Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AN EPIGRAM OF MARTIAL, IMITATED, by CHARLES HANBURY WILLIAMS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AN EPIGRAM OF MARTIAL, IMITATED, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Come, chloe, and give me sweet kisses
Last Line: With few will be ever content.
Subject(s): Kisses


COME, Chloe, and give me sweet kisses,
For sweeter sure never girl gave;
But why, in the midst of my blisses,
Do you ask me how many I'd have?
I'm not to be stinted in pleasure,
Then, prithee, my charmer, be kind,
For whilst I love thee above measure,
To numbers I'll ne'er be confined.
Count the bees that on Hybla are playing,
Count the flowers that enamel its fields,
Count the flocks that on Tempe are straying,
Or the grain that rich Sicily yields,
Go number the stars in the heaven,
Count how many sands on the shore,
When so many kisses you've given,
I still shall be craving for more.
To a heart full of love, let me hold thee,
To a heart that, dear Chloe, is thine;
In my arms I'll for ever enfold thee,
And twist round thy limbs like a vine.
What joy can be greater than this is?
My life on thy lips shall be spent!
But the wretch that can number his kisses,
With few will be ever content.





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