We must not doubt, or fear, or dread, that love for life is only given,
And that the calm and sainted dead will meet estranged and cold in heaven:—
O, Love were poor and vain indeed, based on so harsh and stern a creed.

True that this earth must pass away, with all the starry worlds of light,
With all the glory of the day, and calmer tenderness of night;
For in that radiant home can shine alone the immortal and divine.

Earth's lower things—her pride, her fame, her science, learning, wealth, and power—

Love much. Earth has enough of bitter in it;
—Cast sweets into its cup whene'er you can.
No heart so hard but love at last may win it.
—Yes, love on through doubt and darkness, and believe
There is no thing which love may not achieve.

Love much. Earth has enough of bitter in it;
—Cast sweets into its cup whene'er you can.
No heart so hard but love at last may win it.
—Yes, love on through doubt and darkness, and believe
There is no thing which love may not achieve.

I think true love is never blind,
—But rather brings an added light,
An inner vision quick to find
—The beauties hid from common sight.

No soul can ever clearly see
—Another's highest, noblest part;
Save through the sweet philosophy
—And loving wisdom of the heart.

Your unanointed eyes shall fall
—On him who fills my world with light;
You do not see my friend at all;
—You see what hides him from your sight.

I see the feet that fain would climb;
—You but the steps that turn astray;
I see the soul, unharmed, sublime;

Who does not love true poetry,
He lacks a bosom friend
—To walk with him
—And talk with him,
And all his steps attend.

Who does not love true poetry—
Its rhythmic throb and swing
—The treat of it
—The sweet of it,
Along the paths of Spring:

Its joyous lilting melody
In every passing breeze,
—The deep of it,
—The sweep of it,
Through hours of toil or ease;

Its grandeur and sublimity—
Its majesty and might—
—The feel of it,
—The peal of it,
Through all the lonely night;

Though on the wings of Thought I distance
The star-vault's pallid bound,
'Tis Love must fill my heart's insistence
With heaven on earthly ground.

Angel heart and woman form!
All my praise thou art above;
Thou hast cleared my life of storm
With the sunshine of thy love.

Let me love thee my life long,
Then in heaven renew my song,
When thy day of death shall part
Woman form and angel heart!

Where art thou? And for whom, O lady mine,
Dost temper the keen ray of thy dark eyes?
For whom dost thou in soft tones harmonise
The secret music of that heart of thine?

Dost thou, my sweet, 'mid flowers and grass recline,
Dreamily gazing at the windy skies?
Or of some wooing stream art thou the prize,
To whose embrace thou dost thy limbs resign?

Oh, whereso'er thou art, whether the breeze
With soft, delicious murmur fans thy face,
Or water sleeps on thy white shoulders, these

Believe to be my love, which lends its grace

Why , my heart, do we love her so?
(Geraldine, Geraldine!)
Why does the great sea ebb and flow?—
Why does the round world spin?
Geraldine, Geraldine,
Bid me my life renew:
What is it worth unless I win,
Love—love and you?

Why, my heart, when we speak her name
(Geraldine, Geraldine!)
Throbs the word like a flinging flame?—
Why does the Spring begin?
Geraldine, Geraldine,
Bid me indeed to be:
Open your heart, and take us in,
Love—love and me.

It was only three days ago,
I sadly said good-bye.
To all my pretty flowers, and wept
To think that they must die.

To my beautiful tea-rose
Which by my window stood;
Which then was full of blossoms
And tender shoots and bud.

And to my scarlet-flowering sage,
And petunias red and white,
My zinnias and my dahlias,
And yellow 'sturtiums bright.

I said good-bye with tear-dimmed eyes,
For were not these the flowers
Which to me had been comrades
Through by-gone summer hours?

Unto my friends I give my thoughts
Unto my God my soul,
Unto my foe I leave my love—
These are of life the whole.

Nay, there is something—a trifle—left;
Who shall receive this dower?
See, Earth Mother, a handful of dust—
Turn it into a flower.