THE KISS IN ENIGMA.
I am just two and two, I am warm, I am cold,
And the parent of numbers that cannot be told;
I am lawful, unlawful,—a duty, a fault;
I am often sold dear, good for nothing when bought;
An extraordinary boon, and a matter of course,
And yielded with pleasure—when taken by force.[33]
Cowper.
A lady gave a gift, which she had not,
And I received her gift, which I took not;
She gave it me willingly, and yet she would not;
And I received it, albeit I could not;
If she gives it me, I force not,
And if she takes it again, she cares not.
Construe what this is, and tell not;
For I am fast sworn, I may not.
Wyatt.
A lady once did ask of me
This pretty thing in privity:
Good sir, quoth she, fain would I crave
One thing which you yourself not have;
Nor never had yet in times past,
Nor never shall while life doth last;
And if you seek to find it out,
You lose your labor out of doubt.
Yet, if you love me as you say,
Then give it me, for sure you may.
Gascoigne.
The instant I’m born, though my frame is quite weak,
Most wondrous to utter, I smartly can speak;
My parents are pleased, and greatly rejoice,
And seem quite enraptured to hear my sweet voice;
But short, ah! too short is the time that I stay,
For when I’ve done speaking I languish away;
Yet this to my parents but seldom gives pain,
For they with a touch can call life back again!
Now all ye fair girls, and ye cheerful young swains,
Come search for my name and take me for your pains.
What part of speech is a kiss?—A conjunction.
What is the shape of a kiss?—A-lip-tickle.
Why is a kiss like a sermon?—Because it requires, at least, two heads and an application.
Why is a kiss like a rumor?—Because it goes from mouth to mouth.
When is a man like a spoon?—When he touches a lady’s lips without kissing them.
When are kisses sweetest?—When syrup-titiously obtained.
Why are two young ladies kissing each other an emblem of Christianity?—Because they are doing to each other as they would men should do unto them.