BEHOLD, my love, the curious gem Within this simple ring of gold; 'Tis hallow'd by the touch of them Who lived in classic hours of old. Some fair Athenian girl, perhaps, Upon her hand this gem display'd, Nor thought that Time's eternal lapse Should see it grace a lovelier maid! Look, darling, what a sweet design! The more we gaze, it charms the more: Come, -- closer bring that cheek to mine, And trace with me its beauties o'er. Thou see'st, it is a simple youth By some enamour'd nymph embraced -- Look, Nea love! and say in sooth Is not her hand most dearly placed? Upon his curled head behind It seems in careless play to lie, Yet presses gently, half inclined To bring his lip of nectar nigh! O happy maid! too happy boy! The one so fond and faintly loth, The other yielding slow to joy -- Oh, rare indeed, but blissful both! Imagine, love, that I am he, And just as warm as he is chilling; Imagine, too, that thou art she, But quite as cold, as she is willing: So may we try the graceful way In which their gentle arms are twined, And thus, like her, my hand I lay Upon thy wreathed hair behind: And thus I feel thee breathing sweet, As slow to mine thy head I move; And thus our lips together meet, And -- thus I kiss thee -- O my love! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES PREPARATORY MEDITATIONS, 2D SERIES: 56 by EDWARD TAYLOR ON THE GRASSHOPPER by ANACREON SONNET by THEODORE AGRIPPA D' AUBIGNE THE ORPHAN'S COMPLAINT by ANNABEL HANNA BANES VERSES FROM THE 'ANNALIA DUBRENSIA' by WILLIAM BASSE |