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...I COULD TAKE by HAYDEN CARRUTH PARAGRAPHS: 16 by HAYDEN CARRUTH VICTORY IN DEFEAT by EDWIN MARKHAM DRAW THE SWORD, O REPUBLIC by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: TOM MERRITT by EDGAR LEE MASTERS AN EVANGELIST'S WIFE by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON |