I ONLY WISH TO KNOW.
Pray do not take the kiss again
I risked so much in getting,
Nor let my blushes make you vain
To your and my regretting.
I'm sure I've heard your sex repeat
A thousand times or so,
That stolen kisses are most sweet—
I only wished to know!
I own 'twas not so neatly done
As you know how to do it,
And that the fright out-did the fun,
But still I do not rue it.
I can afford the extra beat
My heart took at your "Oh!"
Which plainly said that kiss was sweet—
When I so wished to know!
Nay, I will not give back the kiss,
Nor will I take a second;
Creme de la creme of pain and bliss
This one shall e'er be reckoned.
The pain was mine, the bliss was—ours,
You smile to hear it so;
But the same thought was surely yours,
As I have cause to know.
LINES WRITTEN IN AN ALBUM.
The highest use of happy love is this;
To make us loving to the loveless ones;
Willing indeed to halve our meed of bliss,
If our sweet plenty others' want atones:
Of love's abundance may God give thee store,
To spend in love's sweet charities, Lenore.
