Classic Poem

I am so far, far, nearer death than thou
That I can love thee with the next world's strong
Sweet love, and hear its music in my song
And set its sacred starlight on thy brow.
Not for to-day do I allegiance vow,
But for all time. Not for to-day I long
To crown thee,—but to crown thee 'mid the throng
Before whose feet even Time himself must bow.

If thou must leave me, let my song be thine
For ever; let it be a token of this
That though God never let me win thy kiss
Yet in some strange sweet sense he made thee mine.
Mine,—for till God's hand smite the heaven and sea
Man's heart will love not as my heart loves thee.