Poems (Procter)/Two Loves

by Adelaide Anne Procter

For works with similar titles, see Two Loves.

TWO LOVES.

EEP within my heart of hearts, dear,   Bound with all its strings,Two Loves are together reigning,   Both are crowned like kingsWhile my life, still uncomplaining,   Rests beneath their wings.

So they both will rule my heart, dear,   Till it cease to beat;No sway can be deeper, stronger,   Truer, more complete;Growing, as it lasts the longer,   Sweeter, and more sweet.

One all life and time transfigures;   Piercing through and throughMeaner things with magic splendor,   Old, yet ever new:This—so strong and yet so tender—   Is . . . my Love for you.

Should it fail,—forgive my doubting   In this world of pain,—Yet my other Love would ever   Steadfastly remain;And I know that I could never   Turn to that in vain.

Though its radiance may be fainter,   Yet its task is wide;For it lives to comfort sorrows,   Strengthen, calm, and guide,And from Trust and Honor borrows   All its peace and pride.

Will you blame my dreaming, even   If the first were flown?Ah, I would not live without it,   It is all your own:And the other—can you doubt it?—   Yours, and yours alone.