Tuesday, August 6, 2019

SONG: TO CELIA
         - Ben Jonson

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 ask for wine.
The thirst, that from the soul doth rise,
   Doth ask a drink divine:
But might I of Jove's nectar sup,
   I would not change for thine.
I sent thee late, a rosy wreath,
   Not so much honoring thee,
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,
   Not of itself,  but thee.

(Mariah speaking) This is the next one I will memorize.
I discovered it when I was about 14, reading The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury. For years I thought he had written it. Been in love with it since.

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