Love's Answer

I said to Love, "Lo, one thing troubles me! 
How shall I show the way in which I love ? 
Is any word or look or kiss enough 
To show to her my love's extremity ? 
What is there I can say, or do, that she 
May know the strength and utter depth thereof? 
For words are weak, such love as mine to prove, 
Though I should pour them forth unceasingly."

Then fell Love's smile upon me, as he said, 
"Thou art a child in love, not knowing this, — 
That could she know thy love by word or kiss, 
Or gauge it by its show, 't were all but dead; 
For not by bounds, but shoreless distances. 
Full knowledge of the sea is compassed."