Love's Language.

    How does Love speak?
        In the faint flush upon the tell-tale cheek,
        And in the pallor that succeeds it; by
        The quivering lid of an averted eye -
        The smile that proves the patent to a sigh -
    Thus doth Love speak.

    How does Love speak?
        By the uneven heart-throbs, and the freak
        Of bounding pulses that stand still and ache,
        While new emotions, like strange barges, make
        Along vein-channels their disturbing course;
        Still as the dawn, and with the dawn's swift force -
    Thus doth Love speak.

    How does Love speak?
        In the avoidance of that which we seek -
        The sudden silence and reserve when near -
        The eye that glistens with an unshed tear -
        The joy that seems the counterpart of fear,
        As the alarmed heart leaps in the breast,
        And knows and names and greets its godlike guest -
    Thus doth Love speak.

    How does Love speak?
        In the proud spirit suddenly grown meek -
        The haughty heart grown humble; in the tender
        And unnamed light that floods the world with splendor;
        In the resemblance which the fond eyes trace
        In all fair things to one beloved face;
        In the shy touch of hands that thrill and tremble;
        In looks and lips that can no more dissemble -
    Thus doth Love speak.

    How does Love speak?
        In the wild words that uttered seem so weak
        They shrink ashamed to silence; in the fire
        Glance strikes with glance, swift flashing high and higher
        Like lightnings that precede the mighty storm;
        In the deep, soulful stillness; in the warm,
        Impassioned tide that sweeps through throbbing veins
        Between the shores of keen delight and pains;
        In the embrace where madness melts in bliss,
        And in the convulsive rapture of a kiss -
    Thus doth Love speak.