Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume II. Love. 1904. | | | | I. Admiration | | “Drink to me only with thine eyes” | | Ben Jonson (1572–1637) |
| | From the Greek of Philostratus
From “The Forest”
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. | |
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| I sent thee late a rosy wreath, | |
| Not so much honoring thee | 10 |
| As giving it a hope that there | |
| It could not withered 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! | | | | |
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