Not like the youthful, radiant queen, Unconscious of the coming woe, But rather as she might have been, Preparing for the headsman’s blow. I see! I’ve put you in a miff— Sitting bolt upright, wrist on wrist. How _should_ you look? Why, dear, as if— Somehow—as if you’d just been kissed! ALDRICH: _In an Atelier_. * * * * * We had talked long; and then a silence came; And in the topmost firs To his nest the white dove floated like a flame; And my lips closed on hers Who was the only She, And in one girl all womanhood to me. PALGRAVE. * * * * * Fly, white-winged sea-bird, following fast, That dips around our foamy wake, Go nestle in her virgin breast, And kiss her pure lips for my sake. _Sailor’s Valentine._ * * * * * He who wandered with the peasant Jew, And broke with publicans the bread of shame, And drank with blessings in His Father’s name The water which Samaria’s outcast drew, Hath now His temples upon every shore, Altar and shrine and priest,—and incense dim Evermore rising, with low prayer and hymn, From lips which press the temple’s marble floor, Or kiss the gilded sign of the dread Cross He bore! WHITTIER. * * * * * Lament who will the ribald line Which tells his lapse[15] from duty, How kissed the maddening lips of wine Or wanton ones of beauty; But think, while falls that shade between The erring one and Heaven, That he who loved like Magdalen Like her may be forgiven. WHITTIER. * * * * * Oh to have dwelt in Bethlehem When the star of the Lord shone bright! To have sheltered the holy wanderers On that blessed Christmas night! To have kissed the tender wayworn feet Of the Mother undefiled, And, with reverent wonder and deep delight, To have tended the Holy Child! ADELAIDE PROCTER. * * * * * “What more have I to give you? Why give you anything? You had my rose before, sir, And now you have my ring.” “You have forgotten one thing.” “I do not understand.” “The dew goes with the rose-bud, And with the ring the hand!” She gave her hand; he took it, And kissed it o’er and o’er: “I give myself to you, love; I cannot give you more!” STODDARD: _The Lady’s Gift_. * * * * * And Halfred the Scald said, “This In the name of the Lord I kiss, Who on it was crucified!” And a shout went round the board, “In the name of Christ the Lord, Who died!” LONGFELLOW. * * * * *