L'Amour Fait Peur

A coward is man, yet a heroWhose will overmasters his fear,Till peril no longer appals him,And danger itself groweth dear.Poised and strong, asking no intervention,He hazards the rock and the shoal;One only thing halts his pretension—Love frightens the soul.

Self-disciplined, slowly but surely,Disaster accustomed to brave,He makes a companion of sorrow,Nor falters at threat of the grave;Nay, often would hold it at nearerApproach a beneficent goal—But, ah! with the thought of one dearer,Love frightens the soul!