Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.
II. Love’s Nature“Love scorns degrees”
Paul Hamilton Hayne (1830–1886)From “The Mountain of the Lovers”
L
The high he draweth down to that fair plain
Whereon, in his divine equality,
Two loving hearts may meet, nor meet in vain;
’Gainst such sweet levelling Custom cries amain,
But o’er its harshest utterance one bland sigh,
Breathed passion-wise, doth mount victorious still,
For Love, earth’s lord, must have his lordly will.