The Song of Kisses.

I have no skill in Love's soft war,

Nor am I bold to woo

In the same sort that conquerors are

When they are lovers too.

Tho’ passion thunders in my brain

Like ocean on a beach,

My tongue is bounden with a chain

And manacled my speech.

Yet, could I let one word go free

To touch your chords with fire,

Become the wind upon the sea

The plectrum of the lyre,

Then, my Althea, should we be

Two lovers without shame,

All things in their epitome,

The Universe our name.

Then should we bow to Love's command

As the waves kiss the shore

And the rain falls upon the land

That it may thirst no more.

Then should we kiss, with time at bay

As in the Ajalon valley,

A score — two score — two hundred — nay

We would not keep the tally —

A hundred thousand in one bout,

Ten myriads ere we slumbered,

And the stars winked and all went out

To find themselves out-numbered.