Silent in Love

Love culminates in bliss when it doth reach
A white, unflickering, fear-consuming glow ;
And, knowing it is known as it doth know,
Needs no assuring word or soothing speech.
It craves but silent nearness, so to rest,
No sound, no movement, love not heard but felt,
Longer and longer still, till time should melt,
A snow-flake on the eternal ocean's breast.

Have moments of this silence starred thy past,
Made memory a glory-haunted place,
Taught all the joy that mortal ken can trace ?
By greater light 't is but a shadow cast ; —
So shall the Lord thy God rejoice o'er thee,
And in His love will rest, and silent be.