WHEN as the nightingale chanted her vespers, And the wild forester couched on the ground, Venus invited me in th' evening whispers Unto a fragrant field with roses crowned, Where she before had sent My wishes' compliment; Unto my heart's content Played with me on the green. Never Mark Antony Dallied more wantonly With the fair Egyptian Queen. First on her cherry cheeks I mine eyes feasted, Thence fear of surfeiting made me retire: Next on her warmer lips, which, when I tasted, My duller spirits made active as fire. Then we began to dart, Each at another's heart, Arrows that knew no smart, Sweet lips and smiles between. Never Mark, &c. Wanting a glass to plait her amber tresses Which like a bracelet rich decked mine arm, Gaudier than Juno wears when as she graces Jove with embraces more stately than warm, Then did she peep in mine Eyes' humour crystalline; I in her eyes was seen As if we one had been. Never Mark, &c. Mystical grammar of amorous glances; Feeling of pulses, the physic of love; Rhetorical courtings and musical dances; Numbering of kisses arithmetic prove; Eyes like astronomy; Straight-limbed geometry; In her art's ingeny Our wits were sharp and keen. Never Mark Antony Dallied more wantonly With the fair Egyptian Queen. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MOTHERHOOD by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON TO HENRY LINCOLN JOHNSON - LAWYER by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON MONODY ON THE DEATH OF WILLIAM MARION REEDY by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SIXTEEN MONTHS by CARL SANDBURG ON AN UNFINISHED STATUE BY MICHAEL ANGELO by GEORGE SANTAYANA |