VI.

Oh Love, oh wedded Love, of life the balm, Deep-anchored safety, haven sure of bliss. No passion-storms disturb thy blessed calm, No perfect joy hath Earth to show but this! Thine for true hearts the chaste yet rapturous kiss, Thine deathless sympathy through Life’s brief span, Through cloud and sunshine--thine, when serpents hiss, The dove’s pure breast. Self mars e’en Friendship’s plan; And _thou_ the sole true friend and confident of Man!