Shouldst thou consent

Thou knowest, Lord, that my desireIs to be thine indeed;Though thou, alas, of love or meHast neither note nor need.

Ah, though thou canst not give thyselfMy longing to allay,Yet grant me some small privilegeTo take my pain away.

If once thy lips were laid on mine(Canst thou not spare me this?)I could enchant myself in dreamsWith memories of thy kiss.

What is a small caress to thee?Given,—forgotten quite,—But unto me, shouldst thou consent,An infinite delight!

The Gods who send the sacred flameUpon the altar pyreRemain afar, serenely calmUntroubled by desire.

But the glad worshipper belowFalls faint in ecstasy;—Thus would it be, shouldst thou consentBetween thyself and me!