Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By HelenHay

1685 Love’s Kiss

KISS me but once, and in that space supreme

My whole dark life shall quiver to an end,

Sweet Death shall see my heart and comprehend

That life is crowned, and in an endless gleam

Will fix the color of the dying stream,

That Life and Death may meet as friend with friend

An endless immortality to blend;

Kiss me but once, and so shall end my dream.

And then Love heard me and bestowed his kiss,

And straight I cried to Death: I will not die!

Earth is so fair when one remembers this;

Life is but just begun! Ah, come not yet!

The very world smiles up to kiss the sky,

And in the grave one may forget—forget.