To love in solitude and mystery

To love in solitude and mystery;
To prize one only who can ne'er be mine;
To see a dark gulf yawn all fearfully
Between myself and my selected shrine,
And prodigal to one -myself a slave-
What harvest reap I from the seed I gave?

Love answers with a dear and subtle wile;
For he incarnate comes in such sweet guise,
That, using but the weapon of a smile,
And gazing on me with love-kindling eyes,
I can no more resist the strong control,
But to his worship dedicate my soul.

The Keepsake, 1832.