LOVE’S ACCEPTANCE.
Love’s jewels are better than baubles.—
A palace may not be a home;
Unhappiness dwelling within it
Though jeweled from throne-room to dome
Love’s jewels are all that I ask for;
True love is more precious than gold,
I wish not for palace, nor mansion
Thine arms shall me ever enfold.
A sip from Love’s brook is far better
Than wine from a gold jeweled cup.
’Tis poison in chalice, if Hatred
Sits with us at table to sup.
The mirror I crave is the love-light
That beams in thine eyes, and thy face,
And, cottage when furnished with love-deeds;
Of poverty shows not a trace.
Love ever looks upward, not downward,
Will therefore not think of bare floor;
And will not fly out of the window,
Though Poverty enters at door.
My gowns may be cotton, or linen;
It matters but little to me.—
My beauty is not of much value,
Unless it is pleasing to thee.
The nest thou hast built by the brookside,
Is better, far better for me
Than mansion, or palace, or castle;
No shadow within shall there be.
But echoing songs of thy “birdling”
Shall fill every corner, and nook.
The willows shall be sylvan bowers;
And fountain of love shall be brook.