Classic Poem

Sweet my musings used to be,
Without shadow of distress,
Till the queen of loveliness,
Lowly, mild, yet frank as day,
Bade me put her love away;
Love so deeply wrought in me.
And because I answered not,
Nay, nor e'en her mercy sought,
All the joy of life is gone,
For it lived in her alone.

O my lady, hearken thee!
For thy wondrous tenderness,
Nor my faltering cry repress;
Bid thy faithful servant stay;
Deign to keep my love, I pray;
Let me not my rival see!
That which never cost thee aught
Were to me with rapture fraught.
Who would grudge the sick man's moan
When his pain is all his own?

Thou art wise as thou art fair,
And thy voice is ever kind;
Thou for all dost welcome find,
With a courtesy so bright,
Praise of all it doth invite.
Hope and comforting of care
In thy smile are born and live
Wheresoe'er thou dost arrive.
Not my love doth canonize,
But the truth and thine own price.

Unto one thus everywhere
In the praise of men enshrined,
What's my tribute unrefined?
And yet, lady of delight,
True it is, however trite.
He shall sway the balance fair
Who a single grain doth give,
Be the poise right sensitive.
So might one poor word suffice
To enhance thy dignities.