 | Hours at Naples, and Other Poems |  |
IF GENTLEST SUFFERANCE.
If gentlest sufferance and endurance meek
Of cold neglect, or notice yet more cold;
If fond humility that doth but seek
Thy form—thy worshipp'd features to behold;
Of cold neglect, or notice yet more cold;
If fond humility that doth but seek
Thy form—thy worshipp'd features to behold;
If generous, deep, disinterested zeal,
That ever seeks but thy all precious good;
If fond devotion to thy dearer weal,
And thoughts that but on thee unceasing brood;
That ever seeks but thy all precious good;
If fond devotion to thy dearer weal,
And thoughts that but on thee unceasing brood;
243
If an unbless'd but uncomplaining Love,
A deep idolatry itself that scorns—
Still feeling the Idol—far its flights above,
While thus its own unworthiness it mourns;
A deep idolatry itself that scorns—
Still feeling the Idol—far its flights above,
While thus its own unworthiness it mourns;
If these can win thee—No, vain dream! begone,
These cannot win thee—cannot touch thy heart;
None are thus taught to Love—and none thus won,
Love's a spontaneous growth—not raised by art.
These cannot win thee—cannot touch thy heart;
None are thus taught to Love—and none thus won,
Love's a spontaneous growth—not raised by art.
| Hours at Naples, and Other Poems | |