O love, of pure and heavenly birth! O simple truth, scarce known on earth! Whom men resist with stubborn will; And, more perverse and daring still, Smother and quench, with reasonings vain, While error and deception reign. | Whence comes it, that, your power the same As His on high from whence you came, Ye rarely find a listening ear, Or heart that makes you welcome here?— Because ye bring reproach and pain, Where'er ye visit, in your train. | The world is proud, and cannot bear The scorn and calumny ye share; The praise of men the mark they mean, They fly the place where ye are seen; Pure love, with scandal in the rear, Suits not the vain; it costs too dear. | Then, let the price be what it may, Though poor, I am prepared to pay; Come shame, come sorrow; spite of tears, Weakness, and heart–oppressing fears; One soul, as least, shall not repine, To give you room; come, reign in mine! | |