Richard Watson Gilder - Written on a Fly-Leaf of "Shakespeare's Sonnets" lyrics

When shall true love be love without alloy: Shine free at last from sinful circumstance! When shall the canker of unheavenly chance Eat not the bud of that most heavenly joy! When shall true love meet love not as a coy Retreating light that leads a d**hful dance, But as a firm fixed fire that doth enhance The beauty of all beauty! Will the employ Of poets ever be too well to show That mightiest love with sharpest pain doth writhe; That underneath the fair, caressing glove Hides evermore the iron hand; and though Love's flower alone is good, if we could prove Its perfect bloom, our breath slays like a scythe!