Poems (White)/Lover
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
LOVER
Great is the love, great is the law,
And great his heart without a par,
To love with love of gods, and then
Patiently wait for laws of men.
Heroes of stuff like this are made,
Subduing self for lovely maid;
Silently bearing a longing heart;
Purposely holding self apart,—
Nothing to sully her fair name
Or touch the edge of her dear fame.
Thus daily, hourly, passing through
Greatest suffering men e'er knew,
Judge him harshly, men, if you dare!
Could you part of his burdens bear?
Why did he do it? Why do you
Love the bright sunlight, flower too?
And great his heart without a par,
To love with love of gods, and then
Patiently wait for laws of men.
Heroes of stuff like this are made,
Subduing self for lovely maid;
Silently bearing a longing heart;
Purposely holding self apart,—
Nothing to sully her fair name
Or touch the edge of her dear fame.
Thus daily, hourly, passing through
Greatest suffering men e'er knew,
Judge him harshly, men, if you dare!
Could you part of his burdens bear?
Why did he do it? Why do you
Love the bright sunlight, flower too?