Love’s History + 

Love, the baby, + 

Crept abroad to pluck a flower: + 

One said, Yes, sir; one said, Maybe; + 

One said, Wait the hour. + 

Love, the boy, + 

Joined the youngsters at their play: + 

But they gave him little joy, + 

And he went away. + 

Love, the youth, + 

Roamed the country, quiver-laden; + 

From him fled away in sooth + 

Many a man and maiden! + 

Love, the man, + 

Sought a service all about; + 

But they called him feeble, one + 

They could do without. + 

Love, the aged, + 

Walking, bowed, the shadeless miles, + 

Read a volume many-paged, + 

Full of tears and smiles. + 

Love, the weary, + 

Tottered down the shelving road: + 

At its foot, lo, Night, the starry, + 

Meeting him from God! + 

“Love, the holy,” + 

Sang a music in her dome, + 

Sang it softly, sang it slowly, + 

“Love is coming home!” + 