Poems (Linn)/The Stronger Love
THE STRONGER LOVE.
WHEN my soul glows beneath thy tender kiss;When faint from loving, all my heart lies bareBefore thee, then thou sayest, "Love is rareThat is so very strong." Belovèd, thisIs not the strongest love. As they but missThe splendor of the Lord who seek him whereThe loudest chants break the cathedral's air,So he knows not love's purest, perfect blissWho strives in outward signs its power to read.My strongest love is this, that wills to bearAll shame and sorrow for thee; that at needWill serve thee, self-forgetting; that will dareAll great things for thee, and in absence heedNo other love, but live the vows I swear.