Love Attacked

Love is more sweet than flowers,
But sooner dying;
Warmer than sunny hours,
But faster flying;

Softer than music whispers.
Springing with day.
To murmur till the vespers.

Then die away;
More kind than friendship's greeting.
But as untrue;
Brighter than hope, but fleeting

More swiftly too.
Like breath of summer breezes
Gently it sighs,
But soon alas one ceases,

The other dies:
And like an inundation
It leaves behind
An utter desolation

Of heart and mind.
Who then would court Love's presence,
If here below
It can but be the essence

Of restless woe?
Returned or unrequited,
'Tis still the same;
The flame was never lighted.

Or sinks the flame.
Yet all, both fools and sages.
Have felt its power.
In distant lands and ages, --

Here, at this hour.
Then what from fear and weeping
Shall give me rest?
Oh tell me, ye who sleeping

At length are blest!
In answer to my crying,
Sounds like incense
Rose from the earth, replying,
"Indifference."