Richard Watson Gilder

The New Day. Part 3. 8. “Thy Lover, Love, Would Have Some Nobler Way”

Thy lover, Love, would have some nobler way
     ⁠To tell his love, his noble love to tell,
⁠     Than rhymes set ringing like a silver bell.
⁠     O, he would lead an army, great and gay,
From conquering to conquer, day by day!
⁠     And when the walls of a proud citadel
⁠     At summons of his guns far-echoing fell—
     ⁠That thunder to his Love should murmuring say:
Thee only do I love, dear Love of mine!
⁠     And while men cried: Behold how brave a fight!
⁠     She should read well, O, well! each new emprize:
This to her lips, this to my lady's eyes!
⁠     And tho' the world were conquered, line on line,
     ⁠Still would his love be speechless, day and night.