Why hurt so hard by little pricks, br By chasing cares so clouded over, br Heart of mine? br Holding what no storm can unfix br Nor time corrupt, O tender lover! br Why repine? br In you so deep a fountain springs br Of faith and joy beyond all speech, br O happy heart! br How should those meanly thwarting things br Men do, the petty creeds they preach, br In you have part? br br It is because, my heart replies, br There is such beauty to adore br Within, for ever,-- br Because I dwell in paradise, br That the world's chafing is a sore, br A fret, a fever. br Were there no fountain welling strong br In me, no vision heavenly--rare br Before my eyes, br There'd be for me no world of wrong br Without, lamenting to compare br With paradise.