I have sealed my desire upon thee
With the red seal of kisses,
Of innumerable kisses red as flame:
On mouth, and cheeks, and arms, and throat and shoulders,
between thy breasts,
Whose buds are like the buds of pomegranate flowers,
I have sealed my desire with the red seal of kisses.
I have bound my love about thee
With close embraces, the embraces of naked arms,
That burned thy flesh to a lingering rose:
About thy slender flanks,
And about thy bosom that swelleth gently
With its two breasts that are like the halves of a white apple,
And about thy hips and thighs
their solemn curves like the curve of an antique lyre,
I have bound my love with close embraces, the embraces of naked arms
I have set my delight upon thee
With caresses slow and gentle as meandering waters,
With caresses hot and rapid as a running fire;
Upon thy hair that is black as nocturnal clouds
Or the moon in eclipse,
And beneath thine arms,
And between thy fingers and between thy knees,
And upon the secret places of thy flesh,
I have set my delight with caresses slow and gentle as winding waters
With caresses hot and rapid as leaping fire.
Ah, hide my love
And hide my desire
And keep my delight
As attar in the white rose of thy limbs,
As honey in the red lotus of thy heart
And the deep and hidden blossom thy body hath,
The blossom that is sweeter than all blossoms
But nameless.