| Higginson and Bigelow, comps. American Sonnets. 1891. | | | | Eternal | | By Carlotta Perry (1839–1914) |
| | | LOVE is eternal, so the strong souls say, | |
| But seeing how hard life doth give the lie | |
| Unto the mighty words, with sneer or sigh, | |
| The weaker ones cry out in sad dismay | |
| That love is changeful as an April day, | 5 |
| Holding within itself no strength whereby | |
| It can the subtle shafts of time defy, | |
| And in the heart of man abide alway. | |
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| Not every heart is great enough to hold | |
| A great immortal tenant. Love hath fled | 10 |
| Always from natures narrow, weak and cold. | |
| Know, when by scornful lips you hear it said | |
| That Love is traitor, that the truth is told | |
| Not of dear Love, but of that soul instead. | | | | |
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