A Dialogue on a Kiss, one of the Ayres and Dialogues for One, Two and Three Voyces composed by Henry Lawes (born 5 December, 1595; died 21 October, 1662); this song sets a poem by Robert Herrick (1591-1674); performed here by Margaret Arnold (alto) and Andrew Muscat-Clark (countertenor), with the continuo provided by Alasdair McAndrew and Linda Kent
The Kiss. A Dialogue.
by Robert Herrick
Among thy fancies tell me this,
What is the thing we call a kiss ?
I shall resolve ye what it is.
It is a creature born and bred
Between the lips (all cherry-red),
By love and warm desires fed.
And makes more soft the bridal bed.
It is an active flame that flies,
First, to the babies of the eyes ;
And charms them there with lullabies.
And stills the bride, too, when she cries.
Then to the chin, the cheek, the ear,
It frisks and flies, now here, now there,
‘Tis now far off, and then ‘tis near.
And here and there and everywhere.
Has it a speaking virtue ? Yes.
How speaks it, say ? Do you but this;
Part your joined lips, then speaks your kiss
And this love’s sweetest language is.
Has it a body ? Aye, and wings
With thousand rare encolourings ;
And, as it flies, it gently sings,
Love honey yields, but never stings.
What is the thing we call a kiss ?
I shall resolve ye what it is.
It is a creature born and bred
Between the lips (all cherry-red),
By love and warm desires fed.
And makes more soft the bridal bed.
It is an active flame that flies,
First, to the babies of the eyes ;
And charms them there with lullabies.
And stills the bride, too, when she cries.
Then to the chin, the cheek, the ear,
It frisks and flies, now here, now there,
‘Tis now far off, and then ‘tis near.
And here and there and everywhere.
Has it a speaking virtue ? Yes.
How speaks it, say ? Do you but this;
Part your joined lips, then speaks your kiss
And this love’s sweetest language is.
Has it a body ? Aye, and wings
With thousand rare encolourings ;
And, as it flies, it gently sings,
Love honey yields, but never stings.
(This post is for A.)
