LXXXIII
Reading edition
WHEN thou, dear one, hast lived as long as I, And seen the world give treasures unto youth (Like some swift river, rushing to its mouth), And drunk the cup of worldly pleasure dry, And felt enjoyment passing with a sigh, And in the night seen goblins all uncouth Dance round the corse of pleasure, dead in truth, And in thine heart is echoed sorrow’s cry: Then mayst thou come, with me, Love, to believe That better than all else, is to obtain The heart’s affection of one single being, That unto thee like adamant may cleave; And lighten on its way life’s palsied pain; So that love’s heaven thou art alway seeing.