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[Poems by Wilde in] Richard Henry Wilde

His Life and Selected Poems

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[They say no Love's so deep—so pure]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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[They say no Love's so deep—so pure]

They say no Love's so deep—so pure,
As that where Death has set his seal
It is not so!—at least I'm sure
Death could not add to what I feel!
No! no!—descended from the skies
And breathing Heaven upon the heart
Love—real—true Love, never dies
The immortal soul's least mortal part!
All other passions bear a stain
Which shews they are not from above:
Of Earth—to Earth they turn again—
From Heaven—to Heaven returns true Love!
There may be times when his bright face
With thoughts pale cast is sicklied o'er
Blindfold, his statue wore such trace—
But drop the fillet—'twas no more.
So all that Death for Love can do
Is rend the Veil that dims his sight
Clear from the brow its pensive hue
And on his smile pour endless light!
 

‘There is no passion so full of soft[,] tender and hallowing associations as the Love which is stamped by Death!’

Bulwer

‘The Statue of Love by Praxiteles. When its eyes were bandaged the countenance seemed grave and sad: but the moment you removed the fillet, the most serene and enchanting smile diffused itself over the whole face.’

W.