O Blush Not So!

Portrait of John Keats
John Keats 1795–1821

O blush not so! O blush not so! Or I shall think you knowing; And if you smile the blushing while, Then maidenheads are going.

There's a blush for want, and a blush for shan't, And a blush for having done it; There's a blush for thought, and a blush for nought, And a blush for just begun it.

O sigh not so! O sigh not so! For it sounds of Eve's sweet pippin; By these loosen'd lips you have tasted the pips And fought in an amorous nipping.

Will you play once more at nice-cut-core, For it only will last our youth out, And we have the prime of the kissing time, We have not one sweet tooth out.

There's a sigh for aye, and a sigh for nay, And a sigh for "I can't bear it!" O what can be done, shall we stay or run? O cut the sweet apple and share it!

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