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.
