Love's Wisdom

Alfred Austin

1835 to 1913

Poem Image

Now on the summit of Love's topmost peak 
Kiss we and part ; no farther can we go: 
And better death than we from high to low 
Should dwindle or decline from strong to weak. 
We have found all, there is no more to seek; 
All have we proved, no more is there to know; 
And Time could only tutor us to eke 
Out rapture's warmth with custom's afterglow. 
We cannot keep at such a height as this;
And even straining souls like ours inhale 
But once in life so rarefied a bliss. 
What if we lingered till love's breath should fail! 
Heaven of my Earth! one more celestial kiss, 
Then down by separate pathways to the vale.