I KNOW not what this world would be | |
| (Not even by analogy) | |
| If love were banished for a time | |
| To other realm, or other clime; | |
| But no, it is not bound by space, | 5 |
| But with illimitable grace | |
| Glides through all worlds, and lives in all, | |
| All hearts and souls it does enthral; | |
| Some, where the spirit seldom dwelt | |
| ’Tis not quite banished or forgot; | 10 |
| It were indeed a dreary spot | |
| Without one single ray of love, | |
| That heavenly blessing from above, | |
| For what were virtue, goodness, truth, | |
| Without the light of love? in sooth | 15 |
| They would not be—they could not last | |
| Without this heavenly antepast; | |
| This foretaste of celestial love | |
| Vicegerent here, but crowned above. | |
| Oh! love, thou pure and holy thing, | 20 |
| What are the blessings thou dost bring? | |
| Nay, rather, what is happiness | |
| But love in some new guise or dress? | |
| Even from birth ’tis love that fills | |
| Each avenue of soul—instils | 25 |
| Its spiritual influence | |
| And makes us all love excellence, | |
| Whatever bears the noble stamp | |
| Of great and good; ’tis this pure lamp | |
| Which lights our path and gives us hope, | 30 |
| Extends our views to higher scope. | |
| We love to read, to hear, to earn, | |
| And why? because our spirits burn. | |
| |
