He who hath never been in love Hath half his powers still to prove. He knoweth not how keen to see His love-enlightened eyes may be, How gay his wit, how bright his tongue, His soul how strong, his heart how young. He who hath never been in love Hath half his folly still to prove. He knoweth not the silliness His tongue is able to express, What jealousy, what license bold, What pettiness, his heart may hold. He who hath never been in love, Half his delights are still to prove. He knoweth not the subtle charm Of tender hand, of clasping arm, Nor half the joys that leap and start From woman's eyes and mouth and heart. He who hath never been in love Hath half his torments still to prove. He knoweth not what frets absurd Uncoil from careless look and word, Nor how his peace may be undone Before two wills are bound in one. He who hath never been in love, -- How to the dullard can I prove That all the folly lovers show Is naught to that new power they know, And all the torments that annoy Are merest motes within their joy? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BUTCHER SHOP by DAVID IGNATOW MORNING, NOON AND NIGHT by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON DOMESDAY BOOK: AT FAIRBANKS by EDGAR LEE MASTERS PEOPLE'S SURROUNDINGS by MARIANNE MOORE THE POET'S TESTAMENT by GEORGE SANTAYANA THE DIORAMA PAINTER AT THE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY by KAREN SWENSON |