And though in distant climes to roam, A wanderer from my native home, 20 I fain would soothe the sense of Care, And lull to sleep the Joys that were! Thy Image may not banish'd be-- Still, Mary! still I sigh for thee. 1794. FOOTNOTES: [62:1] First published in 1796: included in 1797, 1803, 1828, 1829. Coleridge dated the poem, June 1794, but the verses as sent to Southey, in a letter dated November, 1794 (_Letters of S. T. C._, 1895, i. 100, 101), could not have taken shape before the August of that year, after the inception of Pantisocracy and his engagement to Sarah Fricker. LINENOTES: Title] Ode MS. E: Song Letter, Nov. 1794, Morrison MSS.: Effusion xxxii: The Sigh 1796. [7] along th'] as tossed on 1803. waves] wilds Letter, 1794, MS. E. [9] of] the 1803. [13] power] hand Letter, Nov. 1794, MS. E. [18] a] the Letter, 1794. [21-2] I fain would woo a gentle Fair To soothe the aching sense of Care Letter, Nov. 1794. [21] sense of] aching MS. E. [Below l. 24] June 1794 Poems, 1796. THE KISS[63:1] One kiss, dear Maid! I said and sigh'd-- Your scorn the little boon denied. Ah why refuse the blameless bliss? Can danger lurk within a kiss? Yon viewless wanderer of the vale, 5 The Spirit of the Western Gale, At Morning's break, at Evening's close Inhales the sweetness of the Rose, And hovers o'er the uninjur'd bloom Sighing back the soft perfume. 10 Vigour to the Zephyr's wing Her nectar-breathing kisses fling; And He the glitter of the Dew Scatters on the Rose's hue. Bashful lo! she bends her head, 15 And darts a blush of deeper Red! Too well those lovely lips disclose The triumphs of the opening Rose; O fair! O graceful! bid them prove As passive to the breath of Love. 20 In tender accents, faint and low, Well-pleas'd I hear the whisper'd 'No!' The whispered 'No'--how little meant! Sweet Falsehood that endears Consent! For on those lovely lips the while 25 Dawns the soft relenting smile, And tempts with feign'd dissuasion coy The gentle violence of Joy. ? 1794. FOOTNOTES: [63:1] First published in 1796: included in 1797, 1803, 1828, 1829, and 1834. LINENOTES: Title] Ode MS. E: Effusion xxviii 1796: The Kiss 1797, 1828, 1829, 1834: To Sara 1803. _MSS. of_ The Kiss _are included in the Estlin volume and in S. T. C.'s quarto copy-book_. [11-15] Vigor to his languid wing The Rose's fragrant kisses bring, And He o'er all her brighten'd hue Flings the glitter of the dew. See she bends her bashful head. MS. E. [13-14] And He o'er all her brighten'd hue Sheds the glitter of the dew. MS. 4{o} erased. [18] The fragrant triumphs of the Rose. MS. E. [26] Dawns] Dawn'd MS. E. [27] And] That MS. E. TO A YOUNG LADY[64:1]