TO AN EARLY FRIEND.
153
And well for me that there
We played together! in my heart, thy Book
Beloved from olden days, thou wouldst not look
So oft or fondly, maybe, flung aside
With childish things, but for its margin wide
With pictures stored I Yet now we will not take
This love of ours to pieces; who would strew
A blossom, leaf by leaf, to learn it grew
As grow the flowers? Now love me for the sake
Of blessed Eden; if thou wilt, believe
Me fairer than I am! it will not grieve
My soul to borrow of thy wealth, and be
Attired in splendour that belongs to Thee:
Thou givest freely, for the heart is wise
And bountiful and rich; with naked eyes
It seeth never; like a child that takes
Some thing of little price that nearest lies
To be its treasure, well content it makes
From out its very joy its Paradise!
We played together! in my heart, thy Book
Beloved from olden days, thou wouldst not look
So oft or fondly, maybe, flung aside
With childish things, but for its margin wide
With pictures stored I Yet now we will not take
This love of ours to pieces; who would strew
A blossom, leaf by leaf, to learn it grew
As grow the flowers? Now love me for the sake
Of blessed Eden; if thou wilt, believe
Me fairer than I am! it will not grieve
My soul to borrow of thy wealth, and be
Attired in splendour that belongs to Thee:
Thou givest freely, for the heart is wise
And bountiful and rich; with naked eyes
It seeth never; like a child that takes
Some thing of little price that nearest lies
To be its treasure, well content it makes
From out its very joy its Paradise!
