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Love Cometh Asunder
What dost thou think of love?
I
Like shield from broken pieces
Whence the soul leaveth the heart
Of diff’rent faces masked love
Of desires, truth set apart
When mine heart speaketh of love
My soul heareth from behind
For what the heart saith to me
Only within shall I find
O, love cometh asunder!
Falleth upon all ages
Through and through I tender
So fragile in all stages
II
Liken thee to sky o’ercast
Radiant smoke, drawn thinly layr’d
Carded wool may without form
Varied season, surly, fair’d
Watery fresh, thin and light
Cleansest breathing dust devoid
But when thy shade casteth on
Angst poureth down splendor foiled
O, love cometh asunder!
A god, saint, a deity
Surround me with thine halo
Natheless blithe I-- hazed by thee
III
Whenever that striketh me
Like lightning from the rain cloud
It hiteth me so potently
Cause that it fireth me proud
It poureth blood to mine heart
Wished I the rain ne’er stop
When hope be outside of time
The cloud giveth not a drop
O, love cometh asunder!
Why dost thou come in so li’l?
Whereby mine heart seizeth few
And not amply thou I feel
IV
If earth’s age thou art each day
Why shouldst thou allow the night?
To vanquish thy brightness so
Why shouldst thou let hatred fight?
In the sea thou art each isle
Why hath sea thou disunite?
If so be will tide subside
Only thou remain in sight
O, love cometh asunder!
Though much, could not fill the land
Drown me unto thine expanse
Like sea when it toucheth sand
V
Thou be rock or thou be stone
My soul be sun, mine heart be moist
My scorching heat hardened thee
Assuage thou hadst exploit
How will I then treat thee rock?
If softened thou makest tear
If stiffened thou causest hurt
Innocence and wit have sere
O, love cometh asunder!
Catcheth me like grass of spring
Resteth me, who’s so weary
Begotten voice, thou mayst sing!
VI
When I lose my heart to ane
I love but not entirely
Thence should I admire anew
My affect for ane doth mew
Canst thou love not be so pure?
Pure as lover as can be?
Nay, so when love I to next
Lakke love not, ‘tis e’er faulty
O, love cometh asunder!
Foolishness art some of thee
Selfishness ariseth o’er
Oft-judged unwisely of me
VII
Love not one who be pretty
But love the one who be kind
Heart knoweth merely beauty
But the soul knoweth ‘tis pride
When lure befalleth to thee
Of feeling the truth but not
No sooner it hath reveal
Than thou wilt realize naught
O, love cometh asunder!
Whereunto all gaps and hole
In mine heart are no longer
Lo, mirth danceth in my soul!
2002
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