George Moses Horton - The Powers Of Love

It lifts the poor man from his cell To fortune's bright alcove; Its mighty sway few , few can tell , Mid envious foes it conquers ill; There's nothing half like love. Ye weary strangers , void of rest , Who late through life have strove , Like the late bird which seeks its nest , If you would hence in truth be blest , Light on the bough of love. The vagrant plebeian , void of friends , Constrain'd through wilds to rove , On this his safety whole depends , One faithful smile his trouble ends , A smile of constant love. Thus did a captured wretch complain , Imploring heaven above , Till one with sympathetic pain , Flew to his arms and broke the chain , And grief took flight from love. Let clouds of danger rise and roar , And hope's firm pillars move; With storms behind and death before , O grant me this , I crave no more , There's nothing half like love. When nature wakes soft pity's coo The hawk deserts the dove , Compassion melts the creature through , With palpitations felt by few , The wrecking throbs of love. Let surly discord take its flight From wedlock's peaceful grove , While union breaks the arm of fight , With darkness swallow'd up in light , O what is there like love.George Moses Hortonhttp://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-powers-of-love/