The Kiss.[41:1]

When on thy lip my soul I breathe, Which there meets thine, Freed from their fetters by this death, Our subtle forms[41:2] combine: Thus without bonds of sense they move, And like two cherubim converse by[41:3] love.

Spirits to chains of earth confin'd Discourse by sense; But ours, that are by flames refin'd, With those weak ties dispense. Let such in words their minds display: We in a kiss our mutual thoughts convey.[41:4]

But since my soul from me doth fly, To thee retir'd, Thou canst not both retain; for I Must be with one inspir'd; Then, Dearest,[41:5] either justly mine Restore, or in exchange let me have thine.

Yet if thou dost return mine own, O tak't again! For 'tis this pleasing death alone Gives ease unto my pain. Kill me once more, or I shall find Thy pity than thy cruelty less kind.

THE SNOWBALL.

Doris, I that could repel All those darts about thee dwell, And had wisely learn'd to fear 'Cause I saw a foe so near; I that my deaf ear did arm 'Gainst thy voice's powerful charm; And the lightning of thine eye Durst, by closing mine, defy; Cannot this cold snow withstand From the winter[42:1] of thy hand. Thy deceit hath thus done more Than thy open force before: For who could suspect or fear Treason in a face so clear, Or the hidden fires descry Wrapt in this cold outside lie? Flames might thus, involv'd in ice, The deceiv'd world sacrifice; Nature, ignorant of this Strange antiperistasis, Would her falling frame admire, That by snow were set on fire!

SPEAKING AND KISSING.

The air which thy smooth voice doth break Into my soul like lightning flies; My life retires whilst thou dost speak, And thy soft breath its room supplies.

Lost in this pleasing ecstasy, I join my trembling lips to thine, And back receive that life from thee, Which I so gladly did resign.

Forbear, platonic fools! t'inquire What numbers do the soul compose: No harmony can life inspire, But that which from these accents flows.