How Does Love Speak?

How does Love speak?

In the faint flush upon the tell-tale cheek,

And in the pallor that succeeds it; by

The quivering lid of an averted eye -

The smile that proves the parent of a sigh:

Thus doth Love speak.

How does Love speak?

By the uneven heart-throbs, and the freak

Of bounding pulses that stand still and ache

While new emotions, like strange barges, make

Along vein-channels their disturbing course,

Still as the dawn, and with the dawn's swift force:

Thus doth Love speak.

How does Love speak?

In the avoidance of that which we seek

The sudden silence and reserve when near;

The eye that glistens with an unshed tear;

The joy that seems the counterpart of fear,

As the alarmed heart leads in the breast,

And knows, and names, and greets its godlike guest:

Thus doth Love speak.

How does Love speak?

In the proud spirit suddenly grown meek,

The haughty heart grown humble; in the tender

And unnamed light that floods the world with splendour;

In the resemblance which the fond eyes trace

In all fair things to one beloved face;

In the shy touch of hands that thrill and tremble;

In looks and lips that can no more dissemble:

Thus doth Love speak.

How does Love speak?

In wild words that uttered seem so weak

They shrink ashamed to silence; in the fire

Glance strikes with glance, swift flashing high and higher,

Like lightnings that precede the mighty storm

In the deep, soulful stillness; in the warm,

Impassioned tide that sweeps thro' throbbing veins,

Between the shores of keen delights and pains;

In the embrace where madness melts in bliss,

And in the convulsive rapture of a kiss:

Thus doth Love speak.