Note 1 — Chapter IV · A KING'S MISTRESS
Reading edition
Sweet and lovely little mouth, Fresher and ruddier than bud of eglantine At morn! Sweeter and more fragrant than the immortal amaranth, And a hundred times dearer Than the gentle dew which waters the earth, Drop by drop, in the sweetest month! Kiss me, sweet friend; kiss me, dear life. Kiss me lovingly, closely, until I say: Alas, my love, I can bear no more! Alas, my God, I can bear no more! Then take away thy little mouth, till dead I sigh; Then bestow on me the rest. Thus, sweet warrior, my heart, my light, my all, Let us live together; let us live And follow the sweet delights of youth, Since near the haven old age threatens us, Which, bowed and trembling, tottering, brings us Sickness and death.