A Selection from the Lyrical Poems of Robert Herrick

220. A HYMN TO VENUS AND CUPID

     Sea-born goddess, let me be
     By thy son thus graced, and thee,
     That whene'er I woo, I find
     Virgins coy, but not unkind.
     Let me, when I kiss a maid,
     Taste her lips, so overlaid
     With love's sirop, that I may
     In your temple, when I pray,
     Kiss the altar, and confess
     There's in love no bitterness.