TO ELIZA.
I ask’d a kiss, and scarce those lips comply’d,
For instant fled the momentary joy;—
Would thou hadst still the fatal bliss deny’d,
And then, as now, been more severely coy!
Can one slight show’r refresh the thirsty field?
One single plant with verdure clothe the plain?—
One star to yon wide arch its radiance yield?—
Or one small rill supply the boundless main?
The skies, unnumber’d, all their bounties pour;—
In such profusion are their blessings given,
Ev’n thankless man must own the wond’rous store
Becomes the rich munificence of heaven.
While you one kiss, and one alone, resign’d,
Though fav’ring night enwrapp’d th’unconscious grove,
Though well you knew not crowded millions join’d
Could sate th’ unrival’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.
Yet no such kiss as some cold sister grants,
And colder brother carelessly receives;—
Be mine the kiss for which the lover pants,
And the dear soft, consenting mistress gives!
’Tis else as well with ardent vows to press
Th’ unyielding bosom of the sculptur’d fair,
Or court the walls whose pictur’d forms confess
That West or graceful Reynolds has been there.
In thy sweet kiss, oh! blend such fond desires
As conquer youth, and palsied age can warm;
Those arts which cherish love, like vestal fires,
And bid, in virtue’s cause, our passions arm.
Such if thou giv’st—though closing air and sea
Efface the arrow’s path, and vessel’s road,
More faithful to their trust my lips shall be,
And bear th’impression to their last abode.