When death — the dreadful shadow of the earth —
Rests on the mortal face of Love's twin star,
Love turns dismayed, as if that shadowy bar
Could shut him off forever in his dearth;
He turns within, and lo! a shy, new birth,
A spark of light from near, or from afar,
Pierces the darkness till, a fiery car,
It lifts him into light more wonder-worth.
Sad love! bewail not tho? you be bereft,
Nor faint not for the weary road you fare;
The spark enkindled when your heart is cleft,
The strength that grows from burthens that you bear,
Are gifts of grace for many that were left
Undowered, but for treasure you must share.
II.
O ye elect of sorrow and of love
Who bear for others' weal a double strain,
And share the surplus of love's costly gain
With hearts his presence doth more feebly move,
Count not your grief's excess too far above
The worth of those you serve, nor all disdain
The lesser pressure of the barren pain
The light of love in love's surcease may prove.
Pity the poor who are by God's decree
Your pensioners, and fear not, for your part,
To harbor love, how dear soe’er he be.
O love that cometh, love that may depart,
The gates of life are set so wide by thee!
The lord of love can enter where thou art!
