Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Ben Jonson. 15731637185. 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 honouring 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! |