VIII

Love still a boy, and oft a wanton, is,

School'd only by his mother's tender eye;

What wonder then, if he his lesson miss,

When for so soft a rod dear play he try?

And yet my STAR, because a sugar'd kiss

In sport I suck'd, while she asleep did lie,

Doth lour, nay chide, nay threat, for only this.

Sweet, it was saucy LOVE, not humble I.

But no 'scuse serves; she makes her wrath appear

In beauty's throne--see now, who dares come near

Those scarlet judges, threat'ning bloody pain?

O heav'nly Fool, thy most kiss-worthy face

Anger invests with such a lovely grace,

That anger's self I needs must kiss again.

The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb — Volume 2 Elia and The Last Essays of Elia · 第 83 / 155 题