Classic Poem

WHEREIN HER NEARNESS IS WELL WORTH THE VARIOUS PERILS OF THE JOURNEY

Love, who puts wings on heart and feet that so
To the third heaven his servant lightly soar,
In one brief day has many a stream and shore
In proud Ardennes permitted me to know.
How sweet alone and weaponless to go
Through danger swift to strike; how sweet — and more —
To plow the storm without a sail, an oar;
To overcome some vague but constant foe!
But, once arrived my desperate journey's end,
Recalling whence I came and by whose pinion,
From over-courage conscious terrors dart:
Only this lovely stream, this dear dominion
With radiant reassurance ease my heart
Where dwells its light, its sole and fugitive friend.