University of Virginia Library

LOVE ME.

All dear as the feeling when first flowers start,
Thou cam'st in thy musical lightness:
And the cloud wept itself in rich rain on my heart,
That had hidden thy beauty and brightness.
'Twas as Life's topmost window oped suddenly, bright
With the glittering face of an Angel,
The sweet secret out-flashed on thy forehead of light,
And thy voice was thy own love's Evangel!
O how shall I crown thee, Love, on my heart's throne,
Thou art so far, far above me?”
And aye, as her dear eyes looked love in my own,
The Maiden answered, “Love me.”
“My Belovèd is fair as some beautiful Star
That walks in a pleasaunce of glory;
And her large-hearted looks and her lineaments are
As some Queen's of the old Greek story!
There's never night now, since those dear eyes of thine
Smiled on me with soft sweet splendour,
And I drank of the wine of thy kisses divine:
O what for such love shall I render?”

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And aye, as I knelt at my true Love's shrine,
She bent in her beauty above me:
And aye, as her dear eyes looked love into mine,
The Maiden answered, “Love me.”
“O could my heart, mountain-regioned in bliss,
Thy life with Love's affluence dower,
Thou shouldst have heaven in a world e'en like this,
And the joy of a life in each hour!
Thou shouldst go forth like a conquering Queen,
Reaping rich heartfuls of treasure,
Nor strive where the worn of heart wearily glean
But handfuls, in harvesting pleasure.”
And aye, as I knelt at my true Love's shrine,
She bent in her beauty above me:
And aye, as her dear eyes looked love into mine,
The Maiden answered, “Love me.”