; 
 The rose on thy cheeks are ak snatch'd from my 
 siglit, 
 
 And the dimple that laughs in thy delicate smile. 
 
 That delicate smile that, with solacing beam. 
 
 Dispels from my soul all the darkness of woe. 
 And enlivening my bosom with hope's cheering 
 gleam. 
 Bids the sigh cease to heave, and the tear-drop 
 to flow. 
 So Sol, when he rises, dispels from the sky 
 
 The mists that would jjatlicr, and darken iiis way. 
 And borne on his gem-studded chariot on high. 
 From the cloudless serene pours the splendot 
 of day. 
 
 Ah me I thus, by jealous emotion possess'd, 
 Wliat rivalry glows 'twixt my lips and my eyes 
 
 Kacn fondly admires thee, and longs to be blest. 
 And envies the pleasure the other enjoys.
 
 '6 KISSES OF SECUNDUS. 
 
 Then, oli '. if nith jealousy eves dlsa^ee, 
 Nor iw lips Vicar a rival in rapture, my love, 
 
 Can I bear that another should emulate nie. 
 And share in thy smiles, tfaoagh that rival be 
 Jove? 
 
 KISa Vill. 
 
 What heedlessirrongconld urge thee thus to tear 
 With furious teeth n:v toi:giie, caprii;ious fair? 
 Is't not cuou^^h that, sheath 'd in every part, 
 I feel thine arrows rankling in ray heart. 
 But that thy teeth in wautunitess must wound 
 That tonjjHC on which thy praises ever ^ound ? — 
 That toiii^ue, that from the morn till panic},' liffht. 
 Through the long day, and sad and liiig^eringuight, 
 ExtoU'ii thy beainitig eyes, thy flowing hair. 
 Thy beauteous ucck, and bosom snowy fair; 
 And rais'd tfav fame, in tender strains, above 
 Those nytuiitis who fir'd the soul of amorous Jovew 
 Tiu 111 cuouL realms where reliing planets biazs, 
 Ev'n gods viith envy heard the lavish prai<e.—
 
 KISSES OF SECUNDUS. IT 
 
 rhat tontruc, ttat faithful tongue, that gave thy 
 
 nam e 
 Each lond endearing term that tenderness could 
 
 frame; 
 Caird thee my life, my soul's far dearer part. 
 My fond delight, the idol of mr heart; 
 My blooriiing Venus, and my gentle love. 
 My beauteous turtle, and my little dove ; 
 Till e'en the queen of charms with envy heard 
 Each tender epithet, each endearing word. 
 
 And does it then delight thee thus to tear 
 V\';th wanton wounds my tongue, imperious fair; 
 Because, unmov'd by each capricious wrong, 
 Tliy charms still form the burden of its song; 
 Because thy lips, and beaming eyes it sings. 
 And e'en those teeth from which its angulsb 
 
 springs ; 
 Because, despite of all thy cruelty. 
 E'en while it bleeds, it bleeds, and lisps of thee? 
 
 O beauty, beauty! such thy powerful sway. 
 At OKce we feel thee, and at once obey !
 
 RtSSRS OF SECUNDUS. 
 
 KISS IX. 
 
 Oh ! cease the balmy kiss, and cease awhile 
 The murinur'd rapture, the endearing smile; 
 Nor always thus your arms aroutnl mc twine, 
 And faint, snd breathless on my neck recline: 
 E'en pleasure has its bounris ; the rapturous joff 
 Repeated oft, will lose its zest, ind cloy. 
 When thrice three kisses from thy lips I SUC;^ 
 Withhold the seven, and i{ivc nic only two; 
 Nor these with too much rapture be replete. 
 Nor yet loo loni;, nor yet too balmy sweet ; 
 Such as chaste Uian' to ncr brother gives. 
 Or from some artless maid her sire receives: 
 Then bursting from my arms, with bounding feet 
 Fly swift, and hide you in some dark rctre.it: 
 Close I'll pursue throuirli each perplexing shade. 
 Search every spot, and find where you are laid. 
 And, as the towering falcon bears away 
 The timid dove, I'll seize my beauteous prey. 
 Around me then ycur suppliant arms you'll flin|f. 
 And hang upon my neck, and closely cling. 
 And on my lips seven coaxing kisses press. 
 And with endearments sue for your release.
 
 KISSES OF SECUNDUS. 
 
 But sue in vain: not seven shall set you free, 
 But seven times seven the price of freedom be: 
 Still shall my glowing arms your neck iiitol'l. 
 And captive still my beauteous wanton bold. 
 Then, when you pay the balmy ransom, suear 
 By all your ^aces, all your chavms, lay fair. 
 That oft a^a'.n such frolics you'll pursue, 
 And oft for fauits like these such balmy suuij 
 due. 
 
 Not certain kisses please my chanijcfal ralnd. 
 
 Each has its varied rapture undefin'd ; 
 
 So, when thy humid'lips encounter mine. 
 
 Sweet is the humid kiss which flows from thine ; 
 
 So ardent kisses ardent joys impart. 
 
 And the warm transport thrills within the heart s 
 
 So when thine eyes with tender passion glow, 
 
 'Tis sweet to kiss the authors of my woe ; 
 
 'Tis sweet to kiss thy cheeks, and breathless lie 
 
 On thy fair neck with rapturous ecstasy.
 
 so KISSES OF SECUNDl'S. 
 
 And on thy rosv cheeks the jor indite, 
 TUy shoulders fair, and bosom snowy -.vbite: 
 And while our glowing lips, in amorous pliiy, 
 111 rapture meet, and snatch the kiss away, 
 Tis bliss to feel, as lips with lips unite. 
 Our souls commingling in the dear df:light — 
 The heart forsaking with the fleeting breath- 
 While love lies panting on the brink of death. 
 
 To me, or whether to thy lips I give. 
 Or from thy ruby lips the kiss receive. 
 Or the long kiss, when lips to lips adhere. 
 The soft, the rapid — all alike are dear. 
 Only he thine, with sweet ingenious art. 
 Each kiss to vary that thy lips impart ; 
 Kor what thy lips receive on mine bestow. 
 So shall our joys with varied transports t'.ow: 
 But let the first who from this 'pact shall swerve. 
 With meek submissive looks this law observe : 
 
 " As many kisses each at first may give. 
 As many kisses each at first receive. 
 So many kisses shall the vanquish'd pay. 
 So many kisses varied every way,"
 
 KissF.s Of sacLNors, 
 
 Too ^^-ann thy kisses, youths and maidens cry. 
 Too warmly told, with too much rapture fraught, 
 Kisses to rugged sires of old untaug^ht : 
 Hence when, while circled by my arms you lie. 
 And on your glowing lips entranc'd I die, 
 I fain would ask what rigid censors say. 
 The rapture steals me from myself away. 
 And thought and sense, alike bewilder'd fly, 
 Neccra smil'd, and, snatching to her breast. 
 
 Around my neck eutv.in'd her snowy arms. 
 And on my lips a sweeter kiss impressed 
 Than Mars e'er ravish'd from the queen of 
 charms ; 
 ■;;enscrs like these then fears my bard ? tw. zAed j 
 M my tribona must thy cause be Ijic.i.
 
 KISSKS OK sEOliMiVS. 
 
 KISS XII. 
 
 Ye bloominif maids, ye modest matrons, say 
 Why from my pajj es thus avert your eyes ? 
 Nor there, distain'd with foul iiideceucies. 
 The furtive jokes that amorous godheads play 
 Ve read, for pure, and simple is my lay; 
 Suih as even pedagog^ues, with looks austere. 
 May read, and beardless striplings safely heart 
 Yet maids and matrons turn their eyes away 
 When I, chaste votary of the tuneful nine. 
 
 Sing the chaste kiss, and blush with deep offenct 
 Because, forsooth, few glowing phrases shine : 
 Hence, squeamish maids! fastidious matrons 
 hence t 
 Ne«ra, chaster far than you, approves 
 As well th' cffenccless verse, but the warm poe 
 wvea.
 
 KISSES OF SECUNDUS. 
 
 KISS XIII. 
 
 Faint with the rapturous joy, and breathless 
 
 ^OWTl, 
 
 Around thy neck my languid arms were thrown. 
 And on my burning Hps, prepar'd to part, 
 Hovcr'd my soul, and ceas'd to warm my heart ; 
 Pale Styi already swam before my sight. 
 And hell's grim pilot, and the shaaes of night, 
 WTien, gently breathing from thy inmost breast. 
 Thy lips on mine a humid kiss impress'd ; 
 That kiss rcdeem'd me from the Stygian vale. 
 And bade th' infernal vessel freightless sail. 
 Eut, ah ! no freightless voyage th' pilot made. 
 Still in those regions flits my plaintive shade; 
 Breath'd in this frame, a part of thee remains. 
 Part of thy soul, and these faint limbs sustains; 
 But through each passage, eager to be free. 
 It pants, it struggles to revert to thee ; 
 And, oh ! unless thy fostering breath retain. 
 Life will desert this sinking frame again. 
 Then to ray lips thy lips, Nesera, join. 
 And with thy soul sostais this soul of minei
 
 KISSES OF SECUNDUS. 
 
 So, when this scene of life aiid love is o'er. 
 From our joist frames one single soul shall soar. 
 
 Wht tempt me with those lips of scarlet glow? 
 >or learn, O maiden, with the flintv breast. 
 Ne'er shall those proEfer'd lips by mine be 
 press'dl 
 Since you would have me prize your kisses so. 
 Those cold, cold kisses whence no raptures flow. 
 That when, all glowing- with the wild desire. 
 In every pulse I feel the scorching fire. 
 As the warm life-blood rushes to and fro, 
 Vou thus refuse mc, and my pangs deride. 
 
 But whither now ? oh I fly me not, but stay; 
 Oh I turn not, turn not those sweet lips aside ; 
 
 Oh! turn not thus those sparkling eyes away; 
 Yes! I will kiss thee, to thy lips be prcss'd. 
 Dear maid, more gentle far than cygnet's downy 
 breast!
 
 KISSES OF SKCUNDL'S. 
 
 -'Gainsi thee, my life, he stood prepar'd to wing 
 The fiery shaft, and stretch "d the sounding string-; 
 But when thy blooming- cheeks, thy forehead fair 
 The wanton ringlets of thy flow-ing hair. 
 And those thy gently heaving breasts he spied. 
 Those breasts that -with his beauteous mother's 
 
 vied, 
 liove paus'd in doubt, enamour'd of thy charms. 
 Then flung the dart aside, and sought thy arms : 
 There on thy lips with childish transport hung. 
 And kiss'd and wanton'd as he fondly clung — 
 Breath'd Cypriau odours in each kiss he press-d. 
 And fill'd with fragrant sweets thy inmost breast • 
 Then by each god the solemn oath he swore. 
 And lovely Venus, ne'er to harm thee more. 
 What wonder then such sweets thy kiss imbue. 
 Such balmy fragrance, such ambrosial dew'. 
 What wonder then thy heart can never prove. 
 Oh, cruel maid '. the jjentle fires of love .
 
 KISSES OF sEruNnrs 
 
 KISS XVI. 
 
 Oh ' brighter than that planet far 
 
 That sheds her silverv beams at eve. 
 Fairer than Venus' g^olden star 
 Sweet maid, a hundred balmy kisses give; 
 As maijy as th' impassiun'd bard coold crave. 
 As many as his beauteous Lesbiag^ave; 
 
 As countless as the charms that play 
 
 Around those lips with crimson dyed ; 
 As countless as the loves that stray 
 O'er those fair cheeks, and in their blushe 
 hide; 
 As countless as the lives your eyes impart ; 
 As countless as the deaths your glances dart: 
 
 As countless as the hopes and fears. 
 
 As countless as the lover's sig-hs; 
 
 As cnunlless a« the '■easeless cares 
 
 That ever muigle \vitu nis teuderest joys ; 
 Or as those arrows sheath "d within my breast. 
 Or those that stil! in love's bright quiver rest.
 
 KISSES OF SECUNDUS. 27 
 
 But mingle all your balmy kisses 
 
 With fond entlcarments, mirth, and smiles ; 
 With soft delights, ■nith murmuring blisses, 
 With love-inspiring jests, and wanton \\Tles: 
 So, in returning spring, the billing dores 
 With quivering pinions interchange their loves. 
 
 And while npon my cheek you lie. 
 
 Your senses lost in amorous trance. 
 And here and there, in rapturous joy. 
 Your passion-lieamingeyes voluptuous glance. 
 To me in sweetly plaintive murmurs sigh, 
 " Support me, dearest, for I faint, I die '." 
 
 My circling arms Srsnnd yon throwing, 
 
 I'll press you to my beating heart ; 
 And the long, humid kiss bestowing. 
 Recall the fleeting sense, and life impart: 
 Till, with the frequent rapture breathless grown. 
 In dewy kisses I expire my own. 
 
 And cry, in accents faint and low, 
 
 " In those dear arms, my love, uphold me I" 
 Then round me your fond arms you'll tlirow. 
 And closely to your fosfring bosom fold mc ; 
 And pressing on ray lips the glowing kiss. 
 Ceil back my fainting soul to lif j, and bliss.
 
 28 KISSES OF SECUNDUS. 
 
 Thus, lovely maid, -while yet we may. 
 
 Improve the moments as they fly, 
 Wliile life is in its vernal day. 
 And youth invites us with a smiling eye; 
 Soon with its cares will frowning age be here. 
 And pale disease, and death close pressing on his 
 rear. 
 
 KISS XVII. 
 
 A BEiGHTEB. crimson, with the morning light. 
 Blushes the rose impearl'd with nightly dew 
 So glow thy ruby lips with brighter hue. 
 
 Moist with the kisses of a rapturous night ; 
 And thy fair cheeks a fairer tint assume 
 
 From \-jolets, as some hand of lily white ; 
 So new ripe cherries shine 'midst luigering 
 bloom. 
 
 When spring, and summer in the tree unite. 
 But, ah I when thus thy kisses sweetest fiow. 
 
 Why forc'd to leave thee, and forego their 
 charms ! 
 Still let thy lips retain that beauteous glow 
 
 Till eve restores me to thy c;rtlii:g anas I
 
 KISSES OF SECUNDUS. L'9 
 
 Yet if some liappier rival there be blest, 
 Pale may tiicy turn as mine by jealous fears 
 possess'd 1 
 
 KISS XVIII. 
 
 ON A BUST OP HIS MISTBESS IN TTAX. 
 
 Tnz moulded wax when Venus chanc'd to view. 
 Where shone thy ruby lips with brighter hue. 
 As the red coral mix'd ^vith ivory glows. 
 And "midst the circling white a deeper colour 
 
 shows ; 
 With envy fir'd, a flood of tears she shed. 
 And call'd her loves around, and sobbing said : 
 
 "Ah I what avails me now, on flowery Idc 
 T' have conquer'd Pallas, and Jove's sister bride 
 When to these purple lips, with partial eyes. 
 The Phrygian shepherd 'judg'd the golden prize. 
 If ever thus, extoll'd with lavish praise. 
 The fair transcends me in the poet's lays '. 
 Go then, ye little loves, and ou his head 
 Avenge the wrong, and all your fury shed ;
 
 30 KISSES OF SECUNDUS. 
 
 Lodge deep your venom'd shafts in every part. 
 And empty all your quivers in his heart ; 
 But touch not with your glowing fires the maid. 
 For her reserve your chilling shafts of lead ; 
 Cold and insensate must her heart remain, 
 And the warm current freeze in every rein." 
 
 She said : and now through all mv melting soul 
 Tlie fiery torments rage viithout control ; 
 While you, with icy heart, in cruel scorn. 
 Laugh at the tortures by your lover borne. 
 Cold and insensate as the rock that braves 
 Sicilia's seas, or Adria's dashing waves. 
 For you I suffer, too ungrateful fair, 
 your ruby lips provok'd the ills I bear; 
 But you, alas '. with causeless hate pursue. 
 Nor cire what love, and angry gods can do! 
 Yet cease, oh, lovely maid ! the cruel scorn, 
 That ill becomes the face such charms adorn; 
 And let those lips, the cause of all my woes — 
 Those ruby lips where balmy nectar flows — 
 Oh ! let those honied lips to mine be press'd. 
 And drink the poison from my inmost breast. 
 Till through your frame the warm infection steals. 
 And all your soul the mutual ardour feels : 
 Nor fear the gods, nor dread the queen of love. 
 Beauty like yours should sway the powers above.
 
 KlSr^F.S OF SKCUNDCa 
 
 KISS XIX 
 
 Wht search for sweets in every flow-Vet's blcom 
 The thyme, the anise, scatt'ring sweet perfume; 
 The blushing rose, the violet's nectar'd liower. 
 Ambrosial offsprings of the vernal hour? 
 Fly, silly insects, to my charmin;^ fair. 
 Light on her lips, and gather fragrance there — 
 Lips where the th)-me, and blushing rose dispense 
 Their rich perfumes, and ravish every sense ; 
 Where venial violets all their sweets exhale. 
 And fraofrant anise breathes in every gale — 
 Lips by Narcissus' genuine tears bedew'd — 
 Lips by th' Oibaliau stripling's blood imbued ; 
 Pure as those streams where either ceas'd to be. 
 He by foul chance, and self-enamour'd he 
 That fragrant life-blood, and those flowing tear.i. 
 By nectar tempered, and ethereal airs. 
 Whose bahny tides impregn'd the fruitful earth. 
 And gave the vari-coiour'd flow'rets birth. 
 
 Permit me too, ye happy bees, to share 
 The honied treasures that ye gather there ;
 
 32 KISSES OF SECUNDUS. 
 
 Nor thence, rapacious, ravish all their store 
 Till your o'er-loaiied cells can be?r no more. 
 Lest, when again my burning; lips I press. 
 No s<i'eets refresh me, and no raptures bless; 
 And I, in njadd'uinjj disappointment, mourn 
 A babbler's meed, my folly's just return. 
 
 But, oh '. sweet insects, while ye revel there. 
 Not point your stings, nor wonad the beauteous 
 
 fair: 
 Weapons as keen her glances dart around. 
 Nor unaveng:'d shall pa,"! the wanton wou&r 
 Gectly, oh', gently, hsppy insects, sip 
 The balmy fragrance of her honied lip.
 
 EPITHALAMIUM, 
 
 Hail, g-enlal hour' 
 
 In myrtle bow'r 
 Of young-eyed Pleasure born ; 
 
 Whom wanton wiles. 
 
 And jests, and smiles. 
 And roseate sports adorn. 
 
 Sweet hour, all hail ! 
 
 With envy pale, 
 V/liich Jove himself might see; 
 
 And own at least 
 
 The nectar'd feast 
 Equall'd, sweet hour! by thee. 
 
 No happier hour 
 
 The Gnydian power 
 Could on blest man bestow; 
 
 Nor he, who reigns 
 
 O'er farthest plains, 
 God of the fata] bow.
 
 EPITHALAMIUM. 
 
 Young Cupid, wild 
 
 As any child, 
 WTio shakes his pnrple wings; 
 
 And some rich joy, 
 
 Delicious bov! 
 On every sorrow flings ; 
 
 Nor thou, great Queen, 
 
 Uurivall'd seen, 
 With wondrous grace to move; 
 
 At Love's high feast 
 
 A bidden guest. 
 Sister and wife of Jove. 
 
 Kor, Hvmen, thon. 
 
 Upon the brow 
 Of tuneful mountain bom ; 
 
 Who d.vell'st in bowers 
 
 Of am"rous flowers. 
 And, from her mother torn, 
 
 Lead'st much afraid. 
 
 Much pleas'd, the maid, 
 (Midst doubts, and hopes, and sighs,) 
 
 To the dear youth, 
 
 "\\nio, full of truth. 
 In wild expectance lies.
 
 EPITHALAMIUM. 
 
 O honr of bliss. 
 
 To eqcal this 
 01)-nipus strives in rain ; 
 
 O happy pair, 
 
 O happy fair, 
 O happy, happy swain! 
 
 Hall, wedded hoy, 
 
 %\'liose only joy 
 Soon in thy aims shall rest 
 
 And face to face. 
 
 In fond embrace 
 Sitik gently on thy breast . 
 
 She, who all day 
 
 An infant lay 
 Prattling at Beauty's feet; 
 
 Who kiss'd the chiid. 
 
 And, as it smil'd, 
 Breath'd o'er it every sweet; 
 
 Breath'd charms so brigbt. 
 
 That at the sight 
 Venus shrank back with awe : 
 
 And from her skies, 
 
 With envious eyes. 
 Indignant Juno satr 
 d3
 
 EPiTHALAMIUM. 
 
 A nobler mien i 
 E'en \Visdoii>"s queen 
 
 With female anger glow'd ; 
 And ask'd what chance. 
 At each proud (;iaiiC«, 
 
 Such matchless gifts bcstow'd? 
 
 Should they all three 
 
 Once more agree 
 To %Tsit Ida's shade; 
 
 And should again 
 
 Tlie slicpherd swain 
 Be of the contest made 
 
 Sole Ju<1ge : no more 
 
 To Paphos" bow"r 
 Would laughing Venu^ bfcar 
 
 The prize away; 
 
 No longer sar, 
 • I'm fairest of the fail " 
 
 But'w-ith one choice. 
 
 With one lond voice. 
 Hers would the apple be 
 
 In features, sense. 
 
 And elegance. 
 Who most rescubJed thee.
 
 EPITHALAMIUM. 
 
 O hocr of bliss. 
 
 To equal this 
 Olympus strives in vain; 
 
 O happy pair, 
 
 O h?.p))y fair, 
 O happy, happy swain! 
 
 Hall, happy bride, 
 riiy husbaiiil's pride, 
 ■ 1 soon, in eagor fold. 
 The conscious bed, 
 IVith blush.fs red, 
 virgin ueck shall hold. 
 
 Long hath the fire 
 
 Of slow desire 
 
 early prime consum'd i 
 
 Marking, as blows 
 
 The opening rose, 
 
 I' thy young beauties bloom 'd. 
 
 Thy breast of snow. 
 Thy lips that glow 
 calth divinely warm; 
 And thy bright hair. 
 With artless care 
 • nse wanton ringlet* cUarm 
 
 93475
 
 EPITHALAMIDB4. 
 
 • Ne'er will the snn 
 ' His circuit ran;' 
 
 Impatient of dclav. 
 
 He sighing cries t 
 
 ' O moon, arise ! 
 ' O come, O come away! 
 
 ' Come, mildly bright, 
 ' Pure orb of light, 
 'To thee such scenes belong: 
 
 * Come, every star, 
 ' And from afar 
 
 ' Be^n the bridal song.' 
 
 O hour of bliss. 
 
 To equal tuis 
 Olympus strives in vain , 
 
 O happy pair, 
 
 O nappy fair, 
 O happy, happy swain ! 
 
 Cease, cease thy fears, 
 
 Tttj rows, and tears, 
 O, fervent bridegroom, cease; 
 
 Soon shall thy heart. 
 
 No more to part, 
 Rtfiume Its long-lo^t peace.
 
 EPITHALAMIUM. 
 
 Soon from her throne 
 
 Of cygnets' down, 
 With many a chaplet gay. 
 
 Love's constant friend. 
 
 Shall Venus bend. 
 And chide the ling'ring day. 
 
 She chides ; — and see 
 
 The burning sea 
 Its radiant god receives ; 
 
 Faintly he eleams. 
 
 And his shorn beams 
 In blushing billows laves. 
 
 See in her hand 
 
 An ebon v.and. 
 How liis lov'd sister guides 
 
 Her silver car. 
 
 Sweet wanderer. 
 Climbing heaven's crystal sines. 
 
 Mark too that star, 
 
 To virgins dear, 
 Hesperl with glitt'ring head 
 
 Wlio loves his train 
 
 O'er the blue train 
 (o golden ranks to lead.
 
 EPITHALAMIUM. 
 
 O hour of bliss, 
 
 To equal this 
 Clyuipiis strives in vain; 
 
 O liappy pair, 
 
 O happy fair, 
 O tiai)py, happy sw^n ' 
 
 Now shall the maid 
 
 At length be laid, 
 A rich, unspotted prize; 
 
 Now youth, beware. 
 
 Be thine the care. 
 That she no uiaid arise. 
 
 Now, plac'il in bed, 
 
 With unfeiu'ii'd red 
 Her beauteous face shall glcw| 
 
 Now shall she fear 
 
 Thy tread to hear, 
 And hope, and wish it novir. 
 
 Perhaps a tear. 
 
 As crystal clear. 
 In tricklinir haste may flow; 
 
 Perhaps with sighs 
 
 Your heart s!ie tries. 
 Or murra'rinK vents her woe.
 
 EPITHALAMIUM. 
 
 But mind not thou 
 The tears that Cow 
 
 Mind not the piteous sigU J 
 Soft soothing speak, 
 And her wet check 
 
 Wipe with thy kisses dry. 
 
 O hour of bliss. 
 
 To equal this 
 Olympus strives in vain; 
 
 O happy ]^aiT, 
 
 O happy fair, 
 O happy, happy swain' 
 
 Thus when supine. 
 
 With lips divine 
 She prints the nuptial bed- 
 
 And, like a rtow'r 
 
 Witli hasty sho^v'r 
 0"crcomc, her virgin head 
 
 HantfS down in shame 
 When o'er her frame 
 
 Soft languors gently creep 
 And the elos"d eye. 
 Unknowing why. 
 
 Attempts in vain to sleep:
 
 EPITHALAMIUM. 
 
 When at the side 
 
 Of lliy dear bride 
 Thou Kcst, Dione's caxe; 
 
 Happier in love 
 
 Than am"rous Jove, 
 Than monarchs iiappier far 
 
 Then, in full tides 
 
 Whilst vig:our glides. 
 Troubling through ev'ry veiu. 
 
 Begin the fight 
 
 Of fierce delight. 
 Of pleasure mix'd with pain. 
 
 Then, let the kiss 
 
 Of humid bliss 
 O'er her sweet body fly; 
 
 O'er her warm cheek. 
 
 Her eyes, her Keck, 
 And lips of luscious dye. 
 
 Oft shalJ |he cry, 
 
 ' O cruel, nc'.' 
 Oft weeping say, ' Forbear- 
 
 Oft sliall her hand 
 
 Vour lips Avithstand, 
 Oft meet you, you know wnere.
 
 EPITHALAMIUM 
 
 O night of bliss. 
 
 To equal this 
 Olympus strives in r^ni 
 
 3 happy pair, 
 
 O happy fair, 
 O happy, happy swain! 
 
 Much in defence 
 
 Of innocence. 
 Of virtue's nicest laws. 
 
 Will the dear maid 
 
 Affrighted plead. 
 And urge a moment's pause. 
 
 In vain she strives ; 
 
 Enjoyment lives 
 On such cudear'd delays; 
 
 Ami the wild fire 
 
 Of fierce desire, 
 Oppos'd, the wilder plays. 
 
 Hence, proud in arms. 
 
 O'er her rich charms 
 With nimblest strength-jou movej 
 
 Hence, bolder grown. 
 
 To the great throne 
 Of love iusaiiate rove.
 
 EPITHALAMIUM. 
 
 What vast excess 
 
 Of liappiness. 
 In sbo\v"rs of kisses veil'd; 
 
 When her soft cries 
 
 In softer sijjhs 
 You drown, and -win the field. 
 
 O night of bliss. 
 
 To equal this 
 Olympus strives in rain; 
 
 O happy pair, 
 
 O happy fair, 
 O happy, liappy swain ! 
 
 Not but he'll speak 
 
 In accents meek. 
 Pleading his tale of love; 
 
 Soft, as when plays 
 
 The silken breeze. 
 Thai wakes the whisp'ring gro-e. 
 
 Soft, as when coos 
 
 The dove that woos 
 His mate in vernal bow'rs; 
 
 Or with sweet throat. 
 
 When her last note 
 The swan erpiring; povirs:
 
 EP1THALA.M1UM. 
 
 Till vanquisliM quite 
 
 In the foiul figlit, 
 O'ercome by Cupid's dart. 
 
 She lends her ear 
 
 In blushing fear. 
 And yields her virijiu heart: 
 
 Till that she lies 
 
 All bare, and cries, 
 ' Sweet lovely murd"rer, come; 
 
 Exi)anils her arms, 
 
 Unfolds her charm-;. 
 Aid patitiii;; waits her di ->ia. 
 
 O ni^ht of bliss. 
 
 To equal this 
 Olympus strives in vaiai 
 
 O happy pair, 
 
 O liappy fair, 
 O happy, happy swain! 
 
 Tlicn shall thy lip, 
 
 Dolinlited, sip 
 The dew of iicelar'd bliss: 
 
 The-i shall thy soul, 
 
 Without control, 
 r.ujov the linjf'rin^ kiss.
 
 EPITHALAMIDM. 
 
 Then thy rich smUes, 
 And wanton wiles. 
 
 As wanton shell return ; 
 With raptures sweet. 
 Thy raptures meet. 
 
 And, as thou burnest, bonu 
 
 Then close to thine 
 
 Her mouth shall join, 
 Sucking voluptuous death ; 
 
 Till, in one sigh 
 
 Of ecstasy. 
 Both touch the verge of deatti: 
 
 Till that, more gsf 
 
 In am "reus play. 
 The genial couch she shake*: 
 
 Warm livelier sports 
 
 Inventive courts. 
 And what she wishes speau*. 
 
 O ni^ht of bliss. 
 
 To equal this 
 Olympus strives in vain j 
 
 O happy pair, 
 
 O happy fair, 
 O hap'-7,liappy swain'
 
 EPITHALAMIUM. 
 
 Then, then, ' To arms !' 
 Tlie queen of charms ; 
 To arms'.' young Cupid cries s 
 They hear, obey, 
 Ann urge the fray 
 Of sweet contentioos joys. 
 
 She pants, she bleeds; 
 
 The youth succeeds ; 
 More close they now engage t 
 
 While here and thero 
 
 Love's nimble spear. 
 Quick-darting, fires their rag«. 
 
 That wondrous spear. 
 
 Great god of war! 
 Which not thy sister guides: 
 
 But one more dear. 
 
 Thy mistress fair, 
 WTio at these sports presides 
 
 WTio, in such fights 
 
 Well pleas'd, delights 
 The rendinir wouads to spy . 
 
 Wuo lOves to see 
 
 Coy Chastity 
 A bleeding victim li«.
 
 EPITHALAMIUM. 
 
 Mark, with what heat 
 
 "lliey stru^'jflinjf meet. 
 How every limb's employed; 
 
 Till at tlie last, 
 
 Consutiiiiitr fast, 
 Eiijoyiiijf, aud eiijoy'd, 
 
 Thev g^a-sp for breath 
 A monieut's ileath 
 
 Th' enervate body knows; 
 While on eauh side 
 Ix)ve"s various tide 
 
 lu streams of pleasure flcMs. 
 
 Osiifht of bliss. 
 
 To equal this 
 Olyinpus strives in vain ; 
 
 O happy pair, 
 
 O happy fair, 
 O happy, happy swain ' 
 
 Rest, take your ease: 
 
 May sports like these. 
 With many a conscious moon. 
 
 Be oft renew'd ; 
 
 As oft be view'd 
 By many a blushing stio !
 
 EPITHALAMIUM. 
 
 And, oh : bless V. pair! 
 
 Way offsprings dear 
 Soon crown your fond embrace; 
 
 Soon may there rise. 
 
 To Kla ! vour eyes, 
 A long ani beauteous raoe'. 
 
 Whose converse gay 
 
 Will chase aur.y 
 Each beart-consumniR rare; 
 
 Whose infant -nrle 
 
 Those pains btijuilc, 
 Tliose pains you're doom'd to bez 
 
 And, when old afje 
 
 Life's whitest page 
 Shall from your sisjlit remove. 
 
 Who on your bier 
 
 AVill drop a tear— 
 The tear of filial love: 
 
 Rest, take your ease; 
 
 For sports like these 
 New strength, new ardour gain. 
 
 Rest, happy pair. 
 
 Rest, happy fair, 
 Rest, happy, happy sw»in'
 
 THE REPULSB. 
 
 Onb kiss you eirnestly implore. 
 
 And I for tliis, liear youth, must fl/ the»« 
 That boon obtain'd, you'd ask for mort;, 
 
 4 ad I, alas ! could not deny thee. 
 
 ^^'ytt would be love's tender tie, 
 ■* '*t strives to bind thy heart in vain ; 
 ->i then the hapless maid mig^ht sigh 
 'TV'hile thou wouldst triumph in hei paia,
 
 THE AUTHORS APOLOGY 
 
 rOR THE VOLUVTVOVSNESS OF HIS WHITINGS. 
 
 WouLiJ then some meddling; fool inquire 
 
 Why themes like tiiese tlie poet sinjfs. 
 Why soft, voluptuous thoughts inspire. 
 
 And passion trembles in his strinjfs? 
 Tell him, because I hate the race 
 
 Of critics, and defy their rage: 
 It is because their dull grimace 
 
 Shall ne'er defile my tender page. 
 
 Were kings my theme, and did I paint 
 
 Tlie pagea-it of some tyrant's state; 
 Or of some bigot, decniM a saint. 
 
 The fabled miracles relate ; 
 CoMimeut, and gloss, and note vould sjiread 
 
 Confusion o'er each torturM vcisc; 
 And the poor stripling while lie read 
 
 Would sigh, and deem his task a cuise. 
 r2
 
 3 THE AUTHOR'S APOLOGY 
 
 Wliile I dclijfli*, in themes like tliese 
 
 That bid tlic soul with p:i!>siun melt, 
 My verse shall never cease to please, 
 
 For hy ih.; !4l"«ii,:; iiran '.is (Vlt : 
 In my soft strains the youth shall plead 
 
 His passion to the i|iai<! ailor"!! ; 
 Aiid the warm ifirl, liul i-r-.xl.- .voil. 
 
 Repeat them to her youthful lord.
 
 NOTE 
 
 KISSES OF SECUXDUS. 
 
 (The mbiect of this poem is from Virgjl,) 
 
 " Had borne Ascanius lo Cylhcra's groTC.'' 
 Ascanius (son o! /Eneas, and ^andsoii of Vectsj 
 w-as /inT.iu irom the fiamrs of Troy by his fnlhei, 
 whom he succeeded in the kingdom of Lalinus. 
 Cythera, (in compass about six miles,) an island 
 in Peloponnesus, ■was particularly sacred to tlie 
 goddess Venus, who rose, it is supposed by 
 Hcsicd, the poet, from the sea near its coasts. 
 At Cvthera. the Phceuicians dedicated a beautiful 
 temple V» Venus. 
 
 P'loiioiiiiesns toTprehenrfs the mo:' toTHhern puta vf 
 Greece. lu ijre5ent .nai; e is :he Morea. 
 
 The ciiy of Troy has leen celebrated by the poems of 
 Uotrei' ui Virgil. Tt i Trojaa war was onrieriaker. by
 
 the Greeks to recover Helen, (the most beaatifnl womaa 
 of hir time.) whom Paris, the son of Priam, the king of 
 Troy, had carried away from tlie bonse of Menelaus, king 
 of Sparta. 
 
 "Adonis' iinaee to her raiad return'd." 
 Adonis was the tavourite of Venus. He was 
 foud of huiitiiii^, ami v-ka cautioiio! by his mis 
 tress not to iuuit wild bea-Jts. T.^e ;idvit-c, how- 
 ever, he sligiited ; aii'J, al lait, Ke received a 
 morial bite from a wil'! boar, which he had 
 wounded. Venus, after siiedding many tears at 
 his death, changc«{ him into the flower called 
 Aueaiouy. Adonis was also au .Assyrian idol. 
 
 " The thrilling: transports of Dions's joy." 
 According to Homer and others, Di-jue was 
 mother of Venus, by Jupiter; but Venua ncrself 
 is sometimes called Dione. 
 
 " Like Celens' son of old.'' 
 Cel-eus, king of Eleiisis, (a town of Attica,) gave 
 B kind reception to Ceres, (the goddess of har- 
 vests,) who in return taught his sou, Triptolemos, 
 the cultivation of the earth. 
 
 "And while the Muses' hill shall last." 
 
 Helicon, a hill of Boetia, (a country of Greece.) 
 
 «-aj sacred to the Muses, wiio had there a temple.
 
 SECUNDUS. 
 
 C5 
 
 The fonnf-Sn. H;ppocrer.e, (wi:lch first rose from. 
 t!ic ifrouiiil v\hen stru;;k by t!ic uDrse Pt'sfasus,) 
 and Mour.t Pariia::sus, were ?.i.so buth sacred to 
 the Muses. Pariiassus is oue of the ti-ghcit 
 mountains oj Europe. 
 
 Hippccreue is derived Irom '• ipp^u crene," the ho.'se's 
 
 (This description of Elysinm is ■ 
 
 ofTiboIlns.) 
 
 " So let tliy arms, Neaera." 
 NcJEra was the mistress of Joi.aiiiies SeruiiJus, 
 and to his acquaintaiiee uitli this iadj- «e are 
 indebted for this porlicn of his .vorks. The lady 
 possessed an ac<;uiii|il:shed min<l, as well a.s a 
 beautiful person, and was an ardent admirer of 
 poetry. We eaiinot, however, undertake to say 
 wliether hLs Basia are to be considered as proofs 
 that he was passionately fond of licr person, or 
 merely as poetical coiiipMniciits addressed to a 
 ■woman who played with his feelings, ami kept 
 them peipctually intianied. But a twclveniouth 
 bad searcely passed before he discovered l:c»
 
 56 N T E S i 
 
 real cliaracter, when he for^vardcd the fnllowioK 
 Epitrran: to her, wiiich, pt:fi.ips, is a itaster-piec* 
 iu that st;,lc of « riling : 
 
 Thy beamy won r.je. aiiii ihy Lraming eyes, 
 Thy niaiiaers, prond Neurra. t despise ; 
 NVked ihr.Q pieasesc noc: 1 Ime ihee best 
 «c niod&5l j^arb. and oiiiissDUjing v&)l: 
 Thy flowing kisses thrill me »ilh delight; 
 Yet Id not ask thee for & single night. 
 K^ture thai ^ve thee be-iRiies give beside 
 A thniisdiid faalts those beaniies cannot hidej 
 And ret. despite ci'.i!l thy f:inlts, I feel 
 Those chamw resistless, and I lore thee stih. 
 
 When beauty smiles, sore Itrve has eyes can trace 
 The cliimis :hat yli^e. and number every grace; 
 N.it his so vrell whom Jnno choje her spy. 
 Or Lynreus finiM {_, ^uick -liscerniiig eye: 
 Not Thainyris sn blind » lie i finiis appeal; 
 Nor he oi o:d renowu'd. the Grerian seer. 
 
 There was als.j a Roman ••oartczan of the name 
 of N'ex-a, tt ho wat mistress to Tibullus, as weU 
 as a favourite of Horace. These cciebnitcd poets 
 had a poetical contest for llie favours of that eels 
 brHte'i woman. 'I'he foUowinf; is a transiation of 
 0<!c l.i. Book 5, wherein Horace complains oi 
 NesEi-i's breach of faith : 
 
 ami.iit; the :t<ser stirs- when yno. abcnt to vv.Ute the 
 diviTi'iv i.l the great goiis, soore lo b< true to my re- 
 qnests. embracing trt^ with y.^ar r-liant ariTiS r lure clrselv 
 ta.v the loity oal: it duped o,- iiit ivf ; that while lo*
 
 SECUNDUS. 57 
 
 wolf shonid reirain an enemy to the flocV, and Orion, 
 'npropiiiocs tu ilie ^.lilors, sno.iM irniilile the wintrv sei, 
 and while me j;r.-,h;...l.lf.,ii ihe a...l.„rM L.cks „f AhjI.u, 
 JO /»;i^ f/OL* ro:cctl ihat this luve shoniii be imi*o;iI. O 
 Ne*ra, j/o»i shall owe dat/ jjreaily grieve on irrtMitit of my 
 merit . for. if there is a:iy tiling ••! mauhiMid in H>.r.-ire, he 
 will iiKt endure that yuu shonlil tlcli- :.;e your ii't;hls cuii- 
 linnally to aiiocher, whom ytm prclfr, aiid, exaspertted. 
 he \rill look out *ur a mistress tcfio icttl ictum fit's /ore: 
 and, thoc);h an iiiiret>rtietl gnrmw shonh) take possession 
 of yuu. yet my firiiiiiess shili not give way to that heauty 
 wh;rh has ouce given nie disgust. 
 
 " Though Ceres pour her countless treasures." 
 Ceres, the ijoddcss of corn and harvests. Shs 
 had a daughter liy Jupiter, whom she called 
 Proserpine. This (laua:iiter was tarried away by 
 Pluto, as she was fiatherini; flowers. Ceres 
 sousjht Proserpine all over .^icily ; and when 
 iiifiht came slie liijhteil two ton hus in the llaiues 
 cf Mount /Kliia, to continue her search all o\er 
 the worlil. -At Icnvrth, Areti:usa informed her 
 that her daujihtcr had been carried away by Pluto. 
 Ceres immediately llew into heaven with her 
 chariot drawn by two dragons, and demanded of 
 Jupiter the restoration of her daughter, which 
 the i;on aijrced t>> i^raiit. proviilcil Proserpine had 
 not eaten any thintj in the kinij'ii):n of Pluto; but 
 Pioserpiui" had cati-n of the (fraiuN o< a po:iiei;ri- 
 iiate, which she had jjathcred as she v.aikea o-.er 
 the Eiysian belda • her return, tberciore, uoa
 
 Impracticable. During tlie inquiries of Ceres for 
 her dausftiter, the cultivation of the earth was 
 nejrlecleil. 
 
 Jnpiier »v.s ihe u.mi pmverfal of all iVie gnds of tno 
 aiicieiiis. As the wife J I'liiti., Pruserpine became queen 
 of hell - /Jiiliens <.f Ar. ;idii fell in love with Arethusa; 
 bat she, to jnoul iiis c<.nrtshii>, f.td intu Sicily, where she 
 
 It wus fiai:l by the ancients, that any thin^ thrown into 
 the river of Alphens, will show itself on the waters of 
 Arethnsa.— The Elystan fields were sojiposetl by some to 
 be in the Fi>riunaie Isl.tuds. on the roust ofAfrifa; on 
 the authority of XHrtjil, (the poet.) they wire situate in 
 Italy; acconlinu to Luciaii, they w-ere i.ear the nir>on; 
 au'l in the centre of the earth, if we beUe\-e Plutarch, (tta 
 biographer.) 
 
 " Thong-h rosy Bacchus call." 
 Bacchus is tlic O.siris (the jrrcat deitjO of the 
 Eicyptians. He was the got! of vintage, of wine, 
 and of drinker.s, and is generally represented as 
 an elTuminate youuir man, crowned with vine and 
 ivy leaves ; somctinics, however, he appears as all 
 iufaiit ; and at otiiers, as an old man. His ainours 
 were not numerous. 
 
 "And wafted o'er the Stypian flood." 
 Styx, a celebrated river of hell, round which it 
 flows nine limes. 'V\\c water is so cold and veno- 
 mous that it is fata! to any one who drinks it.
 
 SECUNDUS. 
 
 "Or, sweets that from Hyniettus' thymy brow. 
 
 Hyir.ett'js is a mountain of Altica, (22 miles 
 from Atliei:s,) famous for its bees and excellent 
 honey. Cecropja « as the original nan-« of Athens. 
 
 " I shall revel in Olympian bowers." 
 Mount Olympus was supposed by the an»ients 
 to touch the heavens ; and from that circujii- 
 stauee, they iiave mwde it the residence of tlie 
 p)ils and tlie court of Jupiter. It is, however, 
 about a mile and a half in perpendicular height, 
 and is covered witli pleasant woods, caverns, and 
 i;rottos. AcLordiUsJ to tlie poets, there was 
 iiei'.iier wind, rain, nor cloucis, but one eternal 
 spring ou the top of tliis mountain. 
 
 KISS VII. 
 " So Sol, when be rises, dispels from the sky." 
 
 Sol (the sunj was a:; object of veneration among 
 the ancients. However, ApoUo, Phiubus, and 
 Sol, are supposed to be the same divinity by some 
 writers, th6u;(h denied by others.
 
 NOTES! 
 
 KISS VIII. 
 
 " My blooming Venus, and my gentle do%'e." 
 
 Venus is tiie t^oddess af love, beauty, and mirth, 
 when talien in the best sense ; but she is as often 
 viewed as the patroness of lewdness, adultery, &c. 
 Cicero mentions four of this name, which are 
 confoanded by the poets. 0/ these, however, the 
 most celebrAtcd is the Venus who sprang from the 
 sea, and who soon after was carried to heaven, 
 where she was admired for her beauty. Jiipitor 
 attempted to gain her affections; but Venus re- 
 fused Li:n, when ho gave her in marriage to his 
 deformed son, Vulcan. Her intrigue with Mar* 
 is the most celebrated. The power of Venus over 
 the heart was supported and assisted by a girdle, 
 which gave beauty, grace, and elegance, when 
 worn by even the most deformed. She is generally 
 represented with her son Cupid either on a cha- 
 riot drawn by doves, or by swans or sparrows. 
 
 Horace, in Ode i6, Book 3, bids farewell to Love. 
 The following are extracts from the translation 
 by Smart : 
 
 I lately iiverl a proper person/jr the servict of the gills, 
 »ri(l campaigned il not without honour. 
 So also in Ode 1, Book 1 : 
 
 I un uot the man I wa» under the domiuioo of gooi
 
 SECUKDUS. CI 
 
 natnted Cyrara, (one of Horsce** favocntes.) Forkear 
 O cr>ie! mcther of si>fi desires '. to ber.d one borderiui; npon 
 £fty, now loo harncncd for yonr soft romin^nds. Go 
 whither tlie soothing prayers of vimth invoke yoo. As for 
 cie, neither women, nor yonib, nor the fond ntpe of a 
 motual inclination, nor to contend in wine, nor to bind 
 my tempies with fresh flowers, deught me any longer. Yet 
 ■till io my dreams I catch thee in my arms. 
 
 " Such as chaste Dian' to her brother gives." 
 
 According; to Cicero, there were three goddessei 
 of the uame of Diana : but the daughter of Jupiter 
 ■n-as the most celebrated. She, out of love to 
 ciiastity, retired into the woods, and there exer- 
 cised herself (with her njrinphs) in hunting wild 
 beasts. Slse, however, forg;ot her digrnty to enjoy 
 the company of Endymion, a shepherd, whom she 
 cast into a deep sleep on Mount Latinus, where 
 he lay naked, and was so struck with his beauty, 
 that she aftenvards oaine down from heaven every 
 night to enjoT his company. Slie was called in 
 heaven bv the name of Phcbe, and was supposed 
 €> be tl^e same as t:.e tsooa. Tae most faniouj
 
 of her temples was that of Ephesus, which was ons 
 of t!ie seven wivudcrs of ttie u-orld. 
 
 AccrdM,;. f.. H..r„e. she wi, proteciress of the mono- 
 taiiiB, aiio ihe groves, and •' atiend::il the yono); womea 
 u labour, and (iresened them from death. 
 
 "Than IMars e"er ravisti'd from the queen of 
 cliKrius." 
 
 AccorHing^ to Hornpr, Mars was ttie son of 
 JiiIiitiT hiiil Juno; but Ovifl makes him the sen 
 of Juno without a fattier, as Juno was anxious to 
 become a mother witliout the a&sistanec of the 
 otlier sex. IMars was tlie >joiI of war, and he 
 guined tlie affection of Venus, and gratified his 
 desires. Vulcan was informed of liis wife's de- 
 baucheries, and he secretly placed a net around 
 the l)ed, and the two lovers were exposed in each 
 other's arnvs to tlie ridicule of the gods. Mars 
 presided over gladiators, and was the god of 
 hundu^ and ailimauiy exercises and amusemeiits.
 
 8ECUNDU3 
 
 KISS XV 
 
 " Breath 'd Cyorian odours in each kiss he prcss'd." 
 The term Cyprian is derived from Cyprus, a 
 larjje islaud between Cilicia and Syria, sacred to 
 Venus, wno had many tenjples tliere, especially 
 one at Paphos, where tne virgins -.vere permitted 
 by the laws to obtaiu a dowry by prostitatioa. 
 
 KISS XVI. 
 
 " As many as his beauteous Lcsbia gave." 
 
 The women of Lesbos were celebrated fortneu 
 beauty, and for their skill in music; but the 
 people were so dissipated, that the epithet " Les 
 bian'' wa-s frequently used to sitjnify extravagance, 
 Alcieus and Sappho, however, were natives of this 
 place, and di.^tinsruished themselves by their 
 poctitiil compositions. Lesbos (now Meteliii) is 
 a large island in the ^gean sea, and the wiae 
 there produced was as much esteemed by tita 
 au'jients as by the moderns.
 
 KISS XVIII. 
 
 (SecnnHns »-as in the h»l)it of mouljing in wax; »nd 
 therefore it is presiiiueil tliai lie took a likeness of 
 Neaera.; 
 
 . ..." On flow'ry Ide 
 T'havc conqucr'd Pallas, and Jove's sister bride." 
 
 "The Phrvgian shepherd 'judg'd the golden prize." 
 
 Ide {Id/i) is a raouutain in Phrygia, a small dis- 
 tance from Troy. It was on this mount that the 
 shepherd Paris adjudged the prize of beauty (the 
 golden apple) to Venus, against Juno and Minerva 
 (Pallas.) The top of Ida was covered with green 
 wood, and its elevation afforded a fine and exten- 
 sive view of the Hellespont and the adjacent 
 countries. Minerva received the name of Pallas 
 because she killed the giant of that name. She is 
 the goddess of wisdom, war, and all the liberal 
 arts ; and was the first who built a ship. Juno 
 was si.stcr to Jupiter, who (not insensible to her 
 cliarms) more effectually to gain her confidence, 
 ch-angcd himself into a cuckoo, raised a great 
 storm, and rendered the air chill and cold. U.ider 
 I'uai fc>riii he went to Juno, who pitied the cuckoo 
 &iid too* it to her busum. As soon as Jupiter had 
 gained these advantages, be resumed his original
 
 SECL'SDl'S. 65 
 
 form, after he had made a solemn promise of mar 
 riage to his sister, he gratified his desires. By 
 this marriage Juuo became the queen of all the 
 gods, and mistress of heaven and earth. 
 
 " Sicilia's seas, or Adria's dashing waves." 
 The wliirlpool of Charybdis, on llie coast of 
 Sicily, was very dang-erous to sailors, and it proved 
 fatal to a part of the fleet of Ulysses. It appears 
 to be an Jig^itated water from seventy to ninety 
 fathoms deep, circlinij in quick eddies. A seventy 
 four gun-ship has been whirled round on its 
 surface. On the opposite shore (Italy) there is a 
 dangerous rock called Scylla. 
 The sea of Adria is now called the gulf of Venice 
 
 KISS XIX. 
 
 " Ambrosial offspring of the vernal hour." 
 The food of the gods was called ambrosia, and 
 the'r drink nectar. 'I'he word ambrosia signifies 
 immortal, and the food, which was sweeter than 
 honey, and of a most odoriferous smell, had the 
 power to give immortality to all tliose who par 
 took of it. Juno perfumed her hair with ambrosift 
 when she adorned herself to captivate Jupiter.
 
 ' Lips by Narcissus' genuine tears beelew'd." 
 ."Carcissus was a beautiful youth, who slighted 
 4ie courtsiiip of several nymphs ; and, at last, 
 died for tlie love of himself, he having seen his 
 iraaj^e reflected in a fountain. His blood was 
 chauged into a flower, which still bears his name. 
 
 " Lips by th' CEbalian stripling's blood imbued." 
 GCbalia is the ancient name for Laconia, a 
 coujitry on the southern parts of Peloponnesus. 
 It received its name from king CEbalus, and thence 
 (El/alidfS puer is applied to Uyacintlius, and 
 Qibaliis sdtigitis is used to denoniuiatc his blood. 
 Hyacinthus was a beautiful boy j and when he and 
 Apoilo were playing- at <|U'.Kts, Zephyrus, (from 
 jealousy of the boy,) with a strong blast, carried 
 back a quoit iipou the liead of Hyacinthus, and 
 killed him. Apollo out of the blood produced a 
 flower, which he called by the same name. 
 
 Apnllo was the iiivenmr and god of all the fine arts, of 
 medicine, nmsic, poetry, inil elimaenre He received 
 from Jiipiter the power of tpowing fiitu'iiy, ai.il his 
 oracles were in repute ihronghi^r.i the world His ainunrs 
 were numerous, and he 3ssun:ed various shapes to {;ratify 
 his pas.siun. 
 
 ZepluTUF fiUe west wind) was said to )ir'>'i;ire flowers 
 aod fmtts Dy the sweetness at hia breatn. He had a 
 temple at .\tbeii*
 
 9ECUNDUS. 
 
 PITH AL AMI UM. 
 
 *• The Gnydian power." 
 Gr.iaus, (more properly Cnidus,) a city in Avis 
 Minor, where Vt-nus was wor.ihiiiDt^ci as the ciiief 
 deity. 
 
 " God of the fatal bow." 
 Cupid, the god of love, and Lore itself. Is 
 represented naked and wiugcd, with a veil over 
 his eyes, and carrying a c|ui>er upon his s'liouldcrs. 
 He holds a torch in one hand, and a liow v.-ith 
 darts in tlie olhtr, wherewith he WDumis the 
 hearts of lovers. He was worshipped with the 
 same solemnity as his mother, Vcuus. 
 
 " Nor Hymen, thon." 
 Among the Greeks, Hymen was the god of 
 marriage and of nuptial 8oleinnitie<;, at which ho 
 ■was always supposed to attend. He was the sou 
 of Apollo, and one of the Muses; hence the 
 alliisioQ in the text to the place of bis birth i 
 (b'clicor ) 
 
 •' Ui.«r. the brow cf tur.ff-,* -nooatain iorn."
 
 l^nnc^ris; 
 
 KISSES OF DONXEFONJ
 
 PANCHARIS; 
 
 KISSES OF B0XXEF0N3, 
 
 KISS I. 
 
 Ntmph, ail other nymphs e\cr\l\:-g. 
 Oh u-liosc lips, so rosy Ivight, 
 
 All my hopes of bliss are dv\c-!ling, 
 Source of every fond delight. 
 
 Gentle npuph, on whom is lavish'd 
 Ev'ry sweet, enchanting <^rdce. 
 
 Charms from other beiiuties ravish'd 
 To adorn thy lovely face. 
 
 While my heart, with passion t'lovi'^a 
 Calls thee loveliest, deares:, ''est. 
 
 Wilt thou, the soft kiss bestf>wiiis, 
 hooth its Dams, and give it rest f
 
 n KISSES OF 
 
 No, ah no ! witlihold the blessing'. 
 
 Keep the dang'rous boon away. 
 Lest its tlirillinff touch increasing 
 
 Bid the flame more fiercely prey I 
 
 But thy lips to niJne applying- 
 
 Gently steal my breath au-ay. 
 Till with rapture fainting, dyin^, 
 
 Ev'ry pulse forgets to piay. 
 
 No, ah tio ! ev'n that were danger. 
 And my soul might wing her flight. 
 
 And be, dearest girl, a ranger 
 In those realms of endless night. 
 
 Where, coiidcnin'd to gloom, and sadness^ 
 
 Piainlii-e spiiii.'i ever stray; 
 Where love iic"cr clieers, nor mirth, nor gladnesa 
 
 E'er beguile the ling'ring day. 
 
 Yet come ! to mine thy lips applying 
 
 Steal mo from myself away. 
 Till with rapture fainting, dying. 
 
 My soul, loos'd frojii these bonds of clay. 
 
 Hovers wliere in dark meanders 
 
 Styx rolls on !iis lurid tide; 
 Where the soft Catullus wander* 
 
 With TibuUus by his side.
 
 BONNEFONS. 
 
 I too in turn my lips applying 
 Will gently steal thy honied breath. 
 
 Till thy soul, enraptur'd flying. 
 Hastens to the realms beneath: 
 
 Anil in those brijfht regions hovers, 
 Wh(Te so sweetly, siJe by side. 
 
 Undivided from their lovers. 
 Nemesis, and Lcsbia glide. 
 
 For within that realm of spirits 
 Tend'rest joys await the blcss'd ; 
 
 Each his former love inherits — 
 Still possessing still possess'd. 
 
 Tliere, my lovely girl, I'll meet thee. 
 Pale, and trembling on that •joast, 
 
 And with raptVous kisses greet thee. 
 Till, in silent wonder lost — 
 
 E'en those bards, whose gentle ir.cascra* 
 
 Tohl of bliss, and taught tl-c way 
 Who o'er love's delightful treasures 
 
 Held the undisputed sway- 
 All, with one accord, shall hail us 
 
 Welcome to th.- blisful grove. 
 And confess that none excel us 
 
 In the tender aru of lovt..
 
 NEEDLE THAT PRICKED HIS MI'TRESSl 
 
 Ah ! cruel fiistrumeiit, declare 
 What coulii tV.-js induce thy spite 
 
 To wcuikI llie fingers of the fair. 
 So sol't, so ilelicatc, ;t!id wliile? 
 
 What crime was theirs that they should bleed. 
 
 And thou commit the ruthless deed? 
 
 Inflict not thus the wanton smart 
 
 On them as innorenl as fair.' 
 Go rather, and assail her heart. 
 
 And deeply sate thy venjfeance there— 
 That cruel heart that will not feel. 
 Senseless as adaiuaut or steel. 
 
 For taught by thee the sense of pain 
 ^e may relent, though cruel ]nng: 
 
 No", 'tis not thine, and I in vain 
 Exalt ihy feeble p)wcrs in song: 
 
 How can thy fragile point assail 
 
 Where lore's bright shafu could ne'er prevail?
 
 RONNEFONS. 
 
 TO HIS lUISTRKSS'S LAV-DOO. 
 
 jSi.Ks;s'n IS th}- lot, siinromc!)' blcss'd, 
 
 AVho sees must C'lvy thee ; 
 Thus by iliitt if<:iitlt' hand c-'iress'J, 
 And foiiiiifil in the rosy hrcast 
 
 Of that fair (ji.ecii of cliastity. 
 
 Diverted by thy artless play. 
 
 Companion of lier home, 
 Witli tlioc slie spcjrts tlie live-loPi^ aay, 
 And makes ihee partner of lier way 
 
 Wlien fancy leads her steps to roam. 
 
 Her daily meal she bids thee share. 
 
 And, with unfoi!,'nV. delifcht. 
 Selecting, with attentive care. 
 The choicest morsels for thy fare. 
 Provokes tiiy little appetite : 
 
 Then, when the sweet repast is o'er. 
 Strives with new joys to bless :
 
 KISSES OF 
 
 Takes to her fragjant breast once morei 
 And kisses sweet, a balmy store. 
 Her lips more prodigally press, 
 
 Tlian lie, of such dcliijV.ts the sire. 
 
 From Lesbia crav'd of old ; 
 Catullii?, u iiosa sweet soniuiini; lyre 
 Brcath^i the soft notes of fond ticsire, 
 
 And all love's tender raptures tuld. 
 
 Bless'd J? fny lot, supremely oless'd 
 
 With h11 love's stti-.'lest store'. 
 And is tliere wln^se iiis;-.:iate breast. 
 With soft delights like tlice possess''!. 
 Would madly «-ish, and sigh for more ? 
 
 And yet t'lierc is, by tlice enjoy'd. 
 E'en itoils would give, to share. 
 The spRMtrlM heaven in xvliieh they pride. 
 Like thee to slumber by her side 
 All the ni};ht long, aud waiitou there. 
 
 Sweet fav'rite, while 'tis thine to share 
 
 What all with envy see: 
 For this lier kindness, this her care. 
 Let gratitude reward the fair 
 
 With pleasing, foud fidelity.
 
 BOKNEFONS. 
 
 KISS IV. 
 
 Unhai,i.o-«''d was the ruthless deed 
 That made that rosy bosom bleed. 
 
 Thou fell, remorseless thing 1 
 For there has Venus made abode. 
 And tliere the little wanton ^od 
 
 Waves blithe, his goideu wing. 
 
 Tliou hast provok'd, in e%il hour. 
 The wrath of each celestial pow'r 
 
 On tliy unhol;- head ; 
 Graces, aiicl L'.vcs will all combine. 
 Insulted by this deed of thine. 
 
 And signal vengeance shed. 
 
 But, oh ! frown not on me, sweet fair. 
 For by those beaming eyes 1 swear- 
 Eyes that i value more 
 Than the dear light that visits mine. 
 And by Cythcra's holy shrine. 
 And Love"s almighty pow'r^ 
 
 lHy heart partook not of the deed 
 TLal made thy gentle bosom bleed;
 
 KISSFS OP 
 
 Ah ! no, I only songht 
 To snatch one dear delicious kiss. 
 But warm, and eager of the bbss. 
 
 My mouth the mischief wrought. 
 
 Yet I'll confess the crime my owe. 
 And let my penitence atone 
 
 For the unhallow'd deed ; 
 And, without murmur, to the weiijht 
 Of punishment, however ?reat. 
 
 Bow down my guilty head. 
 
 Yet, oh! frown not on me, sweet maid, 
 I'was thy own loveliness betruy'd. 
 
 The fHult was all thy own ; 
 Hadst thou not been so passing fair. 
 Nor such temptations lur'd me ther. , 
 
 The deed had ue'er been done. 
 
 TO HIS SOUL. 
 
 Why thuj fly to thy undoing 
 Flutt'ring to the cruel fair? 
 
 There thou'lt meet with certain ruin 
 Chains, ana oonnaj^e wail thee ther»
 
 BONXEPONS. 
 
 In the lab'rinlhs of thy ringlets 
 Love has wove a subtle chain. 
 
 Once entangled by thy winglets. 
 None caa set thee loose again t 
 
 Fniitlcss would be each endearotir. 
 Vain w-ill all thy struggles be ; 
 
 Thou must perish there, for nev»r 
 More cuist thou return to mr. 
 
 Yet I feel those eyes, that glancinj 
 From those lids so biiglitly play. 
 
 Like beuitcliiiig spells entrancing. 
 Lure thee, foolish tkuig, away 
 
 From my heart I feel thee flying 
 To that lip, and bosom fair ; 
 
 There in bliss thou woaldst be lying. 
 But of those bright locks beware 1 
 
 Trcach'rcns are those silken rin^ictr. 
 There destruction waits for ♦l;ie ; 
 
 And, entangled by tny winiflei'i. 
 Thou caiiSi ne'er return to urn.
 
 AjfD wt)n!dst thou hare me hide the sTc\.t 
 That thrilU in ev'rv acning vein, 
 
 >^nd, with dissiranUtive art 
 Conceal from all my intrard p^n? 
 
 Thoa know'st not what the task would b« 
 Did fires like these within thee prey; 
 
 Xo, not all thy philosophr 
 
 Could charm the orchiu Lore away. 
 
 Can I then g-aze upon :te lipht 
 Of eyes that fiash incessant Src, 
 
 ApU or. those breasts so snowr white. 
 Nor zesi the pangs of fierce desire : 
 
 Cr.n I behold each enbnm tress 
 Tliat wantons round her lovely neck, 
 
 Lips that were snrely made to blrss, 
 Ar.d th' rose that blooms oc eithpr ch^ek.
 
 BONNEFONS. 
 
 Nor deep.! e'en kingdoms cheaply lost 
 For one short hour of rapt'rous bliss. 
 
 Give all that ever Ind' can boast 
 To snatch one dear delicious kiss .' 
 
 Perish the wTetch that could behold 
 Beauties like these with careless eye ; 
 
 To all love's warmer raptures cold, 
 Unheeded let him live, and dis '. 
 
 VThy, let the mother, if she will. 
 Watch careful of her daughter's fame. 
 
 And the dull husband, if he feel 
 Suspicious of his wedded dame ; 
 
 Though, whisper'd by the babbling crown. 
 My name be blaz'd through all the town, 
 
 Talk'd of ill theatres aloud. 
 
 Or e'en to gaping rustics known : 
 
 I care not for tiie mother's fear. 
 
 Nor shun the jealous husband's eye; 
 
 Why, let them watch, and let them jeer, 
 I joy in such publicity. 
 
 So liv'd our rugged sires of old. 
 Ere Care »eceiv*d his cank'rous birth i 
 
 Those years were years of sterling gold. 
 When good old Saturn rul'd the esitb.
 
 3 KISSES OF 
 
 In all the i^low of naked charms 
 The fair one grac'd her lover's s^de. 
 
 Nor trembled then with fond alarms. 
 For none was there who dared divide. 
 
 In converse s«ect their days were pass'd. 
 In gay dcliijiits mid wanton wiles ; 
 
 No clouds their hc:ivcu of love o'ertast. 
 Nor fears disturb U their rosy smiles. 
 
 Of dull decorum's rigid rules 
 Let others boast, they're not for me ; 
 
 I leave them to such whining fools: 
 This — this is life from trammels free ! 
 
 Why veil chaste Love in cold disguise. 
 Such as he should not, cannot wear? 
 
 And why not let her incense rise 
 At Venus' shrine, and worship there ? 
 
 Is he who rules where planets shine, 
 Are god tliciiiselvcs from failings free f 
 
 Lo I rhnebus and the god of wine, 
 And the false Bull who cross'd the sea 
 
 Jove's tricks are known when he conceal'd 
 His godUead in a swan's disguise; 
 
 And Hercules was forc'd to wield 
 His distp.fl at a woman's ^oice.
 
 BONNEl'ONS. 
 
 Come then, we'll revel blithe and free. 
 
 Like gods, while !<!owiiiir youth inspires; 
 If they could s;n. then why .should wa 
 
 Blush to obey Love's tinier fires ? 
 
 Let me Itiss those soft lids, my dear jojr. 
 Where those glances bewitchinfjly playi 
 
 Let me kiss those bright tresses t!iat vie 
 With the goil who illumines the day 1 
 
 Ah I wouldst thon, ungrateful, deny 
 To thy poet so sliijht a request? 
 
 No, no, I can read in thine eye 
 The denial was only in jest. 
 
 Thou wouldst be bat provokingly coy. 
 
 And seem to deny it to me ; 
 With refusal enhance the sweet joy,- 
 
 Aud tempt me to s';-.' \ U ir^m (Lte. 
 6 '2
 
 94 KISSES OP 
 
 Then thus in my arms w-ill I fold thee. 
 Thus circle that white nccl< of thine; 
 
 Tlius — thus to my bosom I'll hold thee— 
 And thu:> press those moist lips to mine. 
 
 Thou mayst pout, and look gloomy, and threat i 
 Anii sti-u^i;le to friiard llic dear bliss; 
 
 With scratches, anil piiichi-s beset me. 
 While I snatch away "kiss after kiss. 
 
 I'ti fear not the threats thou mayst make, 
 And laugh at each fruitless endeavour; 
 
 In my arn.s the more firmly I'll take, 
 And kiss thee still closer than escr. 
 
 Oil 1 dearer to me are the joys 
 
 That spring from sweet strugcfles like theie« 
 For we deem it no longer a prize 
 
 If we can enjoy when we please. 
 
 Then, oh! woiildst Ihou heigliten the bliss, 
 Tiius ever, my Paiicharis, fly me ; 
 
 Tbu5, thus :et >;ie suac'jii the stveet siss. 
 Thus c\ t;r resisit, aud cetif me.
 
 BONNEFONS. 
 
 KISS VIII. 
 
 Tiiotr !irt sweet, yet with bitter alloy 
 TV.nt sweetness is miiii;!--"! in tkee. 
 
 Anil tliou Hrt an objeel of j-jv 
 As well as ilisquict to me. 
 
 To me thou art iiUp the fair star 
 That beams when Aurora is liich. 
 
 But clianircs its name, when nU^i.t's csr 
 Is gloomily roll"'! up on hiyh. 
 
 niou art lijrlit .-'s when morn be^ir.-: .-ibove. 
 Vet dark as wtien d.iylicht hath passM; 
 
 Antl now thou'rt my liavcii of love, 
 Is'ow the ocean uu wliicii 1 am cast. 
 
 Now like hope ihy briijht jlanoes can clieer. 
 Now bill car-' and soirow arise: 
 
 To me thou'rt sur|>.i-?:i!;,';y 'i-.ar. 
 And yet I can hate and licsj.ise. 
 
 Thy faults and thy virtues to tell. 
 The .Muse might lor e'c-i be inventing. 
 
 Few words would describe thee as well, 
 So lovely, and yet so tormenting.
 
 KISS IX. 
 
 GiTE r-", sweet life, the l>iss that's rife 
 Wit'i hcnicd moistare sweet, 
 
 That will assuage the fires that rage 
 With such consuming heat; 
 
 And with the dew that doth imbue 
 
 Thy lips so lubj- bright, 
 Bid them all.-.v the flames that play 
 
 Within me day and night. 
 
 Ah I no, forbear, my gentle fair, 
 
 I know not what I sue; 
 Oh! keep away from me, I pray. 
 
 Those lips that would uudo. 
 
 And fan the fire of fierce desire. 
 
 Till, glowing in iny heart, 
 O'er all my soul the torrents roll. 
 
 Consuming ev'ry part. 
 
 Wliy snatch from me so hastily 
 
 The !i|) that presses mine? 
 Oh ! come, and pour the burninp showei 
 
 Of kisses all from thine..
 
 BONNEFONS. 
 
 Let me expire by their sweet fire. 
 Till, from each burning l<is.s. 
 
 Like liim 1 rise, -vh" to the skis» 
 Frcri. CEta soar'd to bliss. 
 
 KISS X. 
 
 How can two such extremes com'L»nt, 
 
 Dear naid, in tliee ; 
 Tiiat when such sweetness all is thine. 
 
 Sweeter tlian sweet can be, 
 Thv lips such bitterness impart, 
 And from thine eyes envcnom'd arrows i^vtf 
 
 But when thou art so bitter all. 
 
 To such (!ci,Tee 
 That all the bitterness of gall 
 
 Cannot e'en equal thee; 
 
 Why are thy itisses then so sweet. 
 
 And with ambrosial (Jews thy lips replete? 
 
 Why do the glnr.ccs of thine eyes 
 
 Xo longer stiii^, 
 But with each shaft that from them fll«l 
 Such g^entle pleasures brlr^g ?
 
 Is't in thr lips, I pr*ytliee, tell. 
 Or in tliy glniiccs that such virtues dwell: 
 
 Tliat tlius at times mv soul they bless 
 
 \y\\U bitter joy, 
 And now witli honied hittemcss 
 
 Oppress »!<? iiid destroy ? 
 Oh I bitterness too cloying sweet; 
 Oh! sweet will: too much bitterness replete? 
 
 KISS XI. 
 
 Ah! wherefore is iliy lot soblcss'd. 
 
 Sweet, pretty blossom. 
 
 Thus in thu Inmost folds to rest 
 
 Of thiit dear, li<» e!y bosom ? 
 
 Oh ! were it mine like thee to share 
 
 Tlie rosy lieaven that lic-anis so bri-^hlly thei* 
 
 Thrice happy fl.iw'rct! not I'lUe Ihce 
 
 l-ranquil 1 d lie, 
 But wand'riiii; niie('rjsir:;in'<!, and free, 
 
 'i'o all her beauties ily ; 
 
 And burning kisses o'er a;:d o'er, 
 
 Co ber fair neck and tender bosom pour.
 
 BONNEFOKS. K 
 
 Now rd intently gaze where rise 
 
 Tliose hills of siio«-, 
 Examiiiin;; with 'uri'.Mis eyes 
 
 The fairest of the two; 
 And then, liy turns, from that to this, 
 My playful lips bln-jl.! ruvt, ami print tlie kis« : 
 
 Then hiOR i:ie in the rosy vale 
 
 That lies between, 
 And 'twixt thcni softly s'"''''ig steal 
 Where beauties blush unseen; 
 There cv'ry seeret eharni I'll spy, 
 Aid none should 'seape love's penetrating eye. 
 
 3ut, all! sweet blossom, not for me 
 
 Are tUose dear joys. 
 And what, unask'd, she gives to thee. 
 
 To nic she e"cr denies i 
 Not e'en my lips nriy rl;ire 
 1- lightly touuh, or liaiMls to wander there.' 
 
 While thou, untons'/ious of the blessing. 
 
 Lies! there unnioVil, 
 On her <lear breast tho.^r joys possessing 
 
 Tis mine at distance to admire, 
 isnd sigh, aad ook, and kindle with desire.
 
 KISS XII. 
 
 Go thou, my heart, but s.viflly go. 
 
 And tell tlie cruel l.i'r what tires 
 With scorchinir heat coi'sume thee now. 
 
 What num'rous griefs, what fond desires 
 Tell her my tears, with i-easeless tJow, 
 
 Bedew my clieeks, and swollen eyes. 
 And life itself becomes a woe. 
 
 Nor finds relief in fruitless sighs. 
 
 Vet 'midst those daily tears that steep 
 
 My pallid cheeks, those fires that g'low 
 With cpuseloss rage, and bid me weep 
 
 III wan despair o'er all my woe ; 
 Bid her the kind assurance give 
 
 She'll yet bestow a thought on me. 
 And hope again will bid me live, 
 
 And peace return, and dwell with thee. 
 
 KISS XIII. 
 
 As when some comet blazes in the skies 
 The (fatUer'd people view wiih woudrni^ tj;
 
 BONNKFONS. 91 
 
 Trembling, ihey deem their race already run. 
 
 And all tlie horrors of the war begun ; 
 
 Surprise and terror seize on ev'ry mind. 
 
 Am! all foredoom the ruin of their kind ; 
 
 So when the maid, in oaz/lini; beauty bright. 
 
 As fair, as lovely as yon orb of iiKht, 
 
 Bursts forth to view, all silently they gaze. 
 
 In admiration lost, and mute amaze: 
 
 Trcmblini; they see, and fear »hat mischief lies 
 
 In tlie briirht ijlances of her bcaminsj eyes: 
 
 In ev'ry bosom throb these soit alarms; 
 
 And now they dread, and now admire her charms 
 
 And, while their fear increases as they view. 
 
 Tremble to think what ruin may ensue. 
 
 KISS XIV. 
 
 Atpat '. for no lonirer I prize thee. 
 Thy love and thy beauty 1 spurn , 
 
 To the girl who so prou<ily denies me 
 I too caji be proud in my turn. 
 
 Thou hast taught me to know that 'tis folly 
 To hope any more from thy pride, 
 
 Now I'll iau;;h, and turn from thee as coolly 
 As thou when ray suit was denied.
 
 12 KISSES OP 
 
 AwTtr'. for nc k-.iEer tr.p muses 
 
 Shall pour tlieir >on untos to thy praises 
 
 No, no, for tli.: i^ri nlio abases 
 Shall ne'er win a nanie by my lays. 
 
 Go, herd \rith thy favourite throes^, 
 
 A \Tjlgar and ig^norant crc« ; 
 I should blush was thy name in my song. 
 
 So, false one, 1 bid thee adiea ' 
 
 Thou dost prouilly reject, and despise me. 
 But yet there is one who will prove 
 
 7'hcrc still beats a heart that can prize me, 
 A heart that can cheri^ih and love. 
 
 She is lovely, and fair as the bIo<:sozn 
 T)!at smiles v ho:i tiie siin.mer is nesr; 
 
 Turilla will ttike to her bosom, 
 Ar.d be, what thou «-as not, sincere. 
 
 To her, while my soft notes I'm thrilling-. 
 Ana with pleasure she lists to tiic strain, 
 
 Tliou wilt grieve tUat thy place she is dllin^ 
 And sigh to pussess me agaic.
 
 BONNEFONS. 
 
 KISS XV. 
 
 Propitious chance, my frierni, betray'd 
 AVIiere, like a Xaiau sporting in the -nave. 
 
 My love, beneath the leafy shaile 
 To the cocl, sparkling stream her beauties gave; 
 
 Unronscious of my i<aze she stood. 
 While all her naked limbs of glowinjr white 
 
 So sweetly through the lucid flood. 
 With soft'ned graces, struggled into sight: 
 
 That beauteous neck was all cotrfess'd. 
 Fair as pale winter's garb of fleecy snows; 
 
 And wildly the alternate breast 
 Before my view in ripe luxuriance rose; 
 
 Firm as two little globes they seem'd 
 From Parian marble -ihap'd by skilful hands; 
 
 Or like t\\'; ruby's light they glcam'd, 
 When fixed in gold the glitt'ring jewel stands:. 
 
 Not milky streams so purely Avliite, 
 Nor the first snows that wint'ry tempests bring; 
 
 And sweetly tipp'd witii rosy light 
 Like itrawb'rrics blushing through their leaves in 
 »pricg.
 
 91 KISSES OF 
 
 By turns tne varyinj; colours spread, 
 Mingling the lily with the blushing rose; 
 
 Or like the hues of that V-n^'i: red 
 Which Tyriaii purple e'er fair ivory tlirOM'S. 
 
 Reflected by the lucid waves 
 Her glow iiig beauties beam'd with mellower liirht ; 
 
 So seems, when in the virgin stream she laves 
 Her virgin form, the goddess of the night. 
 
 More had I seen, but tlie rude bree/e 
 Shook the dark foliage with its passing breath. 
 
 And startled by the rustling trees. 
 Deep blushiug at herself, she piung'd beneath. 
 
 KISS xvr. 
 
 An! wlierefore flv sweet nymph, why breathless 
 
 run 
 To shades and thickets, and ray converse shun ' 
 Oh I seek not shelter there, some clow n may meet. 
 And thy soft form with ruthless freedom treat; 
 Clasp thy fair neck, or kiss thy blushing cheek. 
 And e'en thy fiercest struggles prove too weak.
 
 BONNE FONS. 95 
 
 Thy truth I fear not. no 'tis love misgives — 
 Love ill whose breast suspicion ever lives ; 
 U calth, youth, and vigour in these limbs combine, 
 Glo^v in each pulse, ami in my features shine ; 
 Why then suspect that thou couldst yield those 
 
 charms 
 To some mean rustic's rude, ungentle arms. 
 Or to some dotard's, in whose pulses flow 
 I/ife's freezing currents languishing, and slow. 
 Ah ' no, though not to please thee De my fate. 
 And though thou shunn'st, 1 feel thoa dost not 
 
 hate. 
 Beware, ye clowns, nor touch the maid I love. 
 Far, far, from her on whom 1 <iote remove ; 
 Tiiui-h not with sacrilegious hands the fair, 
 Aline, mine she is, unraanncr'd clowns, forbear! 
 
 But wherefcre dost thon fly, why breathless 
 run 
 To shades and thickets, and my converse shun .' 
 Yet fly, thy footsteps, to affection true. 
 Thro' woous, thro' wilds, o'er deserts I'll pursue; 
 Swim the deep river, climb the steepy height. 
 Face ev'ry danger, and pursue thy flight; 
 E'en though the North his utmost fury shed 
 In sleety show'rs on my defenceless liead ; 
 Ttiough the fierce Uoir-star rage, or frost, and sauw 
 Arrest the ioaiciug torrents as tDey now.
 
 DC KISSES OP 
 
 These aave no terrors in a lover's eyes. 
 They but increase, and bid his courage rise. 
 And with a willing heart he dares each enterprizc. 
 
 Yes, I believe thou dost not, canst not hate, 
 Atu\ doubt yet fear, would learn yet dread my fate; 
 Hope still persuades that 'twill be mine no more 
 On night's dull car my plaintive voice to pour; 
 IS'or mourn in shades, and with my tale of love 
 Weary the babblini; echoes of each grove ; 
 No more pursue thy Hight, with trembling feet. 
 Through winter's cold, and summer's scorctnng 
 
 heat; 
 TCor keep my vigils wlicn with silv'ry light 
 "Ko friendly planet cheers the gloom of night. 
 Oh I be these ])ast, the painful labour spare. 
 And cease thy cruel (light, divinely fairl 
 Scorn (1 are my pray'rs, unheeded are my cries. 
 Oh 1 hapless fate, see still she llics, she flics 
 And shall thy tyranny be never past, 
 And these thy torments. Love, for ever last? 
 
 KISS xvir. 
 
 While round thee ray fond arras I t\viiie> 
 And press my {(lowing lips lo thine.
 
 BONNEFONS. 
 
 And ea^er of the bliss inhale 
 
 The balmy breath's nectarcous g^le; 
 
 Lost ill the ccstasic: of love, 
 
 I secin to soar in worlds above, 
 
 Anri seem, mv fair our, seem to be 
 
 E'en happier tliar- divinity. 
 
 But when, with tantalizing charms, 
 Tliou break st from lbe.<c encircling armSj 
 Hurl'd from those fairy realms of bliss, 
 I'm pluiii{'(l to bell's profouml abyss. 
 Id horrors lost, ami deeper woe 
 Than spirits in that world below. 
 
 KISS XVIII 
 
 SiLLT thin?, in search of bliss. 
 Didst tliou dare n touch her lip. 
 
 And in each !)i.lic!Ous kiss 
 Balmy dews of nectar sip? 
 
 Tempt the svJ'cet repast no more. 
 For in ev'ry kiss's breath, 
 
 While thou sipp'st the hoaied storCi 
 Deadly poisons lurk beneath.
 
 KISSES OP 
 
 Though the liquid ardours flow 
 Swiftly through each vital part. 
 
 Till in ev'ry pulse they glow. 
 And consume thy auhiug heart; 
 
 Still, unmindful of the past. 
 To her ruby lips thou fliest. 
 
 And there madly dar'st to taste 
 Th' honied bliss by which thou diest 
 
 In those lips of rosy hue 
 Pain, and pleasure mingled lie ; 
 
 Oh '. how sweetly they undo. 
 By how many arts destroy. 
 
 Fair destroyers of my peace. 
 Why so many pangs impart? 
 
 Cease those fiery torments, cnase. 
 And no more distract my heart. 
 
 Give me sweets, but give them puret 
 \\Ticn 1 seek the balmy kiss 
 
 Let me sip, but sif secure. 
 Nor with tortures tijnt the bliss.
 
 BONNEFONS, 
 
 KISS XIX, 
 
 Oh ! lovelv are those locks that stray 
 
 In rinijlets o'er thy forehead f^ir. 
 Aim! lonelier the bright eyes that play 
 
 So wnWly glancing- here and there : 
 
 Oh I lovely are those breasts that vie 
 With hers whom CupiJ calls his mother. 
 
 And in their snow-white purity 
 Seem to out-rival one another: 
 
 Sweet are those lips so ruby bright, 
 Like twin rosebuds in vernal weather 
 
 When their young beauties burst in sight: 
 Oh '. thou art lovely altogether. 
 
 Would that those locks had lost their brightness. 
 Those eyes tlie fires that in them play; 
 
 Those lips their hue, those breasts their whitenesi 
 Aud thou, O thou ! been far avi-ay. 
 
 Not then my luckless glance had lighted, 
 Aud gaz'd upon the beauteous whole; 
 
 Jiot then my peace had thus been b'Ighted, 
 X\or blank despaL l.»ve tcWl my bouI, 
 u8
 
 KISS XX. 
 
 Yb pearly tears, whose falling showers 
 Deck her fair cliceks with man}- a eoin. 
 
 Like dew-drops on the queen of flrwer* 
 Ere the suu's light hath scatter'd themi 
 
 Why 'neath your Sf arUlinij droj.s ccn real 
 Fires that with sudden flashes pUy, 
 
 And, as with silent course they steal. 
 Mischief to cverj- heart convey? 
 
 No, no, the silv'ry streams that flow, 
 -And ulitter on tbv cheeks, my fair. 
 
 Cannot be tears, but fires that glow. 
 And dart their liashes ev'ry where. 
 
 Deep, deep, in cv'ry vital part 
 By me tlieir thriiline' force is felt; 
 
 Swiftly tlirou;;li cv'ry pulse they dart. 
 And my poor heart consume and melt. 
 
 What have not lovers now to few. 
 If elements with thee conspire; 
 
 If flames commingle in a tear. 
 And fire t>e water, water txm'.
 
 BONNEFONS. 
 
 KISS XXI. 
 
 Au! wliither have ye led. 
 
 Ye faithless messeiii;ers of love. 
 And ere I could suspect betray 'd 7 
 
 Ye wantons, what couid move 
 You thus to fix my a<:hii!sf sight 
 
 On charms tliat beam'd so bright. 
 That dazzled with excess of I'.^ht 
 
 In gidily trance my senses lied away? 
 
 Ye loo, as treacherous as they. 
 My feet, why ilid ye bear my weight 
 
 Where dwells the unrelenting fair. 
 To sue in vain hi-fore her K"te, 
 
 And overcome with sorrow perish there? 
 
 My wanton hands, why did ye dare 
 To press those little hills of snow? 
 Instant through ev'ry veia 
 The subtle poison ran, 
 In ev'ry pulse I feel it throb, and glow; 
 And deeply lodg'd within my heart. 
 Twill burn forever there, acdmock the aid of art 
 
 On yau will I avenge the wrong. 
 And curb your w&utotincsB t
 
 103 KISSES OF 
 
 My feet, no longer shall ye rove. 
 For many a cliaiu secure, and strong 
 
 That restless spirit shall repress. 
 And keep ye from the fair's abode. 
 You too Nvithmauacles TU load. 
 My wanton bands, and ye shall prove 
 The utmost my revenge can do ; 
 For e'er debarrd access. 
 Ye never more shall press 
 With wanton touch the charms that led you thew. 
 But, oh I my faithless eyes, for you 
 Vengeance more deep will I prepare; 
 A gloomy covering shall confine 
 And veil ye from the light j 
 Thus plung'd in endless night. 
 Ye never more shall fix my aching sight 
 On beauties that so dangerously shine. 
 
 KISS XXII. 
 
 Ceask, tormentor, cease to grieve mej 
 Tyrant, wilt thou ne'er give o'er, 
 
 Kever from these fires relieve me? 
 Sighi but bid them rage the iBor»—
 
 BONNEFONS. 
 
 tan the flame, increase the anguish. 
 Till in ev"rj' pulse they glow: 
 
 With their force, I faint, 1 languish. 
 Cease, nor more torment me sol 
 
 flow, my tears, nor cea":e your flowin 
 
 Till you've set my heart at rest ; 
 find to one vast torrent growing 
 
 Quench at once the ragiiij; pest! 
 Vainly is my soul imploring 
 
 Aid ye can no more supply; 
 For those fires, for e'er devouring. 
 
 Every source, alas I is dry. 
 
 KISS XXIII. 
 
 WuEBE the wild woods were waving 
 
 RIy steps by chance were strayinj;, 
 While the deceitful maid, unseen. 
 
 Many a snare was laying ; 
 As thoughtlessly I rov'd along 
 
 She caught m'^- heart so clever ; 
 Vainly I slrovt. nornets were strong, 
 
 Twas caug >.;, Jas I for ever.
 
 I KISSES OF 
 
 Ah me ! I cried, ungrateful fair. 
 
 Why cruelly deceive me ; 
 And with such treacherous arts ensnare, 
 
 And of my heart bereave me? 
 I sii,'h not that 'tis now with thee. 
 
 It is not that, believe uic ; 
 But thou liast stol'ii the lieart from me 
 
 Which 1 had meant to give thee. 
 
 KISS XXIV. 
 
 TwAS noon, and to my fair's abode 
 
 Jly pensive way I took. 
 When sudden from a lurid cloud 
 
 The fearful tempest brohe ; 
 The tliundcrs roUcl, the liirhtning play'd, 
 
 WlioM, with disordtr'd tharms. 
 And all a woMianVs fears, the maid 
 
 Sought shelter in my arms. 
 
 Save me! oh, save ! she wililly cried. 
 And tlirew licr on my bre- st ; 
 
 While all a lover's arts I l-x-':, 
 Aug to my bosom presi'_<
 
 BONNEFONS. 106 
 
 Dear, liltle trembler, wherefore fly 
 
 For safety to my arms ; 
 Au.l wliile the tempest rolls on hiijh 
 
 Thus shake with vaiu alarms ? 
 
 Why wouMst thou have me shield thee here. 
 
 On this fc'iut bosom laid, 
 When I alone have cause of fear. 
 
 And most require thine aid ? 
 Wore dan!,''rous arc those bcai)i:ng eyes. 
 
 There fiercer liijhtninffs i)lay, 
 And the rude storm that rends the skie» 
 
 Less to be fear'd than they. 
 
 KISS XXV. 
 
 Di»r'EiNC flowers in the wreath I send. 
 
 Dear maid, unite; 
 Their lines two lilonminif roses blend. 
 
 The searlet, and the white: 
 In the one thine eyes may trnre 
 The pallid emblem of my love-sick-face ; 
 
 'y\: Ot! ;r's fiery lints portray 
 The heart that cruel love has ir.a<!e his pre^.
 
 KISS XXVI. 
 
 Oh I those eyes are bewitchinfily bright, 
 
 They glance but too surely to kill ; 
 And yet for a while would 1 borrow their light, 
 
 And brandish their fires at my will. 
 
 Would you ask why such weapons I sue. 
 
 With mischief so heavily fraught; 
 These fires would I lance, ray dear charmer, at yon. 
 
 And show you the ills they have vvTou^ht. 
 
 KISS XXVII. 
 
 ON A. PICTUKB OP HIS MISTKE'S. 
 
 Bless'd was the limner's hands that bade 
 
 Those features on thy surface shine. 
 And with aciveiit'rous skill portray 'd 
 That form, and made thee what thou art, 
 divine: 
 »^id heav'u-born was the art that mai^i- thee bear 
 Those eyes, and that fair face that lave uo £i)ual* 
 here.
 
 BOKNEFONS. 107 
 
 \VTiat though the Coan artist drew. 
 
 And Venus gave to mortal eye, 
 A thousand such !is thee in view. 
 
 And thy bright tints with his maysafelv vie: 
 Immodest beauties from his pencil shine, 
 But thou iirt chasteness all, aud purer charms are 
 thine. 
 
 What though the huge Colossus rears 
 
 Above fair Uiiodes his towering height. 
 And on his giant forehead bears 
 
 The image of you glorious orb of light; 
 A thousand suns in thee as brightly gleam. 
 Those eyes are suns to me, and shed as bright a 
 beam. 
 
 KISS XXVIII, 
 
 Think not those glancinjf orbs of light. 
 That l^ok so fair and beam so bright 
 
 Are only eyes : 
 Ah I no, the lightning's fiercest gleam 
 Is centred in their cVry beam, 
 AufI titence, on fatal mischief bent. 
 Fall many a fiery shaft is sent. 
 
 And he that meets them dies.
 
 KISS XXIX. 
 
 I woctD not liave the girl I love 
 
 III sparkling gems array "d ; 
 I would not have her proudly move 
 
 lu silk^ or stiff brocade : 
 
 No diamonds should adorn her head. 
 
 Or glitter round her neck ; 
 Kor vile (.osmetics idly spread 
 
 Their poison o'er her cheek. 
 
 Tlie modest look, »he artless air 
 
 Best heighten cv'ry grace ; 
 And the pure blush lliat mantles tbsre 
 
 Sheds lustre o'er her face: 
 
 The gnirish gem, the stiffen'd dres? 
 
 But spoil the easy mien ; 
 And art, while it makes each htHuty \eiS, 
 
 Hides ifraces better seeu.
 
 BONNEFONS. 
 
 KISS XXX. 
 
 Oh ! love is a treacherous boy, 
 See, sec, liow the truant deceives me, 
 
 Tliat she iovil iiie she swore by on hi^h. 
 And now for another she leaves mc. 
 
 How false, and how faithless is woman. 
 From fiint-y to fancy still ranging; 
 
 Her heart can be constant to no man. 
 But day after day will be changing. 
 
 For did she not vow, o'er and o'er. 
 That mine she would be, and for ever 
 
 Oh ! did she not swear by each power. 
 That death, only death, shoulil dissever? 
 
 Tis not for ihn vows she had plighted. 
 Now sliaiii'jicsslv broken, I si;f!i ; 
 
 That I leave to tlie gods slie lias slighted. 
 Ana tbejr may avenge it on b'mb.
 
 ilO KISSES OF 
 
 But thus to forsake him whose pride 
 Tliou wast, on tliy beauty wlio doted ; 
 
 Leave him for a soldier's mean bride, 
 And fly from a heart so devoted— 
 
 The lieart ttiat was worth thjr caressing', 
 Whose pleasure was but to obey; 
 
 And that heart thou mitflitst still be possessing. 
 Still proud to acknowledge thy sway. 
 
 He may love, but he will not, believe me, 
 Tli'i-i giury in wcarinjf thy chain ; 
 
 Yet this bosom, tliou(;h thou couldst deceit e m» 
 And scorn me, will love tliee again, 
 
 Ves, yes, even now "twill adore thee. 
 And swear to obey thee once more» 
 
 Do thou but consent to restore me 
 The heart that tliou gav'st me before. 
 
 If thou canst not restore it afrain, 
 An'J thy cruelty will not be mov'd, 
 
 Smile on me, and spare tnc the pain 
 To think that I cannot be lov'd.
 
 BONNEFONS. 
 
 KISS XXXI. 
 
 TO HIS POEMS, 
 
 Then go, since ye avail me noagh*. 
 
 And have betray 'd a lover ; 
 ^urn for the mischief ye h^vc WTOuj;l-t, 
 
 For now ye cannot move her. 
 What would it boot, thoujfh fame prolong. 
 
 And after ages read it, 
 If still unsoften'd by his song: 
 
 Is she for uhom he made it? 
 Go burn, for ye have urong'd my trutli, 
 
 And prov'd my own undoing; 
 Go, perish, like my hopes of youth. 
 
 In yonder 6ery ruin. 
 
 And yet ye were the tender gagt 
 
 Of love when first beginning; 
 And shall I, in my senseless rage, 
 
 Condemn, without repining. 
 The verse that tells how pure the finraa 
 
 That in my heart was lighted. 
 And still retains her dearlov'd name 
 
 To whom those vows were plighted ?
 
 ! KISSES OP 
 
 No, no, thoug-h ye've undone my yonth. 
 And all my hopes have perish'd. 
 
 Ye were the pledges once of truth. 
 Live on, and still be cherisU'd. 
 
 KISS XXXII. 
 
 Though the skjr be ocrcast. 
 And the rain fall fast, 
 It will not incessantly ponr; 
 Thonfih the wild winds rave 
 0"cr the dark-blue wave. 
 Its face will be smooth when the tempest is o'er' 
 
 But the show'rs that rise 
 In these tear-swoln eyes 
 Keep tlowint;, and never will cease; 
 And still o'er my soul 
 Care's billows will roll. 
 And pity's soft calm never hush them to peace. 
 
 Though the wide vault of heaven, 
 Br thunders be riven,
 
 BONNEFONS. 113 
 
 Each bolt to the earth will not dart; 
 But more danij'ious tliaii they 
 Are the brijfht eyes that play. 
 And incessantly pierce with their flashes my heart. 
 
 From his feast of gore 
 'J'he vulture (jives o'er. 
 To the Titan's keen pan^s giving rest; 
 But by n:i{ht and by cir.y, 
 Love ne'er i|uits his prey. 
 And still darts his torturing fangs through my 
 breast. 
 
 E'en the punishinsf wheel 
 Oflxion stands .still. 
 And Sisyphus rests from his stone; 
 But from rnres that molest 
 This heart knows no rest. 
 They still will perplex it, and never have done. 
 
 Oh! sad was the light 
 Of the star that ni^ht. 
 That beam'd at the hour of my birth ; 
 And the heav'ns lool<'d down 
 With their darkest frown, 
 Nor smil'd on the day that produc'd Die on earth.
 
 KISS xxxni. 
 
 I MOCBN not that the soft melodious tone 
 
 Of thy sweet voice hath, like eiichantnieiit, reft 
 My ev'ry sense, or that my soul has left 
 This feeble clay untenanted, and flown 
 To join in pleasinif dalliance with thine own, 
 Lur'dfrom me by thy moist lips when I quaflfd 
 Of dewy kisses the ambrosial draught; 
 Kor that my foolish heart from me hath gone 
 To dwell with thee : ah I no, I only sigh 
 
 To think that when, with fast receding breath 
 In the delirious trance of ecstasy, 
 
 My spirit hovers on the brink of death. 
 Twill not at that dear moment wholly fly, 
 Aad let me in thy fond embraces sweetly die. 
 
 KISS XXXIV. 
 
 Faibbst of blossoms, on whose lips the rose 
 Hath left its sweetness, from the wanton 
 wreaths 
 
 Or«hose bright ringlets, and whose bosom dowr 
 Fragrance like that the remal %'iolet breathes,
 
 B'-NNEFONS. lib 
 
 Or the od'rous ghmbs of Arsbr exhale, 
 Flinniiif their spicy sweets on ev'ry passing gale: 
 
 Coir.p, breathe tliem from thy lips, and gently 
 press 
 On mine the honied dews of many a kiss, 
 Uapt 'reus, and warm with love, and numbcrle'is; 
 Like young doves be our interchange of bliss, 
 And not like her, the Roman maid of old. 
 Who counted the sweet store— Oh! be not thaa 
 so cold. 
 
 Come, dearest, ^th thy smiling lips apart 
 
 Pouring a show'r of kisses sweet, then join 
 Them closer still, and from thy inmost iieart 
 Breathe forth thy soul, and let it mix with 
 mine: 
 But mingle so that never art shall sever, 
 And like oar endless love be thus conjoiu'd for 
 ever. 
 
 KISS XXXV. 
 
 Tbkx hear me, goddess, thou whose care beni^ 
 GuaHs watchful o'er the lo^•er's deslinv. 
 If, uhen again in am'rnus pi:%i3.aj
 
 lia PERVIQILIUM 
 
 On her fair bosom breathless I recline. 
 
 Life should forsake this feeble frame of mine. 
 
 And ray frail spirit bursts her bonds of clay ; 
 
 For such may yet arrive, when slow decay 
 Hath weaken'd every barrier; be it thine. 
 Sweet powT, to g^uide the disembodied sprite 
 
 To thy fair mansions, where for ever reign. 
 In sunny reg'ions of celestial light. 
 
 Laughter and mirth, and joy unmix'd with pun 
 Thfre, in the i,^reen recesses of the bless'd, 
 LuU'd in Elvsian raptures let me rest. 
 
 PER\^GILIUM VENERIS. 
 
 All hail! thou dear delicious night. 
 
 Ye silent hours of darkness, hail! 
 Not day so welcome to my sight 
 As the soft shadows of your dusky veil : 
 
 For, borne upon your raven wing, 
 l/ove, and love's dear delights ye bring'. 
 Replete with tender joy;
 
 And when your friendly shades are near 
 The (firl, reliev'd of half her fear. 
 Grows less severe, and coy. 
 
 Now thou art mine. 
 
 And I am thine. 
 Now, now, sweet maid, I hold theej 
 Now my fond arms around thee twine. 
 And to my bosom fold thee. 
 
 Now to thee the joyous rite, 
 
 Laug;hter-loving queen, we'll pay. 
 And with raptures sweet requite 
 The teasing cares of many a dull delay. 
 
 Why a prey to torments leave me, 
 
 Sweet seducer, why deceive nie? 
 
 While in blushes o'er thy oheeka 
 
 Love so eloquently speaks ; 
 
 Reflected by thy sparkling eyes 
 
 While my aui'rous wishes rise; 
 
 Why not let me fondly twine 
 
 Round that lovely neck of thine. 
 
 And mouth to mouth, and lip to lip 
 
 Soul-entrancing kisses sip ? 
 Still, to thy virgin fears a prey, 
 
 Thou wouldst fly my circling' ann». 
 And turn thy blushing cheeks away, 
 While sweet confusion heightens all tb^ caarms.
 
 PERVIGILIUM 
 
 By those piercing orbs of light. 
 By those lips so ruby bright : 
 By thy cheeks, and by the hair 
 That wantons o'er thy forehead fairj 
 By tliose little breasts of snow 
 
 Where such sweet temptations dwell. 
 And lil<e two gems tnat brightly glow. 
 
 In all their ripe luxuriance swell— 
 Oh ! spare, and leave me not a prey 
 To the fierce fire 
 Of wild desire ; 
 Soon will my spirit wing her way 
 
 Unequal to the strife. 
 Unless thy balmy breath allay. 
 
 And call me back to life. 
 Aid me, thou rosy queen of joy. 
 And thou, O love's delicious boy, 
 For raging now with fierce control 
 The fiery torments madden all my suuL 
 
 Thus, with fast-receding breath. 
 And gasping on the brink of death. 
 In the wild accents of despair 
 With many a sigli I pour'd my pray'r. 
 To pity mov'd, at length the raaid 
 
 Forgot her tender fears ; 
 Her cheeks the rosy blubh o'ersprcntl. 
 
 And smiling throujf 'i her tt-ats.
 
 VENERIS. 119 
 
 Thine will I be, she sweetly cried. 
 
 And threw her on my breast. 
 And her moist lijjs to mine apijlicd. 
 And dewy kisses press'd ; 
 Thine will I be, she cried, and bol ler grown. 
 Sought my fond arras, and press'd me in her own. 
 
 A golden bed 
 Beneath us spread. 
 
 There clasp'd in many a fold. 
 While bashfully she strugijled yet, 
 
 My arms the blusliinir waiitcai liold. 
 And lips by lips so sweetly met, 
 I revel in the balmy bliss 
 Of many a dear delicious kiss : 
 Now with her limbs my limbs entwine. 
 My mouth to her's now fondly join ; 
 Then in search of sweets I rove 
 To those dear retreats of love. 
 Where smiling Venus holds her cou-.t. 
 And little Loves around her sport ; 
 Those ruby lips where roses bloom. 
 And violets scatter sweet perfume: 
 There, while entranc'd with rapt'rons jo* 
 
 I snatch delicious kisses, 
 Vouna; Love beholds with jealous eye. 
 
 And envies all my blisses:
 
 20 PERVIOILILM 
 
 While lips meet lips in melting ivnae, 
 Sueetly our miiigliiii; spintj join, 
 And lost in joyous dreams of ecstasy we lie. 
 
 Oh, h.-ippy bed '. oh, happy night ! 
 Ye silent witnesses of dear delight- 
 When in my foud encircling arms 
 To my warm breast I claspd her giouing 
 charms. 
 And read within her melting eye 
 The fcture pleilije ol many a rapfrous joy; 
 
 While lip met lip in am"rous play. 
 And sweetly struggling snatch'd the kisi 
 away. 
 Til! limb with limb entwin'd in pleasing trance 
 we lay. 
 
 Avaunt! ye tenants of the sky. 
 
 In thrilling ecstasy 1 cry; 
 
 Not all your bright Olympian bowers. 
 Not rich ambrosial dews. 
 Nor nectar's sparkling juice. 
 
 Can yieid such dear del:i;1its as ours ! 
 
 And while such sweets to me arc given, 
 
 Unenvied be your spangled heaven; 
 
 Let but these longing arms of mine 
 
 Aruu!:i! her beauteous ueck euivt ii;a:
 
 vrNF.nis. 121 
 
 f*i\ '. let me but securelr sip 
 
 The honey of her ruby lip, 
 
 Ami (j'l'e, with fond impassioiiM eve, 
 
 Uiiim tliose tcmicr brcHsts tltat vie * 
 
 With hers uliom Cupid calls liis mother. 
 And in llieir snou-« liitc purity 
 
 So su'cetly rival one another: — 
 Tlien, down the rosy vale that lies l»et'.teeii, 
 Steal on to lieaiities yet unseen. 
 Where, in silent ainliusli laid. 
 
 Sly Cupid ({^uards the secret treasure. 
 
 And the rosy queen ol pleasure 
 Revels in the pleasing shade. 
 Thus limb fn -i limb so foxrlly twin'd. 
 We (five to raj.tur.; nil the mind. 
 And kisses told by thousands u'er 
 On each other's lips we pour; 
 And, like hiHiujj turtle-doves. 
 Interchange our rapt'rous loves. 
 Till breathless quite 
 With wild delight. 
 On her gently heading breast. 
 In thrilling transports lost, I sink to balmy rest. 
 
 ^^lc^e, while in pleasing trance I lay. 
 And ev"ry pulse forgot to play — 
 Oh 1 sleep you so, she sweetly cried— 
 Oh' sleep you so, and by my side?
 
 r.':i PKRVIGILirM VENERIS. 
 
 And now my hand she gently press'd, 
 Xow lightly touch'd my panting breust ; 
 And liow with manj' a dew>' l<iss, 
 Recall'd my soul to life, and bliss. 
 I clasp 'd her in my arras once iiiore. 
 And kiss'd the waoton o'er and ""er ; 
 From joy to joy we swiftly pas "d 
 
 Till fled the shades of night; 
 Morning- surprisM our joys at la^t. 
 
 And pour'd the unwelcome light. 
 
 All hair, thou dear delicious night. 
 Ye silent hours of darkness hail I 
 Ye harbingers of dear light. 
 Welcome, tnrice welcome is your shadowy vA.
 
 NOTES 
 
 KISSES OF BONXEFONS, 
 
 KISS I. 
 
 •' Where the soft Catollos wanders 
 
 With Tiballas by his side." 
 Catnllns, a Roman poet, whose compositions, 
 elegant and simple, are the offspnng of a luxnri- 
 ant iinagination. Tiballus, also a Roman poet, 
 composed elegant love-verses in praise of his mis 
 tresses. (See Neaerea.) 
 
 "Nemesis and Lesbia glide." 
 The Greeks celebrated a festival called Ncmesia, 
 in memory of deceased persons, as the goddess 
 Xeraesis wm supposed to defend the relics aiid 
 ie memory of the dead, from all insult. For an 
 account of Lesbia, aes Notes to " Kisses of 
 Secundus."
 
 KISS IV. 
 
 " Graces and Loves will all combiue." 
 
 Ajjlnia, Tlialia, and E-uphrosyiie, are the namei 
 of the (iraces. They are generally re presented 
 with their bands joined together. 
 
 KISS VI. 
 " Good old Saturn rul'd the earth."' 
 
 Satuni and Janus were the kings of Italy. Sa- 
 turn's reign was so mild and |)opular, so benefi- 
 cent and virtuous, that mankind have callei' it 
 the golden age, to intimate the happiness aiid 
 tranquillity whiuh the earth then enjoyed. 
 
 "Jove's tricks are known when he concfal'd 
 His godhead in a swan's disguise; 
 
 And Hercules was forc'd lo wield 
 His distaff at a woman's voice.'' 
 
 Jupiter (Jove) was king of heaven ; but nis 
 peaceful reign was disturbed by the giants, ■vUo.
 
 BONNEFONS. 125 
 
 however, with the assistance of Hercules, ho 
 totallyvaiiquished. Jupiter assumed many shapes 
 in urder to ifratify Ills passions. He ii.troduced 
 himself to Daiiae in a sliower of gold ; lie cor 
 ruptcd Aiitiope in the form of a satyr; and Lcda 
 in the form of a swan ; he became a bull to seduce 
 Eurupa; and lie enjoyed the company o( JEtr'.ua 
 in the form of a flame of fire. He was the father 
 of the Graces, the Seasons, and the Muses. 
 
 Hercules was doomed by his father to be sub- 
 ser.ient to his mother, which natural ritjht she 
 cruelly exercised. She imposed upon him the 
 most danjjerous and uncommon enterprises, well 
 known by the name of the twelve labours of 
 Hercules. The fifty daufrlncrs of the kint,' of 
 Tlii'spis became mothers by Hercules, durinn hi* 
 stay of fifty days at Thcspis, though some say it 
 was all cEfected in one niglit. 
 
 KISS IX. 
 "From CEta soarM to bli'^s." 
 
 <Eta, a celebrated mountain between Thessaly 
 t'.-.'-. Macedonia, upon which Hercules burnt bim
 
 KISS XV. 
 
 " WTiere like a Naiad sportiug in the wave."' 
 Naiades, certain inferior deities who presided 
 over rivers, springs, and fountains. 
 
 KISS XXVII. 
 
 *'^^"hat though the Coan artist drew." 
 Apelles was the celebrated painter of Cos. He 
 lired in the age of Alexander the Great, and was 
 in great favour with him. He painted a naked 
 Vtnus rising out of the sea. He alf=o painted a 
 uicture of Alexander, which the king did not 
 approve of; a horse, however, passing by neighed 
 at the horse in the piece, when the painter ob- 
 scr%-ed, " One would imagine that the horse is a 
 better judge of painting than your majesty." 
 
 " What though the htige Colossus rears." 
 
 Colossus, a celebrated brazen image at Khodes ; 
 
 one of the seven wonders of the world It wag 
 
 lui feet high, and every thing in equal prouoi lion, 
 
 fchjps have passed full sail between its legs.
 
 B0NNEP0N3. 
 
 KISS XXXII. 
 
 " Of Ixion stands still 
 And Sisyphus rests from his stone." 
 
 Jnpiter took Ixion up into heaven, where the 
 latter would have ravished Juno; but Jupiter 
 formed a cloud in her shape, on which Ixion 
 begat the Centaurs: (half men and half horses.) 
 Ixion, for boasting' he had been with Juno, was 
 cast down to hell, where he was tied to a wheel 
 in perpetual motion. 
 
 Sisyphus was condemned in hell to roll to the 
 top of a hill a large stone, which had no sooner 
 reached the summit, than it fell back into the plain 
 with impetuosity, and rendered his punishment 
 eternal. Various causes have been assifjned for 
 this rigorous sentence; the more favoured opi- 
 nion, however, is, that he received permission to 
 revisit the earth to punish his wife for Iiaving 
 buried his body, but that he violated his enifage- 
 ment, and therefore was doomed to en»Iless lauuuz
 
 IXtsscs: 
 
 TAR 10 us AUTTIOB3.
 
 KISSES: 
 
 VARIOUS AUTHORS. 
 
 As many stellar eyes of light 
 
 As through the silent waste of night. 
 
 Gazing upon this world of shade. 
 
 Witness some secret youth and maid. 
 
 Who, fair as thou and fond as I, 
 
 In stolen joys enamour'd lie! 
 
 So many kisses, ere 1 slumber,' 
 
 Upon those dew-bright lips I'll number' 
 
 So many vermil, honied kisses. 
 
 Envy can never count our blisses. 
 
 No tongue shall tell the sura but minei 
 
 No lips shall fascinate but thine'
 
 KISSES. 
 
 X.OX6BPfBBBS. 
 
 Flt, my belov'd, to yonder stream. 
 We'll plunge us from the iiuoiitidc beaai 
 Then cull the ro>e's haniid bud. 
 And dip it in our Kolilet'ii 6ood. 
 Our ags of l»li>s, my iirnipli, shall (If, 
 As sweet, llioujfh passing as that si)fh. 
 Which seems to whisper o'er your iip, 
 " CoMie, while you niav, of rapture sip!" 
 For age will steal the rosy fonn, 
 And chill the pulse which trembles warmt 
 And death — alas', that hearts, which thrill 
 Like yours aud miue, should e'er be stilL 
 
 III. 
 
 T. MOO RK. 
 
 Take back the sigh, thy Iip« of art 
 
 In pa.s.sion°s moment brcalh'd to me 
 Yet, no — it must not, will not part, 
 Tis now the life-breath of my heart. 
 And has become too pore for thee.
 
 KISSFS. 13 
 
 Take back the kiss, that faithless sigh 
 
 With all the warmth of truth imprest; 
 Yet, no— the fatal kiss may lie. 
 Upon thy lip its sweets would die. 
 Or bloom to make a rival blest. 
 
 Take back the vows that, night and day. 
 
 My heart rcceiv'd, i thouglit, from thiuej 
 Yet, no — allow them still (o stay. 
 They might some other heart bctrajr. 
 As sweetly as they've ruiu'd miue. 
 
 IV. 
 (From the German.] 
 
 Thk kiss that you prcss'd on my lip 
 Has but kindl'd more fiercely the fire 
 
 And e'en i;ods 'midst tlieir raptures would weep 
 Did they burn as 1 do with desire: 
 
 For scarce had my soul felt the bliss 
 
 When you left me to mourn that 't was given 
 
 Is this to impart the sweet kiss. 
 The nectar they boast of in heaven?
 
 No, no ; p.h '. believe me, 't is merely 
 To sharpen the stiiijfs of desire, 
 
 And make nie but feel more severely 
 The tortures by which 1 expire. 
 
 So feels, when thirst parches his lip. 
 The traveller to whom rustics tcU 
 
 Of the cool sparkling stream he may sip^ 
 Yet refuse him access to the well. 
 
 As dancing o'er the enamell'd plain. 
 The flow'ret of the virgin train. 
 My soul's Corinna lightly play'd. 
 Young Cupid saw the graceful maid; 
 He saw, and in a moment flew. 
 And round her neck his arms he threw; 
 And said, with smiles of infant joy, 
 "Oh! kiss me, mother, kiss thy boyl" 
 Unconscious of a mother's name, 
 The modest virgin blushd with shame 
 And angry Cupid, scarce believing 
 That vision cojM be so deceinng.
 
 KISSES. 
 
 Thus to mistake his Cyprian darae, 
 The liitle infant blush'd with shame. 
 "Be not ashain'il, my boy," 1 cried. 
 For I was linif'ririsf by his side ; 
 " Coriiina and thy lovely mother. 
 Believe mc, are so like each other. 
 That clearest eyes are oft hetray'd. 
 And lake thy Venus for the maid." 
 
 VI. 
 
 T. MO ORE. 
 
 Behold, my love, the curious gem 
 Within this simple ring of gold ; 
 
 Tis hallow'd by the touch of them 
 Who liv'd in classic hours of old. 
 
 Some fair Athenian girl, perhaps. 
 Upon her hand this gera display'd. 
 
 Nor thought that time's eternal lapse 
 Should see it grace a lovelier maid. 
 
 Look, darling, what a sweet design. 
 The more we gaze, it charms the more: 
 
 Come, — closer bring that cheek to mine, 
 And trace with me its beauties o'er.
 
 } KISSES. 
 
 Thou seest it is a simple youth 
 
 By some cnamoiir'd iiyinph embrac'd 
 
 lyook, Xea, Ijve, aud say in sootli 
 Is uot her liarni most dearly plac"d .' 
 
 Upon his curled head behind 
 It seems in careless play to lie. 
 
 Yet presses tjently, haU incliu'd 
 Tc bring his li{i >f nectar nigh. 
 
 Oh I happy maid, too happy boy; 
 
 The one so fond aii.l faintly loth. 
 The other yielding slow to joy — 
 
 Oh ; rare indeed, but blissful both. 
 
 Imagine, love, that I am he, 
 
 Auil just as warm as he is chilling; 
 
 Imagine, too, rfiat thou art she. 
 But quite as cold, as she is willing: 
 
 So may we try the graceful way 
 
 In which their gentle arms are t^riu'd. 
 
 And thus, like her, my hand I lay 
 Upon thy wreathed hair behind: 
 
 And thus I feel thee tireathiiig sweet. 
 As slow to mine thy head 1 move; 
 
 And thus our lips together meet. 
 And— thus I kiss thee— oh, my love'
 
 SAPPHO. 
 
 HiT<iF.n, Venus! queen of kisses, 
 This sUall be llie iiijci.t of blisses ; 
 Tliis tlie iiiglit, to trieiiilslii() dear, 
 Thcu shiilt be our Ilebe here. 
 Fill the ijohien briiniiier high. 
 Lei it spurkle like thine eye; 
 Bid the rosy eurtcnt ^ush. 
 Let it lUHntlc like thy ulush, 
 Venus! hast thou. e'er above 
 Seen a feast so ricli in love? 
 Not a soiil that is not mine' 
 Kot a soul that is not thine' 
 
 VIII. 
 
 M0SCBC8. 
 
 Ox him, wlio the haunts of my Cupid can show, 
 A kiss of the tenderest stamp 111 bestow; 
 But he, who eaii brinj; me the wanderer here, 
 iShall have somcthuig more ta^t'ioaa, somelhia^ 
 mote dear.
 
 [From the French.] 
 
 Whub you incline that neck of sno'V 
 To ev'ry kiss mv lips bestow, 
 And in those passion-beaming eyes 
 Such inexpressive meaning lies. 
 Knraptur-'d by the kindling g^lance 
 My soul dissolves in am'rous trance. 
 And on your gfently heaving breast 
 Exanimate I sink to rest. 
 
 But when our lips, in wanton play, 
 So sweetly kiss for kiss repay. 
 And from that Immid panting lip 
 Such sweet, such balmy dews I sip. 
 As bathe the newly op'ning flower 
 That blooms in some ambrosial bower, 
 'Midst heavenly scenes I seem to rove. 
 And taste the nectar'd feasts of Jove. 
 
 If thus, my Fulvia, you can fire. 
 And melt my sotil with w arm desire. 
 And bid me prove in every kiss 
 The dumrait of celestial bliss, 
 Why then deny with cruel charms 
 To crown at ouce ray longing arms.
 
 KISSES. 
 
 And when my sou! in joy would live 
 Embitter ev'ry sweet you s^ive? 
 Is't that you fear lest in that hour 
 My soul imbibe celestial pow'r. 
 And from your fond embrace I rise 
 A ^od, and seek my native skies. 
 And all that once delighted shun 
 'I'd roam Elysium's bowers alone? 
 
 My more than life, my only care. 
 Oh ! cease that vain, that foolish fear; 
 \\Tiere'er those beaming eyes of thine 
 With soul-entrancinir lustre shine. 
 There too shall my Klysium be. 
 And that be more than heav'n to me. 
 
 X. 
 
 Come hither, and sjive me moist kisses. 
 Dear (jirl, such as none ever gave '. 
 
 What, wouldst thou then number my blisses. 
 And a'ik me how many I'll have?
 
 40 KISSES. 
 
 As well might you have me tell over 
 The waves when in oteHn they roar. 
 
 Or the sliclls that lie scatter'd, and cover 
 The sands on the surge-beaten shore; 
 
 Or the bees that on Hybla are winging 
 From blossom to blossom their flight j 
 
 Or the shouts of the mob, when their ringing 
 Applause greets their emperor's sight. 
 
 I know not the number of kisses 
 That Lesbia was ask'd for, or gave 
 
 But sure, who can number his blisses 
 Caa uever have many to crave. 
 
 XI. 
 
 IIUKST. 
 
 Wrbn my fond lips weuld snatch the kiss 
 My eyes with envy view the bliss, 
 
 And fear to lose those charms on wliieh they dwell 
 And, oh 1 whene'er I strive to raise 
 My eyes to you, and fondly gaze. 
 
 At once my lips the vain attempt reseL
 
 KISSES. 
 
 Such are the charms j-onr lips display. 
 
 So tempt me \rith their rosy hue. 
 As steal the magnet's force, so they 
 
 At ouce attract my lips to you. 
 Thus, beauteous tyrant, you control. 
 Thus steal me from myself, and sway my a 
 soul. 
 
 SATAOZ. 
 
 Hafpt the man who in thy sparkling eyes 
 His amVous wishes sees reflecting play; 
 
 Sees little laughing Cupids glancing rise. 
 And in soft swimming languor die away. 
 
 Still happier he to whom thy meanings roll. 
 In sounds that love, harmonious love inspire 
 
 On his charm'J car sits rapt his list'ning sou'. 
 Till admiration form Intense desire. 
 
 Hal/ deity is he who warm may press 
 Thy lip soft swelling to the kindling kiss; 
 
 And niav that lip assputivc warmth express, 
 Till love draw willing love to anient bliss
 
 142 KISSES. 
 
 Circling thy waist, ana circled in tliine arras, 
 Who, melting on thy mutual melting breast, 
 
 E;itraiic'd enjoys love's whole luxurious charms 
 i» all a god;— is all of heav'a possess'dl 
 
 T. MOORE. 
 
 SwiEETLT you kiss, my Lais, dear! 
 But, while you kiss, 1 feel a tear 
 Bitter, as those when lovers part 
 In mystery, from your eye-lid start ; 
 Sadly you lean your head to mine. 
 And round my neck in silence twine. 
 Your hair along my bosom spread. 
 All humid with the tears you shed! 
 Have I not kiss'd those lids of snow? 
 Yet still, my love, like founts they flow. 
 Bathing our cheeks, whene'er they meet- 
 Why is it thus? do tell me, sweet! 
 Ah! Lais, are ray bodiugs right? 
 Am I to lose you ? is to-night 
 
 Our last go, false to heav'n and me. 
 
 Your very tears are treachery.
 
 PO.VTANUS. 
 
 When thy clos'd lips the joyless kiss impart. 
 Nor thy warm breath comes glowiug from thy 
 
 heart, 
 A somethiaif saddens all my soiil, I feel 
 E"en on my lips the silent kiss grow chill; 
 But when thy swcllinj.' lips reply to mine. 
 And my warm spirit flies to mix w-ith thine. 
 My pulses fail, sense, stren^h, and colour fly. 
 And pale, and breathless in thine arms I lie. 
 Come, kias me close, and with each glowing kis» 
 O let our spirits mingle into bliss! 
 But leave no space through which my soul can fiy. 
 Lest in thy circling arms thy lover die. 
 
 XV. 
 
 PiATO. 
 
 Whbkk'sr thy nectar'd kiss I sip. 
 And drink thy breath, in melting twin*. 
 
 My soul then flutters to my lip. 
 Ready to fly and mis with tbine.
 
 T. M O O R K . 
 
 The kiss that she left on my lip. 
 Like a dew-drop sliall liligrcriiig llf » 
 
 Twas ticctar she j;ave me tu hip, 
 T.viui nectar I drauk in her sigh. 
 
 The dew th.»t distilld in that liiss. 
 To iiiy soul was voluptuous wine; 
 
 Ever since it is drunk with the blis«. 
 And feels a delirium divine. 
 
 xvn. 
 
 (From (he Italian.] 
 
 Tht bee sips honey in each fiow'rpt's bell. 
 Thence bearing tempers in her waxen cell; 
 Whence man prepares the rich Metheglins .iuice^ 
 And gods their sweet nectareousdrauijlits product. 
 But on thy lips liauff sweeter dews, my fair. 
 Bees seek in tiouers, but I find honev there; 
 Tliere Venus spreads ambrosia to my taste, 
 And she alone can yield the sweet re(iajit.
 
 • ▲NNA.ZAB. 
 
 Ohl jfive, when I ask thee, as many sweet kisses 
 
 As fair Lcsbia gave to her jioet of yore. 
 Till not e'en the stars shall out-number our 
 blisses. 
 Or sands that are spread on the surge-beateu 
 shore. 
 
 Let their sums be as countless as leaves tliat are 
 playing 
 On the forest's g^een boughs when the sunniior 
 is near, 
 Or the hues of the field when, with flo-.v'rets 
 arraying 
 Its bosom, spring breathes her warm gales oa 
 the rear: 
 
 fir the fishes that swim in the ocean's deep oosom, 
 Or pillions that beat the wide vault iii their 
 flight; 
 Or the bees that, still roving from blossom t« 
 blossom. 
 Collect tbeir sweet treasure* oy morn « earljr 
 Utiht.
 
 !46 KISSES. 
 
 l[ these, my dear maid, by thy bounty be ^i^'^Ui 
 
 As countless, and sweet as thy lover demands. 
 For them would he spurn all the raptures of 
 heaven. 
 And the nectar that sparkles in Ganynieae's 
 hands. 
 
 Aa ! canst thou, cruel nymph, sappose 
 One kiss rewards thy am'rous youth f 
 
 Enough rewards Dis tender woes. 
 His long, long constancy and truth ? 
 
 Think not thy promis'd kindness paid 
 By simple kissing; — for the kiss 
 
 Is but an earnest, beauteous maid, 
 Oi more substantial future bliss. 
 
 bweet kisses only were design'd 
 Our warmer raptures to improve; 
 
 Kisses were meant soft vows to Dind 
 The honied seals ol mutual love.
 
 Ars kisses all.' — tliey bat forerun 
 Another duty to be done : 
 What wcnki you of tliat jiiinstrel say. 
 Who tunes his pipe, and will not play? 
 Say, what are blossoms in their primes 
 That ripen not in harvest time ? 
 Orwhat are buds that ne'er diselose 
 The long'd-for sweetness of the rose j 
 So kisses to a lover's guest 
 Are invitations, not the feast. 
 
 XXI. 
 
 Come, press my lips, and I will press 
 
 Those humid lips to mine. 
 And with these wreathing arms careM 
 
 That Lais form of thine. 
 
 Around that rich expansive scene. 
 
 Which all my soul inspires, 
 rU tu-ine my arms, ami bask betweCB 
 
 Those hills till love expires.
 
 1 KISSES. 
 
 O : who would wish to cling to life 
 
 If woman were not in it ? 
 O : who would bear its endless strife* 
 
 Without tier smile, a minute? 
 
 Give bat to me her sunny smile. 
 
 Her liquidj balmy kiss ; 
 Aiid though in torment all the while. 
 
 To me it would be bliss. 
 
 But without her, all dull and drear 
 Are Pleasure's sweetest bowers ; 
 
 And without her the groves are sear. 
 And drooping all the flowers. 
 
 She gives to Nature's widest range 
 
 Its most prolific heat; 
 And without her, the scene would change. 
 
 And heaven be incomplete. 
 
 But then of all the darling race. 
 There's none I love like thee ; 
 
 For thou hast got the prettiest face. 
 The wannest heart for me. 
 
 And when we meet, it seems as thoug^h 
 There's none conld love so well, 
 
 VS'hr.«e tearts could feel so warm a gl*w. 
 Or witb such rapture swell.
 
 K I S S K S 
 
 For in the maze of bliss we taste 
 
 Of every dear delight. 
 And, planning schemes of rapture, waste 
 
 The long and feverish night. 
 
 Till both exhausted — both undone— 
 
 We turn aside and say: 
 " How swift the midnight hours have rvia 
 
 To meet the morning ray." 
 
 But ere the morning ray appear. 
 
 Well turn to love again ; 
 And every kiss shall be sincere. 
 
 And uot a kiss in vain. 
 
 BEN JONSOIV. 
 
 Fob love's sake kiss me once again, 
 
 I long, and shonld not beg in vain. 
 
 There's none to spy or see ; 
 
 Why do you doubt or stay 
 
 I'll taste as lightly as the bee, 
 
 Tliat dotti but touch his flower, aiid liy aA'4;
 
 M KISSES. 
 
 Once more, and, faith, I will be eones 
 Can he tlsat loves take less t)jan one? 
 Nay, you may err in tliis. 
 
 And all your bounty WTOn^: 
 This couM be calld but half a kisss 
 What we 're to do but once, we should do long. 
 
 I will but mend the last, and tell 
 Where now it would have relish'd well; 
 Join lip to lip, and try 
 Each suck otiier's breath; 
 And whilst our tongues perplexed lie. 
 Let who will think as dead, or wish our death. 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 Whbn- beauteous Lesbia fires my melting' sonl, 
 (She who the torch and bow from Cupid stole,) 
 By many a smile, by many an ardent kiss, 
 And with her teeth imprints the tell-tale bliss. 
 Thro' all my frame the madd'iiing transport 
 
 glows. 
 Thro- every vein the tide of rapture flows. 
 As many stars as o'er heaven's concave shiae. 
 Or cia»:er» as adorn the fruitful vine.
 
 KISSES. 1 
 
 So many Wandisliments, roluptuous joys, 
 T' intlamc my breast tlie wily ma'ui employs. 
 But dearest Lesbia, g:cntle mistress, say, 
 Why tlius d'ye wound my lips in am'rous play? 
 Witli kisses, smiles, and ev'ry wanton art. 
 Why raise tlie burning fever of my heart? 
 Let us, my love, on yon soft couch rcclin'd. 
 Each other's arms around each other txnn'd. 
 Yield to the pleasing force of sttong desire. 
 And, pantinif, struijjjlin;^', both at once expire. 
 For, O my Lesbia! sure that death is sweet 
 Which lovers iu the fond contention meet. 
 
 Whbw o'er the vir^n cheek we meet 
 Health's tender-blooming roses spread. 
 
 To kiss those roses may be sweet. 
 To kiss them on their native bed. 
 
 Full well experienc'd lovers know. 
 And chief the few who blissful barn, 
 
 That kiss is lifeless we bestow 
 
 On charms thai yield no kind return.
 
 I KISSES. 
 
 But sure those kisses breathe delight, 
 Where love the sweetly-vengeful dart. 
 
 Exchanges, while fond lips anile. 
 Lips echoing soft as kisses part. 
 
 \^'>ien one warm wish inflames the pair. 
 Not less endearing kisses prove ; 
 
 Each gives, each takes, an equal share. 
 Sweet interchange of sweetest love. 
 
 Kiss the dear lip, the swelling breast. 
 The snow-white hand, the forehead kiss! 
 
 Tis by the lip the joy's express'd, 
 *Tis the kind lip repays the bliss. 
 
 When lovers' lips in transport join. 
 Their souls to share that transport fly. 
 
 And, as their mingling breaths combine. 
 The purple gems with life supply. 
 
 Then each inspired kiss imparts. 
 In sounds half-utter'd, half-suppress'd. 
 
 The tender secrets of their hearts. 
 Secrets to lips alone confess'd. 
 
 Where soul is thus with soul entwin'd. 
 The living rapture is improv'd ; 
 
 Tis rapture of the sweetest kind. 
 To kiss when kiss'd, to love when lov'd.
 
 XXV. 
 
 There is a sweet, a pleasing death, 
 A soft suspension of the breath, 
 
 Replete with tend'rest bliss : 
 I find it in my Lucy's arms, 
 I taste it in her ripen'd charms. 
 
 And In her morm'ring kiss. 
 
 Wild fancy riots in the thought 
 
 Of rapture with endearment fraught. 
 
 What mortal sense like this ? 
 For yon to catch my fieetinfj breath. 
 To share in that delicious death 
 
 Which hovers on your kiss. 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 Intent to frame some new desi^ of bliss, 
 The wanton Cj-prian queen corapos'd a kiss : 
 An ample portion of ambrosial juice 
 With mystic skill she tempered first for use. 
 This done, her infant work was well bcnew a 
 With choicest nectar; and o'er aii sne atr-cw'd
 
 154 KISSES, 
 
 Part of the honey which sly Cupid stole. 
 Much to his cQst, and blended with the whole; 
 Then that soft scent wliich from the violet flows, 
 She mix'd with spoils of many a vernal rose; 
 Each jrentle blandishment in love we find, 
 Each (graceful winning- g-csture, next she join'd: 
 And all those joys that in her zone abound, 
 Made up the kiss, and the rich labour crown'd. 
 Consid'ring now what beauteous nymph might 
 
 prove 
 U'orthy the gift, and worthy of her love. 
 She fix'd on Chloe as her fav'rite maid. 
 To whom the goddess, sweetly smiling said: 
 •' Take this, my fair, to perfect ev'ry grace. 
 And on thy lips the fragrant blessing plate." 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 CoMK, let me touch those pouting lips. 
 From whence the rovinir zephyr sips 
 
 Love's most delicious spirit ; 
 Throw round that snowy neck my arms. 
 Encompass all those lovely charms. 
 
 And all thy soul inherit.
 
 KISSES. 
 
 The rose that blooms on yonder tree, 
 Sweet woman, much resembles thee 
 
 In elegance and nature- 
 It lives to-day in beauty's bloom. 
 But, ere to-morrow's sun, the tomb 
 
 Maj shroud its every feature. 
 
 Then let us pluck the charming flow'r. 
 And share its sweets the fleeting hour 
 
 Indulgent heaven bestoweth; 
 TIs folly, love, to pass it by, 
 ■Twere wisdom too for you and I 
 
 To tear it whence it groweth. 
 
 Then since in this we both as^ree, 
 I turn the moral, love, on thee, 
 
 ^.nd ask why thus v.-e trifle ? 
 The rose may bloom another day. 
 And death may snatch the fiow'r away. 
 
 And ail its beauty rifie. 
 
 Then since it is so frail a flow'r. 
 The victim of a day, an hour, 
 
 O: let us now enjoy it; 
 For e'er to-morrow's sun go down. 
 Indignant heaven may sternly frown. 
 
 And secretly destroy it.
 
 IS6 
 
 nstrMMOND. 
 
 Thocgh I with strange desire 
 To kiss those rosy lips am set on fire, 
 
 Yet will I cease to crave 
 Sweet kisses in such store. 
 As he who long before 
 Id thousands them from Lesbia did receive i 
 
 Sweetheart, but once me kiss. 
 
 And I by that sweet bliss 
 E'en swear to cease you to importune mores 
 
 Poor one no number is ; 
 Another word of me you shall not'-hear 
 After one kiss, but still one kiss, my dear ! 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 fFronj the French.] 
 
 Give me one gentle kiss, I cried: 
 And Anne, to stay my fleeting breath. 
 
 Scarce touching, to ray lips applied 
 Her own, and snatch'd rae from the gates of 
 death.
 
 KISSES. 157 
 
 Ah I why with so short-liv'd a boon, 
 
 My fleeting soul to earth restore ? 
 Why give and take it back so sooa? 
 
 Death from thy lips, dear maid, would please me 
 more. 
 
 XXX. 
 
 Lovely Lydia, lovely maid! 
 Either rose in tiice's display'd, 
 Roses of a blushing red 
 O'er thy lips and cheeks are shed; 
 Roses of a paly hue 
 In thy fairer charms we v'lfiw. 
 Now thy braided hair unbind; 
 Now, luxuriant, nnconfin'd, 
 Let thy wavy tresses flow- 
 Tresses bright of burnish'd glow. 
 
 Bare thy iv'ry neck, my fair; 
 Now thy snowy shoulders barei 
 Bid the vivid lustre rise 
 In thy passion-streaming eyes. 
 See, the lucent meteors gleam 
 See, ihey speaii tuc watcliiui Aauc
 
 K ISSES. 
 
 And how gracefully above, 
 Modell'd from the bow of love. 
 Are thy arching brows display'd 
 Soffiiinu in a sable shade ; 
 Let a warmer crimson streak 
 The velvet of thy dowtiy cheek: 
 Let thy lips, that breathe perfume^ 
 Deeper purple now assume: 
 Give me little billing kisses, 
 Intermix'd with murm'ring blisses. 
 Soft, my love, — my au^el, stay. 
 Soft, — you suck my breath away; 
 Drink the life-drops of my heart. 
 Draw my soul from every part : 
 Scarce my senses can sustain 
 S? much pleasure, so much pain ; 
 Hide thj» broad voluptuous breast. 
 Hide thy balmy heav'n of rest. 
 See, to feast th' enamour'd eyes. 
 How the snowy hillocks rise. 
 Parted by the luscious vale 
 Whence luxuriant sweets exhale; 
 Nature fram'd thee but t' inspire 
 Never-ending fond desire. 
 
 Again, above -ts envious vest. 
 See, thy oosiom ncavcs voufessc
 
 KISSES. 
 
 Hide tlie rapt'rous dear delight. 
 Hide it from ray raviih-d sight ; 
 Hide it, — for through all my soul 
 Tjde-s of raadd'ning transport roll: 
 Venting now th' impassiou'd sigh. 
 See me languish, see me die'. 
 Tear not from rae then thy charms. 
 Snatch, oh! snatch me to thy arms; 
 Wfth a life-inspiring kiss 
 Wake my sinking soul to bliss. 
 
 Yk9, beauteous Queen ;— thy son, they s«* 
 
 Thy wanton son is gone astray: 
 
 Nay, Venus, more; — 'tis said, from thee 
 
 A kiss the sweet reward shall be 
 
 To any swain who truly tells 
 
 With whom the little wand'rer dwells. 
 
 Then grieve no more, nor drop a tear. 
 
 For know the little urchin's here ; 
 
 He, from the search of vulgar eyes. 
 
 Conceal 'd within my bosom lies: 
 
 Now, goddess, as I've told thee thrs. 
 
 Give me, oh give, the promis'd klsa!
 
 XXXII. 
 
 BOrtNEFONS. 
 
 Cl.ASp'0, sweet maid, in thy embrace. 
 While 1 view thy smiling face. 
 And tie sweets with rapture sip, 
 Flowing- from thy honied lip ; 
 Then I taste in heav'nly state 
 All that 's happy, all that 's great : 
 
 But, when you forsake my arms. 
 And displeasure clouds thy charms. 
 Sudden I, who prov'd so late 
 All that 's happy, all that's great. 
 Prove the tortures of a ghost 
 Wand 'ring on the Stygian coast. 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 Oh ! Rosa, I have never felt 
 Till now the bliss of wooing. 
 
 Or known how soon the soul could n»c!t 
 Wilh rapture, love, aiiil ruiu.
 
 KISSES. 
 
 But you, bewitching- girl ! have tanjrlit 
 
 My soul to woo sincerely. 
 And you have robb'd that soul of aught 
 
 It yet had valued dearly. 
 
 The kiss yon gave the other night. 
 Though full of woe and anguish. 
 
 Was one for whose intense delight 
 My soul in pain could languish. 
 
 And keener as the torment grew. 
 That kiss would sure be sweeter 
 
 And faster as ray reason flew. 
 Its throbbing joy completer. 
 
 Until confounded with the bliss. 
 We tum'd awhile to sorrow, 
 
 Resolv'd to ta-ste another kiss 
 Of equal warmth to-morrow. 
 
 Oh! not to-morrow, but to-night 
 
 Let us again indulge it ; 
 And by yon moon's auspicious light, 
 
 I swear not to di^nilge it. 
 
 And if, like yonder moon, my fair 
 Grow larger, lovelier, brighter. 
 
 With many a warmer kiss 1 swear 
 In future to dcliglit lier.
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 As late upon a bed of flow'rs 
 I laugh'd away the laughiner faoart, 
 \A'ith, oh ! a more delicious maid 
 Than frolic fancy e'er display'd; 
 While twining roses met our view. 
 As ;f to show what we should do ; 
 And gfcntle zephyrs murmur'd by. 
 As if to teacli us how to sigh: 
 Mcthoueht for many an artful wiJe, 
 For sweet the maiden seem'd to smile^ 
 That I might so inflame that breast. 
 Just peeping^ o'er her sparkling vest. 
 That she would give my muse to sinjj 
 The r:\pturcs that from beauty spring, 
 Wlken, lig^hted by affection's fire. 
 Young Passion weds with warm Desire* 
 Nor when I dar'd disclose my suit. 
 Did truth ray fancied hopes refute. 
 For soon I led the yielding fair. 
 By gentlest words and tend'rest care. 
 From granting first a sidelong kiss. 
 To the more dear delightful bliss. 
 With which the melting soul's replete. 
 When lips meet lips in kisses sweet; 
 E.it when with all that glowing zeal 
 Thill lie^: can fL'ijjn or passiou feci.
 
 KISSES. 1C3 
 
 AssDr'd she meant to yield to me 
 
 ThL" s^veetest bud on beauty's tree, 
 
 I press'd the nymph with warmest tone 
 
 To prove herself, indeed, my own. 
 
 She started from my glowing arras. 
 
 Then clasp'd around her snowy charras, 
 
 And flew across the fiow'ry lawn. 
 
 Like fairy sprite on fancy borne ; 
 
 Btill starting back a smiling leer. 
 
 Which gall'd more deep than frowns severe j 
 
 And, crying, as she skimm'd the ^ound,— 
 
 " My zone was loosen'd, not unbound ; 
 
 And thanks be to your kind endcarour, ^ 
 
 It now is more secure than ever." 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 BEAUMONT AND PLKTCHKB. 
 
 Take, ah', take those lips away, 
 That so sweetly were forsworn. 
 
 And those eyes, the break of day. 
 Lights that do mislead the mom; 
 
 But my kisses bring nirain. 
 
 Seals of love, but s<-al'i in va;n.
 
 1G4 KISSES. 
 
 Hide, oh ! hide those hills of snow. 
 Which thy frozen bosom bears ; 
 
 Oil whose tops the pinks that grow 
 Are of those whicli April wears : 
 
 But my poor heart, oh I first set free. 
 
 Bound in those icy chains by thee. 
 
 PKTER PINDAR. 
 
 Ladies, I should be sorely griev'd indeed, 
 CoulJ I once write what you would blush to read. 
 
 But that same pcet 'clep'd Jean Fontaine, 
 Was verily the taste and admiration 
 Of all the ladies of the Gallic nation. 
 
 Quoted and toasted o'er and o'er again. 
 
 Our poet Pope against a naughty word 
 Protested — seeming too to shut his door; 
 
 Pronouncing all obscenity absurd — 
 That ribaldry was folly — nothing more ; 
 
 Yet Master Pope, who decency so flatters, 
 
 Pliinip'd boldly into certain wicked matters.
 
 KISSES. 1C5 
 
 Miss Heloise, that warm young- lass I ween. 
 
 Says things that cover modesty with shame 
 [ must confess I never saw nineteen 
 
 Pour such an jEtna forth of arn'rous fiame. 
 Since then the lightnings of the ladies' eyes 
 
 Knock not the memories of such poets down. 
 It striketh me indeed with tuge surprise, 
 
 'I'hat Peter'i purer line should feel a frown. 
 
 E'en age delighteth in an arn'rous tale; 
 Love warms his inside like a pot of ale. 
 
 Thaws his cold heart, and nia^ies it beat so 
 cheery: 
 His eyes, that owl-like wink'd upon the day. 
 Burst open with a keen and t\vinkling ray. 
 
 And, lo' he hugs and kisses bis old dearjl 
 
 XXXVXI. 
 
 Give me, Lydia, kisses sweet. 
 Kisses, Love's delicious treat; 
 Honied kisses from thy lip, 
 Cupid's self might joy to sip. 
 Sweeter than the flow'rs which bloom. 
 And around shed rich pcnu.iic—
 
 Softer ttan tbe zephyr's breath 
 Wafted e'er the fiow'ry heath! 
 
 Freelr give thy soul to joy ; 
 Mercenary pleasures cloy. 
 While the voluntary bliss. 
 Kiss so sweetly answering kiss. 
 Fills the soul with real pleasure, 
 Bless'd and blessing %v-ithoat measozc^ 
 
 Mind net what doll pedants say. 
 Pleasure beckcns, let's away I 
 Age will guard the jni'rous flame. 
 Then, like them, shall we be tame I 
 But -A-hile caturc gives the pow'r. 
 Let's gaily pass the fleeting hour- 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 O : JiXNiB, let me freely taste 
 Those kisses warm and sweet. 
 
 For which, my love, I'd gladly Wiiste 
 \Vhrl» '-'ti at yoiir feeU
 
 KISSES. 1 
 
 Aronnd that little form of thin?, 
 
 O, Januie, let me throw 
 These warm luxuriant arms of mirCj— 
 
 The warmest thou canst know. 
 
 One touch of those impressive armi 
 
 Will please my Jannie more 
 Thau all tiie wiles, and all the charms. 
 
 Of those she "knew before. 
 
 For I have heard the girls declare. 
 When on their neclis reclinin;;. 
 
 The warmtli that they experienc'd there. 
 Was rapture past defining. 
 
 But 't is not. Love, for me to tell. 
 
 The pleasures that are past, 
 Jannie herself may judge as well 
 
 As those who praisM the last. 
 
 But this one bargain. Love, I'll make, 
 
 That if I do not please you, 
 I'll cease, you little rosy raUe, 
 
 For ever more to tease you.
 
 ▲ ABOTT BII.I.. 
 
 TwAS one May morning, when the clouds un 
 
 drawn 
 ^xpos'd, in naked cbarmt, the wakine dn.- u ; 
 When night-fall'n dews, by day's warm LOortship 
 
 won, 
 7.om reeking' roses climb'd to Wss the sun r 
 Nature, new blossam'd, shed her odours round ; 
 The dewy primrose kiss'd the breeze-swept 
 
 ground; 
 The watchful cock had thrice proclaim'd the day. 
 And glimm'ring sunbeams faintly forc'd their way: 
 When join'd in hand and heart, to church we weut. 
 Mutual in vows, and prisoners by consent : 
 Aarelia's heart beat high with mix"d alarms. 
 But trembling beauty glow"d with doable charms. 
 In her soft breast a modest struggle rose, 
 How she should seem to like the lot she'd chose ; 
 A smile she thought would arcss her looks too ijay, 
 A frown might seem too sad, and blast the day. 
 But while nor this nor that her will could bow. 
 She walkd, and look'd, and charm'd, she knew 
 
 not how. 
 Our 'oriiids, at length, th' unchangine fiat bonnd. 
 And oar fe;.;d souis spraCj; out to ijrecl ihe sonnd.
 
 K r S S E S IC9 
 
 Joyg meedng joys unite, and stronger sniae ; 
 For passion, purified, grows half di-.-ine. 
 Aiireiia, thoa art mine ! I cried ; and she 
 SighVi ioft — 'Sow, Damon thou art lord of me ! 
 Bat v.ilt thou, whisper'd she, the knot now tied, 
 ■WTiich only death's keen weapon ce.ii divide, 
 WUt thoa, still mindful of thy raptures past. 
 Permit the summer of love's hope to last? 
 Shall not cold wintry frosts come on too soon? 
 Ah, say ! what means the world by honey-moon i 
 If we so short a space our bliss enjoy. 
 What toils does love for one poor month erap'.cj ? 
 Women thus us'd, like bubbles blown in air. 
 Owe to their outward charms a sun-gilt glare ; 
 Like them, we glitter to the distant eye. 
 Bat, grasp'd like them, we do but weep and die. 
 heat more, said I, thou shoaldst profane the bliss, 
 I'll seal thy dang'rous lips with this close kiss ; 
 Xor thus the heav'n of marriage hopes blaspheme. 
 Bat learn from me to speak on this lov'd then.e. 
 There have been wedlock joys of swift decay. 
 Like lightning, seen at once, and shot away; 
 But theirs were hopes, which, all unfit to pair. 
 Like fire and powder, kiss'd, and flash'd to air! 
 Thy soal and mine, by mutual courtship won. 
 Meet like two mingling flames, and make but one. 
 Union of hearts, not hands, does marriage make, 
 -Tii sympathy of mindi keep* love av.ake.
 
 178 KISSES. 
 
 Our flowing days increase of joy shall kntw. 
 And thick-sown comforts leave no room for woe. 
 Thon, the soft-swelling vine, shall fruitful last, 
 I, the strong elm, will prop thy beauty fast ; 
 Thou shalt strew sweets to soften life's rough way; 
 And, when hot passions ray proud wishes sway. 
 Thou, like some breeze, shalt in my bosom play. 
 Thou, for protection, shalt on me depend. 
 I find in tliee a soft and faithful friend ; 
 I, in Aureiia, shall for ever view 
 At once my care, my fear, my comfort, too ; 
 Thou shalt first partner in my pleasures be. 
 But all my pains shall, last, be known to thee. 
 Aureiia heard, and view'd me with a smile. 
 Which seera'd at once to cherish and rc-.ile ; 
 O god of love', she cried, what joys are thine. 
 If all life's race were wedding-days lik? uiiae. 
 
 XL. 
 
 Q. A. STBPBBNS. 
 
 Ye delicate lovelies, with leave I mdntain. 
 That happiness here you may find ; 
 
 To yourselves I appeal for felicity's reign. 
 When you meet with a man to your laiad.
 
 K I S 5 E S 17r 
 
 When gfratitude friendship to fondness unites. 
 
 Inexpressive endearments arise ; 
 Then hopes, fears, and fancies, strange doubts 
 and deliglits. 
 
 Are annouuc'd by those tell-tales the eyes. 
 
 Those technical terms in the science of l«ve. 
 Cold sciiooliuen attempt to describe ; 
 
 But ho\v should they paint what they never can 
 prove; 
 For tenderness knows not their tribe. 
 
 Of all the abuse on enjoyment that's thrown, 
 The treatment love takes not amiss 
 
 Is the rant of the coxcomb, the sot, and tha 
 clown. 
 Who pretend to indulge on a kiss. 
 
 The love of a fribble at self only aims :— 
 
 For sots and clowns — class them with beasts; 
 
 No fibre, no atom, have they in their frames. 
 To relish such delicate feasts. 
 
 In circling embraces, when lips to lips move^ 
 Description, oh I teach me to praise 
 
 The overture kiss to the op'r^- of love — 
 But beauty would laugh at the plirase.
 
 172 K I S S K S . 
 
 Love's preludes are kisses, and, after the \\zy. 
 
 They fill up the pause of delig-ht* 
 The rich repetitions, which never decay. 
 
 The lips' silent language at night. 
 
 The raptures of kissing' we only can taste 
 
 When sympathies equal inspire : 
 And while to enjoyment unbounded w ■ iiaste. 
 
 Their breath blows the coals of desin;. 
 
 Again, and again, and again, beauty sips j 
 When feeling these pressures excite : 
 
 When fleeting life's stopp'd by a kiss of th* lip». 
 Then sinks in a flood of delight. 
 
 XLI. 
 
 Press on my lips, oh! gently press 
 Another of those kisses sweet ; 
 
 And I will fondly dream the rest. 
 Till we again in rapture meet. 
 
 I!ow long tne sad suspense will spcni- 
 How slowly niii the moments riy, 
 
 I'ntil in taat amorosial dream 
 On yonder rosy coach we lie.
 
 KISSES. 
 
 Vet, Jaiinie, I -nill think I seal 
 JXy vows upon that bosom bare, 
 
 Aud 1 will think we soon shall feel 
 The pleasures we Lave tasted there. 
 
 That bosom, oh \ whene'er I dwell 
 
 Ou that expansive scene of charms, 
 I fee! my every pulse rebel— 
 • I feel my spirit all in arms. 
 
 Then let me, Jannie, one night more 
 Devote my soul to love and thee ; 
 
 Jannie will not, I know, deplore 
 That little, trivial grant to me. 
 
 O '. I would rather lie one iilglt 
 Beside those hills of glowing snow, 
 
 Thau live for ages, where the lij^ia 
 Of rapture never seems to glow. 
 
 Yes, Jannie, and I judge of thee. 
 My sweetest, by that very rule ; 
 
 For thou, indulgent girl, like me. 
 Were tutor 'd in a Cypriau school. 
 
 But I can feel for Jannie's woes. 
 As if she owii'd a fairer name ; 
 
 Ami, though a fallen giri, she Knows 
 I Ktcire to hide each blu:>U ot sna^.e.
 
 KISSES. 
 
 But while I bojist a reasoning- mind. 
 That feeling, doar, shall ne'er dec.y; 
 
 For though the floWr hath felt the wicd 
 It has not s-.vept the stem away. 
 
 Nor shall it feel the tempest's pow'r— 
 N'or shall it wither — droop— and die,— 
 
 But hloomiii^ in contentment's bow'r. 
 Delight my ever-watchful eye. 
 
 XLII. 
 
 Thb transient season let's improve. 
 That human life allots to love. 
 Youth soon, my Cynthia, flies away. 
 And ag^e assumes its frozen sway: 
 With elecrance and neatness Uress'a, 
 Come, then, in beauty's bloom conless'df 
 And in my fond embrace be bless 'd. 
 
 Faint struarglings but infiame desire. 
 And serve to fan the lover's fire ; 
 Then vield not all at onoe your charmg. 
 But with reluctance fill rcy arms:
 
 KISSES. 175 
 
 My arras ' that shall wth eager haste 
 
 Encircle now your slender waist : 
 
 Now round your neck be careless hung. 
 
 And now o'er all your frame be flung. 
 
 About your limbs my limbs I'll twine. 
 
 And lay your glowing cheek to mine ; 
 
 Close to my broader manlier chest 
 
 I'll press thy firm proud-swelling breast; 
 
 Now rising high, now falling low. 
 
 As passion's tide shall ebb or fiow. 
 
 My murni'ring tongue shall speak my blisg. 
 
 Shall court your yielding lips to kisst 
 
 Each kiss with thousands I'll repay. 
 
 And almost suck your breath away. 
 
 A thousand more you then shall give. 
 
 And then a thousand more receive : 
 
 In transport half-dissolv'd we'll lie. 
 
 Venting our wbhes in a sigh. 
 
 Quick starting from me, now (fi>!pi\v 
 Your loose and discoiupos'o ana- . 
 Your hair shall o'er your polisti'd brow. 
 In sweetly-wild disorder flow; 
 And those long tresses from behind. 
 You us'd in artful braids to bind. 
 Shall do^rn your snowy bosom spre8<3. 
 Redundant, in a su/tenM ^aaiie*
 
 I KISSES. 
 
 Aiid from your -n-ishful eyes shall stream 
 The dewy liijht of passion's flame ; 
 While now and then a look shall ^'lance. 
 Your senses lost in am'rous trance. 
 That fain my rudeness would reprove. 
 Yet plainly teUs how strong you love: 
 The roses, heieht'ning on your cheek. 
 Shall the fierce tide of rapture speak; 
 And on your lips a warmer glow 
 The deepen'd ruby then shall show: 
 Your breast, replete with youthful fire, 
 Khali heave with tumults of desire ; 
 Shall heave at thoughts of wish'd-for i.lisj, 
 Springing as though 't woiild meet n \ kissi 
 Down on that heav'n I'll sink quite spent. 
 And lie in tender languishment; 
 But soon your charms' reviving pow'r 
 Shall to my frame new life restore : 
 With love I'll then my pains assuage. 
 With kisses cool my wanton rage ; 
 Hang o'er thy beauties till I cloy. 
 Then cease — and then renew my joy! 
 The bliss I feel be more divine. 
 Because the source, the spring, of t!i;nB.
 
 xLiir. 
 
 Coir, :et's enjoy the passing iieur, 
 (The only one that's in our pow-*r,) 
 Receive and give the balmy kiss, 
 Aad let oar souls unite in bliis. 
 
 Tis Nature swells the tkrobbing vein j 
 Let not her impulse urge in vain : 
 To Nature all your charms you owe, 
 Th' iv'ry neck, the roseate glow. 
 
 Tis Nature fires the panting breast, 
 And bids the sex in love be blest ; 
 She laoehs at tymnt Custom's swav, 
 And points were Pleasure'^ cherubs stray 
 
 Was it not Nature made you fair? 
 Say, would you then destroy her care. 
 Regardless of the hi^h behest. 
 To multiply— and to be blest? 
 
 The world in ev'ry age the same, 
 Is less profuse of praise than blame: 
 And shall it blame that sweet embrace 
 WTjich gave existence to its ra..e.*
 
 KISSES. 
 
 O come then, Anna, rich ia charms :— 
 Soe came, she rush'd into mv arras. 
 Her lips, her form, with passion barn'()~> 
 She gave that bliss which I return'd. 
 
 XLI.V. 
 
 Whoe'ek is kiss'd beneath my shade. 
 Widow, wife, or artle&s niaid, 
 And culls my fruit to search my heart. 
 And place it next her counterpart. 
 True shall herardent wishes at the moment prove* 
 Foster'd to life, like me, upon the plant 1 love. 
 
 Should they ^y fate be grafted on 
 The hazel, crao, or prickly thorn. 
 Tasteless, or soou degen'rate, wild. 
 With cares beset, ■with tears beguil'd, 
 Partaking of the nature where they hapless grow. 
 She 'il rue the baleful plant, thymystic mistletoe. 
 
 Ah, no! the oak her wishes bear. 
 The nymph by tender love led here ; 
 Come, then, in Christmas pambols play. 
 And dance the midnii^ht hours away t
 
 KtSSKS. 170 
 
 An<l join in song the warbliiiif lute, 
 
 And gather kisses with my fruit ; 
 Let her foiiri bosom slill with mutual rapture glow. 
 She'll bless the evergrsen, the sacrcU mistletoe. 
 
 XLV. 
 
 I LOTS the girl whose humid eye 
 Is pregnant with illicit pleasure; 
 
 The girl that's neither bold nor shr. 
 That foots it to a dying niMsurc, 
 
 I hate the dull and simpering miss, 
 Tliat seems to scorn, yet loves, the action , 
 
 But, Chloc, thy imiiassion'd kiss 
 Is full of heavenly satisfaction. 
 
 There's something so beyond expression. 
 When near tli/ angel form 1 laitguish. 
 
 Darts through me, tliat its .vtrong inipressioi 
 Dispels the keenest throes of anguish. 
 
 S« eet truant ! when the air is calia. 
 And all the scene in p<"ace reposes, 
 
 t\ e II drink the midnigtt's holy balm, 
 Oa coucLea «trown by Luve with ro«ea> 
 mi
 
 ' KISSES. 
 
 We'W ofl, my sweet ! tojfcilier sigh, 
 Ai\d tliiiik o-f wliat we might be doing. 
 
 And read witli pleasure's wanton eye 
 Tiie volume of our mutual ruiu. 
 
 Then let ns, Chloe, ope the book, 
 And eon its most obscure recesses, 
 
 And ril engnge by Chlue's look. 
 She'll feel what it so well exprcsset. 
 
 The task, I own, may well appear 
 More diflicult than we discern it; 
 
 But, Chloe, if we're both sincere, 
 I'll warrant that we quickly learn it. 
 
 X L V r . 
 
 What souls about to leave their bodies bare, 
 Forc'd to forsake their lon^-lov'd mansion there. 
 The dyinij anguish, the convulsive pain. 
 And all the rackinif tortures they sustain: 
 And, most of all, tne doubt, the dreadful fear, 
 When thrust out hence, to go they know aot 
 wher««
 
 KISSES. 191 
 
 My soul such panics, surii 9nd distraction, kiisw, 
 Forc'd by flcsp.iirii;)} love to |):irt uilh you. 
 Fi.\"d on that face where 1 coiild ever dwell, 
 I sitfh'd and shools, and eould not say fareu ell. 
 Down my sad clieeUs did tears in torrents roll. 
 And death's cold damp sat heavy on my soul, 
 l^Iy trembling eyes swam in a native llood. 
 As fast as they wept tears, my heart wept blood] 
 BIy sinking feet secm'd rooted to their place, 
 AnJ scarce could bear me to the last embrace. 
 Gods', where was then my soul ? that parting Ui^a 
 AVas both the la^t and dearest tale of bliss. 
 All! since that fatal time, 1 could not boast 
 Of love, of life, or soul ; al!, all, is lost. 
 ^Vhcn the last moment that 1 had to stay 
 Call'd me, like one condemn'd to death, away. 
 Yet oft 1 turn'ci, to take another view. 
 Oft guz'd, and si-^h'd, and inurmurM out, .^dieal 
 
 XL VI I. 
 
 I ■watch'd her many a dreary night. 
 When death seem"d hovering near. 
 
 And saw full many a dear delight 
 lu every glance appear.
 
 KISSES. 
 
 She lookM as if she dar'd not love. 
 Or foiMlly qucstioiiM mine. 
 
 Yet often sccni'd iiiteiil to prove 
 A passion most iliviuc. 
 
 She prcss'fi i:ie to her ffuivering lips. 
 
 And bade me not depart. 
 And witii those eyes timt suns ecUpM 
 
 Seduc'd my falt'ring heart. 
 
 XLVIII. 
 
 Wekb it not better, pretty Rath, 
 Instead of tellinif beads, forsooth, 
 
 To number l)uriiini; kisses? 
 And "stead o[ kneelilii^ at yon shrine. 
 To have me fondly own thee mine, 
 
 And pay my vows \villi blisses .* 
 
 Indeed it will be better sport 
 
 To sweetly mix in pleasure's court. 
 
 And yield to her emotions ; 
 And whatsoever now you feel. 
 Trust me you'll grow with (greater zc*l, 
 
 Kngag'd in such devotion*.
 
 XLIX. 
 
 O A LADY WHO KISSED HER SPAKK0-W3. 
 
 Why, Anna, why let sjiarrows sip 
 The ncct.-ir from your ro-.y lip? 
 Ask but your lieart— it will sugifcst 
 They value not what makes mc blest. 
 
 TO THE SPARROWS WHICH WEUK KISSED 
 
 Ve sparrows, who from Aijna's lip, 
 Divincsl nectar hourly sip. 
 
 Nor yet of pleasure die. 
 How adverse is the will of Fate! 
 You for her kisses to create. 
 
 To pine without them I! 
 
 To you unconscio-ns of the bliss 
 The sou! inhnies from Anna's kiss. 
 
 The boon divine is ijivcn ; 
 Whilst I am doom'd to know its charm. 
 Yet be denied the fragrant bahu 
 
 lisdewinif that rich heavciu
 
 LI. 
 
 Ax am'rous prelate, lot;cn(ls say. 
 Near Cliloc, hlcoiiiin.!,', youiii;. hiiJ gay, 
 Soon felt llic force of |iassioii rise; 
 Its fire was caui;lil from ("liloe's eyes: 
 His holy liaiiil o'er treasures rovM — 
 Gems \tliit'li inii;li|^-k sniiit liave iDov'd: 
 " What are yon <loiiit;, sir?" she cried. 
 Ami as he kiss'il her, Ktiilly siijhM : 
 " Uoiii(C, sweet i\»u'.—iu partibut 
 I'm visiting my diocese I" 
 
 U A R T I A L. 
 
 Come, Chloc, and i;ivc me sweet kissei. 
 
 For sweeter sure yirl never i;ave ; 
 But why, in the i:i:<lst of my blisses. 
 
 Do yoe. ask me ho-.v many IM have? 
 I'm not to be slinteil in jileasiire. 
 
 Then i.rilhec, my charmer, be kind I 
 For whilst I love you alinve measure, 
 
 Touuiiibers I'll ue'ei be coufm U-
 
 KISSES. V 
 
 Count the btes that on Hybla are pUyinif, 
 
 Co-jiit tlic .1o«"rs tl.at enamel the fields : 
 Count l)ie liocks l)iat mi Tempe are straying. 
 
 Or llie i;»iiii lliat ritii t^icily yieli'is: 
 Go nuinlitr the stars in the Ueav'n, 
 
 Count liow n«iny san'ls on the sliore; 
 When so many k'^ses you"ve jpv'ii, 
 
 I still shall be craving for niore. 
 
 To a heart full of love let mo hold th.ec. 
 
 To a heart whicli, ilcar Ciiloe, is thine ; 
 Willi my arms I'll for cvsr enfold ihee, 
 
 An<l twist round thy limbs like a vine. 
 What jyy can lie jfro''-"'' t^'^" ''''s '•* 
 
 My l.fe on thy lips shall be spent ; 
 Uut the wretch that can number his kk&saa* 
 
 With few will be ever content. 
 
 If love be perdition, why f.aur* and I' 
 
 Are meant for the lowest abyss ; 
 For what with the n;agic that lurks in her ere, 
 
 *-*id the Kweetuess aud warmtu of her kiss—
 
 IS6 KISSES. 
 
 I ne'er have forgotten tlie lesson she taught me, 
 
 W'lien toying together we lay. 
 Till swooning in transport slie tenderly caugh* me. 
 
 And stole all my senses away. 
 
 But wlio wou-KI desire a heaven more bright 
 Tlian that which lior neck can impart i 
 
 Let tliPt treasure be mine, and a would of delit^ht. 
 Though \i\ torment, \voul<l gladden my heart. 
 
 Kiss, Laura! again ; and again let me press 
 
 That bosom far wliitcr tlian suow ; 
 For since we arc doom'd to tlie realms of distresi 
 
 Dow-u the river of pleasure we'll go. 
 
 LIV. 
 
 B O R A CB. 
 
 Twas night, mid heav'n, intent with all its eyes, 
 Gaz'd on the dear deceitful maid : 
 A thousand pretty things she said, 
 A thousand kisses sweetly paid. 
 
 From me, deluded me, her falsehood to disiruise.
 
 KISSES. isr 
 
 She c-lasp'd mc In lier soft cncirciin? arms, 
 Sh<; prcssM licr irlowiiiij chccli to mine,— . 
 Tlif cliiiifiiis: ivy, or tiVf curlii;}? vine. 
 Dill never yet so elosely twine : 
 
 Who coul<l be man and bear the lustre of hei 
 chnrms .•" 
 
 And thus she swore: " By all the powers above, 
 Wlien winter storms siiall cease to roar. 
 When sunisiicr suns sliaii :/;iiMe no more. 
 When wolves their craclly jfive o'er, 
 
 Nea;ra then, aiiU not till then, shall cease lo love." 
 
 Ah: false Nesra: perjured fair! — but know 
 
 I have a soul too sjreai to bear 
 
 A rival's proud insulting air; 
 
 Another my be found as fair, 
 As fair, nngratefol nymph I and far more just than 
 thou. 
 
 Shonldst thou repent, and at my feet be laid. 
 Dejected, penitent, forlorn. 
 And all thy former follies mourn, 
 'i'liy profl'er'ii pas^inn I wou!i| sirorn- 
 
 Thi; godi^ shall uu tr.i right un that devoted head?
 
 LV. 
 
 Ceasb yonr music, gentle svraicst 
 Saw ye Delia cross th<; plains ? 
 livci)- tliiiktt, every tjrove. 
 Have I raiiij'il to liiul my love: 
 A kid, a bmb, my lloeli. 111 give. 
 Tell me only, dotli slie live? 
 
 White licr skin as mountain snow 
 In her clicek the roses blow; 
 And her eye is brijjliter far 
 Than the beaming morning star. 
 When her ru.!<ly lips ye view, 
 »Tis a ucrry moist witli dew: 
 Kisses sweet those lips impart, 
 Kapturc triviiig to the heart. 
 Her breath, oh '. it is a gale 
 Passing ""cr a fragrant vale. 
 Passing, wlicn a friendly showV 
 Freshens every herb anil llow'r, 
 Witlc her bosom opens, gay 
 As the primrose dell in May; 
 Sweet as violet-borders growing 
 Over fountains ever (lowing. 
 Like the tcnilrils of the vine 
 Do her auburn tresses tuiuei
 
 KISSES. 
 
 Glossv riiii^lcts nil bcliind, 
 Strcs'iiina 1)11X0111 to the wind; 
 Wlici! aloiii; the lawn she bounds, 
 I.iijlit as liiiiil 'iiL'forc the hounds; 
 Anil the youthful rinif she fires. 
 Hopeless in their fond desires. 
 As her llittiiiij feet adv.-..]' c, 
 ■\VaJiloii in the wincinir dance. 
 
 Tel! ir.c, shepherds, have yon seen 
 Mj- deliglil, my love, my queen'' 
 
 LVI. 
 
 GAILCS. 
 
 Mr goddess Lydia, henv'iily fair. 
 
 As lilies sweet, as soft as air, 
 
 I.ct loose thy tresses, spread thy chnrmt. 
 
 And to i!iy love ^ive fresh alarms. 
 
 Oh ! let me jja/c on those lirii;ht cve<. 
 Th-jut^h saerrd litrlitnini,' from ihcni 'lies: 
 Snow me triat soft, that modest trrace. 
 Which paints with charming red thy Uce.
 
 KISSES. 
 
 Girc me ambrosia in a kiss, 
 Tli'.t I limy rivul Jove in bliss; 
 1'hat f nsny mix lay soul with tbine. 
 And make tlie pleasure all divine. 
 
 Oh ! bide thy bosom's killing white* 
 (The milhy-way is not so briifht,) 
 Lest you my ra-.iih'<l soul oppress 
 With beauty's poinn and iwcct excess. 
 
 Why draw'st thou from the purple flood 
 Of niy kind heart the vital blood ? 
 Thou art ail over emllcss charms— 
 Oh 1 l^e QIC, dying, to thine arms. 
 
 LVir. 
 
 From Anna's dear lip 
 
 Tlifiiiijh nectar I sip. 
 That nectar insipid «ouM prove. 
 
 If there were no charms 
 
 To find in her arms 
 B«Toi«J the »*eet kiss of hei lo*».
 
 KISSES. 
 
 The kiss, it is true. 
 For cliildreii may do, 
 
 The passionless, atjod, or grax'e; 
 But I, ill full rlou'r, 
 Feel Nature's great pow'r. 
 
 And food mure substantial I eiave. 
 
 I look on a kiss 
 
 As t)ie portal of bliss 
 To liim unto whom it is given ; 
 
 A key that insures 
 
 Your way through the doors 
 Which lead to the Paphian hcav'n. 
 
 LVIII. 
 
 Bath'd in the freshest dew of niarlit, 
 Roses lilush a softer light; 
 So blush thy lips from many a kiss, 
 Snntch'd ill a long, long night of i>li!>*t 
 blush, and steal a tint more brij^til 
 From thy skin of snoiv7 white. 
 Thus violets shed a purer blue. 
 Held iu some baud of lily baei
 
 I KISSES. 
 
 TTius earlr rip'iiinff clicrries g-Iow, 
 *Wi(l bIos<iOiiis H-liite tli:it Inter blow. 
 When summer ilrcss'il in ijHrl.iiuls sweet. 
 And (leH-cy'tl Spriiijf logctlicr meet, 
 
 All! must I leave thee, while I sip 
 Thy soul ombodicil on thy lip; 
 Tlicii let thy pulpv lip retain 
 The dewy irlow, till night .vain 
 Briii^ nic, while otiiers sink to rest. 
 To w.ike in raptures on thy breast : 
 But shoul'l these lovely lips of thine 
 Ere llieii bless nnr lips hut mine. 
 Pale may they turn ! as deadly pale 
 As I should turu to know thee freill 
 
 BEN JON SON, 
 
 Fo-H love's sake Kiss me once a^ain; 
 I loiiif, and should not betr in vain — 
 
 Here's none to spy or see; 
 Whv do you doubt or stay ? 
 I'll taste as lightly as the bee 
 Thai UotU but touch hia flow'r, and flies awsf.
 
 LX. 
 
 THE FAIH CIRCASSIAN AND SOLOMON. 
 
 SAPIIIU.V. 
 
 O I.OVE, t!iv mighty burniiiics wlio can licnr? 
 Wlmt tliirst, wlnit fervor c-:iii «it!i mine tomparel 
 Witli speed coiiiluct iiic to tlie lovely 3»/;ii:» 
 That lires my soul, iiiitl causes all my imiii ; 
 'Tis only that dear youth whose lialiny kiss 
 Can liiitij^ate my smart with healing bliss. 
 O come, my dearest, come, and hithct bring 
 Thy liijs adorn'il with all the hloomiiif; siiriiig; 
 A thousand sweets their fragrant atoms blend. 
 Which, in a gale of joy, thy breath attend: 
 Such soothing cordials to my soul apply. 
 Heal nie with kisses, love, or else 1 die ; 
 ^\'ith poiifnaiit tasteful kisses, such as thine. 
 Whose flavour far excels the richest wine. 
 Me and my charmer now, from noontide bow is. 
 To spend in various scenes our blissful hours. 
 Love the banquctini; pavilion brin>;s, 
 And o'er our heads unfurls his trembling wings. 
 With fev'rish heat he seizes every part. 
 Burns in my veins, and revels iu my heart. 
 He s-.iiUs to slumbers on the rosy brd, 
 Aui. on liis ariiiB i lean my love-sick head ;
 
 194 KISSES. 
 
 On liis left arm my love-sick head I piace, 
 His rii{lit ciifultls inc with a \vi>rin embrace. 
 Soft, 1 adjure you, liy the nimble fawns 
 And liind:> that bound across tlic flow-'ry lawns. 
 Ye sportive damsels, tliat ye softly move, 
 Nor with your voices wake my slee))inij love. 
 Approach, fond maids, and see my lovely Idnjf 
 Crown 'd with tlie beauties of the ijaudy spiing. 
 The gjirlaiid his indulgent mother wove, 
 Against the solemn festival of love. 
 
 SOLOMON, 
 
 How fair art thou, my queen! thy charms how 
 
 bright; 
 For pleasure form'd, and finish'd for delight: 
 Tall as the palm thy mien; thy juicy breast. 
 Like clustring grapes, inviting to be pressd. 
 Let mc the straight, the stately pole ascend; 
 Crasp'd in my arms the blooming boughs shall 
 
 bend ; 
 Tlie clusfring vine in my embrace shall bleed. 
 And on the fragrant balmy breath I'll feed. 
 
 8 A P H I U A. 
 
 Tht transports, love, with what<leiight I hear; 
 Such fondness ravishes my listening ear. 
 With thee I'll range the distant lonelv fields, 
 Whci-e the freiu spring eternal pleasure yieia«»
 
 KISSES. 195 
 
 Where the lone village, f-ee from noisr strife. 
 Unheeded drinks the real swerts of life. 
 There let us lod^e, and witk the morning sun 
 Our course of pleasing toil together i-un ; 
 Obser\x the vine its tender bad di;/ lose. 
 How- -.^•ith young bloom the new pomegranata 
 
 glows ; 
 How rip'nin^ fruits in embryo appear, 
 Tlie grateful prospect of a pleirtcous year. 
 There, on some bank reclia'd, whilst over bead 
 Embow-ring jasu.ines their sweet odour? shed. 
 Clasping and elasp'd, with ever tninin^ arms, 
 Uncnvied, I'll enjoy thy manly charms. 
 Give up my hidden beauties to thy sight. 
 And die in ecstasies of full delight. 
 
 LXI. 
 
 COU KTIE a. 
 
 Goddess '. I do love a girl 
 Ruby-lip'd and tooth'd with pstsi* 
 If so be 1 may but prove 
 Lacl{y in this maid I love, 
 I will promise there shall be 
 Myrileu offered up to thee. 
 u2
 
 Lxir. 
 
 Bloom of licaiity, early flow'r 
 Of tho \>\W>fi:\ l.ri.lal b.>«'r; 
 Tlioii, lliy |i»ri>iits' priile and cait;* 
 I'Vircsl (itTs|jriiii; of t!io f;iir; 
 Lovely pk-ilifc nf iiiudiiti love, 
 Aiii'el sc-eiiiiiii; from a!>i)v-c-,— 
 Was it not tliou day l>y day 
 Vast tliy vi-ry sex betray, 
 >'criiaU' more and more ajipcar, 
 I'emalc, more ibaii aii);el dear; 
 Ho«- to speak tliy face and mien, 
 (Soon too daiiirerous to lie seen,) 
 How sliall I, or shall the muse, 
 Lan^iiai;e of rcsemlilanec clioose? 
 Laii|t;iiagc liUe tliy mien and face, 
 Full of sweclncss, full of ^race ? 
 
 Ey tlic next returnini: spring'. 
 When ni;ain llie linnets sing, — 
 When atrain the iainhkins play, 
 Prc'ty sporllin);s, full of May; 
 When the meadows next are seeOj 
 Sweet enamel : white and greCB, 
 Ami the year, in fresh attire. 
 Welcomes every gay desirej
 
 KISSES. 
 
 Blooming: on >1ialt tlioii appear 
 Blor- Livitini; llian t!ie year; 
 FKirer sii^lit than iii-« li^ird shows 
 Which beside a rivfi- oious. 
 
 Vet another spriiii; I see, 
 Ami a hriijliler hicom in thee; 
 Anil another round of time, 
 Cireliui;, still improves lliy prim'. » 
 And, henealli ilie vernal skies. 
 Yet n verdure more sliall rise. 
 Ere thy beauties Kindly slow. 
 In caeh linish'd featnri: flow; 
 Ere, in smiles ami in disdain. 
 Thou exert thy maiden reign, 
 Absolute to save or lull 
 Fond beholders at thy will. 
 
 Then the tapcr-nioulileil waist. 
 With a span of ribbon l>rac"d. 
 And the swell of either breast. 
 And the wide hii;li-vaulteil ehcst. 
 And the nccU so white and round. 
 Little neeU uitii brilliants bound. 
 And the store of i harms which sliiac 
 Above in lineaments divj. 
 Crowded in a narrow spai 
 To coiuplelc the desp'rate facej
 
 KISSES. 
 
 These alliirin? pow'rs, a-nd more, 
 SShall oiiaii'.oiirM youths adore; 
 These and more, in tourlly lays, 
 Maii^ an acUing heart shall piaise. 
 
 O Vents! awful sovVciifii of the spring, 
 
 Could 1 like thy Lucretius sing, 
 Here would I pause thy wonders to relate ; 
 
 Here would I pause to hymn thy prai'ie 
 Ic adamantine words, more strong tiiaii late. 
 
 And everlasting as his lays. 
 
 O'er seas and deserts, npdismay'd, 
 Strenglhen'd by thy inspiring breath. 
 
 The timorous and the bashful maid. 
 Faces both infamy and death. 
 
 Driv'u by the incens'd divinity, 
 
 Confnundln!{ equity and truth. 
 Order, and rank, ami consanguinity. 
 
 And loathsome age, and blooming youth.
 
 KISSPS 
 
 Behold the frantic passion, liow it burns. 
 Like a wild lieast lireaks every tie ; 
 
 Lau^lis nt the priest, the IcijVsIator spiirns ; 
 And gives botli iicav'n and eartli tlic lie! 
 
 Let youth an.l insolence alone. 
 
 Provoke tliy vengeance every hour; 
 
 I3ut, oil ! spare those that know, that own, 
 >.dore, and tremble, at thy pow'r. 
 
 With thy propitious doves descend, 
 And hear the tender viri?in"s sighs, 
 
 Tlie humble and ttie meek defend, 
 Aud bid the prostrate suppliant rise. 
 
 Gbo-w to niT lip, thou sacred kiss. 
 On whicb my soul's beloved swore 
 Tlrat there should come a time of bliss, 
 When she would mock my hopes no mete; 
 And fancy shall thy iflow renew. 
 In siifhs at morn, and dreams at night, 
 And none shall steal thy holy dew 
 Till (hou'rt absolvM by rapture's rite.
 
 :oo K 1 5 S E s . 
 
 Sweet h lUM tliat arc to make mc bless'd 
 Oh : lly, like hreo/.es, to the jfoal, 
 Ami Ifl my love, my more than soul, 
 Coiito I .iiitiii^- to this fovcrM hreast; 
 AikI wl.iie ill every ulaiice I ilriiik 
 The rill oVrllowiiiij.s of her r.iir.il. 
 Oh: lev i.er all iini.assioiiM sink, 
 III sweet abaiiiloiiiiK lit resign 'd, 
 Blushiiiir for all our struifules past, 
 Anil uiuriiiuriiii;, " ) am thin>; at laiit," 
 
 LXV. 
 
 PETER PITi-DAR. 
 
 Whbx we dwell Oil the lips of the lass we adore. 
 Not a pleasure in nature is inissimr: 
 
 May his soul be in heav'ii, he deserv'd it, I'm 
 sure, 
 Who was first the inventor of kissiiiR. 
 
 Master Adam, I veriiy think, was the man, 
 \S'hose ilisLOverv Hill lie ei he surpass'd. 
 
 Well, since tlie sweet if line with creatiou beg^ao. 
 To the euil of the wurl'i may it lost.
 
 I.XV'I. 
 
 Tiir. (lays, the weeks, tlic moiitlis of biigs 
 'I'liat we, iijy love, Imve p.-issd toj^cther, 
 
 rii- iMipressinii of your lial.iiy kiss 
 At KiilmioiKl, ill tlie suiiiiiier weather, 
 
 bhall loiiir reiiKiiii fix'il in my mimi. 
 To pleuse me when my spirit's low. 
 
 For they still leave ;i joy behiiul. 
 To soften ever}' sting of woe. 
 
 O! I reiiiciultcr well how sMcet 
 AU nature seemrt, when thro' the com 
 
 You tripp'd on those bewitcliiufj feet, 
 licneatU ihc rosy tints of mom. 
 
 Bless'l Ik; those firet, so swift so airy, 
 iMethiiiks : see them ulide aloii);. 
 
 Light as the motion of a fairy. 
 That trips it to the zephyr's sonij. 
 
 BlessM he those eyi-s, whosi? iMaiires'sv.eet 
 Were omens of lier inviaril worth, 
 
 la them my worluly fato 1 meet, 
 Mjr bciit, niy UeariMt hope on uaxth.
 
 <2 KISSES. 
 
 So modest in lier look, — her mien 
 So |)leiisiiigr, airy, Jight, and easy. 
 
 That one iiiisjht think her Fancy's queen, 
 A spirit only forra'd to please ye. 
 
 O I I can never view the days 
 
 We spent in Richmond's rosy bowels, 
 Where memory still rteliifhted strays. 
 
 Amidst the morn and evening hours. 
 
 Without possessing all those dreams 
 Which led my wandering; feet astray. 
 
 And form-d the world not as it seems. 
 Merely to steal ray peace away. 
 
 LXVII. 
 
 T. MOOBB. 
 
 When infant bliss in roses slept, 
 
 Cupid upon his slumber crept. 
 
 And while a balmy sijfii he stole 
 
 Exhaling from the. infant's soul, 
 
 He smiling said, " Wiib tliis, with fhis, 
 
 I'll bceut uiy Julia s bijruiuif kisil"
 
 KT!;SES. : 
 
 Nay more, he stole to Venus' bed, 
 Ere yel the sanguine flash had fled, 
 Wiiich lov'c"s divinest, dearest (lame 
 Had kindled thi-ou-jjh her pai!t;i;ij frnme. 
 Her soul still dwelt on memory's themes. 
 Still fioatcd in voluptuous dreams. 
 And every joy she felt before 
 I:; slumber now w::s acting: o'er. 
 From her ripe lips, which scem'd to thrill 
 As ill the war of kisses still. 
 And amorous to each other clung', 
 he stole the dew that tremblinfj hun^. 
 And smiling said, " With this, xi-ith this, 
 111 bathe my Julia's burning kiss 1" 
 
 LXVIII. 
 
 Winds I whisper tfcntly while she sleeps 
 And fan her With your cooling- wings. 
 
 While she her drops of beauty weeps 
 From pure and yet unrivall'd springs. 
 
 Glide over beauty's field, her face ; 
 
 To kiss her lip and cheek be bold; 
 But with a calm and stealinif pace. 
 
 Neither too rude, iior yet loo coUL
 
 it4 KISSES. 
 
 Plav ill her beams, and crisp lier hair 
 With such a i;alc as wiiigs soft love ; 
 
 And witii so sweet, so ricli an air, 
 As breathes from tlic Arabian grove. 
 
 A breath as litisli'd as lover's slifli, 
 Or lliat unfolds the morning's door: 
 
 Sweet as the win<ls tliat jfcntly lly 
 To sweep the spring's ciiaiucU'd floor. 
 
 Lxrx. 
 
 With every ijirl of \\ horn I sing. 
 
 For wliom I've toucli'd tlie silver string. 
 
 Or niornintf, noon, or nijilit; 
 With every one I've 1-iiss'd and toy'd. 
 And many a silent hour employ 'd 
 
 In banquets of deliyht. 
 
 They all appcar'd to shun the bliss. 
 But when tlicy onre had felt a Uiss, 
 
 They !oni,'(l and sijih'd for others; 
 Until at last, so freaUisli grown. 
 The wicked girls began to own. 
 
 They IcaruM it of their mothers.
 
 KISSES. 
 
 And verily tlic gWU are riijlit, 
 For still tlic ai;e(l dames deiiffht 
 
 To sport ill liiose excesses ; 
 Tlicn can we HOiider they are caiiglit 
 Iiululi^iiiif, wliere tlicy never ought. 
 
 Such libertiue caresses? 
 
 Indeed, my friend, I Iiad not been 
 So learned, if I lir.-;! not seen 
 
 These wicked, wild i-inbraces ; 
 But in tliosc dark and nameless courts. 
 Where Lais sliines thro' all the sports, 
 
 I've rccoguiz'd their faces. 
 
 LXX. 
 
 HoMiD seal of soft afTcction, 
 Tend 'rest plcdije of future bliss; 
 
 Dearest tie of youiijj connexion. 
 Love's first snow-drop, Virgin-kiss. 
 
 Spcakine silence! dumb confession! 
 
 Passion's birth, and infant's play; 
 Dove-like fondness, chaste concessica. 
 
 Glowing dawu of brighter day.
 
 1 KISSES. 
 
 Sorrowing jor'. adieu's last action. 
 
 VVlien liiii;'rii;>,' lips no moro must join; 
 What \vor<ls v.Htx ever speiik ;;-fTettion 
 
 t:o tlirilliiig:, so sincere as thine. 
 
 Thee th' fond youth untaught and simple^ 
 Nor on the naked breast can hntl, 
 
 Nor within the cheek's sniall dimple,— 
 Sole otTspring thou of lips eonjoin'c. 
 
 Then haste thee to thy dewy nip.ns'on 5 
 Witli Hebe spend thy laughin]^ day; 
 Dwell in her rubied lips' expansion, 
 • Bask iu her eyey propitious ray. 
 
 LXXI. 
 
 OuB sf»t with eglantine was spread. 
 And as we niark'd the eve decay. 
 
 My Laura sniil'd, and softly said, 
 " Why pass we tlius the hours away! 
 
 I wonder'd much what Laura meant, 
 For tliro' licr eyes such ma|^ic Hew, 
 
 As if she were not quite content. 
 And wanted somstbintj eUe to do.
 
 KISSES. 2 
 
 I press'd her l:ps— the fair one seem'd 
 As if she fear'd, yet los'M, the biiss ; 
 
 The more I press'd, the more she dream'd 
 Of rapture from the silent kiss. 
 
 1 quick resolv'd, the mnr.H, 'tis true. 
 And wsll she comprehended me; 
 
 And as the evening tints uithdrew, 
 I ask'd her if the deed might be? 
 
 Thus after many an effort sweet. 
 
 Beneath the summer's sultry weathei 
 
 2 felt l>cr lips (five way — to meet 
 The kiss we both enjoy'd together. 
 
 Lxxn. 
 
 T. M O O E B . 
 
 Sweet seducer! blandly smiling^. 
 Charming still, and still beguiling; 
 Oft 1 swore to love tlice never. 
 Yet I love thee mOl* ihau ever.
 
 KISSES. 
 
 Why that little w.iiiton blasliingr, 
 Glrtiicinsj eye, iiiul l)o>o.ii flusliiiig? 
 Flusliiiijf « iirm, and « ily gliiiiciii^. 
 All is lovely, all eiiliHiiciii({. 
 
 Turn away tliose lips of blisses— 
 1 am poisoiid by lliy kisses: 
 Vet, Ji^'iiiii, ah: turn tliciii to mci 
 Kuiii"s sweet when ihcy umlo inc. 
 
 Oh! be less, be less eiichaiiliiiif ; 
 Let some little ({raec be wanting; 
 Let my eyes, when Tni expiring. 
 Gaze awhile, without adiuiriii);. 
 
 LXXIII. 
 
 Wkarted w-ith toyinc:, Love had sunk to sleep 
 Upon a bank of moss, while o'er him sprang. 
 Spontaneous, a eanopy of llow"rs: 
 Poppies of searlet dye, whose noddiiiij hcada 
 Upon his eyelids shed their dro>vsy balm; 
 And, intcrtwind with these, ll-.e paler rose. 
 Whose scented blossoms, bathd rn lucid dew, 
 Woo'd the soft breeze to loiiei as it pass'd.
 
 R I S « V S . 209 
 
 And Ijorro'n- fraeraiit coolness. Xear liim lay 
 His bcwauil f|uivf;r, fraiiijlit -.vitli fatal shafts, 
 Wiiig'cl ill hope, but .liiip'd in tears of woe. 
 While thus he slnj't, his lovely Psyche eamc. 
 So lightly trcadiiijf, that hersiiowy foot 
 Rrush'd not the ile«-drop from the cowslip's bell 
 Awhile she stood to gaze, her hcav'nly face 
 Breathiiii; ethereal love; then hncelinij down 
 So gently, that her ainljer-scentcti breath 
 Stirr'd not the ifo.ssanicr, she ciiUM a dart. 
 And on its point iinpress'd a balmy kiss 
 Of love and sweetness reilolent; tiicn turn'd 
 The thrilling weapon on her sloepiiif; spouse. 
 And, iiinocciitly-playfiil, lightly press'd 
 Tlie point upon his liosoni : at the touch 
 The (jod awoke, ami felt thro" all his veins 
 The pleasing poison eoursuiK ; but his love 
 When he beheld, he sank upon her breast, 
 Kis filmy pinions sluvriiii; with delight. 
 
 I.XXIV. 
 
 I wrsn I could lik" zephyr steal 
 To wanton in thy mazy vest ; 
 
 Or Ihni'. iiiiiiid'-.t iipi.- thy bosom veil. 
 And takp rue pantiii){ to liiv breui
 
 ;0 KISSES. 
 
 I wish I might a rosehui grow. 
 
 That thou wouldst cull mc from theboi;\ er. 
 And place mc in t&at breaiit of siiow. 
 
 Where I should bloom a \vint"ry tiuwer. 
 
 I wish I were the lily's leaf 
 To faflc upon that bosom %varni ; 
 
 There I should wither, pale and brief. 
 The trophy of thy fairer form. 
 
 TVBEBVII.S, 
 [Oo making his mistress's lip b-eed.J 
 
 Discharge the dole, thou subtle seal. 
 
 It stands in little steed 
 To rurse the kiss that causer is 
 
 Thy cherry lip doth bleed. 
 
 ITiy blood ascends to make amends 
 For damaije'tliou hast done ; 
 
 For by the same I felt a flame 
 More scorching than tlie suu.
 
 KISSES. 
 
 Thou reft'st mj heart by secret art. 
 My spirits were quite subtJu'd, 
 
 My senses fled, and 1 was dead. 
 Thy lips were scarce embru'd. 
 
 The kiss was thine, the hurt was mice, 
 
 My heart felt all the pain ; 
 Twas it that bled, and look'd sored, 
 
 I tell thee once again! 
 
 But if vou long to wTeak your wroLg 
 
 Upon your friendly foe. 
 Come kiss ai^ain, and pat to pain 
 
 The man that hart you so. 
 
 LXXVI. 
 
 POITTAXT7S. 
 
 She smil'd consenting, and her lips impart 
 
 To my parch "d lips one dear delicious kiss, 
 Wliose breath that in'ttant lo my fainting heart 
 
 Recall'd my spirit from the dark abyss; 
 A humid kiss, rich with ambrosial dews, 
 And all the spicy sweets Arabia's shrubs diffuse.
 
 AITOBBIAKT78. 
 
 A flow'bt bank my Celia press'd. 
 Where babbling waters play'd. 
 
 And by the stream in gentle rest 
 Her languid limbs were laid ; 
 
 It chanc'd a bee, on busy wins'. 
 Whom instinct taught to stray. 
 
 And gather honied sweets in spring. 
 Came raurm'ring by that way. 
 
 Lur'd by the fragrance of her lip 
 The insect hover'd round. 
 
 But often, as it stoop'd to sip. 
 Fell senseless to the ground: 
 
 Till feeling the approach of death, 
 Whp.t new-born flow'r is this? 
 
 It feebly asU'd, with dying breath. 
 For thus to die is bliss ! 
 
 Then sank, and died ; and little Lev* 
 
 A turf upon it plac'd. 
 And of its fate, in verse above, 
 
 A ihort memorial trac'd ;
 
 KISSES. i 
 
 ' Here lies beneath whom Celia's breath. 
 
 Or !ionic(i lips dcstroy'd; 
 lut none can tell by which he fell, 
 
 hy one, or both he died. 
 
 BT A N LE T* 
 
 When en thy lips my soul I breathe. 
 
 Which there meets thine ; 
 Freed from their fetters by that death 
 
 Our subtle forms combine : 
 Thus without bonds of sense they move. 
 And like two cherubim converse by love. 
 
 Spirits to chains of death cou6nM 
 
 Converse by sense; 
 But ours, that are by flames refin'd. 
 
 With those weak ties dispense: 
 l,et such in words their minds display. 
 We i.i A kiss our mutual thoughts convef.
 
 \U KISSES. 
 
 But since my soul from me doth fly, 
 
 To tuee retir'd. 
 Thou canst not hoth retain, for I 
 
 Must be by one inspir'd : 
 Then, dearest, either justly mine 
 Restore, or in exchange let me have thine. 
 
 Yet if thou dost return mine own. 
 
 Oh'. taUe't again ! 
 For 'tis this pleasing death alone 
 
 Gives ease unto my pain; 
 Kill me once more, or I shall find 
 Thy pity than thy cruelty less kind. 
 
 H A&UL I.TJS. 
 
 With bended bow, young Love had ta'en big 
 
 stand. 
 When sudden awe repress'd his daring hand ; 
 As quick Xea;ra saw the 5-onth's surprise. 
 And on him turn'd the whole artiirry of her eyes ■ 
 Swift as the winds the urchin turn'd away. 
 And fled from her whom be bad meant his prey.
 
 KISSES. 215 
 
 Bat his Bright quiver, charg'd with many a wound, 
 Loos'd from liis back, fell rattling to the ground j 
 The fair one seiz d the glitl'riii^ prize, and o'er 
 Her shoulders flinging, in prou/l triumph bore. 
 How, while Love roams disarm'd, a feeble foe. 
 On gods, and men alike she bends his bow. 
 
 LXXX. 
 
 WTAT. 
 
 When first mine eyes did view, and mark. 
 
 Thy fair beauty to behold ; 
 And when my ears listen U to hark. 
 
 The pleasant words that thou me told; 
 I would as then I had been free 
 From ears to hear, and eyes to see. 
 
 And when my lips 'gan first to move. 
 Whereby my heart to tliee was known; 
 
 And when my tongue did talk of love. 
 To thee that hast true love down thrown j 
 
 I would my lips, and tongue also. 
 
 Had then been dumb, no deal to go.
 
 16 KISSES. 
 
 And when my hands have handled aught 
 Tliat thee hatli kept in memory ; 
 
 And when my feet have gone and sought 
 To find and get thee company; 
 
 I would each hand a foot had been. 
 
 And I each foot a hand had seen. 
 
 And when in minij I did consent 
 To follow this my fancy's will ; 
 
 And when ray heart did first relent 
 To taste such bait ray life to spill; 
 
 I would my heart had been as thine, 
 
 Ot else thy heart had been as mine. 
 
 LXXXI. 
 
 DBVM MO N D. 
 
 Dkar life, when I do touch 
 Those coral ports of bliss. 
 Which still lliemselves do kiss. 
 And sweetly me invite to do as much;
 
 KISSES. 217 
 
 All panting; on thy lips 
 My heart my life doth leave. 
 Nor sense ray senses kave. 
 And inward powers do feeJ a strange eclipse I 
 This death-so heavenly well 
 Doth nre so please, that I 
 Would luevei longer seek in sense to dwell. 
 If that e'er thus I only could but die. 
 
 Lxxxn. 
 
 VLAMINIVS. 
 
 Hast thou seen, after a summer shower, 
 How the lily's leaves are sparkling bright ; 
 
 Or the tears of night on the rose's liowor. 
 As the; shine like pearls in the morning Ught f 
 
 So on her cheeks, when my Rosa weeps. 
 Each tear-drop shines like a glitt'ring gem. 
 
 While Love beneath in sly ambush peeps. 
 And scatters his shafts at me through theou
 
 Lxxxm. 
 
 a ANN AZAB. 
 
 Six hundred kisses from thy lips I sue. 
 
 Six hundred kisses, Nina, are ray due ; 
 
 Not such as sisters to their brothers give. 
 
 Or parents from their duteous child receive; 
 
 But sucli as some younj; maid, but newly wed. 
 
 Gives the dear partner of her bridal bed. 
 
 Or the fond lover of his fair one's lips. 
 
 All lost in soft delirious transport, sips. 
 
 These — these delig;ht nie — these are doubly dear. 
 
 When lips to lips in ecstasy adhere • 
 
 Cold is tlie kiss that senseless beauty gives, 
 
 from such my ardent soul no joy receives. 
 
 Oh I rather let me, when thou giv'st the bliss, 
 
 Grow to tin- lip in each delicious kiss, 
 
 There in soft accents breathe my tender joys. 
 
 And hear thy raptures in responsive sighs j 
 
 IVIiugling our melting tale of mutaal love 
 
 In tones as soothing as the am'rous dove. 
 
 Sweet are such raptures, sweeter than the dewi 
 That chymist bees in waxen cells diffuse ; 
 Or the rich nectar, that imperial Jove 
 Quaffs in bright goblets in the realms above.
 
 KISSES. 219 
 
 Yet, when these joys have heighten'd ev'rr crracei 
 Wouldst thou bat clasp me in tliy fond er.ibrnce, 
 Kins;s shouW not tempt me theuce, nor heapi 
 
 untold 
 Of sparkling jewels, and persuasive gold; 
 Not Venus self should lure me from thjr arms 
 Witli all her rosy prevalence of charms; 
 Nor Hebe, though to terapt rne from my truth. 
 She promise years of never-fading youth. 
 
 LXXXIV. 
 
 A humid kiss with nectar rich imbu'd. 
 Ambrosial sweet, she gave in playful mood. 
 Fragrant as dews from thyme, or cassia drawn 
 By bees that labour at the glimpse of dawn ; 
 Then burst away in waiitoiinjss, and flew 
 To deepening shades, and hid her from my vieWj 
 But hid in vain ; the power of Love forbade. 
 And Icut bis torch, and her retreat betray'd. 
 
 Again, my beauteous fair, thy form I hold— 
 Aerain I clafp-— atraiu these arms enfold;
 
 m KISSES. 
 
 Again — But why with such disorder'd charms. 
 My rose, why tremble ia my circling aruii .' 
 Come, let thy lips the toil of search repay 
 With balmy kisses varied ev'ry way; 
 Thrice three I claim, and let thy every kiss 
 Teem with a rich diversity of bliss. 
 
 Oh '. dost thou feel, as mouth with mouth unites. 
 Our souls commingle in the dear delights. 
 Each rising to the lips forsake the heart. 
 And ho%-er there, and join its better part? 
 Thus, ever thus, tmite thy soul with mine. 
 So shall no day our future souls disjoin ; 
 And when this transient scene of life is o'er. 
 United fiy, and seek the Stygian shore. 
 
 LXXXV. 
 
 BOKr ADIUS. 
 
 Ye grots, ye groves, were witness of my bfiss. 
 When from her lips I snstch'd the nectar'd kiss! 
 The thrilling joy of life, and sense bereft. 
 And on her humid lips mv soul was left.
 
 KISSES. 2S 
 
 But when she saw roe pale, and breathless Inid, 
 With fond encircling arras the lovely maid 
 Wy lanifuid form drew closer to her breast. 
 And on my lips a sweeter kiss impressed ; 
 And scarce had I inhaFd the balmy dew 
 When to my heart my wand'ring spirit flew. 
 To me DOW dearer is the vital fiarae 
 Since from her lips, her ruby lips, it came. 
 
 LXXXVI. 
 
 BUCHANAN. 
 
 With ev'ry kiss those lips, my fair, bestow 
 Such nectar'd streams, such rich ambrosia flow. 
 With gods I seem their heav'nly state to share. 
 With gods I banquet on celestial fare; 
 And lost in pleasing dreams of ecstasy. 
 Seem far more bless'd than e'en a god can be. 
 But, oh I whene'er those balmy kisses flow 
 With falsehood mix'd, and treach'r)- lurks below. 
 Then instant I, who shar'd the realms of blif. 
 Plunge headlong down to hell's profound abjsf. 
 In darker horrors lost, and deeper woe 
 Than those that suffer in that world below.
 
 LXXXVII. 
 
 Dear maid, a g^entle kiss impart 
 Like tliat, in innocence of heart. 
 Which some youug girl, «-ith fond caresses 
 On her fair sister's cheek impresses. 
 For joys like that, so pure, and chaste. 
 Must ever please, and ever last. 
 1 hate the kiss of wild desire. 
 All glowing M-itb voluptuous fire; 
 Like flames that too intensely plaj. 
 The pleasure quickly fades a^vay. 
 
 LXXXVIII. 
 
 OB. ARUSTSONO. 
 
 .... SrcB ills attend 
 Obscene and bought embraces. Wiser tfaoa. 
 Find some soft nymph whom tender sympathy 
 Attracts to thee : while all her captives else, 
 Aw'd by majestic beauty, mourn aloof 
 Her charms to thee, by nuptial vows and choice
 
 KISSES. 223 
 
 More sure, devoted. Sacrifice to her 
 The precious hours, nor grudge with such a mate 
 The summer's day to toy, or w-iiiter's night. 
 Now chtsp with dying fondness in your arms 
 Her yielded waist: now on her swelling breast 
 Recline your cheek: with eager kisses press 
 Her balmy lips, and drinking from her eyes 
 Besistless love, the tender flame confess. 
 Ineffable but by the murm'ring voice 
 
 Of genuine joy 
 
 .... Yet not to love alone 
 Tfield languid all your hours. The self-same 
 
 cates. 
 Still offer'd, soon the appetite offend ; 
 The most delicious soonest. Other joys. 
 Other pursuits, their equal share demand 
 Of cultivation. These, with kindly change. 
 Will cheer your sweetly-varied days; from these. 
 With quicker sense you shall, and firmer nerve. 
 Return to love, when love again invites. 
 Be thos2 the least neglected which inform 
 With virtue, sense, and elegance, the mind; 
 Those that before were amiable improve. 
 And lend to love ne-.v grace and dignity. 
 Life too has serious cares, which, madly scorn'd. 
 The means of pleasure melt. And age will come. 
 When love, alas '. the flower of human joys. 
 Must shrink in horrid frost'
 
 LXXXIX. 
 
 8EC0NDU9. 
 
 Pleasure has bounds ; too greedily pnrsa'd. 
 
 Enjoyment ceases, and disgust ensues: 
 Thus, at first glance, some recent painting view'd» 
 Tlie vernal landscape smiles in all its brightest 
 hues; 
 But stand, and gaxe awhile, and by degrees 
 The eye grows tir'd, the colours cease to p'easCi 
 Its beauties vanish, and its faults arise, 
 Yon think of other times, and criticise.
 
 This book is DUE on the last 
 date stamped below 
 
 a^J^ 1 7 1941 
 JUN 1 8 1959
 
 B 000 005 871 9