Classic Poem

'Tis said that Love when all is done
Is but “Two Hearts That Beat As One,”—
Which I deny, for I have found
When Love to visit me comes round
The moment he comes through the door
He makes my heart beat like ten score,
And even more!

If I were teaching Love at school,
And to define it I were tasked,
I'd say
That 'tis an element, by no means cool,
That comes our way,
Both night and day,
Unsought, unasked,
And as a rule
Makes Man a Hero or a Fool,
And best of all it is so rich
He cares not which!

How shall I know him when we meet?
Good lack, the answer is complete—
Sunshine or storm
The symptoms are, Heart overwarm,
A shivering spine, and truly Arctic feet!
How tell one's Love? Ah, it were well
If so you rest beneath its spell
To let its gold
Remain untold,
For Love's a special kind of pelf
That soon or late must tell itself.
Yet if it must be told, why then
Intrust it not to tongue or pen—
The better plan, O Lover faint but true,
Is just to let your two eyes speak for you.