The Wiccamical Chaplet a selection of original poetry; comprising smaller poems, serious and comic; classical trifles; sonnets; inscriptions and epitaphs; songs and ballads; mock-heroics, epigrams, fragments, &c. &c. Edited by George Huddesford |
 |
 |
TO ELIZA. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 | The Wiccamical Chaplet |  |
32
TO ELIZA.
I ask'd a kiss, and scarce those lips complied,
For instant fled the momentary joy:—
Would thou hadst still the fatal bliss denied
And then, as now, been more severely coy!
For instant fled the momentary joy:—
Would thou hadst still the fatal bliss denied
And then, as now, been more severely coy!
Can one slight show'r refresh the thirsty mead?
One single plant with verdure clothe the plain?
One star o'er yon wide arch its radiance spread?
Or one small rill supply the boundless main?
One single plant with verdure clothe the plain?
One star o'er yon wide arch its radiance spread?
Or one small rill supply the boundless main?
The skies unnumber'd all their bounties pour;—
In such profusion are their blessings given,
E'en thankless man must own the wond'rous store
Becomes the rich munificence of heaven.
In such profusion are their blessings given,
E'en thankless man must own the wond'rous store
Becomes the rich munificence of heaven.
While you one kiss, and one alone, resign'd,
Tho' favouring night enwrapt th'unconscious grove;
Tho' well you knew not countless millions join'd
Could sate th'unrivall'd avarice of love.
Tho' favouring night enwrapt th'unconscious grove;
Tho' well you knew not countless millions join'd
Could sate th'unrivall'd avarice of love.
Yet once again the dang'rous gift renew,
With kinder looks prolong the fleeting bliss;
Let me too try, while all thy charms I view,
Like Shakespeare's Moor, to “die upon a kiss!”
With kinder looks prolong the fleeting bliss;
Let me too try, while all thy charms I view,
Like Shakespeare's Moor, to “die upon a kiss!”
33
But no such kiss as some cold sister grants,
Or colder brother carelessly receives;
Mine be the kiss for which the lover pants,
And the dear, soft, consenting mistress gives!
Or colder brother carelessly receives;
Mine be the kiss for which the lover pants,
And the dear, soft, consenting mistress gives!
Else I as well might clasp the sculptur'd fair,
And press th'unyielding marble lips to mine:
Or woo, the transports of my love to share,
The pictur'd forms of Reynolds' hand divine.
And press th'unyielding marble lips to mine:
Or woo, the transports of my love to share,
The pictur'd forms of Reynolds' hand divine.
In thy sweet kiss, O, blend such soft desires
As conquer youth, and palsied age can warm;
Those arts that cherish love, like vestal fires,
And bid in Virtue's cause our passions arm!
As conquer youth, and palsied age can warm;
Those arts that cherish love, like vestal fires,
And bid in Virtue's cause our passions arm!
Such if thou giv'st—tho' closing air and sea
Efface the arrow's path, the vessel's road,
More faithful to their trust my lips shall be,
And bear th'impression to their last abode.
Efface the arrow's path, the vessel's road,
More faithful to their trust my lips shall be,
And bear th'impression to their last abode.
| The Wiccamical Chaplet | |