“Love Well The Hour”

Heart of my heart, my life and light, If you were lost what should I do? I dare not let you from my sight, Lest Death should fall in love with you.

Such countless terrors lie in wait. The gods know well how dear you are: What if they left me desolate And plucked and set you for their star?

So hold my hand--the gods are strong, And perfect joy so rare a flower No man may hope to keep it long, And I might lose it any hour.

So, kiss me close, my star, my flower, Thus shall the future spare me this: The thought that there was ever an hour We might have kissed and did not kiss.