The Kiss Returned

AS WILLIAM walking with his wife was seen,     A man of rank admired her lovely mien.     Who gave you such a charming fair? he cried,     May I presume to kiss your beauteous bride?     With all my heart, replied the humble swain,     You're welcome, sir: - I beg you'll not refrain;     She's at your service: take the boon, I pray;     You'll not such offers meet with ev'ry day.     THE gentleman proceeded as desired;     To get a kiss, alone he had aspired;     So fervently howe'er he pressed her lip,     That Petronella blushed at ev'ry sip.     SEVEN days had scarcely run, when to his arms,     The other took a wife with seraph charms;     And William was allowed to have a kiss,     That filled his soul with soft ecstatick bliss.     Cried he, I wish, (and truly I am grieved)     That when the gentleman a kiss received,     From her I love, he'd gone to greater height,     And with my Petronella passed the night.