I Said to Love

 I said to Love, 
"It is not now as in old days 
When men adored thee and thy ways 
 All else above; 
Named thee the Boy, the Bright, the One 
Who spread a heaven beneath the sun," 
 I said to Love. 

 I said to him, 
"We now know more of thee than then; 
We were but weak in judgment when, 
 With hearts abrim, 
We clamoured thee that thou would'st please 
Inflict on us thine agonies," 
 I said to him. 

 I said to Love, 
"Thou art not young, thou art not fair, 
No faery darts, no cherub air, 
 Nor swan, nor dove 
Are thine; but features pitiless, 
And iron daggers of distress," 
 I said to Love. 

 "Depart then, Love! . . . 
- Man's race shall end, dost threaten thou? 
The age to come the man of now 
 Know nothing of? - 
We fear not such a threat from thee; 
We are too old in apathy! 
Mankind shall cease.--So let it be," 
 I said to Love.

Form: Dramatic Monologue Comments

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Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace