"If it be true that any beauteous thing
Raises the pure and just desire of man
From earth to God, the eternal fount of all,
Such I believe my love: for, as in her
So fair, in whom I all besides forget,
I view the gentle work of her Creator;
I have no care for any other thing
Whilst thus I love. Nor is it marvellous,
Since the effect is not of my own power,
If the soul doth by nature, tempted forth,
Enamored through the eyes,
Repose upon the eyes which it resembleth,
And through them riseth to the primal love,
As to its end, and honors in admiring:
For who adores the Maker needs must love his work."
"If a chaste love, exalted piety,
If equal fortune between two who love,
Whose every joy and sorrow are the same,
One spirit only governing two hearts,--
If one soul in two bodies made eterne,
Raising them both to Heaven on equal wings,--
If the same flame, one undivided ray,
Shine forth to each, from inward unity,--
If mutual love, for neither's self reserved,
Desiring only the return of love,--
If that which one desires the other swift
Anticipates, impelled by an unconscious power,--
Are signs of an indissoluble faith,
Shall aught have power to loosen such a bond?"