Classic Poem

I heard Love's footfall muffled, faltering —
Love of the friendly eyes —
All eagerly I bade him in
And made him room to bide,
My home to be his sheltering
I flung him wide the door,
And still Love of the friendly eyes
Asked more.

I spread my hoarded treasuries,
Poured music's mounting wine,
Nor spared the purple of my hills —
Great moons athwart my pines,
I filled his glass with suns and stars
All out of reach before —
And still Love of the hungry eyes
Craved more.

I shared my Saint's companioning,
High legendries of death,
By childhood faith and phantasy
I bade Love be refreshed,
Within my arms I gave him rest,
My heart his burden bore —
And still Love of the weary eyes
Sought more.

I heard Love whispering unstilled —
Love of the stranger eyes —
And gave my body to be burned
In his consuming fires,
And kept that love without which gift
My deed no halo wore —
And still Love of the sleepless eyes
Took more.

Then given, burned in Love's duress
Arose my shriven soul —
That lost for Love in very truth
With Love had been made whole,
To look in Love's immortal eyes
With heaven nor hell denied,
And then Love of the hidden eyes
Slept satisfied.