 | Poems and Translations |  |
32
LOVE'S SERVICE.
Hast thou no pity, Love! for thy poor thralls?
No ruth for all the sorrow that befalls
Thy hapless servitors? Even so I pray'd
To Him, the lord of earth and sea and air;
And he my foolish prayer
Deign'd answer, and thus said:
No ruth for all the sorrow that befalls
Thy hapless servitors? Even so I pray'd
To Him, the lord of earth and sea and air;
And he my foolish prayer
Deign'd answer, and thus said:
“I have no pity. Whoso serve me ask
Nor wages nor reward; but of their task
Make their delight—the joy divine of pain,
Sometimes,—but none the less it is delight.
In their great grief's despite,
Sufficient is their gain.”
Nor wages nor reward; but of their task
Make their delight—the joy divine of pain,
Sometimes,—but none the less it is delight.
In their great grief's despite,
Sufficient is their gain.”
I am not worthy, Love! to claim a place
In thy close sanctuary; but of thy grace
Admit me to the outer courts, and so
In time that inner worship I may learn,
And on thy altar burn
The Sacrifice of Woe!
In thy close sanctuary; but of thy grace
Admit me to the outer courts, and so
In time that inner worship I may learn,
And on thy altar burn
The Sacrifice of Woe!
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