No More Learning

ANOTHER TO NEPTUNE.

Mighty Neptune, may it please
Thee, the rector of the seas,
That my barque may safely run
Through thy watery region;
And a tunny-fish shall be
Offered up with thanks to thee.


327. HIS EMBALMING TO JULIA.

For my embalming, Julia, do but this;
Give thou my lips but their supremest kiss,
Or else transfuse thy breath into the chest
Where my small relics must for ever rest;
That breath the balm, the myrrh, the nard shall be,
To give an incorruption unto me.


328. GOLD BEFORE GOODNESS.

How rich a man is all desire to know;
But none inquires if good he be or no.


329. THE KISS. A DIALOGUE.

1. Among thy fancies tell me this,
What is the thing we call a kiss?
2. I shall resolve ye what it is.
It is a creature born and bred
Between the lips (all cherry-red),
By love and warm desires fed.
_Chor. _ And makes more soft the bridal bed.

2. It is an active flame that flies,
First, to the babies of the eyes;
And charms them there with lullabies.
_Chor. _ And stills the bride, too, when she cries.

2. Then to the chin, the cheek, the ear,
It frisks and flies, now here, now there,
'Tis now far off, and then 'tis near.
_Chor. _ And here and there and everywhere.

1. Has it a speaking virtue? 2. Yes.
1.