A CELEBRATION OF CHARIS: 6. CLAIMING A SECOND KISS BY DESERT by BEN JONSON

Charis, guess, and do not miss,
Since I drew a morning kiss
From your lips, and sucked an air
Thence, as sweet, as you are fair,
What my muse and I have done:
Whether we have lost, or won,
If by us, the odds were laid,
That the bride (allowed a maid)
Looked not half so fresh, and fair,
With the advantage of her hair,
And her jewels, to the view
Of the assembly, as did you!
Or, that did you sit, or walk,
You were more the eye, and talk
Of the court, today, than all
Else that glistered in Whitehall;
So, as those that had your sight,
Wished the bride were changed tonight,
And did think, such rites were due
To no other grace but you!
Or, if you did move tonight
In the dances, with what spite
Of your peers, you were beheld,
That at every motion swelled
So to see a lady tread,
As might all the Graces lead,
And was worthy (being so seen)
To be envied of the queen.
Or if you would yet have stayed,
Whether any would upbraid
To himself his loss of time;
Or have charged his sight of crime,
To have left all sight for you:
Guess of these, which is the true;
And, if such a verse as this,
May not claim another kiss.

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