Canzon 23. Thy coral-coloured lips, how should I portray

Anonymous

THY coral-coloured lips, how should I portray

Unto the unmatchable pattern of their sweet!

A draught of blessedness I stole away

From them, when last I kissed. I taste it yet!

So did that sug’ry touch my lips ensucket.

On them, MINERVA’s honey birds do hive

Mellifluous words; when so thou please to frame

Thy speech to entertainment! Thence I derive

My heart’s sole paradise, and my lips sweet game.

Ye are the coral gates of Temple’s clarion,

Whereout the PYTHIUS preached divinity!

Unto thy voice bequeathed the good ARION,

His silvery lyre! Such Pæan melody

Thy voice, the organ pipe of angels quire

Trebles! Yet, one kiss; and I’ll raise them higher!