William James Armitage (1860–1929)

LOVE doth rule each human heart,

All earth’s empires feel his sway;

Nought mortal can escape his dart,

Nor rank nor beauty say him nay.

Love, life’s sun, doth flame the soul,

Even to cowards doth courage give,

Drives out all wintry dearth and dole,

And bids life joyously to live.

But love, divine, which ever lasts,

Draws all its being, strength, and stay,

From that eternal faith which casts

All doubts, all dreads, and death away.