Love
A life was mine full of the close concernOf many-voiced affairs. The world sped fast;Behind me, ever rolled a pregnant past.A present came equipped with lore to learn.Art, science, letters, in their turn,Each one allured me with its treasures vast;And I staked all for wisdom, till at lastThou cam’st and taught my soul anew to yearn.I had not dreamed that I could turn awayFrom all that men with brush and pen had wrought;But ever since that memorable dayWhen to my heart the truth of love was brought,I have been wholly yielded to its sway,And had no room for any other thought.