Classic Poem

Love, I would have thee as the snow is, white
And pure on hilltops of the winter day;
Thou shouldst have sovereign rule, the spirit sway
Of beauty, wide and shining as the light.
Thou shouldst be as the evening star is, bright
As heaven can make it; all thy summer way
The melodies of June should sing and play
In thee, the darling of the day and night.
But I would have thee human first and last,
One not untouched by trouble, sought of sin,
Thine innocence not accident, but choice.
Fit then my service: I should have no past,
No future; newly would my life begin,
Obedient to the music of thy voice.