II. “THE RIGHT TO LOVE”
And is not love enough? To give, and give for ever,—
As God spreads light of day
O'er field and flaming hill and forest green and river
And blue soft-laughing bay!
To have the right to love. O man, is not that ample?
To have the right to wake
The soul in woman's eyes: the soul that weak fools trample;
The heart that proud fools break.
To have the right to give love infinite;—a treasure
That cannot pass or fade.
What Fate can hinder me from loving beyond measure,—
From giving strength and aid?
What Fate can e'er forbid the deep soul of its boundless
Eternal passionate stores
To give, with streams of love that flow, strong, quiet, soundless,
Round loveless needy shores?
