University of Virginia Library

VI.—LOVE.

And love because it looks not for too much
As heretofore, is sweeter than of old—
The poet, singing with his mouth of gold,
Shall not find love evade his golden touch.
The imperious red rose is most surely such,
Because it fades and withers when we hold
The stem, by strong desire made over-bold;
And so love hitherto escapes man's clutch.

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But when we see that just because love fades
And withers, is sweet love to be desired,
Love no more vanishes—no more evades—
The red love-rose magnificently fired
With heaven's best tints, casts brilliance down the glades;
Death is the life towards which its bloom aspired.