BEN JONSON.
Their lips were sealed with kisses, and the voice,
Drowned in a flood of joy at their arrival,
Had lost her motion, state, and faculty.
Every Man in his Humor, iii. 3.
Oh, sweet Fastidious! Oh, fine courtier! How comely he bows him in his courtesy! how full he hits a woman between the lips when he kisses!
Every Man out of his Humor, iv. 1.
Hedon. You know I call madam Philautia my Honor; and she calls me her Ambition. Now, when I meet her in the presence anon, I will come to her, and say, Sweet Honor, I have hitherto contented my sense with the lilies of your hand, but now I will taste the roses of your lip; and, withal, kiss her: to which she cannot but blushingly answer, Nay, now you are too ambitious. And then do I reply: I cannot be too Ambitious of Honor, sweet lady. Will’t not be good? ha? ha?
Anaides. Oh, assure your soul.
Hedon. By heaven, I think ’twill be excellent; and a very politic achievement of a kiss.
Cynthia’s Revels, ii. 1.
He that had the grace to print a kiss on those lips should taste wine and rose-leaves. Oh, she kisses as close as a cockle.
Cynthia’s Revels, v. 2.
Your city ladies, you shall have them sit in every shop, like the muses, offering you the Castalian dews and the Thespian liquors to as many as have but the sweet grace and audacity to—sip of their lips.
Poetaster, iii. 1.
A beauty ripe as harvest,
Whose skin is whiter than a swan all over,
Than silver, snow, or lilies! A soft lip,
Would tempt you to eternity of kissing.
Fox, i. 1.
Praise them, flatter them, you shall never want eloquence or trust: even the chastest delight to feel themselves that way rubbed. With praises you must mix kisses too; if they take them, they’ll take more,—though they strive, they would be overcome.
Silent Woman, iv. 1.
Face. This is the noble knight,
I told your ladyship——
Mammon. Madam, with your pardon,
I kiss your vesture.
Dol. Sir, I were uncivil
If I would suffer that; my lip to you, sir.
Alchemist, iv. 1.
Subtle. I cry this lady mercy; she should first
Have been saluted. [Kisses her.] I do call you lady,
Because you are to be one ere ’t be long,
My soft and buxom widow.
Kastril. Is she, i’ faith?
Sub. Yes, or my art is an egregious liar.
Kas. How know you?
Sub. By inspection on her forehead
And subtlety of her lip, which must be tasted
Often, to make a judgment.
Alchemist, iv. 1.
Beaufort. Then I have read somewhere that man and woman
Were, in the first creation, both one piece,
And, being cleft asunder, ever since
Love was an appetite to be rejoined,
As for example—[Kisses Lætitia.
New Inn, iii. 2.
Prudence. The hour is come; your kiss.
Lady F. My servant’s song, first.
Prudence. I say the kiss, first; and I so enjoined it.
At your own peril, do, make the contempt.
Lady F. Well, sir, you must be paid, and legally.
[Kisses Lovel.
Prudence. Nay, nothing, sir, beyond.
Lovel. One more—I except.
This was but half a kiss, and I would change it.
Prudence. The court’s dissolved, removed, and the play ended.
No sound or air of love more; I decree it.
New Inn, iv. 3.
Marian. You are a wanton.
Robin Hood. One, I do confess,
I want-ed till you came; but now I have you
I’ll grow to your embraces till two souls,
Distillèd into kisses through our lips,
Do make one spirit of love.
Sad Shepherd, i. 2.
She that will but now discover
Where the wingèd wag doth hover
Shall to-night receive a kiss,
How or where herself would wish;
But who brings him to his mother
Shall have that kiss and another.
Hue and Cry after Cupid.