The Silken Tassel/The Measure of Love
The Measure of Love
Those that are hurl'd in hell are damn'd and done;
But here, within thy glorious heaven, O Love!
Where joy and bliss should reign all things above,
Why all this pain and sorrow? Beloved one!
But here, within thy glorious heaven, O Love!
Where joy and bliss should reign all things above,
Why all this pain and sorrow? Beloved one!
How can these sharp-edged shadows cut and run
The light from heart and eyes, and ever move
Tormenting all the being, but to prove
That Love is not all heaven and not all sun?
The light from heart and eyes, and ever move
Tormenting all the being, but to prove
That Love is not all heaven and not all sun?
How can we measure thee, O Love? Thou art
A rainbow bright between a smile and frown;
Thy twilight wings set night and day aglow:
A rainbow bright between a smile and frown;
Thy twilight wings set night and day aglow:
For while we stand by thee with throbbing heart,
We trembling dream a scaffold or a crown,
And thread-like hang between thy Yes and No!
We trembling dream a scaffold or a crown,
And thread-like hang between thy Yes and No!