Ben Jonson
 
 
T  H  E     F  O  R  E  S  T .   
 

IX. — SONG. — TO CELIA.       


Drink to me, only with thine eyes,
    And I will pledge with mine ;
Or leave a kiss but in the cup,
    And I'll not look for wine.
The thirst, that from the soul doth rise,        5
    Doth ask a drink divine :
But might I of Jove's nectar sup,
    I would not change for thine.

I sent thee late a rosy wreath,
    Not so much honoring thee,                  10
As giving it a hope, that there
    It could not wither'd be.
But thou thereon didst only breathe,
    And sent'st it back to me :
Since when it grows, and smells, I swear,  15
    Not of itself, but thee.



Song audio excerpt from the CD Ae Fond Kiss



 
Source:
Jonson, Ben.  The Works of Ben Jonson.
Boston: Phillips, Sampson, and Co., 1853. 804.
Backto Works of Ben Jonson

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Created by Anniina Jokinen on May 27, 2001. Last updated on November 7, 2006.