I into life so full of love was sent
That all the shadows which fall on the way
Of every human being could not stay,
But fled before the light my spirit lent.

I saw the world through gold and crimson dyes:
Men sighed and said, "Those rosy hues will fade
As you pass on into the glare and shade!"
Still beautiful the way seems to mine eyes.

They said, "You are too jubilant and glad;
The world is full of sorrow and of wrong.
Full soon your lips shall breathe forth sighs — not song."
The day wears on, and yet I am not sad.

They said, "You love too largely, and you must,
Through wound on wound, grow bitter to your kind."
They were false prophets; day by day I find
More cause for love, and less cause for distrust.

They said, "Too free you give your soul's rare wine;
The world will quaff, but it will not repay."
Yet in the emptied flagons, day by day,
True hearts pour back a nectar as divine.

Thy heritage! Is it not love's estate?
Look to it, then, and keep its soil well tilled.
I hold that my best wishes are fulfilled
Because I love so much, and cannot hate.

'Tis a world of silences. I gave a cry
In the first sorrow my heart could not withstand; 
I saw men pause, and listen, and look sad, 
As though an answer in their hearts they had;
Some turned away, some came and took my hand, 
For all reply.

I stood beside a grave. Years had passed by; 
Sick with unanswered life I turned to death, 
And whispered all my question to the grave, 
And watched the flowers desolately wave, 
And grass stir on it with a fitful breath, 
For all reply.

I raised my eyes to heaven; my prayer went high 
Into the luminous mystery of the blue; 
My thought of God was purer than a flame 
And God it seemed a little nearer came, 
Then passed; and greater still the silence grew, 
For all reply.

But you! If I can speak before I die, 
I spoke to you with all my soul, and when 
I look at you 'tis still my soul you see. 
Oh, in your heart was there no word for me? 
All would have answered had you answered then 
With even a sigh.