THE KINGDOM OF LOVE

In the dawn of the day when the sea and the earth

Reflected the sunrise above,

I set forth with a heart full of courage and mirth

To seek for the Kingdom of Love.

I asked of a Poet I met on the way

Which cross-road would lead me aright;

And he said “Follow me, and ere long you shall see

Its glittering turrets of light.”

And soon in the distance a city shone fair.

“Look yonder,” he said; “How it gleams!”

But alas! for the hopes that were doomed to despair,

It was only the “Kingdom of Dreams.”

Then the next man I asked was a gay Cavalier,

And he said: “Follow me, follow me”;

And with laughter and song we went speeding along

By the shores of Life's beautiful sea.

Then we came to a valley more tropical far

Than the wonderful vale of Cashmere,

And I saw from a bower a face like a flower

Smile out on the gay Cavalier;

And he said: “We have come to humanity's goal:

Here love and delight are intense.”

But alas and alas! for the hopes of my soul —

It was only the “Kingdom of Sense.”

As I journeyed more slowly I met on the road

A coach with retainers behind;

And they said: “Follow me, for our Lady's abode

Belongs in that realm, you will find.”

‘ Twas a grand dame of fashion, a newly-made bride,

I followed, encouraged and bold;

But my hopes died away like the last gleams of day,

For we came to the “Kingdom of Gold.”

At the door of a cottage I asked a fair maid.

“I have heard of that realm,” she replied;

“But my feet never roam from the‘ Kingdom of Home,’

So I know not the way,” and she sighed.

I looked on the cottage; how restful it seemed!

And the maid was as fair as a dove.

Great light glorified my soul as I cried:

“Why, Home is the‘ Kingdom of Love’!”