The instant I’m born, though my frame is quite weak, Most wondrous to utter, I smartly can speak; My parents are pleased, and greatly rejoice, And seem quite enraptured to hear my sweet voice; But short, ah! too short is the time that I stay, For when I’ve done speaking I languish away; Yet this to my parents but seldom gives pain, For they with a touch can call life back again! Now all ye fair girls, and ye cheerful young swains, Come search for my name and take me for your pains. * * * * * What part of speech is a kiss?—A conjunction. What is the shape of a kiss?—A-lip-tickle. Why is a kiss like a sermon?—Because it requires, at least, two heads and an application. Why is a kiss like a rumor?—Because it goes from mouth to mouth. When is a man like a spoon?—When he touches a lady’s lips without kissing them. When are kisses sweetest?—When _syrup_-titiously obtained. Why are two young ladies kissing each other an emblem of Christianity?—Because they are doing to each other as they would men should do unto them. PROVERBS AND PROVERBIAL PHRASES. Kissing goes by favor. If you can kiss the mistress, never kiss the maid. Many kiss the child for the nurse’s sake. She would rather kiss than spin. Better kiss a knave than be troubled with him. He that kisseth his wife in the market-place shall have enough to teach him. To kiss a man’s wife, or wipe his knife, is but a thankless office. Kisses are the messengers of love. Kiss and be friends. None kitheth like the lithping lath (lass). There’s something in a kiss that never comes amiss. Stolen kisses are sweet. Kissing is the prologue to sin. Kissing is lip-service. As easy as kiss your hand. Kisses are the interrogation-points in the literature of love. A sweetmeat which satisfies the hunger of the heart. Cherries kiss as they grow. GEMS OF THOUGHT. A kiss from my mother made me a painter. BENJAMIN WEST. * * * * * I came to feel how far above all fancy, pride, and fickle maidenhood, all earthly pleasure, all imagined good, was the warm tremble of a devout kiss. KEATS. * * * * * It is delightful to kiss the eyelashes of the beloved—is it not? But never so delightful as when fresh tears are on them. LANDOR. * * * * * The fragrant infancy of opening flowers flowed to my senses in that opening kiss. SOUTHERN. * * * * * Kisses are like grains of gold or silver found upon the ground, of no value themselves, but precious as showing that a mine is near. GEORGE VILLIERS.