Plighted

Mine to the core of the heart, my beauty!

Mine, all mine, and for love, not duty:

Love given willingly, full and free,

Love for love's sake, - as mine to thee.

Duty's a slave that keeps the keys,

But Love, the master, goes in and out

Of his goodly chambers with song and shout,

Just as he please, - just as he please.

Mine, from the dear head's crown, brown-golden,

To the silken foot that's scarce beholden;

Give to a few friends hand or smile,

Like a generous lady, now and awhile,

But the sanctuary heart, that none dare win,

Keep holiest of holiest evermore;

The crowd in the aisles may watch the door,

The high-priest only enters in.

Mine, my own, without doubts or terrors,

With all thy goodnesses, all thy errors,

Unto me and to me alone revealed,

"A spring shut up, a fountain sealed."

Many may praise thee, - praise mine as thine,

Many may love thee, - I'll love them too;

But thy heart of hearts, pure, faithful, and true,

Must be mine, mine wholly, and only mine.

Mine! - God, I thank Thee that Thou hast given

Something all mine on this side heaven:

Something as much myself to be

As this my soul which I lift to Thee:

Flesh of my flesh, bone of my bone,

Life of my life, whom Thou dost make

Two to the world for the world's work's sake, -

But each unto each, as in Thy sight, one.