“IF I COULD KNOW, LOVE.”
If I could know, love, that some single prayer
From my full heart’s supreme desires for thee,
With rich fulfillment would be granted me
By Him who gave us to each other,—where
Could I find truer wish than this: “O spare
My life to him!” For surely love should be
Love’s best interpreter; an argosy
Freighted with all earth’s joy, wert thou not there,—
Beside me always—how could I be glad
In aught of this? my own great speechless need,
Not only of the love I once have had,
But of thy presence, teaches me to read
The deep, unspoken prayer thy heart would add
To mine, if highest heaven could lean to heed!