Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–1892)

OH! go not yet my love,

The night is dark and vast;

The white moon is hid in her heaven above,

And the waves climb high and fast.

Oh! kiss me, kiss me, once again,

Lest thy kiss should be the last.

Oh kiss me ere we part:

Grow closer to my heart,

My heart is warmer surely than the bosom of the main.

Thy heart beats through thy rosy limbs,

So gladly doth it stir;

Thine eye in drops of gladness swims,

I have bathed thee with the pleasant myrrh;

Thy locks are dripping balm;

Thou shalt not wander hence to-night,

I’ll stay thee with my kisses.

To-night the roaring brine

Will rend thy golden tresses;

The ocean with the morrow light

Will be both blue and calm;

And the billow will embrace thee with a kiss as soft as mine.

No western odors wander

On the black and moaning sea,

And when thou art dead, Leander,

My soul must follow thee!

Oh! go not yet, my love,

Thy voice is sweet and low;

The deep salt wave breaks in above

Those marble steps below.

The turret stairs are wet

That lead into the sea.

The pleasant stars have set:

Oh! go not, go not yet,

Or I will follow thee.