University of Virginia Library


86

The Fire of Love

The fire of love in youthful blood,
Like what is kindled in brush wood,
But for a moment burns,
Yet in that moment makes a mighty noise.
It crackles and to vapor turns,
And soon itself destroys.
But when crept into aged veins,
It slowly burns and long remains,
And with a sullen heat,
Like fire in logs, it glows and warms 'em long;
And though the flame be not so great,
Yet is the heat as strong.