How Long Wilt Thou Love Me?

How long wilt thou love me, O my love?
"As long as life may be."
Life is but a breath
Breathed us by Death,
That we may learn and be the makers of our Destiny.
How long wilt thou love me, O beloved?
"So long shall I love thee, O my love!
As long as time may be."
Time's but the go and come
Of a clock's pendulum,
Made so we count and see a cycle of Eternity.
How long wilt thou love me, O beloved?
"So long shall I love thee, O my love!
As long as tears may be."
Tears may turn to laughter
In the long Hereafter.
Laughter to tears for me, as is in our God's decree.
How long wilt thou love me, O beloved?
"So long shall I love thee, O my love!
As long as love may be,
Love that can courage give
To the faint heart to love,
To the faint heart Death to see, love that is Eternity,
So long shall I love thee, O my love!"