Classic Poem

What I would ask thee is to let me give—
Give love, give help, give perfect tenderness.
I ask no flower: I ask no soft caress:
But only just to worship while I live.
Love's dreams alas! are often fugitive:
Only the love whose chief joy is to bless
Outlasts life's anguish and its stormy stress;
Love that bestows, not hoping to receive.

Let me love so. And let me sometimes see
Thy face.—God sets ten million stars each night
Upon the brow of heaven to give man light;
Do thou my sweet eternal star-love be:
Let me when starlight gleams upon my grave
Feel—“I asked nothing. I but loved and gave.”