Love not too much. But how, 
When thou hast made me such, 
And dost thy gifts bestow, 
How can I love too much? 
  Though I must fear to lose, 
And drown my joy in care, 
With all its thorns I choose 
The path of love and prayer. 
  Though thou, I know not why, 
Didst kill my childish trust, 
That breach with toil did I 
Repair, because I must: 
  And spite of frighting schemes, 
With which the fiends of Hell 
Blaspheme thee in my dreams, 
So far I have hoped well. 
  But what the heavenly key, 
What marvel in me wrought 
Shall quite exculpate thee, 
I have no shadow of thought. 
  What am I that complain? 
The love, from which began 
My question sad and vain, 
Justifies thee to man.





