Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904.
Astrophel and StellaLXXXI. O kiss! which dost those ruddy gems impart
Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586)O
Or gems or fruits of new-found Paradise;
Breathing all bliss and sweet’ning to the heart;
Teaching dumb lips a nobler exercise.
O kiss! which souls, even souls together ties
By links of love, and only Nature’s art:
How fain would I paint thee to all men’s eyes
Or of thy gifts at least shade out some part?
But she forbids. With blushing words, she says
“She builds her fame on higher-seated praise:”
But my heart burns, I cannot silent be.
Then since, dear life! you fain would have me peace;
And I, mad with delight, want wit to cease:
Stop you my mouth with still still kissing me!