Tasso to Leonora

If to love solitude because my heart
May undisturbed upon thy image dwell,
And in the world to bear a cheerful part
To hide the fond thoughts that its pulses swell;
If to recall with credulous delight
Affection's faintest semblances in thee,
To feel thy breath upon my cheek at night,
And start in anguish that it may not be;
If in thy presence ceaselessly to know
Delicious peace, a feeling as of wings,
Content divine within my bosom glow,
A noble scorn of all unworthy things — i
The quiet bliss that fills one's natal air,
When once again it fans the wanderer's brow,
The conscious spirit of the good and fair —
The wish to be forever such as now;
If in thy absence still to feel thee nigh,
Or with impatient longings waste the day,
If to be haunted by thy love-lit eye —
If for thy good devotedly to pray;
And chiefly sorrow that but half reveal'd
Can be the tenderness that in me lies,
That holiest pleasure must be all conceal'd —
Shrinking from heartless scoff or base surmise;
If, as my being's crowning grace, to bless.
The hour we recognised each other's truth,
And with calm joy unto my soul confess
That thou hast realized the dreams of youth —
My spirit's mate, long cherish'd, though unknown,
Friend of my heart bestow'd on me by God,
At whose approach all visions else have flown
From the vain path which I so long have trod;
If from thy sweet caress to bear new life
As one possess'd by a celestial spell,
That armeth me against all outward strife,
And ever breathes the watchword — all is well;
If with glad firmness, casting doubt aside,
To bare my heart to thee without disguise,
And yield it up as to my chosen bride.
Feeling that life vouchsafes no dearer prize;
If thus to blend my very soul with thine
By mutual consecration, watching o'er
The hallow'd bond with loyalty divine —
If this be love, — I love forevermore!