’Twas faithful to his future wife.
Coventry Patmore.
CCLXXI
THEN.
I give thee treasures hour by hour,
That old-time princes asked in vain,
And pined for in their useless power,
Or died of passion’s eager pain.
I give thee love as God gives light, 5
Aside from merit, or from prayer,
Rejoicing in its own delight,