University of Virginia Library


104

SONNET XVIII
THE FIRST KISS

Lo! the first kiss of Eve when the first night
Fell over Paradise,—the blue profound
Far heaven of darkness slowly closing round
And silent star-ships steering into sight.
The world is shadowed, but Eve's eyes are bright
And sunshine in her golden locks is bound:—
First they had feared the unheard-of dark,—but found
The passionate darkness sweeter than the light.
Yes: the first kiss. And since that far-off hour
Lips tender and innumerable have met;
And lips shall meet sweeter than any yet;
But in that star-watched and God-hallowed bower
Man's hand first gathered love, the dark night's flower,
And when the sun rose, dropped it with regret.