If you browse through any collection of love poems, you will certainly find Benjamin Jonson (1572–1637) included, especially with his poem “Drink to me with thine eyes.”

He is second only to William Shakespeare in prominence, having authored numerous satirical plays and best known for popularizing the comedy of humors. The Alchemist and Every Man in His Humour are well known.

I present his poem, “Drink to me only with thine eyes.”

Drink to me only with thine eyes, 

         And I will pledge with mine; 

Or leave a kiss but in the cup, 

         And I’ll not look for wine. 

The thirst that from the soul doth rise 

         Doth ask a drink divine; 

But might I of Jove’s nectar sup, 

         I would not change for thine. 

I sent thee late a rosy wreath, 

         Not so much honouring thee 

As giving it a hope, that there 

         It could not withered be. 

But thou thereon didst only breathe, 

         And sent’st it back to me; 

Since when it grows, and smells, I swear, 

         Not of itself, but thee.