A Message from Love

I do not come among you as Christ came,
To preach eternal life, for well I know.
The soul and body both one way must go.
But on my heart this message, as in flame,
Was written: Go thou forth, now! and proclaim
Love's glory, for the folk rebellious grow;
My sacred images they overthrow,
And do blaspheme against my holy name.

Dante, and he who served with equal heart,
For love, the poet and the painter's art.
They make their jest of; Love is dead, they say.
And other gods we worship in this day.
Better than love is lust; love made men sad,
And we who labor, labor to be glad.