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."