In tender love hath lain upon her breast?
Which do I love best? When our first-born came,
And his low wailing filled my darkened room
On my soul’s altar glowed an incense-flame,
And light ineffable dispersed the gloom
And since that hour, heart-music rare and sweet
Hath floated through my spirit’s inmost cell;
Oft hath its low peal given me strength to meet
Alike Care’s thrall and Pleasure’s luring spell.
And I have felt there was a holier power