Classic Poem

“DEAR Dove, both Love and Life command we wed,”
Spoke I. She smiled and shook her sage young head,
And mused, and gravely said: “Before we met,
Life had ruled straight our page, and rules it yet.
Though Love be come to light that even Way,

What else has changed? The filial tasks of day,
Your day and mine, cannot be put aside
That selfish Love alone be glorified.
Did daily duty done not keep us blest
Our infinite love were infinite unrest.

Our separate earnings still our Aged need—
Spare me, dear love, you shake me when you plead.”