War and Love/Prelude

by Richard Aldington

For works with similar titles, see Prelude.

 

PART II

Love

"Amor si dolce mi sa fa sentireChe, s'io allora non perdessi ardire,Farei, parlando, innamorar la gente."Dante.

PRELUDE

How could I love you more?I would give upEven that beauty I have loved too wellThat I might love you better.Alas, how poor the gifts that lovers give—I can but give you of my flesh and strength,I can but give you these few passing daysAnd passionate words that since our speech beganAll lovers whisper in all ladies' ears.

I try to think of one lovely giftNo lover yet in all the world has found;I think: If the cold somber godsWhere hot with love as I amCould they not endow you with a starAnd fix bright youth for ever in your limbs?Could they not give you all things that I lack?

You should have loved a god; I am but dust.Yet no god loves as loves this poor frail dust.