Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904.
Elegy II: Distance of place, my Love and me did part Giles Fletcher (1586?–1623)1.D
Yet both did swear, We never would remove!
In sign thereof, I bade her take my heart;
Which did, and doth, and cannot choose but, love.
Thus did we part, in hope to meet again;
Where both did vow most constant to remain.
By whom each knew how other’s cause did fare:
For men to trust men in their love are loath.
Thus had we both of love a Lover’s care.
Haply he seeks his sorrows to renew,
That for his love, doth make another sue.
A kiss for price more worth than purest gold.
She gave it her. To me the kiss was meant.
A she to kiss: what harm if she were bold?
Happy those lips, that had so sweet a kiss!
For heaven itself scarce yields so sweet a bliss.
Or loath to part from that she liked so well,
Did play false play; and gave me not the kiss:
Yet my Love’s kindness could not choose but tell.
Then blame me not, that kissing, sighed and swore,
“I kissed but her, whom you had kissed before!”
I kissed those lips: yet, harmless, I do vow:
Scarce would my lips from off those lips remove;
For still, methought, sweet Fair, I kissèd you.
And thus kind love, the sun of all my bliss,
Was both begun, and ended, in a kiss.
Kiss none but her! nor her, nor none at all.
Beware by whom such treasures you do send!
I must them lose, except I for them call.
And love me, Dear! and still still kissing be!
Both like and love but none, sweet Love! but me!