Classic Poem

For now, love thou, I rede, Christ, as I thee tell:
And with Angels take thy stead; that joy look thou nought sell!
In earth thou hate, I rede, all that thy love may fell:
For Love is stalworth as the death, Love is hard as hell.

Love is a light burden, Love gladdeth young and old;
Love is without pine, as lovers have me told;
Love is a ghostly wine, that makes men big and bold:
Of Love shall he nothing tyne that it in heart will hold.

But fleshly love shall fare as doth the flower in May
And lasting be no more than one hour of a day,
And sithen sigh full sore their lust, their pride, their play,
When they are cast in care, till pine that lasteth aye.

Jesu is Love that lasteth aye: to Him is our longing:
Jesu the night turneth to day, the dawning into spring.
Jesu think on us now and aye: for Thee we hold our King;
Jesu give us grace, as Thou well may, to love Thee without ending.