10
Poems
You gave me rapture, and I give
Body and heart and soul, and live
Vassal alone to thee.
Love me as long as love is joy,
Nor let one troubled thought annoy,
Nor fear reproach from me.
Body and heart and soul, and live
Vassal alone to thee.
Love me as long as love is joy,
Nor let one troubled thought annoy,
Nor fear reproach from me.
The world will say that I am wrong,
And often from the soulless throng
Will hiss the word, "Disgrace!"
But when I stand before God's throne,—
Either with you, or quite alone,—
I'll meet Him face to face!
And often from the soulless throng
Will hiss the word, "Disgrace!"
But when I stand before God's throne,—
Either with you, or quite alone,—
I'll meet Him face to face!
For He must know the soul He made
Was dowered too richly for mere trade
In dull Convention's mart;
Too strong to wear the bonds of creeds,
Too brave to whine o'er perished deeds,
Too true to sell the heart.
Was dowered too richly for mere trade
In dull Convention's mart;
Too strong to wear the bonds of creeds,
Too brave to whine o'er perished deeds,
Too true to sell the heart.
"Those who aspire and they who love!"
A poet's pen once strove to prove
The rest are lower down;
And I, who love and who aspire,—
Reach for and snatch Prometheus's fire,—
Smile at each pygmy's frown.
A poet's pen once strove to prove
The rest are lower down;
And I, who love and who aspire,—
Reach for and snatch Prometheus's fire,—
Smile at each pygmy's frown.
