Poems (Linn)/Love and Absence
LOVE AND ABSENCE.
ONCE where sweet Love roved through a valley fairToying with flowers, listening to the birdThat sang his praise—songs only Love has heardOr ever understands—he wandered whereThe giant Absence kept his fearful court.He was the young god's deepest, deadliest foe;But Love feared not his legions: Doubt and WoeHe slew; and climbing up the towering fort,Entered the castle, and there faced its lord;The power of Absence vanished at the sight:Trembling the monarch met the dazzling lightOf the god's smile, and threw aside his sword.When Cupid drew his bow, lo! at his feetAbsence lay dead,—Love's triumph was complete.