HOW delicious is the winning Of a kiss at love's beginning. When two mutual hearts are sighing For the knot there's no untying! Yet remember, midst your wooing, Love has bliss, but love has ruing; Other smiles may make you fickle, Tears for other charms may trickle. Love he comes, Love he tarries, Just as fate or fancy carries, -- Longest stays when sorest chidden, Laughs and flies when pressed and bidden. Bind the sea to slumber stilly, Bind its odor to the lily, Bind the aspen ne'er to quiver, -- Then bind Love to last forever! Love's a fire that needs renewal Of fresh beauty for its fuel; Love's wing moults when caged and captured, -- Only free he soars enraptured. Can you keep the bee from ranging, Or the ring-dove's neck from changing? No! nor fettered Love from dying In the knot there's no untying. |