Gerald Massey

Love Me

"ALL dear as the feeling when first-flowers start,
        Thou cam'st in thy musical lightness:
And the cloud wept itself in rich rain on my heart,
        That had hidden thy beauty and brightness.
'Twas as Life's topmost window oped suddenly, bright
        With the glittering face of an Angel,
The sweet secret out-flasht on thy forehead of light,
        And I knew thee, my own love-Evangel!
O how shall I crown thee, Love, on my heart's throne,
        Thou art so far, far above me?"
And aye as her dear eyes lookt love in mine own,
        The Maiden answered, "Love me."

"My Beloved is fair as some beautiful star
        That walks in an air of glory:
And her large-hearted looks and her lineaments are
        As some Queen's of the old Greek story!
There's never night now, since those dear eyes of thine
        Smiled on me their soft sweet splendour,
And I drank of the wine of thy kisses divine:
        O what for such love shall I render?"
And aye, as I knelt at my true Love's shrine,
        She bent in her beauty above me:
And aye, as her sweet eyes lookt love into mine,
        The Maiden answered, "Love me."

"O could my heart, mountain-region'd in bliss,
        Thy life with Love's affluence dower,
Thou should'st have heaven in a world e'en like this,
        And the joy of a life in each hour!
Thou should'st go forth like a conquering queen,
        Reaping rich heartfuls of treasure,
Nor strive where the worn of heart wearily glean
        But handfuls, in harvesting pleasure."
And aye, as I knelt at my true Love's shrine,
        She bent in her beauty above me:
And aye, as her sweet eyes lookt love into mine,
        The Maiden answered, "Love me."