O YE elect of sorrow and of love,
Who bear for others' weal a double strain,
And share the surplus of love's costly gain
With hearts his presence doth more feebly move,
Count not your grief's excess too far above
The worth of those you serve, nor all disdain
The lesser pressure of the barren pain
The light of love in love's surcease may prove.

Pity the poor who are by God's decree
Your pensioners, and fear not, for your part,
To harbour Love, how dear soe'er he be.
O Love that cometh, Love that may depart,
The gates of life are set so wide by thee,
The lord of Love can enter where thou art!