But if the object of one’s affection is not within reach, and _oscula corporalia_ are, for that reason, practically impossible, her image may be kissed, as a French song naïvely says: I will make a portrait gay, Like to thee, set in a locket; Kiss it five score times a day Guard it safely in my pocket. W. F. H. But if one is not fortunate enough to possess an image of the object of one’s affection, then anything that has in any way been associated with, or is reminiscent of, him or her may be kissed. Tovelille exults to King Volmer: For all my roses I’ve kissed to death Whilst thinking, dear love, of thee. W. F. H. But F. Rückert sings with pain and mockery: With fervour the hard stone I’m kissing, For your heart is as hard as a stone. W. F. H. Such _oscula impropria_ are often mentioned by ancient as well as modern poets. _Propertius_ (I. 16) says: Ah, oft I’ve hither sped with verse to greet Thee, leaning on thy steps with kisses pressed. How often, traitress, turning towards the street, I’ve laid in secret garlands on thy crest. W. F. H. Eighteen hundred years afterwards Dorat writes: I kiss the kindly blades of grass Because they have approached your charms: The sands o’er which your footsteps pass, And leafy boughs that stretched their arms To hide our happiness, dear lass. W. F. H. Lovers often send each other kisses through the air, as in Béranger’s well-known song on the detestable Spring: We loved before we ever met; Our kisses crossed athwart the air. W. F. H. But should the distance be too great for such a platonic interchange of kisses, certain small, obliging _postillons d’amour_ are employed Heine uses his poems for that purpose: O would that all my verses Were kisses light and sweet: I’d send them all in secret My sweetheart’s cheeks to greet. While the young girl in Runeberg has recourse to a rose that has just blossomed: Through the grove amidst the blooming flow’rets Walked the bonnie maiden unattended, And she plucked a new-born rose, exclaiming: ‘Lovely flow’ret, if you’d only wings on, I would send you to my well-belovèd When I’d fastened just two tiny greetings Lightly on your right wing and your left wing; One should bid him cover you with kisses, And the other send you back to me soon.’ W. F. H.