A life renewed each seems bestowing; To what each other's heart-beats say! We disappear from time and space; OH, LOVE SO LONG AS LOVE THOU CANST Ο H, LOVE So long as love thou canst! Oh, love so long thy soul have need! And let thy heart forever glow And throb with love, and hold love's heat, So long on earth another heart Shall echo to its yearning beat. And who to thee his heart shall show, And not a moment make him sad! Guard well thy tongue; a bitter word Soon from the mouth of anger leaps. Oh, love so long as love thou canst! Oh, love so long thy soul have need! Thou kneelest down upon the grave, Thou mourn'st:-"Oh, look upon this heart, O God, it was not meant to wound!" But he, he sees and hears thee not; He comes not, he can never know: The mouth that kissed thee once says not, "Friend, I forgave thee long ago!" He did forgive thee long ago, Though many a hot tear bitter fell For thee and for thy angry word; But still he slumbers soft and well! Oh, love so long as love thou canst! Oh, love so long thy soul have need! The hour will come, the hour will come, When by the grave thy heart shall bleed! Translation of Dr. Edward Breck. |