Part 2

Earth's lower things--her pride, her fame, her science, learning, wealth and power-- Slow growths that through long ages came, or fruits of some convulsive hour, Whose very memory must decay--Heaven is too pure for such as they.

They are complete: their work is done. So let them sleep in endless rest. Love's life is only here begun, nor is, nor can be, fully blest; It has no room to spread its wings, amid this crowd of meaner things.

Just for the very shadow thrown upon its sweetness here below, The cross that it must bear alone, and bloody baptism of woe, Crowned and completed through its pain, we know that it shall rise again.

So if its flame burn pure and bright, here, where our air is dark and dense, And nothing in this world of night lives with a living so intense; When it shall reach its home at length--how bright its light! how strong its strength!

And while the vain weak loves of earth (for such base counterfeits abound) Shall perish with what gave them birth--their graves are green and fresh around, No funeral song shall need to rise, for the true Love that never dies.

If in my heart I now could fear that, risen again, we should not know What was our Life of Life when here--the hearts we loved so much below; I would arise this very day, and cast so poor a thing away.

But Love is no such soulless clod: living, perfected it shall rise Transfigured in the light of God, and giving glory to the skies: And that which makes this life so sweet, shall render Heaven's joy complete.

VERSE: A WARNING

Place your hands in mine, dear, With their rose-leaf touch: If you heed my warning, It will spare you much.

Ah! with just such smiling Unbelieving eyes, Years ago I heard it:- You shall be more wise.

You have one great treasure Joy for all your life; Do not let it perish In one reckless strife.

Do not venture all, child, In one frail, weak heart; So, through any shipwreck, You may save a part.

Where your soul is tempted Most to trust your fate, There, with double caution, Linger, fear, and wait.

Measure all you give--still Counting what you take; Love for love: so placing Each an equal stake.

Treasure love; though ready Still to live without. In your fondest trust, keep Just one thread of doubt.

Build on no to-morrow; Love has but to-day: If the links seem slackening, Cut the bond away.

Trust no prayer nor promise; Words are grains of sand; To keep your heart unbroken, Hold it in your hand.

That your love may finish Calm as it begun, Learn this lesson better, Dear, than I have done.

Years hence, perhaps, this warning You shall give again, In just the self-same words, dear, And--just as much--in vain.

VERSE: MAXIMUS

Many, if God should make them kings, Might not disgrace the throne He gave; How few who could as well fulfil The holier office of a slave.

I hold him great who, for Love's sake Can give, with generous, earnest will,-- Yet he who takes for Love's sweet sake, I think I hold more generous still.

I prize the instinct that can turn From vain pretence with proud disdain; Yet more I prize a simple heart; Paying credulity with pain.

I bow before the noble mind That freely some great wrong forgives; Yet nobler is the one forgiven, Who bears that burden well, and lives.

It may be hard to gain, and still To keep a lowly steadfast heart Yet he who loses has to fill A harder and a truer part.

Glorious it is to wear the crown Of a deserved and pure success;-- He who knows how to fail has won A Crown whose lustre is not less.

Great may he be who can command And rule with just and tender sway; Yet is diviner wisdom taught Better by him who can obey.

Blessed are those who die for God, And earn the Martyr's crown of light-- Yet he who lives for God may be A greater Conqueror in His sight.