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THE KISS<br />
I shall kiss from end to end the long black wings spreading from your neck, oh,<br />
gentle bird, captive dove whose heart throbs wild beneath my hand!<br />
I shall take your mouth into my mouth as the child takes its mother's breast.<br />
Tremble! for the kiss sinks deep and should suffice for love.<br />
I shall trail my light tongue along your arms and round your neck, and I shall<br />
drag the long drawn kiss <strong>of</strong> my nails along your tender sides.<br />
Hear roaring in your ear all the murmur <strong>of</strong> the sea. . . Mnasidika! the expression<br />
<strong>of</strong> your eyes makes me ill. I'll clasp within my kiss your lids which burn as<br />
warmly as your lips.<br />
JEALOUS CARES<br />
You must not dress your hair for fear the iron might burn your neck or singe your<br />
lovely locks. You'll let it rest upon your shoulders, and spread along your arms.<br />
You must not dress yourself, for fear your girdle might redden the fine-drawn<br />
lines about your hips. Remain naked like a little girl.<br />
You must not even rise, for fear your tender feet might become sore with walking<br />
here and there. You shall remain in bed, oh Eros' prey, and I shall dress your<br />
wound!<br />
For I would not see upon your body any other mark, Mnasidika, than the mark <strong>of</strong><br />
a kiss too long-impressed, the scratch <strong>of</strong> a sharpened nail, or the purpled bar <strong>of</strong><br />
my own embrace.<br />
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