To The Same

Author: Ben Jonson

Kisse mee, Sweet: The wary lover
Can your favours keepe, and cover,
When the common courting jay
All your bounties will betray.
Kisse againe: no creature comes.
Kisse, and score up wealthy summes
On my lips, thus hardly sundred,
While you breathe. First give a hundred,
Then a thousand, then another
Hundred, then unto the tother
Adde a thousand, and so more:
Till you equall with the store,
All the grasse that Rumney yeelds,
Or the sands in Chelsey fields,
Or the drops in silver Thames,
Or the stars, that guild his streames,
In the silent sommer-nights,
When youths ply their stoln delights.
That the curious may not know
How to tell 'hem as they flow,
And the envious, when they find
What their number is, be pin'd.
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Type of Poem: Lyric Poem

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

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Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: The poem is a passionate and playful plea from a lover seeking both affection and discretion. It employs an imperative tone, imploring the beloved to offer kisses. The central theme is secrecy in love, highlighted by the speaker's concern about 'the common courting jay' who might betray their bounties. This theme is deftly woven throughout the poem, building up to a climax where the speaker yearns for their love to remain hidden from the 'curious' and the 'envious.'

The structure of the poem, a continuous flow without stanza breaks, mirrors the ceaseless flow of kisses the speaker requests. The use of hyperbole is a standout literary device, with the speaker seeking a number of kisses equivalent to the grass in Rumney, the sands in Chelsea, the drops in the Thames, or the stars in the sky. This exaggeration not only underscores the intensity of the speaker’s desire but also serves as a metaphor for the incalculable value of the kisses and the love they symbolize. The poem's tone, rich with longing and tempered by caution, brings to life a clandestine love affair, marked by both the fear of discovery and the thrill of the secret.

Exploring Lyric Poetry

Lyric poetry is a powerful and intimate form of expression, characterized by its focus on the personal emotions and thoughts of the poet. Often musical in nature, lyric poems resonate with readers through their vivid language and rhythmic flow, capturing moments of intense feeling.

Here are some key characteristics that define lyric poetry:

  • Expressive Language: Lyric poems use rich and evocative language to convey deep emotions, often painting a vivid picture of the poet's inner world.
  • Personal Perspective: Typically written in the first person, these poems offer a window into the poet's personal experiences, thoughts, and reflections.
  • Musicality: Lyric poems often feature a rhythmic structure, with meter and rhyme that give them a song-like quality, enhancing the emotional impact.

From ancient odes to contemporary free verse, lyric poetry remains a beloved and enduring form, celebrated for its ability to articulate the nuances of human emotion in a way that resonates deeply with readers.