MINE to the core of the heart, my beauty! Mine, all mine, and for love, not duty: Love given willingly, full and free, Love for love's sake -- as mine to thee. Duty's a slave that keeps the keys, But Love, the master, goes in and out Of his goodly chambers with song and shout, Just as he please -- just as he please. Mine, from the dear head's crown, brown-golden, To the silken foot that's scarce beholden; Give to a few friends hand or smile, Like a generous lady, now and awhile, But the sanctuary heart, that none dare win, Keep holiest of holiest evermore; The crowd in the aisles may watch the door, The high-priest only enters in. Mine, my own, without doubts or terrors, With all thy goodness, all thy errors, Unto me and to me alone revealed, "A spring shut up, a fountain sealed." Many may praise thee -- praise mine as thine, But thy heart of hearts, pure, faithful, and true, Must be mine, mine wholly, and only mine. Mine! -- God, I thank Thee that Thou hast given Something all mine on this side heaven: Something as much myself to be As this my soul, which I lift to Thee: Flesh of my flesh, bone of my bone, Life of my life, whom Thou dost make Two to the world for the world's work's sake -- But each unto each, as in Thy sight, one. |