“Drink to me only with thine eyes”

by Ben Jonson English

From the Greek of Philostratus From “The Forest” 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 look 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!

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