SACRIFICE.
Though love repine, and reason chafe,
There came a voice without reply,—
‘’Tis man’s perdition to be safe,
When for the truth he ought to die.’
PERICLES.
Well and wisely said the Greek,
Be thou faithful, but not fond;
To the altar’s foot thy fellow seek,
The Furies wait beyond.
CASELLA.
Test of the poet is knowledge of love,
For Eros is older than Saturn or Jove;
Never was poet, of late or of yore,
Who was not tremulous with love-lore.
SHAKSPEARE.
I see all human wits
Are measured but a few,
Unmeasured still my Shakspeare sits,
Lone as the blessed Jew.
HAFIZ.
Her passions the shy violet
From Hafiz never hides;
Love-longings of the raptured bird
The bird to him confides.