@3Nymph.@1 Stand off, and let me take the air; Why should the smoke pursue the fair? @3Boy.@1 My face is smoke, thence may be guessed What flames within have scorched my breast. @3Nymph.@1 The flame of love I cannot view For the dark lantern of thy hue. @3Boy.@1 And yet this lantern keeps Love's taper Surer than yours, that's of white paper. Whatever midnight hath been here, The moonshine of your light can clear. @3Nymph.@1 My moon of an eclipse is 'fraid, If thou shouldst interpose thy shade. @3Boy.@1 Yet one thing, Sweetheart, I will ask; Take me for a new-fashioned mask. @3Nymph.@1 Yes, but my bargain shall be this, I'll throw my mask off when I kiss. @3Boy.@1 Our curled embraces shall delight To checker limbs with black and white. @3Nymph.@1 Thy ink, my paper, make me guess Our nuptial bed will prove a press, And in our sports, if any came, They'll read a wanton epigram. @3Boy.@1 Why should my black thy love impair? Let the dark shop commend the ware; Or, if thy love from black forbears, I'll strive to wash it off with tears. @3Nymph.@1 Spare fruitless tears, since thou must needs Still wear about thee mourning weeds. Tears can no more affection win Than wash thy Ethiopian skin. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BUCOLIC COMEDY: THE FOX; FOR ANN PEARN by EDITH SITWELL MY LOVE'S GUARDIAN ANGEL by WILLIAM BARNES LONDON SNOW by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES THE MOUSE by ELIZABETH JANE COATSWORTH TO A YOUNG ASS; ITS MOTHER BEING TETHERED NEAR IT by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: DAISY FRASER by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |