Page:The Kiss and its History.djvu/46

32 the best resolutions, the most solemn oaths, are of no avail. A pretty little Servian folk-song treats of a young girl who swore too hastily.

It is through kisses that a knowledge of life and happiness first comes to us. Runeberg says that the angels rejoice over the first kiss exchanged by lovers.

The evening star was sitting beside a silver cloud,

A maid from out a twilight grove addressed this star aloud,

"Come, tell me, star of evening, what angels think in heaven

When by a youth and maiden the first sweet kiss is given?"

And heaven's bashful daughter was heard to deign reply:

"On earth the choir of angels bright look down from out the sky,