Love's Language.

How does Love speak?              In the faint flush upon the tell-tale cheek,              And in the pallor that succeeds it; by              The quivering lid of an averted eye -              The smile that proves the patent to a sigh -         Thus doth Love speak.         How does Love speak?              By the uneven heart-throbs, and the freak              Of bounding pulses that stand still and ache,              While new emotions, like strange barges, make              Along vein-channels their disturbing course;              Still as the dawn, and with the dawn's swift force -         Thus doth Love speak.         How does Love speak?              In the avoidance of that which we seek -              The sudden silence and reserve when near -              The eye that glistens with an unshed tear -              The joy that seems the counterpart of fear,              As the alarmed heart leaps in the breast,              And knows and names and greets its godlike guest -         Thus doth Love speak.         How does Love speak?              In the proud spirit suddenly grown meek -              The haughty heart grown humble; in the tender              And unnamed light that floods the world with splendor;              In the resemblance which the fond eyes trace              In all fair things to one beloved face;              In the shy touch of hands that thrill and tremble;              In looks and lips that can no more dissemble -         Thus doth Love speak.         How does Love speak?              In the wild words that uttered seem so weak              They shrink ashamed to silence; in the fire              Glance strikes with glance, swift flashing high and higher              Like lightnings that precede the mighty storm;              In the deep, soulful stillness; in the warm,              Impassioned tide that sweeps through throbbing veins              Between the shores of keen delight and pains;              In the embrace where madness melts in bliss,              And in the convulsive rapture of a kiss -         Thus doth Love speak.