All that I ask, 'says Love, 'is just to stand And gaze, unchided, deep in thy dear eyes; For in their depths lies largest Paradise. Yet, if perchance one pressure of thy hand Be granted me, then joy I thought complete Were still more sweet.
'All that I ask, ' says Love, 'all that I ask, Is just thy hand clasp. Could I brush thy cheek As zephyrs brush a rose leaf, words are weak To tell the bliss in which my soul would bask. There is no language but would desecrate A joy so great.
'All that I ask, is just one tender touch Of that soft cheek. Thy pulsing palm in mine, Thy dark eyes lifted in a trust divine And those curled lips that tempt me overmuch Turned where I may not seize the supreme bliss Of one mad kiss.
'All that I ask, ' says Love, 'of life, of death, Or of high heaven itself, is just to stand, Glance melting into glance, hand twined in hand, The while I drink the nectar of thy breath, In one sweet kiss, but one, of all thy store, I ask no more.'
'All that I ask'-nay, self-deceiving Love, Reverse thy phrase, so thus the words may fall, In place of 'all I ask, ' say, 'I ask all, ' All that pertains to earth or soars above, All that thou wert, art, will be, body, soul, Love asks the whole.