O, were I loved as I desire to be! br What is there in the great sphere of the earth, br Or range of evil between death and birth, br That I should fear, - if I were loved by thee! br All the inner, all the outer world of pain, br Clear love would pierce and cleave, if thou wert mine; br As I have heard that somewhere in the main br Fresh-water springs come up through bitter brine. br 'I were joy, not fear, clasped hand in hand with thee, br To wait for death - mute - careless of all ills, br Apart upon a mountain, though the surge br Of some new deluge from a thousand hills br Flung leagues of roaring foam into the gorge br Below us, as far on as eye could see.