LOVE
1
Love is life's spring,—the summer of the soul,—
The Eden of earth's happiness,—the spring
Of all on earth that's lovely!—no control
Can hinder its conception:—'tis the wing
That bears the turtle to its nest in spring;—
It is the mainspring that conducts the whole,—
The eternal anthem which all nature sings,
And woman is of man the life and soul,
As long as earth exists or planets roll!—
2
Love is an April sky of various shades,—
To day all sunshine, and all showers tomorrow;
Buds early blighted,—blossoms born to fade,
And woman stamp'd with the pale hues of sorrow.
Care keeps her cash book where none like to borrow;
Tears are as lonely as the lonely dove;
Procrastinated falshood is hell's horror,—
Hope is its fire that kindles from above,—
Hate burns hell-deep in chronicles of love!—
3
Yet such is love, and of the purest water,—
The secret essence of the living clay,
That feeds upon itself, and wrongs no daughter
Of Eve; but glides on in its own pure way,
Living as in its own light:—the diamond's ray
Has no reflection upon meaner things;
Impurity takes all its hues away,
While purity its grand impression brings.—
Love is the jewel in the crown of Kings.
