Poem by Robert Herrick

The Kiss: A Dialogue

1  Among thy fancies, tell me this,
What is the thing we call a kiss?
2  I shall resolve ye what it is:—

It is a creature born and bred
Between the lips, all cherry-red,
By love and warm desires fed,—
CHOR.  And makes more soft the bridal bed.

2  It is an active flame, that flies
First to the babies of the eyes,
And charms them there with lullabies,—
CHOR.  And stills the bride, too, when she cries.

2  Then to the chin, the cheek, the ear,
It frisks and flies, now here, now there:
'Tis now far off, and then 'tis near,—
CHOR.  And here, and there, and every where.

1  Has it a speaking virtue?  2  Yes.
1  How speaks it, say?  2  Do you but this,—
Part your join'd lips, then speaks your kiss;
CHOR.  And this Love's sweetest language is.

1  Has it a body?  2  Ay, and wings,
With thousand rare encolourings;
And as it flies, it gently sings—
CHOR.  Love honey yields, but never stings.

1. Lovers How They Come and Part
2. Comfort to a Youth That Had Lost His Love
3. Orpheus
4. Upon Love: By Way of Question and Answer
5. Upon Mrs Eliz. Wheeler, under the Name of Amarillis

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