Dare

by Gerard Jac

 

How shall I ever dare
To look you in the eye
And confess you are
The rose within my heart,
A fever in my soul,
And all my thoughts' delight?

I have no power to leave;
Lest one of your dear hands
May some day gesture, 'Stay,'
And bind me with a band
I cannot flee: your face,
Eyes glittering as stars.

'Beloved creature, dare:
The adolescent day
Must pass, and if you share
This last dream of my heart
Till awful evening break,
No sorrow would I give but only grace' -

But that I cannot say,
For evening draws too near;
So let my actions speak
With graciousness more clear,
Fulfilling all you seek;
More loving than words may.