LI LOVE'S BLINDNESS I HAVE heard of reasons manifold Why Love must needs be blind, But this the best of all I hold,His eyes are in his mind. What outward form and feature are He seeth with the heart. SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERidge. LII AMATURUS SOMEWHERE beneath the sun, These quivering heart-strings prove it, Somewhere there must be one Made for this soul, to move it; Some one that hides her sweetness From neighbours whom she slights, Nor can attain completeness, Nor give her heart to rights; Some one whom I could court With no great change of manner, Still holding reason's fort, Though waving fancy's banner; A lady, not so queenly As to disdain my hand, Yet born to smile serenely Like those that rule the land; Noble, but not too proud; With soft hair simply folded, And bright face crescent-browed, And throat by Muses moulded; And eyelids lightly falling On little glistening seas, Deep-calm, when gales are brawling, Of things one may not know; Forth, Love, and find this maid, Speak, Love, be not afraid, But plead as thou art bidden; WILLIAM CORY. LIII ROUSSEAU'S LOVE His love was passion's essence—as a tree In him existence, and o'erflowing teems Along his burning page, distemper'd though it seems. This breathed itself to life in Julie, this From hers, who but with friendship his would meet ; LIV A MEDITATION FOR HIS MISTRESSE You are a tulip seen to-day, But, dearest, of so short a stay That where you grew, scarce man can say. You are a lovely July-flower, Yet one rude wind or ruffling shower Will force you hence, and in an hour. You are a sparkling rose i' th' bud, Yet lost, ere that chaste flesh and blood You are a dainty violet, Yet withered, ere you can be set You are the queen all flowers among, ROBERT HERRICK. LV THINGS base and vile, holding no quantity, Love can transpose to form and dignity. Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind; WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. LVI LOVE'S IMMORTALITY THEY sin who tell us Love can die. In Heaven Ambition cannot dwell, Nor Avarice in the vaults of hell; Its holy flame for ever burneth, From Heaven it came, to Heaven returneth; At times deceived, at times opprest, Then hath in Heaven its perfect rest: It soweth here with toil and care, But the harvest-time of love is there. ROBERT SOUTHEY. LVII FIE, foolish Earth, think you the heaven wants glory, All's dark unto the blind, let them be sorry; Fie, fond desire, think you that Love wants glory, Then Earth stand fast, the sky that you benight FULKE GREVILLE, Lord Brooke. |