Though all the world should stand aside, <br />And leave you to your sorrow, <br />And you from none, or near, or wide, <br />A smile or tear could borrow; <br />I still would stand with arms outspread, <br />In love and trust unshaken, <br />To make a nest for that dear head, <br />By all the rest forsaken. <br /> <br />Come, let me crouch beside your knees, <br />And we will talk together- <br />You who have passed o'er stormy seas, <br />And I through tranquil weather. <br />What is to me the shallow scoff <br />Of pert or pious sneerer? <br />Let the base crowd move further off, <br />I only creep the nearer. <br /> <br />Sweet child! 'tis not your deep blue eyes, <br />Nor yet your raven tresses, <br />Nor that strange mystic look, more wise <br />Than all your mouth expresses: <br />'Tis not your face, 'tis not your form, <br />Your accents bright and clever, <br />Which bind me with a strength enorm, <br />And make me yours for ever. <br /> <br />And yet, and yet, 'tis all of these, <br />But oh! 'tis something rarer, <br />Makes every pleasing grace more please, <br />And each fair charm the fairer. <br />It is because your soul is high, <br />If your affections lowly, <br />That I prostrate myself and sigh <br />Before a shrine too holy. <br /> <br />And if fell clouds quenched girlhood's beam, <br />And cast their shadow o'er it, <br />Your lustre now doth brighter seem <br />For those dark days before it. <br />Like those fair lamps that change by night <br />Their radiance with their motion- <br />Burn low, then fling a flood of light <br />Athwart the murky ocean.<br /><br />Alfred Austin<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/though-all-the-world/
