KISSES[46:2]
Reading edition
KISSES[46:2]
Cupid, if storying Legends tell aright, Once fram'd a rich Elixir of Delight. A Chalice o'er love-kindled flames he fix'd, And in it Nectar and Ambrosia mix'd: With these the magic dews which Evening brings, 5 Brush'd from the Idalian star by faery wings: Each tender pledge of sacred Faith he join'd, Each gentler Pleasure of th' unspotted mind— Day-dreams, whose tints with sportive brightness glow, And Hope, the blameless parasite of Woe. 10 The eyeless Chemist heard the process rise, The steamy Chalice bubbled up in sighs; Sweet sounds transpired, as when the enamour'd Dove Pours the soft murmuring of responsive Love. The finish'd work might Envy vainly blame, 15 And 'Kisses' was the precious Compound's name. With half the God his Cyprian Mother blest, And breath'd on Sara's lovelier lips the rest.
1793.
FOOTNOTES:
LINENOTES:
Title] Cupid turn'd Chymist Letter, 1793, Pencil. The Compound MS. E: Effusion xxvi. 1796: The Composition of a Kiss 1797: Kisses 1803, 1844, 1852.
[
1
]
storying] ancient Pencil.
[
3
]
Chalice] cauldron Letter, 1793.
[
[
8
]
gentler] gentle Pencil.
[
9
]
Gay Dreams whose tints with beamy brightness glow.
Letter, 1793, MS. E.
[
9-10
]
And Hopes the blameless parasites of Woe Fond
Bristol MS.
And Dreams whose tints with beamy brightness glow.
Pencil, Bristol MS.
[
11-12
]
With joy he view'd his chymic process rise, The steaming cauldron bubbled up in sighs.
Letter, 1793.
[
11-12
]
the chymic process rise, The steaming chalice
Pencil, MS. E.
[
11-12
]
the chymic process rise, The charming cauldron
Bristol MS.
[
14
]
Murmuring] murmurs Letter, 1793.
Cooes the soft murmurs Pencil.
[
15
]
not Envy's self could blame Letter, 1793, Pencil. might blame. MS. E.
[
17
]
With part Letter, 1793, MS. E.
[
18
]
on Nesbitt's lovely lips the rest. Letter, 1793, Pencil. on Mary's lovelier lips the rest. MS. E. on lovely Nesbitt's lovely lips the rest. Bristol MS.