Alexander Anderson

The Spirit of Love

The Spirit of Love came down upon the earth,
 He came full-breath'd and strong,
And ever as he went a glorious birth
 Grew forth in flowers and song.

The trees burst into buds, and in all love
 Shook forth their morning hymn,
While the white clouds kept silent watch above,
 Like veilëd cherubim.

The populous birds from out their leafy bound
 Made music everywhere,
And shook with thrills of modulated sound
 The rich and balmy air.

The brooklet, silent for a weary time,
 Broke into gush and flow,
And sang, as poets sing their first sweet rhyme,
 Its pæan soft and low.

The flowers came forth and spread, in meek surprise,
 Their hues of varied tone,
And gave, full-hearted, to the happy skies
 An incense all their own.

A murmur like a fairy's song went through
 The earth's life-heaving breast;
Then sank away, as all such murmurs do,
 In ecstacies of rest.

So where that Spirit stood, in holy mirth—
 By wood, or hill, or stream—
A smile, as if the sky had fallen to earth,
 Woke up with angel beam.

And in that smile the leaves and flowers took part,
 To make earth sweet and fair.
O Spirit of Love! come thou into my heart
 And make all blossom there.