Classic Poem

Love feeds upon the fiery trial,
And hugs the arm that smites;
I bless you for your stern denial,
And for my lonely nights.

If you had heaped my flame with fue,
And been, as I was, blind,
Time might have proved your favour cruel,
Your tenderness unkind.

The longing flesh outwears the spirit,
The body tires the soul;
By giving, we but half inherit,
By holding back, the whole.

The world may keep its brutal fashion,
And crush the rose to death;
Our ecstasy of virgin passion
Will scent our latest breath.

I lose you, but I gain, in losing,
Your very life and heart;
Of all that makes time sweet, in choosing,
We chose the better part.

I lose you, but I gain for ever
More than mere lovers hold;
I gain your ocean for their river,
And for their dross, your gold.

Then love me, my Desire, my Wonder,
Through change of world and weather!
Our hearts may louder beat asunder
Than when they throbbed together.