If Love Were King.

If Love were king,         That sacred Love which knows not selfish pleasure,         But for its children spends its fondest treasure,                 Sad hearts would sing,         And all the hosts of misery and wrong         Forget their anguish in the happy song                 That joy would bring.                 If Love were king,         Gaunt wickedness would hide his loathsome features,         And virtue would to all the world's sad creatures                 Her treasures fling;         Till drooping souls would rise above their fate,         And find sweet flowers for all the desolate                 And sorrowing.                 If Love were king,         Before the scepter of his might should vanish         Toil's curse and care, and happiness should banish                 Want's awful sting;         While laughing plenty from sweet hands would throw         Delightful raptures over all below,                 And gladness bring.                 If Love were king,         The nations would eternal sunshine borrow,         And conquer all the heavy clouds of sorrow                 And every thing         That binds the race in groans and agony;         Life's changing seasons would forever be                 Unvaried spring.                 If Love were king!         O, broken feet that wander worn and weary         Beneath the crags and awful mountains dreary,                 With rapture cling         Your anguished arms about him; drink delight         Upon his perfect bosom soft and white                 And comforting!